Reasons for Hope

Reasons for Hope https://www.rforh.com Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:38:01 +0000 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:38:01 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Who's in Your Inner Circle? https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/24/who-s-in-your-inner-circle Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/24/who-s-in-your-inner-circle

Are you surrounded by people who push you in your faith? Make good decisions? Are a good influence?

We are privileged today to be blessed by a guest blog, written and shared by Lacey Reitz, a remarkable young woman that I want to write about for a moment. Lacey is the product of a godly Christian home with parents who did not shy away from spiritual conversations and answering tough questions as she matured in her faith. As a result, I believe, Lacey came to claim her faith as her own and now strives to proclaim the hope she has in Christ to the rising generation of college-age women with whom she is in a place of influence. She currently serves as the Assistant Coach for Raiders women’s volleyball at Northwestern College in Iowa. She wrote the insightful missive below to share as a devotional with her players.

When Jesus Saw Their Faith

I’d like to start by sharing this passage from Mark:

Mark 2:3–5 NIV
Some men came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, carried by the four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Read that last line again.

When Jesus saw THEIR faith, He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

It was not just the faith of the paralyzed man that healed him; it was the faith of his friends. This is why who and what you surround yourself with is so important. Your circle matters!

1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV says, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” Do not let the people you spend time with and the things you are doing poison your life. This concept is also expressed in Proverbs 12:26 NIV, as it says, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Evaluate your circle. Are you surrounded by people who push you in your faith? Make good decisions? Are a good influence? Or are you spending time with people who put you in compromising positions, open your heart to things that it shouldn’t, and live out things that aren’t truth?

Can YOUR Faith Heal a Friend?

As sinners, we are so easily led astray, but because of the love of Jesus, we have the power to feed ourselves with godly things, put ourselves in a godly environment, and live life in a godly fashion. Northwestern Volleyball provides us with a remarkable opportunity to experience those godly surroundings.

Evaluate yourself as a teammate. Do you impact your teammates positively? Does your faith course through the team? Being a part of a team is so incredibly special, as confirmed in the verse here.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

You have been blessed to be a part of this team. Be sure to be a blessing to your teammates in return. Pick them up when they are down. Support and encourage them. Let your faith in Christ save them in a time of need. Work together to lead each other in light instead of falling into darkness. Other people do not get to be a part of the special thing you are a part of. Do not take that for granted.

The devil attacks us every second of every day. We are going to fall sometimes, and we can’t prevent that in our own power. Thankfully, we have each other. More importantly, however, we have Jesus to rely on, the perfect friend.

Lacey Reitz embodies the end goal Reasons for Hope is pursuing with the next generation—producing trained and equipped believers to boldly stand on the Word of God. Though I haven’t asked her, I would daresay she would name her parents as those among her heroes of the faith. Indeed, the primary spiritual training of young people should occur first in the home. It is also noteworthy to add that God holds today's Christian parents accountable just as He did the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:6–9, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Kids need to see faith lived out through the good, the bad, and the ugly—up close and personal, day-by-day—and feel safe asking questions and sharing doubts about their faith.

Though studies show that 75% of kids who are part of a strong evangelical church leave the church and any connection to Christ from age 18–29, 25% are staying. This research also shows five common things that were true of the 25% who DID NOT leave the church and walk away from their faith.¹ Without a doubt, the influence of a Christian home has decidedly long-term effects on Christian youth staying committed to their relationship with Christ.

Kids need to see faith lived out through the good, the bad, and the ugly—up close and personal, day-by-day—and feel safe asking questions and sharing doubts about their faith. Parents, that’s our job, and what a privilege it is to partner with our Lord in this adventure called parenthood.

So today, I want to challenge Christian parents to continue on this journey with perseverance, knowing that, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). I pray that seeing the spiritual fruit of parental investment through Lacey’s shared devotional will serve to encourage and embolden you to be a hero of the faith to your own children. And when it comes to circles, your family circle matters most of all.

¹ As shared by Josh Denhart, January 8, 2015. kidminscience.com/the-simple-things/

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]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/24/who-s-in-your-inner-circle#comments 0 Where's the Justice? https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/17/where-s-the-justice Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/17/where-s-the-justice

Join us today for another insightful blog from our Founder and President, Carl Kerby.

Back in 2022, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of football coach, Joseph A. Kennedy, from Bremerton, Washington, who was fired because he prayed at the 50-yard line of the football field.

A Case in Point

One comment that caught my attention right away was from the Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan.

"We're worried that the students will feel, ‘He gets to put me into a football game, or not,’" Kagan said, intoning how the school might have put it. "He gets to give me an A in math class, or not. And this is a kind of coercion that's improper for 16-year-olds."¹

After hearing Elana Kagan’s comment though, I did some more digging into the facts of the case about Coach Kennedy. What I found is that the coach did not require the students to pray. He went to the 50-yard line alone, and students who wished to join him did so of their own volition.

As for the claims that he might not put them in the game if they didn’t pray, that’s total bunk as well. The fact is, two of the student captains on his team who play most of every game did not participate in the postgame midfield prayers. So, there’s no evidence of harm to any student who didn’t participate in the 10-15 second prayer for the purpose of giving God the glory for the game. (By the way, the coach was inspired to develop this practice after watching the 2007 movie, Facing the Giants.)

Thankfully, the court ruled in favor of Kennedy's right to free speech in this case and required the school district to reinstate him as coach. But that's not the "rest of the story," and it's not a happy ending. After his first game back, Coach Kennedy turned in his resignation due to what he saw as retaliation from the school district. According to his lawyer, "the team wouldn’t give Kennedy a play card, which coaches use to draw up plays for the game, wouldn’t give him a coaching assignment for the game, wouldn’t give him a locker, banned him from the team meal, banned him from certain team meetings, and wouldn’t allow him to stand near the head coach or players during the game."²

Where’s the Justice?

This case and its approach made me wonder that if coercion is such a problem in the public school system, then why is the Supreme Court not getting more actively involved in the coercion taking place against Christians and conservatives in the schools?

My thoughts then went immediately to the hundreds of Christian students that have come up to me after a meeting and told me about the experiences they’ve had in their public school or university with teachers mocking and ridiculing them for their faith and/or conservative values. One of the most common examples these students have told me about takes place on the first day in their class. The professor will ask, “Are there any Christians in here today?” If anyone raises their hand, they will get one of the following three responses.

1. “Pick your books up and get out of here. I’m not going to waste my time on you.”

2. “We’ll see about that by the time this semester is over.”

3. “Hmmm!“ And then the rest of their time in that class is a nightmare.

As a matter of fact, my own daughter—while starting classes for her master’s degree—called me after her very first English class to tell me that if the professor knew that she was my daughter, that she would fail her regardless of the work that she did. This professor spent the entire duration of the first class of the semester attacking creationists. You can’t tell me there was no coercion there!

But those are just hear-say stories, right”? Are there any documented cases showing professors/teachers coercing students to doubt their faith or conservative values? The answer is yes!

In Boca Raton, Florida, a Florida Atlantic University (FAU) professor, Dr. Deandre Poole, conducted a classroom exercise where he had the students write the name “Jesus” on a sheet of paper, place it on the ground, and then stomp on it. There’s no coercion going on here, right?

I first heard this account when I was speaking to a group of youth at Calvary Chapel, Boca Raton. After I finished my presentation, a line of students who wanted to speak with me formed, extending the length of the gym. The third or fourth student in line was a young man who told me that this had happened to him in Dr. Poole’s class. (On a side note, it was very discouraging to also hear from this group that there were Christian students who didn’t take a stand and refuse to participate in this act of disrespect to our Lord and Savior. Could they have felt, "He gets to pass or fail me in this course," and if so, wouldn't that be "improper and coercive and evidence of harm" for college students?)

Another student was actually suspended from this class for NOT participating in this exercise. It’s reported that this student was a Mormon and wouldn’t participate after he stated, “Anytime you stomp on something, it shows that you believe that something has no value. So, if you were to stomp on the word, Jesus, it says that the word has no value,”³ Fortunately, the Liberty Institute got involved and had this young man reinstated in the same class under a different professor and made sure all the derogatory academic charges against him were removed from his records.

This same young man also told me of another English professor at FAU who, during one of his class periods, had the students close their books as he walked around to sit on the front of his desk. He then proceeded to tell them, “I’m rich, and I don’t need this job. I have a big house, and I have a great car. The only reason I’m here is to destroy Christianity!”

There’s no coercion there either, right? You can very easily find news reports of the “stomp on Jesus” account, but I haven’t found any for this second professor. For whatever reason, that event didn’t rise to the level of complaints that the first one did.

Fair and Impartial?

If the above examples aren’t enough to convince you that coercion is taking place in the classroom, here’s an example—one of hundreds, without a doubt—that shows how those with conservative values, even if they’re not Christians, are being negatively targeted by the system.

Headline: Teacher Threatens to Kick Out Student with Trump 2020 Flag in Virtual Background

“A high school chemistry teacher in Colusa, California, told a student that he would be kicked out of class if he didn't remove the Trump 2020 flag from his virtual learning background.”⁴

If Justice Kagan is truly concerned about coercion, I’d ask that she address it in cases like these as well.
Stay Bold!

¹To read this article in full, go to https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/25/supreme-court-school-prayer-coach/7438478001/
²Read the full story at https://www.ncregister.com/news/washington-football-coach-resigns-citing-retaliation-for-his-supreme-court-victory
³Read the full account at https://www.gracecentered.com/student-suspended-refusal-stomp-word-jesus.htm
⁴https://link.rforh.com/trumpflag

To learn more about our Founder and President, Carl Kerby, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

Read Carl’s testimony and his heart for ministry in his book, Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life. Available HERE at our Reasons for Hope Store.

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]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/17/where-s-the-justice#comments 0 Butterflies, Cardinals, and Thanking God https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/10/butterflies-cardinals-and-thanking-god Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/10/butterflies-cardinals-and-thanking-god

Today's blog features a heart-felt message and an original illustration by our friend and former colleague, Dan Lietha. We invite you to see God in this timely message.

Scripture is there to guide us and give us much needed reminders of the hope we have in Christ. But do we always remember to turn to God and His Word in the midst of our troubles?

These last couple of years have been difficult for many—heartbreaking illnesses, loss of loved ones, isolation, and stress. Indeed, our lives have been changed. But through it all, many Christians have moved forward, day by day, holding on to the promises and reassurance of God’s Word. Scripture is there to guide us and give us much needed reminders of the hope we have in Christ. But do we always remember to turn to God and His Word in the midst of our troubles?

Christian author and speaker, Joni Eareckson Tada, has modeled something that I have found encouraging and helpful in this area. Let's start with some background on her story for those who aren’t familiar with Joni (pronounced, Johnny). In 1967, at age 17, she broke her neck in a diving accident while swimming and became a quadriplegic—paralyzed from the shoulders down. Now at age 71, she has spent the last 54 years in a wheelchair.

Unbelievably (humanly speaking), this great tragedy in her life has become an inspiration to many as she, despite her physical limitations, has achieved by God’s grace an amazing list of accomplishments. Here are just a few of them:

Author of over 48 books on disability and the Christian faith
Singer that has recorded several musical albums
Actor who starred as herself in a biographical movie
Talented illustrator (She draws and paints with a pencil or brush in her mouth.)
Internationally known speaker
Founder of the ministry, Joni and Friends
Host of the radio program, Joni and Friends, which is heard on over 1000 broadcast outlets around the world
International advocate for people with disabilities

She has also been married to her husband, Ken Tada, since 1982.

These many accomplishments are very inspiring, but even more so when you hear Joni talk about the deep dark valleys of depression she has gone through. She is very open about her early days of coming to grips with the new life limitations after her accident. Initially, she went through a deep depression, feeling her life was over and should be ended. And many times since—living the life of a quadriplegic—she has had low times.

When you hear her speak on her radio program or to audiences at a conference, she is just so bubbly and positively joyful. One might simply conclude that some people are naturally more positive than others, and that she must be one of them. Yet, she would be the first one to tell you that she has worked at it—every … single … day. She has hidden God’s Word in her heart (Psalm 119:11) through much time spent in Scripture, and she is constantly delighting in God (Psalm 40:8) and putting into practice the things she learns from God’s Word. One of the ways she does this caught my attention many years ago.

I remember Joni saying that one day she was praying and praising God for His grace and mercy in her life, and she felt a great peace and joy flood her soul. At that moment, a butterfly fluttered close by her. She said it was to her a symbol of God’s love and reassurance. Since that day, there have been many times when Joni has had a difficult day and a butterfly will flutter by, triggering thoughts of God's faithfulness. What a blessing! These butterflies have shown up at times in the weirdest places, such as the tops of high buildings, and Joni is so thankful to God for these little reminders of His care for us.

How many times have I taken common things for granted that I could be, and should be, thanking God for?

Some could say butterflies are not uncommon, and they fly by all of us—butterflies are nothing special. But Joni chooses not to see it that way. Her love for God and desire to give Him credit and praise (Psalm 9:1) for even a simple butterfly fly-by is what caught my attention. Her perspective of thankfulness (Psalm 106:1) as she endures life with difficulties that I know nothing about challenges me and encourages me. How many times have I taken common things for granted that I could be, and should be, thanking God for? Not only have I missed the opportunity to praise our Creator, but I also have missed the blessing of having my perspective refocused on eternally important things.

It was in my childhood that I first heard Joni tell of her butterfly encounters at moments of need in her life, and it has stuck with me. Over the years, I’ve collected a few visual things of my own similar to Joni’s butterflies, and they have helped me to be more thankful. At times, seeing these items has snapped me out of selfish self-focus from my problems of the moment.

One of them is a red cardinal. When a flash of bright red zips by, it triggers a thankfulness for my ability to see vibrant colors and gives me a new appreciation for God's care and the creation He made for us. I like cardinals, and they are fun to see, but adding this meaning to their unexpected appearances makes them so much more special. Other things that cross my path from time to time have become visual cues to remind me to pray for friends. This practice of using visual reminders to praise God and be thankful to Him has been a great blessing to me. Thank you, Lord, for the reminders you send my way.

Do you have things in your life that prompt you to look beyond the troubles of the moment?

We live in a world with many troubles, and yet we serve a God that is greater than any trouble we may face. Noticing “triggers” that encourage us to think of God more and to be thankful to Him will help us to more naturally live out Proverbs 3:5,6 (NKJV):

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him.
And He shall make straight your paths.

Author Bio:
Dan Lietha worked for Reasons for Hope from 2019 to 2023 as our cartoonist and illustrator, developing images and speaker slides that challenged viewers to think biblically. Prior to that, he was known for his creative cartooning for Answers in Genesis. During his time at RforH, he developed the “Truth Jabs” cartoon feature and produced an online educational video series called “Draw It & Know It!” that instructs viewers on how to draw animals and think about them through a biblical worldview. Since then, he has joined Dr. Jason Lisle's Biblical Science Institute organization, supporting this ministry with his talents and illustrative insights. He lives in northern Kentucky with his wife, Marcia, where they love to spend time with their daughter and son-in-law, Noah and Hannah Ham.

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]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/10/butterflies-cardinals-and-thanking-god#comments 0 Why the Resurrection? Reprised https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/03/why-the-resurrection-reprised Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/03/why-the-resurrection-reprised

Last week, Dr. Juan Valdes responded to questions asked about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This week, he continues along this line answering questions about the need for the resurrection of Christ, especially in relation to salvation.

Can you be a Christian and not believe in the resurrection?

Was the resurrection of Jesus Christ necessary? Can you be a Christian and not believe in the resurrection? The key to answering these questions is to first consider what it means to be a Christian. Since there are two very distinct ways of defining what it means to be a “Christian,” we need to understand why one definition does not require belief in the resurrection, and the other definition demands it.

Which One Are You?

1. An Admirer of Christ's Ideas and Philosophies

If by “Christian” one means a fan of the teachings of Christ, then the answer to "Can you be a Christian and not believe in the resurrection?" is YES. In this case, you can be a “Christian” and not believe in the resurrection. It is no different from people who consider themselves “Thomist” (followers of Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy), and we all know he did not rise from the dead. Likewise, others call themselves “Buddhists,” “Platonists,” “Marxists,” etc., and by this they mean to say they admire, agree with, follow, or adhere to the philosophies and ideas espoused by these men.

Since all of these men are dead, it is only their ideas that live on. Most importantly, this type of “following” does not demand that one adhere to everything these men said, nor does it require they be resurrected—one may simply be a fan of some of their ideas.

2. A Beneficiary of Christ's Redemptive Sacrifice

HOWEVER, if by “Christian” we mean a born-again person redeemed by the blood of Christ, adopted by God, who will enjoy eternal life in Heaven, then the answer to the above question is NO. A Christian in this sense is someone who is a fan of Christ and not just his ideas. Because He is no longer dead, Christ—and not just His ideas—lives on. A Christian in this sense is someone who reaps all the benefits of Jesus’ life, death, and most importantly His resurrection. Christ himself made this abundantly clear.

John 11:25 NKJV
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

In this passage, Jesus explains what sets Him apart from all the other teachers, philosophers, and religious leaders. Belief in Him is belief in His resurrection, and thus ours, as well. One must believe that Jesus rose from the dead, or else this passage is meaningless.

Many in fact doubt the resurrection, but they do so in spite of the strong and overwhelming historical evidence for the resurrection. Paul’s teachings, throughout his letters, are emphatic about the centrality of the resurrection. To the Romans, he explains the reason why we must believe in the resurrection in order to be saved.

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Why is the resurrection so important? Namely, if Christ did not rise from the dead, then He was not God. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is no resurrection for us. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then He was just another charlatan who promised what He could not deliver. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then we are wasting our time. Consider Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15.

I Corinthians 15:12-19 NKJV

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Paul describes Christianity without a risen Jesus as faith that is “empty” and “futile,” and it makes you among men “the most pitiable.” Even more important, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then you cannot reap the benefits of His sacrificial death on the cross. Paul says you are “still in your sins.” Without the resurrection, we are still lost in our trespasses and alienated from God because of our sins. Without the resurrection of Christ, there is no eternal life and when we die, we “have perished.”

Conclusion

Yes, you can be an admirer of Christ and his teachings without believing in His resurrection. In that case, your relationship is primarily with the ideas, not with the person. However, that type of relationship is no different from the one you may share with Plato’s ideas or Buddha’s ideas. It is a relationship that has no outcome beyond one’s lifetime. It may affect how you live here on earth in varying degrees, but it all ends when you die. What’s worse, you are still lost in your sins and alienated from God, destined to an eternal existence without Him.

On the other hand, a relationship with the living, resurrected Christ is altogether different. That type of relationship is accompanied by the benefits that follow Christ’s redemptive work of the cross and His resurrection. Not only are you saved from the penalty of your sins by Christ’s death, but you can accept the hope of eternal life through His resurrection. In other words, you are reconciled with God for all eternity. Unlike the admirer, the greatest benefits of this type of relationship are not found in this life, but they begin when the mortal body dies. In the words of Jesus, “though he may die, he shall live,” and that new life in Heaven is more glorious than could ever be imagined.

To learn more about Juan Valdes, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

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]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/04/03/why-the-resurrection-reprised#comments 0 Cross "Whys" Reprised https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/27/cross-whys-reprised Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/27/cross-whys-reprised

Join us today for timely and pertinent blog archive from Dr. Juan Valdes.

Why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t it have been done another way?

When considering the nature of these two questions, it is important to distinguish between them. The first question, “Why did Jesus have to die?” has to do with the necessity and purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross. It is a theological question that is foundational to the doctrine of salvation.

The second question, “Why couldn’t it have been done another way?” is a philosophical question that addresses whether God’s plan of redemption is the best of all possible plans. While the two questions are definitely related, their answers are unique and best addressed separately.

WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?

Jesus did not “have to” die. The Bible is clear that Jesus voluntarily chose to die. Jesus affirms this clearly when He states:

John 10:17-18, NKJV
“…I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down myself…”

Jesus could have chosen not to die, in which case we would all be lost in our sins and our transgressions, and we would be separated from God forever. But Jesus chose to offer Himself as a sacrifice because man had accrued a debt with God that he was unable to pay for.

God’s perfect justice demands that all transgressions receive just punishment. The punishment for sin against God is death. Jesus chose to die for us because He loves us and did not want anyone to have to pay the ultimate price for their sins—death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). He chose to die for us as payment for our sins. By choosing to die on our behalf, Jesus chose to pay in full the debt of our transgressions (Colossians 2:14).

WHY COULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN DONE ANOTHER WAY?

It is foolish of man, from his finite, limited perspective, to question the wisdom of God’s plan of redemption. Furthermore, it is extremely arrogant for man to believe that he is capable of coming up with a “better plan” or a “better alternative” to the one God chose. In His omniscience, God will always choose the best possible course of action in any given circumstance to accomplish His perfect will. Had there been a better way, a way that would have kept Christ off the cross, we can be sure God would have chosen it.

A quick survey of the two most common alternatives that have been proposed highlights the foolishness of man in sharp contrast with the wisdom of God. Some have argued that God could have created man without the option to sin and thus Jesus’ death on the cross would have been unnecessary. While this sounds good, careful consideration reveals the folly.

God’s salvation and forgiveness are available to ALL who believe (John 3:16-17), but no one is forced to believe or accept it.

God created man perfect. Part of what makes us perfect is that God created us as free beings (as opposed to robots). Had God created us without freedom—that would not have been good—meaning it would have been evil. Yes, it is our freedom that makes sin possible, but it doesn’t make it necessary. We chose to abuse of our freedom and make sin actual. Nevertheless, God’s plan accounted for our abuse of freedom and includes a plan for redeeming man from his fallen state.

Others propose that God could have chosen to forgive everyone, Jesus didn’t have to die on the cross, and everyone would go to Heaven. Once again, that sounds great, but upon closer consideration it doesn’t work either.

First, forgiveness of sin is impossible when it is not sought by the transgressor. God would not violate man’s freedom to choose to obey or disobey God. When man freely chooses to disobey God and is unrepentant, forgiveness, in the true sense of the word, is not possible.

Yes, it is our freedom that makes sin possible, but it doesn’t make it necessary.

Second, the idea seems to suggest that God is unwilling to forgive some people. This is not true! God’s salvation and forgiveness are available to ALL who believe (John 3:16-17), but no one is forced to believe or accept it.

Furthermore, everyone going to Heaven would be a violation of man’s free will—for there are many who do not want to go to Heaven. For those who freely choose to reject God—who affirm that they want nothing to do with Him, being forced to spend an eternity with Him would be worse than hell. C.S. Lewis said it well.

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, `Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, `Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, chose it. Without that self-choice, there could be no Hell.

CONCLUSION

One of the things that sets Christianity apart from all other religions is God’s perfect justice juxtaposed with God’s perfect mercy! God’s justice is perfect—every transgression—no matter how small—must be paid for. God does not turn a blind eye on any sin—regardless of who commits it. That is perfect justice! However, God’s mercy is also perfect!

God loves mankind with perfect love and does not desire that anyone should perish—so God devised a plan by which HE pays the debt demanded by his justice and makes righteousness available through Jesus Christ to all who believe. That is perfect mercy! That is why Jesus had to die, and it could not have been done any other way. There is no greater plan of redemption!

God loves mankind with perfect love and does not desire that anyone should perish.

To learn more about Juan Valdes, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/27/cross-whys-reprised#comments 0 Worth Repeating! Copy https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/20/worth-repeating-copy Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/20/worth-repeating-copy

Today's blog is another one from the archives, written by Carl Kerby.

One point I always try to make when speaking is that what we believe about where we come from has a profound effect on how we think and act. For instance, IF one believes life is the result of billions of years of random chance processes, how does one justify placing value on human life?

According to the 2011 PBS documentary entitled, The Journey of Life, humans are here because, “Over the course of 14 billion years, hydrogen gas transformed itself into mountains, butterflies, the music of Bach, and you and me.”

If this is the case, we have no real value; our perceived value is determined by man’s fallible opinion, which means that it comes from how pretty, smart, strong, or wealthy we are. It’s all determined by WHAT we bring “to the plate”—by what we offer.

... Our value comes from the fact that the Creator of everything made us in His image—NOTHING could give us more value than that.

Think about it, if we don’t have much to offer (according to arbitrary standards set by the opinions of somebody), then we could be classified as “useless eaters.” This was the case in Germany, which led to the killing of millions of human beings, many of whom were German citizens. Most people don’t know that Hitler’s Nazi regime didn’t just execute Jewish people; they actually started with mentally and physically handicapped Germans and continued from there.

On the other hand, what are the implications IF we believe God created man in His image? IF we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and God literally knits a human together in his or her mother’s womb, that changes everything. If THAT history is true, our value comes from the fact that the Creator of everything made us in His image—NOTHING could give us more value than that. In fact, it’s because God loves us and made us in His image that we have great value.

After speaking at a youth camp, a gentleman suggested that I watch a documentary entitled Killing Us Softly by Jean Kilbourne. Ms. Kilbourne is a pioneering activist for women, as well as speaker and author. She’s well known for her work on the image of women in advertising, and uses the powerful message of this documentary to show how ad agencies exploit women. (Interestingly, this is something that I’ve spoken about for a while now, but had never heard of her work. I’m also very concerned that the messages we see in the media are having an extremely detrimental impact on this generation.) Even though I would be in agreement with much of what I saw in the documentary, I’m not able to use the video because some images are pretty explicit.

There is one area that I believe is noticeably hypocritical, though, and thought I should comment on it. Ms. Kilbourne made the following statement:

We all grow up in a culture in which women’s bodies are constantly turned into ‘things’ and ‘objects’ … And this is everywhere, in all kinds of advertising, women’s bodies turned into ‘things’—into objects. Now of course this affects female self-esteem. It also does something even more insidious: it creates a climate in which there is widespread violence against women. I’m not at all saying that an ad like this directly causes violence—it’s not that simple. But turning a human being into a thing is almost always the first step toward justifying violence against that person. (Emphasis mine.)

Here’s where I see the hypocrisy: Ms. Kilbourne is very supportive of abortion rights.¹ The "turning-people-into-things" approach, which she rightly condemns, is exactly what “pro-choice” proponents do in order to justify their actions. They dehumanize humans—they turn humans into “things.” That’s why instead of calling the unborn child a “child,” they call him or her a “fetus.” Let's look at some definitions to illustrate what I'm saying.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a fetus is:

An unborn or unhatched vertebrate, especially after attaining the basic structural plan of its kind; specifically : a developing human (emphasis mine) from usually two months after conception to birth

Yet, when you go to the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary, a fetus is:

The young of viviparous animals in the womb, and of oviparous animals in the egg, after it is perfectly formed; before which time it is called embryo. A young animal then is called a fetus from the time its parts are distinctly formed, till its birth.

In the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, a “fetus” only pertained to animals. Today, however, unborn CHILDREN have been turned into “things” to help justify the greatest violence that can be taken against a human being—murder!

Please don’t misunderstand, we need to speak loudly and clearly against the exploitation of any human being because it’s wrong. But, if Ms. Kilbourne truly wants to be consistent, she needs to take a stand—as we all must—for ALL human life, and that includes the unborn child.

The truth is, because God made us in His image, we have value. This is why Ms. Kilbourne, (even if she doesn’t realize she’s borrowing from the biblical worldview) makes her point that women shouldn’t be treated as “things.” This is also why she has compassion and finds the courage to stand up for this cause—she believes there is an objective right and wrong. If everything (including us) is an accident, then nothing (including us) has any real value, and there is no objective right or wrong. That means the virtue we call compassion is no different from hatred, and courage is no different from cowardice.

We want you to KNOW that you are special because God created you. True, we live in a fallen world where babies are killed in their mother’s wombs, and women are exploited. Those things are wrong. Those things are sinful. And the fact is, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. All of us are guilty of rebelling against a just and holy God, and we deserve death and separation from Him for all eternity. But because God is also gracious and merciful, He has provided a way, through Jesus, for us to be saved from the consequences of our sins (Romans 3:23–25; Romans 5:9; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8).

Ephesians 2:4, 5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Because God loves us, we have great value, so much so that He died on a cross to pay for our sins even while we were rejecting Him (Romans 5:8). He died to pay the price for our rebellion (1 John 2:2). His shed blood pays the price for ALL of our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; Col 1:19–20; Hebrews 9:22). This is why, if we repent and place our trust in Christ alone, we can spend eternity with Him in a place that He has prepared called Heaven (Acts 3:19; John 14:2–4; 1 John 5:13).

If you’ve not turned yourself over to Christ, may we ask you to consider giving it all to Him today. Right now! And if you have already trusted Christ as your Savior, always remember, Christian, you’re a child of the King.

¹ Margaret Fosmoe, (April 12, 2017) “Author says Saint Mary’s College rescinded speech invite over Planned Parenthood award,” South Bend Tribune. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/education/2017/04/12/author-says-saint-marys-college-rescinded-speech-invite-over-planned-parenthood-award/45907861/ (Accessed March 9, 2022).

To learn more about our Founder and President, Carl Kerby, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/20/worth-repeating-copy#comments 0 A Lesson from Ricky, Revisited https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/18/a-lesson-from-ricky-revisited Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:08:01 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/18/a-lesson-from-ricky-revisited

Today's blog is one from our archives. Join our own Carl Kerby in one of his early ministry lessons....

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.

One of the most memorable teaching moments that I’ve had over the years was at the very beginning of my ministry with a young man named Ricky. I was leading a youth group, and we were memorizing Scripture. The verse for the week was Psalm 119:105. Here’s how the class started:

The first young man came up and recited: “Thy word iza lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” “Good job,” I said.

The next young man came up and started: “Thyword iza lamp unto my feet anda light unto my path.” “That’s good,” I said. And so it went for about two more young men, each one saying the verse faster than the previous person. Then came Ricky!

“Ricky, what does Psalm 119:105 say?”
Ricky took a deep breath, and let it fly: “Thywordizalampuntomyfeetandalightuntomypath!”

He looked at me, very happy with himself. It was almost as if he’d set a new land speed record and was pumped about it. Then, I did the unforgivable … I asked him a question.

“Ricky, was does Psalm 119:105 mean?”

Ricky’s smile immediately turned into a frown. Burrows formed in his forehead as he thought about my question. I could see the wheels turning as he looked up at me and said, “I don’t know; nobody’s ever asked us that before.”

I felt horrible. I was a brand-new leader and didn’t have a clue about the “right” way to lead. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to ask questions about understanding what we were doing.

The young men all looked at me as if to say, “What’s wrong with this guy? That’s not the way class is supposed to go. We recite our verse, then play our games.”

Well, I’ve always been “weird” and felt like memorization without application is WORTHLESS! Please don’t misunderstand me, Scripture memorization is very important—I wish I were better at it. BUT, you can memorize the whole Bible and still be as lost as a goose. I’ve met a number of people who can quote a lot of Scriptures, but have no idea what they mean.

So, being new to the whole teaching thing, I came up with something off of the top of my head to try to get them to understand. It went something like this:

Carl: “Ok, everyone, get on that side of the room.”

Youth: “What?” “Why?” “Huh!” (You know, the typical young men responses when told to do something.)

Carl: “You heard me, everyone get on that side of the room.”

Youth: (Grumble, grumble, grumble)

Carl: “Here’s your job: Get from this side of the room to the other side of the room and back, as fast as possible, without touching any of the desks or chairs.”

Youth: “What?” “Why?” “Huh!” (You know, the typical young men responses when told to do something.)

Carl: “You heard me, just do it!”

Youth: (Grumble, grumble, grumble)

After they had done that, I continued:

Carl: “Good job, guys.”

Youth: “That was easy.” “Boring.” (plus grumble, grumble, grumble)

Carl: “Now, this time I’m going to blindfold you and turn off all the lights so that you can’t see anything. Then I’m going to rearrange all of these desks and chairs. Some will have the legs of the chairs and tables sticking out sideways. You then have to run from this side of the room to the other and back without touching any of the chairs and tables.”

Youth: “No! We don’t want to do that!”

Carl: “Why?”

Youth: “Because if we run into the chairs or tables, we could get hurt.”

Carl: “That’s Psalm 119:105 in action!”

Youth: “What?”

Carl: “Think about it. God is telling us that His Word is like a spotlight that we can use as we go through life. At night, if you don’t have a light source, you could trip over things or run into things and get hurt. But if you’ve got a spotlight that’s lighting up your path, you’ll be ok. Those chairs and tables represent sin. God’s told us what sin is and the impact it will have on us if we’re not careful. The same way you don’t want to run blindfolded in a room with all kind of dangers, you don’t want to go through life blindfolded with even more dangers. You need God’s Word to point out the traps that are around us. Now, you are free to do what you want to do, but just know this: There are consequences for the decisions that you make. I hope that makes sense.”

Today’s youth will not just accept something as truth because we say so.

As far back as I can remember in my Christian walk, I’ve always had a desire to teach the application of faith in Christ. Without application, it’s my humble belief that Christianity is done. Today’s youth will just not accept something as truth because we say so.

I’m not attacking anyone here, and I’m sure there are much better ways to teach than the way that I did. I don’t have huge followings or massive numbers of notches on my belt that I can show you where people have fallen on their face and totally turned their lives around after hearing me speak.

What I do have is a peace in knowing that with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength, I’m trying to represent the Lord well and share His Love with a lost and dying world that is crying out for hope. That hope is Jesus.

As the body of Christ, we each have gifts that are unique to us. God has prepared us to reach different folks. I can reach someone that will never listen to you. But, you can reach someone that will never listen to me. Please, USE YOUR GIFT to bring glory to Christ.

Stay Bold and shine a light, God’s light, on someone today!

This story as well as the rest of Carl’s testimony is told within the book, Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life. Available HERE as a free, downloadable PDF or on our RforH app.

We also encourage you to purchase our Q & A book series (together or separately), newest ministry book, Glad You Asked! Answers to 28 Questions Teens Are Asking About God and the Bible (that adults want to know, too) to help you answer questions from a biblical worldview that young people are asking today. Click HERE.

To learn more about our Founder and President, Carl Kerby, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/18/a-lesson-from-ricky-revisited#comments 0 God's Word: Like a Lion https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/06/god-s-word-like-a-lion Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/06/god-s-word-like-a-lion

Today’s blog was written by speaker and guest blogger, Bob Gillespie. We invite you to read this charge to further build your courage to stand boldly on the Word of God.

For centuries, the Bible was caged up in monasteries and limited to only the spiritual elite who decided for everyone else what the Scriptures meant. Then Martin Luther—a German monk who became the catalyst for the 16th-century Protestant Reformation—came along and “turned the Bible loose” for all to read. It was translated into the language of the people so they could read it and be transformed by the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit.

The Bible then became more than just a spiritual book to be read by monks; it was released to the people of the world as the Word from our Creator. Revered by scientists and peasants alike as the key to understanding all truth, God’s Word empowered the common man to act as image bearers of the Creator rather than slaves of an establishment. This new understanding of scripture rekindled the human spirit and brought in more liberty and prosperity than the world had ever known.

The Word of God is like a lion. You don't have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.
Charles Spurgeon

Of course, Satan, the father of deception, was not going to just lie down and give up. He conjured up another strategy to again cage the lion of God’s Word and relegate it to the status of mystical writings. One of the greatest attacks on the Bible—initiated during the Enlightenment period of the 18^th century and propagated in the 19^th century and following—was to introduce the concept of millions of years and evolution into explaining how we got here.

Sadly, much of the Church has since compromised the authority of the Bible with these satanic lies. In the eyes of the world, the Bible has been relegated to a place of obscurity and has lost its relevance to topics that are of significance to society.

Consequently, the Bible was once again “caged,” seemingly confined only to the church. Even the Church did not rise to the occasion and declare with confidence that science has not proven the Bible is a myth. Instead, Christians distanced themselves from science, reinforcing the notion that the Bible is only a spiritual or mystical book instead of it being the origin of scientific principles that, in fact, confirm creation and order by the Master Designer.

In turn, the Christian witness today has deteriorated to a plea to blindly disregard all the scientific evidence and join us in the “cage of mystical truth.” Obviously, this strategy is not working. The youth are not buying this, and we are losing an entire generation. As the older generation dies off along with their stand for biblical morality and sound doctrine, the world is on the verge of slipping into another Dark Ages, turning to man’s ideas for “truth” rather than the absolute truth revealed by the almighty God.

It’s time for Christianity to actively address real science
and our true history found in Genesis . . .

What we need is a new Reformation. Spurgeon was right—we don’t need to defend the lion; we need to let it loose. To release the Word from the confines of mystical truth, we need to address the vicious attacks on the Word. Since the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil have been touted and shouted incessantly over time, the population has accepted them as truth. And because the Church has waited far too long to respond, the cage has now been locked multiple times from within and from without.

It’s time for Christianity to actively address real science and our true history found in Genesis even as the world heaps on mountains of unanswered attacks against the authority of the Bible, insisting it is a myth. “But sanctify the Lord God always in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Reasons for Hope (as well as other creation ministries) stands as a modern-day Martin Luther with the courage to confront the Church for its compromise and complacency. Our goal is to uncage the Lion, to call the Church and the culture back to the authority of God’s Word, and to let the Bible do what it is supposed to do.

To further encourage you in your walk with Christ, download our free app where you will find hundreds of digital resources to train and equip you to stay bold in your faith. Just click HERE, and look for the blue asterisk on the black background.

Guest Blogger Bio:
Bob and his wife Lois graduated from Cedarville University in Ohio. Bob then received his master’s degree at Clark’s Summit Seminary in PA. They spent 14 years teaching in Christian schools in Ohio and another ten years teaching missionary kids in West Africa. Upon leaving Africa, the Gillespies felt God’s calling to join full-time apologetics ministry. Learn more about Bob and his ministry by clicking HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/03/06/god-s-word-like-a-lion#comments 0 "Without Pains, No Gains" https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/27/without-pains-no-gains Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/27/without-pains-no-gains

Since the events of Genesis 3, troubles have been the plight of mankind. Often, we bring troubles upon ourselves—through negligence (like car trouble, a leaky roof, a conflict with another) or disobedience (bad choices = unpleasant consequences). As Christians, we completely understand hardship in those instances, but we are hard-pressed to understand why we experience trials when we’ve been attentive and obedient. After all, shouldn't we be blessed when we've been diligent in prayer and Bible study and have tried to honor the Lord in all we do?

Let me be blunt and just cut to the chase: Trials are actually evidence of your salvation, as well as another way for God to show His love and care for you as His will is worked out in your life. Not convinced? Well, you've come to the right place, as the aim of this blog is to test out this claim and see what God’s Word has to say about it.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Please bear with me as I use parts of verses—all addressed to believers—to show that going through trials is one of the byproducts of being a “saved by grace, believer in Christ.” (Italics added for emphasis)

“And after you have suffered a little while … ” (1 Peter 5:10).

“... be patient in tribulation … ” (Romans 12:12).

“In the world you will have tribulation …” (John 16:33).

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds … ” (James 1:2).

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous …” (Psalm 34:19).

Now, granted, I only shared the negative parts of the above verses to make the point that believers should expect trials. What I didn’t show was the positive results of those trials and how God uses them to make us more like Him. Here’s the whole message of these verses (color and italics used for emphasis) to tell the “rest of the story”:

Knowing that we’re going to have trials, but that our hope in Christ will get us through them and make us better, should resonate loud and clear, especially if we’re familiar with the “no pain, no gain” mantra. When I looked up the genesis of this phrase, the first mention came from the Jane Fonda aerobics era in the 1980s to emphasize the hard work and rewards of exercise. However, when I dug a little deeper, I found that it was originally coined in the 1500s and was included in John Ray’s¹ proverb collection penned in 1670 as “Without pains, no gains.”

To further make this point, I’d like to end with the following illustration. I hope and pray it speaks to you as it did me.

Malachi 3:3 NKJV
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.

There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. When they got to Malachi 3:3, they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week, this woman contacted a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched him, the silversmith held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse, that He “sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

“Yes,” he responded and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”

He smiled and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”

--Unknown

Becoming like Christ is a difficult process, but the gain at the end is incomparable. Knowing He is with us every step of the way, ensuring that we are never taken through the fire to the point of harm, but only to perfect us to reflect His image, makes the pain pale in comparison to the joy that is to come.

1 Peter 4:12–13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

¹_{In my brief research, I learned that John Ray was a committed Christian, a leading botanist and naturalist in the 17th century who launched great progress in the field of taxonomy based on his biblical worldview, and he wrote a sermon entitled, “The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of Creation.” He’s definitely a kindred spirit of long ago, and a much more satisfying find than the Jane Fonda reference.}

Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development, has decades of experience working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching, leadership, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis, to name a few). Saved at a very young age and with a passion for God’s truth, she has served in various roles including classroom teacher, homeschool mom, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School and ladies’ Bible study teacher, and conference speaker.

Cooking/baking, hiking, traveling, and DIY projects are among her favorite pastimes. Holly and husband, Paul, have been married for almost 37 years, now reside in northeastern Maryland, and enjoy any time spent with their three daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!).

To learn more about Holly, and/or to schedule her to speak at a conference, ladies' retreat or Bible study or teen events, please click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/27/without-pains-no-gains#comments 0 Should a Christian Have Wealth? https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/20/should-a-christian-have-wealth Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/20/should-a-christian-have-wealth

Today, we’re excited to hear from Reasons for Hope’s CEO, Wade Wacker, as he answers the long-debated question, “Is it okay for a Christian to be rich?” His response, presented with a biblical worldview, should settle this issue for believers once-for-all.

A question that is often asked and debated is if it is okay for a Christian to be rich. Defining rich is a worldview, and many variables go into this topic, depending on the worldview one is coming from. Rich according to American standards is in a completely different category than compared to the world itself. However, once you get past the point of defining how much it takes to be rich, the question remains: Is it okay for a Christian to be rich?

Let’s dive deeper by elaborating on two sets of Scripture passages (1 Timothy 6:3-10 and Matthew 19:16-24) often used to argue that Christians should not be rich:

1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

As one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible, please note that it does not say that “money is the root of all evil,” which is the claim often made. Rather, it is the “LOVE” of money that is the root of all evil. Timothy is teaching us that if we make money the idol, it can lead to many sorrows. We must be extremely careful not to make money our sole focus and put that before our relationship with Christ.

In today’s world, that is extremely tough to do as money is needed in so many aspects of one’s life. This verse simply and explicitly cautions us that wealth can become a hindrance to our relationship with Him if given a priority in our lives. Consequently, money is not the evil; the love of it is. This leads to the second passage I want to share.

Matthew 19:23-24 NKJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Did Jesus say it was impossible for a rich man to get to Heaven? No, He did not. In this teaching, one must understand the context of why Jesus said what He did. Jesus just had a conversation with a rich person who was asking what it takes to inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:16-22). When Jesus told him to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him, the rich man walked away sadly. Jesus knew the heart of the rich man was misguided in his wealth and where his love truly lied. Hence, Jesus told the disciples that this is the challenge that makes it difficult for a rich person to go to Heaven.

Money can so easily take over one’s life and become the love of it. One need not look further than Hollywood or Silicon Valley to see the effects of wealth—Christianity and biblical instruction are not even on the radar of most people in that realm. Money is their god. The life wealth has created for them is their Baal.

To fully understand this teaching, it is just as important to note what Jesus did not say. He did not say it is impossible to inherit eternal life if you are rich. Yes, Jesus knew what money would become in the world and was giving us all a very good warning of how difficult money could make it to keep the focus on Him. But, creating wealth with right heart for Jesus can still be done, and God left us examples in the Bible of some very rich people who honored Him. Let's briefly look at four of them:

1. Job is described as having many riches.

Job 1:3 NKJV

Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

2. Abraham was “very rich.”

Genesis 13:1-2 NKJV

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

3. King David’s wealth was enormous, and Chronicles
gives us a strong clue of how wealthy he was.

1 Chronicles 22:14 NKJV

Indeed, I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

To give one an idea of how much wealth that is, one talent weighs 75 pounds or 1094 troy ounces. That means that King David gave 109,400,000 troy ounces of gold to his son, Solomon. With the price of gold today at $1,904 per ounce, that is $208.3 BILLION dollars. That is just the gold! When you consider the other assets King David accumulated, the numbers would be much bigger.

4. King Solomon, by today’s standards, was worth around $2.2 trillion dollars. Remember, Solomon chose wisdom and God still blessed him with riches (2 Chronicles 9:13-29).

These are just a few of the examples of people with riches in the Bible, and the Lord blessed them greatly. So, to answer the original question: Yes, it is okay for a Christian to be wealthy. However, wealth does come with a price. The world, the flesh, and the devil will often attack as finances can so easily become the front and center of one’s focus. Because our sinful nature can easily tempt us to step over the line into greediness, we must be wary of that and seek God’s wisdom when that becomes the case.

Wealth can certainly be used to bless the Kingdom. Our Lord knows that some have talents to be missionaries, speakers, pastors, volunteers, elders, church helpers, etc., and others have talents that can create wealth to provide for such ministry. It takes everyone with their designated gifts to keep the body of Christ healthy and active. Regardless of the resources He blesses us with (talents, abilities, wealth, etc.), God has entrusted us to do good to further His work in this world.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/20/should-a-christian-have-wealth#comments 0 Nothing Like His Love https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/13/nothing-like-his-love Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/13/nothing-like-his-love

The month of February immediately brings to mind thoughts of Valentine's Day, hearts, chocolate, flowers, and love. Join guest blogger, Brian Miller, today as he shares the amazing love of God―a love that surpasses anything the world can offer.

WRITER’S NOTE: The following is adapted from a presentation I gave a few years ago as a guest speaker at a small Bible church in Texas. At the time, I had been reading a book by Dr. David Jeremiah, God Loves You: He Always Has, He Always Will, so this blog contains several insights that impacted me at the time. With Valentine’s Day coming up, it’s timely to talk about God’s love, which is far different from Hallmark’s (the world’s) idea of romantic love. It’s important to draw the distinction, especially between love and lust. Love always gives; lust always takes. Anyway, here’s a brief glimpse at the matchless love of God.

"God’s love for you doesn’t depend on your perfection or achievement. It’s not that He looks away or isn’t concerned when you stumble. He sees it all, and He continues to love you with a love that is as eternal as eternity.”

― Dr. David Jeremiah

“God is love.” The Apostle John makes that statement several times in I John.

I want to make an important distinction here. John does not say, “Love is God.” We can’t make that mistake. There are many counterfeit loves in this world that are not in any way, shape, or form OF God. Notice also that he does not merely say, “God loves.” No, John wrote: “God is love.” Everything we see around us right now―you, me, the entire universe―is here because God is love. Everything He does, every action, is because He is love. Notice I said every “action,” not every action AND reaction. God acts. He doesn’t react. And when He acts, it is out of love. It is the essence of His divine nature.

Now you might say, “God is love. That’s all well and good to know. But how do I know who God really is? How do I know what love really is?”

Those two questions are one and the same. And here’s the key. The answers are provided to us in God’s Word. Assurance of His love is provided through His Word, as well as through the work of the Holy Spirit, whom each believer in Jesus Christ has within him.

Below are a few statements about God’s love, and I promise you, I’m not even scraping the smallest percentage off the tip of the iceberg of who God is and what love is. For you Texans, an iceberg is a really big chunk of ice; I’ll forgive you if you’re not familiar, but being from Minnesota, we get a lot of it, especially this time of year. So I guess not really icebergs, but you catch my (snow)drift. Consider these aspects of God’s love:

God’s love is uncaused by anything we do.

He loves us because He made us. He loves us because it pleases Him to do so. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” He loved us before we were born, before we even existed.

God’s love is unreasonable.

By that, I mean that He loves mankind despite our persistent rebellion against Him. I mean, as the Psalmist wrote, “Who is man that you should be mindful of him?” We’re prideful little specks of dust, spinning around on a piece of dust that’s spinning around another piece of dust … well, technically stardust, I guess. Yes, I guess I just called the sun, the center of our solar system, a piece of dust because it really is when compared to The Almighty.

There are 100 billion solar systems in the Milky Way alone. There are 100 billion-plus galaxies in the observable universe, and I get the feeling there is a whole lot more that man’s finite wisdom can’t see. There are more than a billion trillion stars in the observable universe. That’s 1 with 21 zeroes after it! That’s incomprehensible. Do you realize how finite we are? Yet, we minuscule dust particles shake our fists at God when things don’t go our way.

But still ... “God commended―that word means 'demonstrates’ ―His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That is awesome. Those billion, trillion stars out there? God knows them all by name. Not only that, but God spoke them into existence. And yet He sent His only Son to die for us. Amazing.

God’s love is eternal. Unending. Everlasting.

Jeremiah 31:3 tells us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness have I drawn you.” God is eternal, and that means His love is eternal.

God’s love is unlimited.

I love the following passage taken from Psalm 139. (Because God is love, it has been paraphrased, substituting "Your presence" and references to God with His love.)

“Where can I go from Your love?
Or where can I flee from Your love?
If I ascend into heaven, Your love is there.
If I make my bed in hell, behold, Your love is there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there, Your love shall lead me,
And Your love shall hold me.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed the darkness shall not hide me from Your love.”

God’s love is unchanging.

Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord; I do not change.” Because He is love, it means His love does not change either.

God’s love is unconditional.

Author John Ortberg stated: “Nothing you will ever do could make God love you more than He does right now: not greater achievement, not greater beauty, not wider recognition, not even greater levels of spirituality or obedience. Nothing you have ever done could make God love you any less: not any sin, not any failure, not any guilt, not any regret.”

Dr. David Jeremiah adds, “In other words, there is incredible hope for those who are disappointed in themselves. God’s love for you doesn’t depend on your perfection or achievement. It’s not that He looks away or isn’t concerned when you stumble. He sees it all, and He continues to love you with a love that is as eternal as eternity.”

I read those statements a while back, and it was like a lightbulb lit up for me. There is literally nothing I can do―good or bad―that will change God’s love for me. So, likewise, there is nothing you can do―good or bad―that can change God’s love for you.

That was something I was mixed up about for a long time. Unconditional love really is incomprehensible from a human perspective. God gave us his Holy Spirit, not so we can love Him, but so He can show us, through his Spirit, how much He loves us. That’s why we’re warned to “Quench not the Spirit.” When we do, we cannot truly appreciate or understand God’s love toward us.

I’ll wrap it up with a word of warning:

I John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, for anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.

And a word of encouragement:

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And one last one:

Psalm 63:3
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

This Valentine’s Day, no matter the condition of your human relationships, I pray each of you will know and embrace the matchless love of God.

Author Bio:
Brian Miller is a longtime newspaper columnist and freelance writer. He and his wife Bethany, a fellow “preacher’s kid” (and talented musician and chef), split their time between Eveleth, MN, and South Padre Island, TX. Brian seeks to use lessons learned in his life of God’s unchanging love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness to bring hope to others who may be struggling. The Millers are seeking God’s guidance for future ministry opportunities and appreciate your prayers. You may write to him at bd1976@pm.me.

IMPACT curriculum trains and equips young adult believers to stand boldly on the Word of God. It helps them know why they believe what they believe so that, in turn, they can live and share their faith with confidence.

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]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/13/nothing-like-his-love#comments 0 Relentless Forward Motion, Reprised https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/06/relentless-forward-motion-reprised Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/06/relentless-forward-motion-reprised

Originally posted on February 4, 2022, by Pastor Draa Mackey, this reprisal is timely and timeless. Whether you are in between struggles, in the middle of one, or have just passed through a very trying time, the finish line in the metaphorical marathon of life can only be attained with joy and relief in Christ. He is the only One who can, and will, walk (or run) through it with you.

"I had never experienced more pain in my life. Every muscle fiber in my legs screamed for respite. My arms, numbed by their endless back-and-forth, back-and-forth motion, had given up complaining and resigned themselves to their fate.

So tired. So sore. When will this be over? I think to myself.
I look down at my watch ... 94 miles in—that means I have about 6 miles to go. That’s less than two 5ks back-to-back. Okay. I can do this.

95 miles. To some, this number represents their daily commute. To others, it’s what they must travel to see their grandparents, children, or lifelong friends. But this number is special to me in a different way. It’s the distance my body could go before my spirit broke.

I’m an ultrarunner. Writing that down feels as though I’m committing fraud or something. No, I haven’t set any world, national, or state records—excluding a handful of Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on local trails—and I certainly am far from the front of the pack in most races. But, nonetheless, the title is mine. Ultrarunner. In short, this title is achieved by running races longer than marathon distance (26.2 miles). You don’t need to be the fittest, fastest, or strongest. All you must do is persevere. Get the miles done. As a seasoned ultrarunner and friend told me once, “It’s all about relentless forward motion.”

Relentless forward motion. Those were some of the only words pounding in my brain during the last five miles of my first one-hundred-mile footrace. I had completed a marathon, two 50ks, and a 55-mile race; but, in the ultrarunning community, one isn’t considered a TRUE ultrarunner unless he or she completes a hundred-miler. Then the ultra-ultrarunners pursue even loftier goals (a 135-mile race from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney or a 383-mile run in the Arctic, for example). But, for most within the community, the christening celebration occurs at the 100-miler finish line.

And, here I am, five miles from reaching a goal I’ve longed to achieve for months. And I’m broken. Empty. I feel like a shell of a man, plodding along the trails, wondering what in the world I’m accomplishing through this endeavor. Don’t get me wrong—quitting never even passed through my mind. It simply wasn’t an option on the table. My quandaries were the questions burning in each of our hearts since our youth: Why? Why am I here? What is my purpose? I had hoped I’d encounter some existential revelation through my endless footfalls on the pine-needle-strewn trail and cracked, gray asphalt; instead, the questions burned hotter and deeper within me.

Often the answers to your deepest longings and desires are only found in weathering the storm.

Why? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Cliches spoken with good intentions often taste the bitterest while in the throes of agony. Yet, I found myself clinging to a mantra: relentless forward motion. Even though at the time I couldn’t find it within me to answer my soul’s burning questions, the mantra reminded me of a truth beyond myself. Something that, if apprehended and accepted, will allow for hope in the worst circumstances known to humanity.

Often the answers to your deepest longings and desires are only found in weathering the storm. Persevering until the end. Realizing that the battle’s fray clouds answers. Answers that, immediately after the battle ceases and the dust settles, you discover were there all along, amid the fray, behind you, before you, and even, at times, fighting for you. When you seek for answers within the storm, don’t be surprised if you only find wind and waves.

I was within the storm at mile 95, but the sun was beginning to pierce through the clouds. Little by little, with each pained footfall, the relentless forward motion drove me closer to the light. Each stride brought with it increasing pain, but the progressively intensifying light shrouded me in joy.

Mile 96. Mile 97. 98. 99.
I could hear the whooping and hollering growing louder. The music blasted through the trees. Suddenly, I rounded a corner, came out of the woods, and there it was—The Finish Line.

A vigor returned to me. It began rejuvenating my muscles and focusing my mind. My body felt new. My spirit reborn. Relentless forward motion. I sprinted.

I’m not sure how quickly I covered the final one-hundred yards. It didn’t matter. What mattered was standing there at the finish, with my faithful crew, having achieved something once thought impossible. All because of a simple yet profound mantra: relentless forward motion.

I think the Christian life can often feel like a hundred-mile footrace. The mountain peaks and their accompanying vistas are often followed by valleys filled with mud, rocks, and roots. Sometimes the trail is easy to follow, other times you’re confronted with a five-way intersection, at midnight, with a dying headlamp, and a shoddy map. Maybe you’ve made it 95 miles and feel broken. Overwhelmed. Wondering, “Why? Why am I here? What is my purpose?” Might I encourage you with the mantra that gave me the strength to carry on—to finish the race?

Relentless. Keep moving. True joy comes through the pain, not by avoiding it (1 Corinthians 9:26–27; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; Hebrews 12:1–3).

Forward. Keep progressing. Even if you must crawl on your hands and knees, any forward movement is progress (Philippians 3:12–16; Luke 18:1).

Motion. Don’t stop (James 1:12; Isaiah 40:31).

The clouds will break, revealing the sun that beamed its glory all along. The storm will cease, showing the One who held you firmly through it all. I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to the churches in Galatia.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

A hundred miles may seem like an overwhelming distance, and I won’t deny that opinion.
But keep in mind: we serve a God who specializes in overwhelming the overwhelming.
One foot in front of the other—Relentless forward motion."

Author Bio:
Pastor Draa Mackey has served as the senior pastor at Bayshore Baptist Church in Lincolnville, Maine, since 2018. Draa and his wife, Joanna, have been married for almost eight years and have a six and a half-year-old son, Kirk, and a two and a half-year-old daughter, Hazel. They love traveling, hiking, running (Draa is an ultra-marathoner!), and serving the Lord in their community.

To learn more about Draa and the ministry at Bayshore Baptist Church, click HERE.

To encourage you in life's race, download our free app where you will find hundreds of digital resources to train and equip you in staying bold in your faith. Just click HERE, and look for the blue asterisk on the black background.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/02/06/relentless-forward-motion-reprised#comments 0 What New Learning Are You Doing? https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/30/what-new-learning-are-you-doing Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/30/what-new-learning-are-you-doing

Photo credit: https://sgwmscog.com/articles/bible-science/

A few years ago, many of us on the team at Reasons for Hope were privileged to learn more about astrophysics under the private tutelage of Dr. Jason Lisle, a Christian astrophysicist, author, and popular speaker. I got to hear Dr. Lisle teach for the first time several years before this virtual training session, when he was a speaker and writer for Answers in Genesis.

Prior to that, astronomy and physics were of little interest to me. After all, I planned to keep my feet planted on the Earth and could just enjoy what I saw in the heavens on a clear night for viewing purposes. I didn’t really need to know more. I mean, I did my time in middle school and high school learning biology, chemistry, and the order of the planets of our solar system— “My Very Excited Mother Just Sat Upon Nine Pins” (yes, Pluto was still classified as a planet back in those days). And, I memorized what I needed to in my general education science courses for good grades in college. So how was learning about astronomy going to be applicable in real life?

I had always been a creationist and believed God’s Word was true, but this new information made me realize that I had been compartmentalizing my Christianity.

The first time I heard Jason Lisle speak, I was immediately impressed not only by his vast knowledge and credentials at such a young age (he was still in his 20s), but more so by his passion for God’s Word and showing that when we begin with a biblical worldview, then examine the surrounding universe, we will see God’s plan and design. In other words, what we see in the world is consistent with what we read in the Word. That talk revolutionized my thinking. I had always been a creationist and believed God’s Word was true, but this new information made me realize that I had been compartmentalizing my Christianity. This meant I’d also been missing out on opportunities to strengthen my own faith and influence others through learning more about the space above my planet.

Fast-forward to the spring of 2006—when I was approached by the administrator of the Christian school my daughters were attending about a teaching position for the following school year. He had two open teaching positions and had heard I had a K–8 teaching credential as well as a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Long story short, a few weeks later, I accepted a position to teach—you guessed it—SCIENCE to all 7th–9th grade students starting that fall. The next two years were absolutely amazing as I learned and taught life science, earth and space science, and physical science every day from a biblical perspective. What a joy to teach these students science in a way I wish I’d been taught, and to see them learn and appreciate the truth of God’s Word even more.

I share this story because I honestly believe that had it not been for Dr. Lisle’s talk, and messages from other biblical creationists I’d heard, my mindset would not have been in the right place to do God’s will at that point in time—meaning I would have most likely turned down that job/ministry offer. Consequently, I also would not have the privilege of being part of the Reasons for Hope team today, since it was while I was serving at that Christian school that I was asked to write the Demolishing Strongholds curriculum and, in turn, met Carl Kerby. Someone wisely said, “Trust the direction in which God leads you,” and I’m so thankful for that.

In an earlier blog, I stated that I love learning. On top of that, I love being part of a ministry in which we are constantly challenged to learn and grow so that we can then share our new knowledge with the rising generation. In our training session with Dr. Lisle, we were so blessed to be taught and have our questions answered by an expert in biblical creation and astrophysics.

In just one segment of our Google Meets training, he demonstrated for us how light year calculations are done and confirmed what Albert Einstein concluded—that there is no possible way to calculate a one-way measurement of the speed of light because there is no way for us to know if light travels the same speed going away from us as it does coming towards us. (Did you know that light year speed is calculated based on its round trip time measurement?)

Because of that fact, and because of what we read in God’s Word in Genesis 1:14–15, we may actually be seeing distant starlight in real time! This is just one example of the new knowledge I gained this week that once again reinforces that if I start with the Bible, what I see in the world (or universe) is consistent with what I read in the Word. I can be absolutely confident in the truth of God’s Word.

Psalm 119:160 NKJV
The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

You probably noticed that the title of today’s blog is “What New Learning Are You Doing?” And yes, you read about my own learning challenge, but I want to put out a challenge to you, the reader, and ask you a question. When was the last time you delved into learning science AND learning it by starting with the Bible?

As I conclude, our team would like to publicly thank Dr. Jason Lisle for partnering with us and taking the time to invest in our learning so that we may better serve you. We’d also like to challenge you to visit his website and tap into the free resources he has to offer, both print and digital, to increase your own learning in the area of biblical creation and science.

To access Dr. Jason Lisle’s speaking calendar and resources, go to his ministry website HERE.

For hundreds of FREE video resources produced by Reasons for Hope, download our App HERE. Just look for the blue asterisk.

Author Bio:
Dr. Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development for Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis, to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They currently live in southern New Jersey.

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/30/what-new-learning-are-you-doing#comments 0 A Time to Be Born https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/23/a-time-to-be-born Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/23/a-time-to-be-born

Today, we are revisiting a blog originally written in January 2022 by our own Frank Figueroa, Jr. Though legislation in recent years has caused a slight drop in abortion numbers, Frank posits that it is God's people teaching God's Word and standing for life that can truly make a lasting difference in saving the lives of unborn babies.

If you trace God’s divine interventions in history, you will notice, more than once, the arrival of a baby on the scene who would become an instrument of deliverance for His people. Think of Moses, Samuel, John the Baptist, and of course, Jesus! Bible Commentator Warren Wiersbe said it well when he penned,

“Babies are God’s announcement that He knows the need, cares about His people, and is at work on their behalf. The arrival of a baby ushers in new life and a new beginning; babies are signposts to the future, and their conception and birth is a miracle that only God can do!”

On Sunday, January 18, 2026, many of us acknowledged and honored Sanctity of Human Life Day—a day designated in 1983 by former President Ronald Reagan, one of the most pro-life U.S. president in modern history. If we look at how dark this world has become since then, one cannot help but see a correlation between that and our nation’s disregard for human life in the form of abortion.

Note: All statistics are from the Guttmacher Institute Fact Sheet released September 2019.

Almost 93% of all abortions in the United States are performed in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Just over 7% of all abortions in the United States are performed in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

WORLDWIDE STATISTICS

Number of abortions per year: approximately 40-50 million.
Number of abortions per day: approximately 125,000.

UNITED STATES' NUMBERS

Number of abortions in 2019: 887,000 (This is down from an all-time high of 1.21 million in 2008.)
Average number of abortions per day in 2019: approximately 2,430 (compared to the 2008 number of 3,315)

WHO’S HAVING ABORTIONS?

Almost 50% of women obtaining abortions in the U.S. are between the ages of 20-29.
Unmarried women made up 86% of all abortions performed in 2019.
Married women accounted for 14% of all abortions.

BUT EVEN MORE ALARMING ARE THE RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS OF ABORTION SEEKERS

In 2014, women identifying themselves as Protestants accounted for 30% of all abortions in the U.S.
Catholic women accounted for 24%.
Women with no religious affiliation comprised 38% of all abortions.
Sadly, almost 13% of all abortions were performed on women who identified themselves as born-again or Evangelical Christians.

I would argue that one of the last hopes we have as a society rests in our children. This is why we need to teach them the Word of God.

It makes perfect sense that the devil is in the middle of this and wants to eradicate babies. After all, babies who are properly taught the Word of God and embrace Jesus as their authority can be used by God to impact this world for Christ!

As a nation, we have made some grave mistakes—first and foremost, turning away from God’s Word as the authority for life’s decisions. But secondarily, we have allowed leaders to be voted into power who promote wickedness and not righteousness. And what are they trying to take from us? Our children!

I would argue that one of the last hopes we have as a society rests in our children. This is why we need to teach them the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Maybe the reason I am still on this earth is to share this message during a time such as this. Because I believe this, I will not be kept silent. To break through the lies that enslave, these realities about abortion need to be shared with a heart of compassion and grace:

An abortion procedure will certainly kill one of the two people involved, if not both.
The feminist movement is continuously fighting for the right to kill babies, approximately 50% of which are female. This is the pinnacle of hypocrisy!
Abortion does not remove a “burden”, but rather brings on more—Depression. Guilt. Anxieties, and the distressing knowledge that a person has taken another person's life.

It is the Lord Jesus Himself Who empowers us to be a people who will stand up and let the truth of His Word and the glory of His Name be heralded through this land once again!

In September of 2021, Frank responded to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Texas abortion law from a biblical perspective. Watch his response below.

Learn more about Frank Figueroa and/or book him as a speaker HERE.

(For more information on the history of abortion and its many effects, from the individual mother to society as a whole, I would highly recommend the book, Choosing For Two, by Dr. David Ross.)

You will find a biblical answer to the abortion question in our ministry’s book, Glad You Asked! Answers to 28 Tough Questions Teens Are Asking About God and the Bible (that adults want to know, too), Volume 1. To learn more about how you can order this book, please click HERE.

For hundreds of FREE video resources produced by Reasons for Hope, download our App HERE. Just look for the blue asterisk.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/23/a-time-to-be-born#comments 0 Get Ready to Be Starstruck https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/16/get-ready-to-be-starstruck Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/16/get-ready-to-be-starstruck

Some time ago, a Facebook friend posted a progression of twenty-eight slides that provided perspective on the universe’s vastness. One of the slides showed a very small black area in the night sky, a tenth of the size of our moon, that had been a focal point for the Hubble telescope for four months in 2003 (see below). What the Hubble revealed were an infinite number of illuminated dots, each representing an entire galaxy.

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

When in Maine in autumn, my attention has always been drawn to the night sky. The fall and winter months in rural Maine exhibit some of the most amazing conditions for viewing our Father’s heavenly handiwork. While enjoying “Earth’s ethereal armor,”¹ I often find my mind wandering to the words of wisdom in Psalm 8:

Psalm 8:3
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have ordained...

Additionally, looking through the eyes of my then two-and-a-half-year-old grandson has rekindled my childlike faith and amazement for God’s magnitude in ways I never expected. In the fall of 2021, Kirk came to spend the night with us, so my husband planned a star-gazing event for late in the evening. Paul laid a tarp on the ground, covered it with a big sleeping bag, and even included pillows and a blanket for our viewing comfort. After putting on jackets, hats, and mittens (as was seasonally appropriate), Kirk and I went out to join “Umpa” for our astronomical adventure. We laid down, snuggled between the covers, and just looked up—silent and in awe.

Once our eyes adjusted to the low light, the magnificence and brilliance of the heavens above illuminated our thinking. Kirk responded to this visual overload with a “Wow, Nana! Look at all the stars! . . . Umpa, you need to take a picture with your phone!” Though Umpa had to explain it was too dark for his phone camera to capture this stellar show, we got the message, loud and clear: This was a scene too glorious not to photograph. Without prompting, Kirk added in the most expressive voice he could muster, “Nana, God made the stars!” Out of the mouths of babes...

Why is it that a child under the age of 3 can state the obvious without a hint of reservation, yet grown adults will try to reason away the idea that an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-encompassing, and creative God made this unfathomable light show for our pleasure and His glory?

I am no astronomer, but when I check out just some of the information available to us through scientific discoveries about outer space, the origins seem quite self-explanatory. Let’s look at just a few from the Hubble slides discussed earlier:

Each of the galaxies revealed contain up to 1 trillion (1,000,000,000,000) stars!
Each star may also have a system of planets (much like our own Milky Way galaxy).
In one slide, there are over 10,000 galaxies revealed.
The large galaxy pictured below contains eight times as many stars as our Milky Way Galaxy. It is so large, it technically shouldn’t exist according to current physics theories.²

That’s just a bit of perspective about the expanse of the heavens. This is where the word “awesome” is truly appropriate. And in Psalm 147, between reminding us that God heals the brokenhearted and declaring His greatness and power, the psalmist writes:

Psalm 147:4
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.

Say what?

The capacity of my human eyes and brain to even see the stars stops at about 5,000, and trying to count just that many would result in multiple errors each time I lost my place and had to start over. God not only counts them—trillions upon trillions of them—but calls them ALL by name! Almost unbelievably, this insight pales in comparison to Genesis 1: 16b where it says, "He made the stars also"; as if making this part of His creation was an afterthought! Now, picture me doing the “mind blown” gesture here.

But wait, there's more.

This incomprehensible God who knows all and has power over everything LOVES me. Let’s go back to Psalm 8 and read what follows verse 3: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” (Psalm 8:4).

I want to encourage you to watch the video included here—one that definitely bears repeating—as a reminder of how very much the Lord of the universe loves you.

To summarize these thoughts, let me put it this way: He—the One who created and knows the names of a “kazillion” stars—loves me, and YOU, not just a little, but SO MUCH that He gave His only Son to satisfy the requirements of our redemption (1 John 4:10; 1 Peter 1:17–21).

Understand that you and I have done NOTHING to deserve this love and sacrifice … absolutely nothing. Nor can we. In this truth, I stand amazed—starstruck actually—that God did all this for me, for you, for the world. John 15:13 reminds us that "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

And just like the vast expanse of the stars in the universe, His love is beyond my understanding.

Ephesians 3:19–21
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge ... Now to Him who is able
to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
... to Him be glory, ... forever and ever.

¹This phrase was coined by astronomer, Mark Clarke.
²Adam Mann, “One Number Shows Something Is Fundamentally Wrong with Our Conception of the Universe” Space.com (September 3, 2019). This article is fascinating in that it shows yet another example in which scientists have to change their narrative of how our universe is put together while the Bible narrative is once again confirmed (Genesis 1 and Job 9:7-9, for example). I encourage you to read it for yourself at https://www.space.com/hubble-constant-discrepancy-explained.html

To answer more of the questions you may have about God, creation, and the Bible, I encourage you to purchase a copy of one of our Glad You Asked! books. Better yet, buy the bundle! Just click HERE to access our store.

Author Bio:
Dr. Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development for Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis, to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They currently live in southern New Jersey.

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/16/get-ready-to-be-starstruck#comments 0 The Perfect Antidote https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/13/the-perfect-antidote Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:36:16 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/13/the-perfect-antidote

It has no boundaries, affects young and mature,
can cripple and maim, but when faced, won’t endure.

Do you know the solution to this riddle? According to Andy Bosworth,¹ stretching our minds to solve problems, whether through math, puzzles, or riddles like this one, builds critical thinking and logical reasoning skills--two “must have’s” for all good apologists. Now that you know it’s to your benefit to think a little harder, have you figured it out yet?

What if I added the following hint?

According to a 2019 study, 91% of what we ______ never happens.

Without a doubt, 100% of you know that the missing word is “fear.” Fear—even saying the word can cause you to feel, well, a little fearful. As may be the case with you, I felt this emotion more frequently and intensely once I became a parent. Every time my girls were out of my sight for any length of time or when (in later years) they did not respond to texts or calls, my anxiety and fear levels rose, and I was constantly imagining worst-case scenarios. But did any of them come to pass? No, not even one, honestly. Being reminded of this fact brings me back to a place of rational thought where I acknowledge (and submit to the belief) that my Heavenly Father has it all under control.

A while back, while working on editing, proofreading, and preparing the manuscript of our first Q&A book, I was reminded and blessed by a message that reaffirmed to my frail human brain that harboring fear is a futile exercise and drains the energy needed to live abundantly.

Candace Nordine, in her chapter entitled, “How Can I Fight and Overcome Fear?” addresses both unhealthy and healthy fear, and we should all be familiar with both. Though I’ve only included an excerpt (You need to get a copy of the book to read the full chapter!), I want you to hone in on the key message of how we can fight unhealthy fear—it’s not what you would expect.

Often people think they are alone when it comes to fear. However, fear is something we all experience. It is not selective. No one gets a “pass” from fear in this life. In fact, it’s one of the many tools that Satan uses to hinder our trust in the Almighty God. Fear is the very thing that Adam and Eve felt after they sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid” (Genesis 3:10). Because sin had now been introduced into God’s world, for the first time, fear reared its ugly head, and we have been feeling the effects ever since. So, when you experience fear, know that you are not alone. In fact, it is such a common emotion to mankind that the Bible tells us over 350 times to “fear not.”

Sometimes we simply forget to ask for God’s help. We get so caught up in trying to control our own fear that we forget to cry out to God. Make it a practice to pray Scriptures like Isaiah 43:1, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” One of my favorite Psalms in high school was Psalm 27. It promises that God is my light and my salvation, that I can be confident even when my enemies attack me, and that God will hear my voice when I call out to Him. What great promises! Find your own set of Scriptures that encourage you to focus on who God is, and cry out to Him. The more we hide God’s Word in our heart, the more it changes our thinking.

Often when we are fearful, we pull away, or we want to hide, shut down, and take no risk. But a loving person will move forward, give, open up, and risk.

Some people think the opposite of fear is courage. However, the Bible tells us in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” The antidote to fear is love. When you are fearful, it's harder to be loving. Often when we are fearful, we pull away, or we want to hide, shut down, and take no risk. But a loving person will move forward, give, open up, and risk. The more we love, the more our fear level goes down. We must learn to love from the One who created love. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The thing we truly have to fear is separation from a holy God for all eternity. That is why He sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus took our place on the cross, and He took the punishment for our sin. Because of that sacrifice, we no longer have to fear separation from God. If we put our faith and trust in Him, we have the promise of eternity with Him in Heaven. If you know Jesus, you will never have to fear death or separation from Him.

The thing we truly have to fear is separation from a holy God for all eternity.

It is the love of Christ that casts out all our fears. His pure, unadulterated love compelled Him to make His entrance into this world as a baby in a manger, go to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, and rise from the dead to conquer sin and death, so that if we believe and accept Him, we have nothing to fear in this life.

So here’s another riddle for you:

It has no boundaries, affects young and mature,
will strengthen and heal, and when chosen, endures.

The answer to this riddle?

L-O-V-E--so simple, yet so profound--an unlikely antidote indeed.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

To read the rest of the chapter about overcoming fear as well as the answers to 27 other questions most asked by teens, we encourage you to order the book, Glad You Asked! Volume 1: Answers to 28 Tough Questions Teens Are Asking About God and the Bible (that adults want to know, too). To access our online store for this and other books, click HERE.

¹Andy Bosworth, “7 Benefits of Puzzle Solving for Adults,” how2become.com (June 22, 2017). https://www.how2become.com/blog/7-benefits-puzzle-solving-adults/

To have free access to our DeBunked videos and dozens of other Reasons for Hope* resources, download our FREE APP--Reasons for Hope (look for the blue asterisk). Click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/13/the-perfect-antidote#comments 0 Listen First, THEN Look Ahead https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/02/listen-first-then-look-ahead Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/02/listen-first-then-look-ahead

We made it―January 2026! To be honest, there were definitely times during the previous year when I really had to be on guard to avoid letting the cultural climate cloud my outlook on the future and my worldview. In contrast, when I took the biblical “high road,” I was immediately reminded of the certainty of God’s character amid these tumultuous times. So, I thought I'd begin this blog with just a few reminders about our unchanging, unlimited God:

He has been our rock, our shield, and our stronghold (Psalm 18:1–2).
He never changes (Hebrews 13:8; Malachi 3:6).
He is our strength (Isaiah 40:28–31).
He walks through the trials with us (Psalm 23:4; Joshua 1:9).
He will never leave us nor forsake us (2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Hebrews 13:5).
He is in control (Proverbs 19:21; 1 Chronicles 29:11; John 16:33).

Though 2025 may have held some rough patches for you and me, anything we’ve gone through over this past year pales in comparison to the hardship and persecution Christ followers before us have endured. And, as anxious as we all are to leap into the new year hoping for a brighter tomorrow, there’s something you need to hear (or should I say, read) before you jump into January that will allow you to truly enter this new year experiencing joy in Jesus.

Today, I’m sharing my blog space with a relative, my eldest niece’s husband. While visiting from Georgia for the holidays, and during one of his quiet times of reflection while in the beautiful north woods of Maine, he penned the following thoughts.

"Don't think for a minute that you can outsmart the coming year with your careful plans, or power your way through to your goals with the force of your will."

This week, most of us hung a new calendar (or in our day, more likely we'll "swipe" to it), and our thoughts naturally turn to plans and changes for the coming year, and what we'll "resolve" to do differently in 2026. For me, those thoughts tend to go something like this:

"I really need to get better at ...,
I should work harder to get more done on ...,
My goal will be to change the way I think about ...,
I am going to resolve that I will improve the way I ..."

You get the idea. Then along the way, I may ask God for His help in those areas, and to bless the changes that I have deemed necessary in my life.

Maybe you're a little like me. If so, may I share with you what the Lord has been impressing on me the last several days? I feel as if He’s saying this:

"I have a resolution for you, one so succinct and simple that it just requires one word: Listen. You don't know what awaits you in 2026; you don't know what decisions you will face, what skills you will need, or what accomplishments will be most needful. Don't think for a minute that you can outsmart the coming year with your careful plans, or power your way through to your goals with the force of your will. I didn't create you or our relationship to work that way. Just make this plan for 2026―come to Me each day, and let's talk. If you take the time to listen, I want to set your goals, to give you your plan, to make each decision clear, day by day, moment by moment. I'll walk with you each step of the way, but I can't direct your next step unless you listen for My voice."

May we resolve to be Spirit-led in our walk with Christ in 2026!

Shared by Nathan Buchan, Winston, GA

This message reminds me of a sermon I heard at summer camp once, in which it was stated, “God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we’ll listen twice as much as we talk.” I’ve often thought about this, and yes, I confess that I did use it on my children during their formative years. I also think about how He reminds us that we are “forgetful hearers” (James 1:22-25).

So, here's the charge I leave you with today: Don’t just look before you leap, listen--really, intentionally, and thoughtfully. God may just surprise you with REST (See blog dated December 27, 2025) and a plan that exceeds your expectations. One of the amazing things about His plans is that He promises to walk them with us. Yes, His resolutions are firm, unwavering, real, and won’t be broken. It’s up to us, however, to join Him in seeing them come to fruition.

Remember, listen first, then leap!

Author Bio:
Dr. Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development for Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis, to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They currently live in southern New Jersey.

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2026/01/02/listen-first-then-look-ahead#comments 0 Rest for Your Soul https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/27/rest-for-your-soul Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/27/rest-for-your-soul

Are you ready for 2025 to come to a close? Have you been making plans for the new year? In today's blog, Holly Varnum once again uses an acrostic to convey the value of stepping back, reflecting, and just being still before trying to "ring in the new." May you be challenged through this message to set aside some time before January 1st to "find rest for your soul."

Going into 2026, do you feel at rest, or are you too stressed? According to The American Institute of Stress¹, 77% of people experience stress that affects their physical health; 73% of people have stress that impacts their mental health²; and 48% of people have trouble sleeping because of stress. These statistics were updated August 5, 2021, and I would dare to posit that the numbers may be even higher today. So WHY are we so stressed? I have a few ideas of my own, but let’s look at what the research says. According to a study done by the American Psychological Association³ (APA), the top causes of stress are:

Work
The economy
Family responsibilities
Relationships
Personal health issues
Housing costs
Job stability
Family health problems
Personal Safety

Though this list seems all-encompassing, I’d like to bring your attention to what isn’t mentioned as a source of stress. Not mentioned are prayer, church, Bible reading or study, or singing or listening to music, among others.

A few weeks ago, I was challenged in a Sunday morning sermon to make Christmas this year a time of rest. What? But it’s the busiest time of the year! How could I truly find rest? Then, I started searching the Scriptures and saw clearly how the biblical worldview of this holiday season has been so skewed by the secularism and expectations of our culture (yes, even within our churches). Here are some examples of how God spoke to me through His Word to show me that rest is so needed and provided by the Lord if we seek Him.

As God has been teaching me how to be more of a Mary than a Martha (Luke 10:38-42), I came up with a handy acronym using the word "rest" to remind me how to make sure “all is calm” during a normally tumultuous season. I hope you will find encouragement through this now and as you go through the coming year.

Respond to God’s Voice.

Something I have learned along the way is that it’s hard to listen when it’s noisy or chaotic. When too much is going on or causing a distraction, we will be distracted and may be unable to take in what is most important amidst the cacophony.

Here’s a case in point: A few years ago, while working in a local school district, I heard, not surprisingly, about one of our 8th grade girls spouting off insults and other mean verbal barbs in a classroom towards her teacher and classmates. Our assistant principal was contacted to intervene when none of the tactics used by the teacher worked. Susie (not her real name) was escorted to a quiet room near the administrative offices and left there to think about her behavior and choices, since she claimed, in her words, “I didn’t do anything wrong!”

After spending two and a half hours alone–eating lunch alone, no peer interaction, no computer, no cell phone, and nothing to touch except a table and chair–she became very contrite. When the assistant principal walked in the room 150 minutes after leaving her there, he was greeted by humility and remorse, and received a heartfelt, “I really behaved badly, and I’m so sorry. May I also apologize to my class before dismissal?” What changed for her? I believe that her solitary situation with absolutely no distractions and nothing to do but think allowed her to “hear” and face the truth about herself. When was the last time you had two and a half hours of silence?

Expect distractions, BUT don’t give into them.

Without question, we are all prone to being distractible. Isn’t it so much more enjoyable to think about anything other than our stress, our problems, our obstacles? One of the main reasons we continue to be stressed is because we are not dealing with the cause(s) of our stress by listening to our Lord’s solutions. This can only happen if we're focused on Him.

Set your affections on things above. (Colossians 3:1)

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). Did you notice that all the items on the “stress list” shared earlier are also the things we tend to put before God in our lives? Hmmmm … didn’t He caution us in His Word about the consequences of misplaced loyalties (Matthew 6:19; 1 John 2:15-17)? Truly, it is only when we take everything to Him and trust Him to take care of it that we will truly experience God’s peace and rest (Philippians 4:6,7; Isaiah 26:3,4).

Trust His Heart.

Who is the only one that knows us completely and thoroughly, and still loves us more than anyone else? Yes, God (John 3:16; 15:13). And who am I to think that He needs me to fret and worry over things that I literally have no control over? With that being said, I feel it’s appropriate to share the lyrics to a song that the Lord has used many times in my life to remind me that God’s got this--He always has and always will, and He desires to show His love in ways we cannot imagine.

“Trust His Heart”
By Babbie Mason

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we can't
See how they could.
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth.

Our Father knows what's best for us;
His ways are not our own.
So when your pathway grows dim,
And you just can't see Him,
Remember you're never alone.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
When don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand,
Trust His Heart.

I encourage you to find this song on YouTube, so that you, too, can be blessed not only by the words but by the music as well.

Jesus, with His unfailing love and amazing grace, wants to remind us in the midst of stressful and uncertain times that we can find “rest for our souls” (Matthew 11:29). Let’s make a commitment (not a “resolution”) to seek Him daily and practice the principles of REST.

Notes:
¹The American Institute of Stress (https://www.stress.org/daily-life)
²See https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/
³ See https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/stressed-america

Author Bio:
Dr. Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development for Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They live in southern New Jersey, and yes, they eat lobster (properly pronounced “lobstah”) and crab whenever they get a chance!

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/27/rest-for-your-soul#comments 0 An Advent Acrostic https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/23/an-advent-acrostic Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:26:27 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/23/an-advent-acrostic

Please join Holly today as she talks about a few "choice" words centered around the Advent of Christ.

"We’ve all been preparing for Christmas in some way—over recent days, weeks, and maybe even months—yet we may not be truly experiencing the wonder of the event that paved the way for our redemption."

Today’s blog is going to be short, but sweet.

As a former school teacher and current writer and speaker, I am intrigued by strategies and tactics available to help people remember and apply what they have learned, so that they can truly experience the full benefits of knowledge for themselves and others.

One such device that has helped me retain knowledge and, in turn, that I also used to support my students was acrostic-style memory tools. To learn the order of the planets, for example, we memorized the sentence “My Very Excited Mother Just Sat Upon Nine Pins,” noting that the first letter of each word represented the first letter of a planet and each word was organized in the order of the planets from the closest to farthest from the sun—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. (You probably noticed that “Pins” was included to represent Pluto—back in the good ol’ days when it was still classified as a planet.)

One of my daughters, now an RN, went through nursing school a few years ago, and I loved hearing about her learning adventure in this field. During that time, she would share with me some mnemonics (memory-enhancing strategies) that her instructors encouraged to instill the procedures of medical practice into students’ thinking. ABC’s, SPICES, AIDET, and RICE are just a few (I won’t take the time to explain these, but just wanted to make the point that mnemonic devices are useful for all ages and in all subject areas.)

So where am I going with all this? The celebration of the birth of Christ, of course.

We’ve all been preparing for Christmas in some way—over recent days, weeks, and maybe even months—yet we may not be truly experiencing the wonder of the event that paved the way for our redemption.

To make my point, I sat down this morning (as I have over the last few Advent seasons) and wrote the word CHRISTMAS in a vertical column for the very purpose of creating an original acrostic free-verse poem of sorts. Why?

Well, just as Mary and Joseph marvelled at the things being said about Jesus at the temple with Simeon (Luke 2:25-33), I too, felt compelled to marvel at this holiday with the kind of wonder that honors my Lord.

Christ—the Lord, God's only Son, the Reason for the season

Hope—offered by the Father through the Son; the ONLY hope for our fallen condition

Romans 8:38,39

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Isaiah 9:6

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Shepherds—the first ones approached by the angels to announce the coming of the Messiah

The shepherds were maybe the only ones aside from the priests to understand fully the significance of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger—the same procedure used for the perfect, unblemished lambs that were to be to used as sacrificial offerings for sin in the Temple. They knew without question that this babe was the perfect Lamb of God sent to take away the sins of the world; in other words, the promised Messiah.

Truth—what we find in God’s Word, and that which sets us free (John 8:32)

John 1:14 reminds me, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Miracles—events that could only be explained by Divine intervention

. . . a virgin conceived; a young man agreed to marry the pregnant girl to whom he was betrothed; God became man and dwelt among us; the Christ child was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, confirming the authenticity of the Scriptures; angels appeared to the shepherds, just to name a few.

ALL access

Because Christ came to earth, walked in our shoes so to speak, and can truly understand the human condition, He is uniquely qualified to be everything I need. The fact that He has opened the door for me to come to Him however, whenever, and wherever I need to is marvelous and awesome in the truest sense of the words. Thank you, Lord.

Sanctification–becoming holy and full of grace and truth

Because of Christ and the salvation He brings, I have the opportunity to live and to grow to be more like Him moment by moment, day by day, week by week, and year by year, for as long as He gives me breath.

Wow, it was that simple. By taking just a few minutes to focus on Christmas and what it should mean to me, I am in awe, afresh and anew, of the love that came down as God incarnate—a love that has no equal (John 15:13; Mark 10:45).

Now it’s your turn.

Take a few minutes to do this activity yourself and encourage your family to participate. Give yourselves the renewed opportunity to marvel in the words that are inspired by this event. That, my friends, is what Christmas is all about.

Author Bio:
Dr. Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development for Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They live in southern New Jersey, and yes, they eat lobster (properly pronounced “lobstah”) and crab whenever they get a chance!

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/23/an-advent-acrostic#comments 0 He Finally Said “Yes” https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/15/he-finally-said-yes Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:14:22 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/15/he-finally-said-yes

(From Holly: This is one of my favorite pictures of Dad, Jim Buchanan)

From the time of my (Holly’s) salvation, a few months before my fifth birthday, I began praying for my father to accept Christ as his personal Savior. For decades, I watched and prayed as he rejected God’s wooing and made what looked like an intentional choice to be his own master. Yet, I often saw him angry and dissatisfied and knew in my heart that God had the solution he needed. Having experienced God’s mercy, grace, and joy myself, I couldn’t imagine what held him back. Why wouldn’t he embrace the open, redemptive arms of Christ to enjoy a richer, fuller life? Juan’s explanation below, using the perspective of C.S. Lewis once again, really helped me to process a possible answer to this question.

C. S. Lewis--in addition to reminding us of God’s wooing to draw us to Himself and to meet needs that only His love can fulfill--also addresses the problem of (those) for whom God’s pursuit seems entirely ineffective. Lewis lays out a thorough case for a perfect pursuit without violating man’s freedom of choice. Notedly, our built-in element (“God-shaped vacuum”) is not imposed upon us as is obvious every time someone rejects the Gospel and chooses not to be wooed.

In light of such a complete and persuasive plan of pursuit, how is it that some fail to be persuaded and come to reconciliation? This is a theological problem that has challenged many great Christian thinkers. Lewis argues that there are at least two reasons for this:

First, Lewis believes that sin limits the effectiveness of God’s pursuit. While man is made in God’s image, that image (was) distorted with the fall of man. Lewis argues that God, “shows much more of Himself to some people than to others—not because He has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition—just as sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.”

Lewis’ second line of argument … addresses the issue of free will. He believes that God would never violate man’s freedom of choice. In the concluding pages of Surprised by Joy, he references his conversion experience and insists on it having been entirely a free choice he made in response to God’s pursuit. He states it this way, “The odd thing was that before God closed in on me, I was in fact offered what now appears a moment of wholly free choice.
- I felt myself, there and then, given a free choice.
- I could open the door or keep it shut …
- Neither choice was presented as duty; no threat or promise was attached to either …
- The choice appeared to be momentous, but it was also strangely unemotional.
- I was moved by no desires or fears … I am more inclined to think that this came nearer to being a perfectly free act than most that I have ever done” (Lewis, Surprised by Joy, 224).

Both of these arguments combined seem to provide a rational and biblical response to the dilemma of man rejecting God’s pursuit.

I am so thankful that the rest of my dad’s story doesn’t end with his resistance to Christ. Just two weeks prior to his passing in May 2016, he made a profession of faith while talking to his hospice nurse—God’s angel to our family during his last days. I believe that, although he was in extreme pain in those final hours, Dad was experiencing the promise given to those who ...

“Come to Me, all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28,29

Dad’s will to hang on until the last of his children had arrived to say goodbye was his ultimate loving act. With his final breath, he looked up—beyond us—only to be surprised by joy and a glorious resting place for his soul.

Praise the Lord that he finally responded to the wooing of God.

To learn more about Holly Varnum or to book her as a speaker, please click HERE.

To learn more about Juan Valdes, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

To find dozens of more resources like the video above, download our FREE APP--Reasons for Hope. (Look for the blue asterisk.)

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/15/he-finally-said-yes#comments 0 Pursued by God https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/09/pursued-by-god Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:55:50 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/09/pursued-by-god

In Jeremiah 31:3, we read, "The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.' " Have you ever thought about that? The all-sufficient God, Creator of the Universe, draws us to Himself. He makes His love and provision so irresistible that those who "hear His voice" will be compelled to lean into His calling to them and receive what only He can offer, abundant life on this earth, and eternal life in the hereafter. Today, we are blessed with an aspect of God's wooing as presented by C. S. Lewis and expounded upon by our own Dr. Juan Valdes.

“Woo”--who says that, and what does it even mean? Often used in poetic contexts, “woo” carries the idea of appealing to someone’s needs to “win their heart.” So how does this idea apply to God, His Word, and us, for that matter? In Acts 17:22-34, the Apostle Paul--given an audience in the pagan city of Athens--provides a perfect example of how to be an apologist in a “woo-some” way. In fact, here’s a Reasons for Hope 60-second video showing how he did this.

Paul connected with his audience on their “turf,” referenced their beliefs to show that he understood them, and transitioned into a message of truth that appealed to their needs; i.e., he wooed them into a paradigm shift and was able to show them a much better way. In verses 26 and 27 of this passage, Paul announces to the Athenians that they were created by the One True God Who made them to “seek the Lord.” When I read this passage, I was reminded of something I heard as a child--that in every human is a “God-shaped vacuum” that only He can fill.

In the next section of this blog, one of our speakers, Dr. Juan Valdes, takes us on a deep dive into this idea through the work of one of his favorite authors, C.S. Lewis:

“The Irresistible and the Indisputable are the two weapons which the very nature of His scheme forbids Him to use. Merely to override a human will … would be for Him useless. He cannot ravish. He can only woo” (Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, 46; Geisler, 99).

C. S. Lewis presents a picture of God’s pursuit of man as active, aggressive, and complete, yet without force. For Lewis, the pursuit of man revolves primarily around the drawing power of what Jesus Christ did on the cross to redeem us from our sin. In addition, Lewis argues for an internal factor of this pursuit built into man by his Creator (a “God-shaped vacuum,” so to speak).

Christ’s redemptive work is the clearest and most perfect element in God’s plan for attracting man unto himself. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden left him estranged or alienated from God, lost and unable to find his own way back. If man was ever to find his way back to the Father, he needed God’s leadership and direction. Lewis eloquently captures the essence of this dilemma and the mission of Christ when he states that,

“(W)e need God’s help in order to do something which God, in His own nature, never does at all—to surrender, to suffer, to submit, to die. Nothing in God’s nature corresponds to this process at all. So, the one road for which we now need God’s leadership most of all is a road (that) God, in His own nature, has never walked … But (believing) God became man—suppose our human nature which can suffer and die was amalgamated (combined) with God’s nature in one person—then that person could help us” (Lewis, Mere Christianity, Part II, Chapter 4, emphasis and clarification added).

Christ’s redemptive works are the bridge that reconnects man with his estranged Creator. This is clearly the significance of Christ’s famous words, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6). At the heart of the Gospel we find that God’s pursuit of man was thorough and complete.

The Son was sent, and all men were given an opportunity (John 3:16-17);
The way to God was physically demonstrated (John 14:6); and
Access has been granted to the throne of God (Hebrews 10:19-22).

What we have is definitely not a hi-jacking, but rather a wonderful invitation--a wooing in the true sense of the word.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

To further enhance the possibilities of success, God implanted in His masterpiece of creation a desire for Him. The argument from desire, that Lewis is so well known for, is itself an element in God’s pursuit of man. Lewis argues that man is born with desires that no earthly pleasure can satisfy and rightly concludes that, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” (Lewis, Mere Christianity, 121). Thus, Lewis argues that God, in His infinite wisdom, designed us with a need for Him that would facilitate our response to His pursuit.

“God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on” (Lewis, Mere Christianity, 53-54).

Written by Dr. Juan Valdes, Reasons for Hope Speaker

God pursues us more fervently and passionately than anyone else ever has, can, or will. His motive, driven by an incomprehensible and incomparable love, is pure and compelling.

Ephesians 3:17-18
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may . . . grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ.

To learn more about Juan Valdes, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

Want to learn how to think and not just what to think? Get your own copy of Dr. Juan Valdes' updated and revised text for critical thinking. And if you're a teacher, bundle your copy with its newly released Teacher Guide. Learn to discern more quickly and effectively than you thought possible. Order HERE.

To find dozens of more resources like the video above, download our FREE APP--Reasons for Hope. (Look for the blue asterisk.)

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/09/pursued-by-god#comments 0 Are You Ready? https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/03/are-you-ready Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:29:15 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/03/are-you-ready

Our teens are hurting and they want the truth! The call to minister to them, answer their questions, and give them tools to impact their culture is louder and clearer than ever before. Join Holly Varnum in today's blog as she shares a compelling experience and statistics that should lead us to action in training and equipping today's youth in the truth of the Scriptures.

I need to ask you this question . . .

How bold are you? Are you ready to “give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV)? If you’re at all like me, you may have grown up in a church where the Bible and Bible Doctrines were solidly preached, but the application of how to defend these teachings in a secular world was lacking. In fact, the first time I heard the word “apologetics” was actually AFTER I went to a three-year Bible college! Please don’t get me wrong; I am not here to lay any blame on teachers or pastors—just relaying the reality of the late 20th century. I was taught and encouraged to present the Gospel but not to defend WHY I believed what I believed.

I really do believe that the leaders of a generation or more ago were trained and prepared for ministry based upon the cultural climate of that time, and that makes sense, right? In my formative years, for example, there was a common understanding of Bible narratives—most people inherently knew of Noah, Moses, Job, the account of Jonah and the big fish, Daniel in the lions’ den, the birth of Jesus, His crucifixion and resurrection, etc. Most people knew of the Bible and at least had a measure of respect for God, even if they didn’t want to know Him or didn't believe they could encounter Him personally.

Not so today—it's a different world. In fact, while working with a group of 8th graders at a public school a few years ago to help them analyze a poem that contained a reference to Eden, I discovered that only a small handful of the almost 70 students I worked with even knew who Adam and Eve were! The good news about that is that God gave me the opportunity to tell the biblical account of Genesis 1-3 that day (planting a seed) to these students, properly laying the foundation for them to understand the poem.

They are ready to hear a message of hope. Are we ready to share it?

My point is this: Our young people (tweens, teens, and twenty-somethings) today are growing up in a society where God is seen as unnecessary, and evolution is taught as fact. Many of our youth are depressed, aimless, and disengaged, and teen suicide rates are at an all-time high. There’s an obvious correlation here. Without God, and believing they are a product of random, chance processes, life has no purpose for this generation. In a recent Barna poll, when asked about their view of their future, 56% of Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) say that they expect the worst. How disheartening! But, instead of being discouraged by this statistic, we need to see this data as an opportunity to bring hope to this generation with love, truth, and grace. They are ready to hear a message of hope. Are we ready to share it?

Our president and founder, Carl Kerby, when interviewed on “The Schaftlein Report'' TV show, clearly and lovingly answered the question young adults are asking about what there is to hope for.

That’s amazing news--so wonderful in fact, that we shouldn’t keep it to ourselves! Being bold in our faith in a world growing increasingly cynical and antagonistic to biblical truth can be scary at first, but the more we are in the Word and talking to our Lord about it, the more we understand our calling in this, and the bolder we will become for Christ.

So, how can you get started? Well, if you’ve ever wondered how to clearly and concisely present the Gospel message, please take the next three minutes to watch this video.

And, if you don’t feel confident presenting this on your own yet, feel free to share that video with your family and friends. At Reasons for Hope,* we are committed to providing you with the tools you need to learn, grow, and become bold in your faith.

To have free access to this video and dozens of other Reasons for Hope* resources, download our FREE APP--Reasons for Hope (Go to your favorite app store, type in Reasons for Hope, and look for the blue asterisk).

Sign Up Today for EQUIPYou!

For just $4.99 per month―less than the cost of a coffee, you can invest in yourself and the next generation for an eternal ROI!

WHAT IS IT?
EQUIPYou is an online class platform that guides you step by step through topics our Reasons for Hope speakers are experts in―topics related to God’s Word, apologetics, and cultural issues viewed through a biblical lens.

WHAT MAKES OUR COURSES SO SPECIAL?
We can almost hear you say, “But there are already online classes out there. What makes yours so special?” Hear us out …

We’ve talked to many of you over the years, and we believe we’ve built a structure for online courses that will attract both the easily distracted teenager and the busy working adult, all while being more affordable than anything else available.

They’re short! (6-8 modules per course; within each module is a brief teaching video; surrounding the video are downloadable and printable notes, and our reflections and quizzes provide immediate feedback to keep you motivated to move on in the course)
A familiar and trusted teacher leads each course. Whether it’s a Reasons for Hope speaker or one of our many friends with diverse expertise, you can be confident that we will meet you where you are and guide you on your faith journey in a way that feels both comfortable and challenging for you.
Our courses are built around the same topics we teach in our different venues, letting you explore the subjects you’ve heard us discuss in more depth.
Each lesson helps you explore Scripture and sound theology, linking biblical truth with real-life application so your faith becomes stronger, more confident, and better informed.
You’ll learn how to answer tough questions, engage with culture thoughtfully, and share the hope of Christ boldly.
Affordability and accessibility: Learn Anytime, Anywhere — and Grow at Your Own Pace (for just $4.99/month). We “double-dog dare” you to find another online course system with a deal like this!

And here’s the double blessing: once the online platform fees are paid, every penny of your subscription goes directly toward the ongoing ministry and outreach efforts of Reasons for Hope. This means you’re helping provide a steady stream of support for God’s work through us, too!

Your CALL TO ACTION?
Instead of supporting the coffee industry that day, sign up for a $4.99 monthly investment that will change lives!

We've even provided a free preview of the first teaching module for you to try it out!
Go to EQUIPYOU.ORG and sign up today!

Author Bio:
Dr. Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development for Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They live in southern New Jersey, and yes, they eat lobster (properly pronounced “lobstah”) and crab whenever they get a chance!

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/12/03/are-you-ready#comments 0 Don't Just Take My Word for It, Really https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/21/don-t-just-take-my-word-for-it-really Fri, 21 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/21/don-t-just-take-my-word-for-it-really

Today's blog is a testimony from our very own Dave Glander, challenging us to move away from apathy and towards searching the Scriptures for ourselves, so the Holy Spirit can encourage and strengthen us in our Christian walk.

I didn’t understand how they could be worshiping¹ the same God I had just met.

Being a former devout atheist, it was a little strange for me when I first got saved. I entered the church on fire for my new-found faith, only to find a stagnant, mediocre church that seemed to be bowing to any of the pressures that the secular society was throwing at them. I was tenaciously working my way through the Bible trying to understand all that it had to say, while at the same time noticing that the church seemed indifferent to the truths found within the pages of the Word. I couldn’t help but see that for the most part, people were almost zombie-like in the way they approached their Christian faith. Simply checking off the box for weekly church attendance and putting a dollar or two in the offering plate was good enough for them. I didn’t understand how they could be worshiping¹ the same God I had just met.

There can be no doubt that one cause for much of the spiritual apathy I observed came down to a lack of fundamental faith in the Bible as the absolute standard of Truth in our world. If Christians actually read and applied the Word of God to their lives and culture, not only would the mass exodus from the church stop, but the church would look entirely different from the world around them. On top of that, evolution and relativism are hurled at believers with an incensed emotionalism, and many Christians don’t know the first thing about the fallacies of evolution or what it takes for life to form at all.

It’s the “Goo-to-You” worldview and along the way, Christians began feeling defeated by such lunacy!

Portions of Scripture like the “creation of man” that people used to believe by faith have now been attacked and questioned. Could we have somehow accidentally evolved from a prebiotic “soup” to a complex multicellular organism and share a “common ancestry” with all other life forms? It’s the “Goo-to-You” worldview and along the way, Christians began feeling defeated by such lunacy! Because many rely on the world’s supposed “experts” to explain our origins, their belief in a literal Genesis account for creation has been tainted, and doubts about their faith are born.

Are you doubtful?

Doubt, in itself, is not a problem. In fact, it is a healthy and natural part of life. To say that a person never has doubts about something, is like saying that Hollywood actors never use the bathroom. We may never see them doing it, but we certainly know that they do! In every world view around the globe, including Atheism, doubt is evidenced by every person. We need to make sure that we deal with our doubts by actually testing them, however, and not letting them result in untested unbelief!

The Columbo Tactic²

One of the best ways to examine your doubts is to use what’s known as the “Columbo Tactic.” Columbo was a seemingly incompetent TV investigator whose remarkable success at solving crimes was always based on a couple of simple questions. By asking these questions, Columbo was able to uncover the truth about any given circumstance he faced, leading to the conviction of the correct assailant.

1) What do you mean by that?
It is vitally important to clarify the exact nature of the question in order to know what you are looking to figure out without unnecessary confusion. Be like the Bereans who didn’t just believe something somebody said, they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

2) How did you come to that conclusion?
Knowing WHY you believe something is the most important thing! Without absolute knowledge we may be “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” (Eph 4:14)

Be a Berean--Study for Yourself!

In a world of growing confusion, we should all seek to “Be a Berean” and study the Word of God to “present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). By doing so we can “frustrate the devices and schemes of the crafty, so that their hands cannot attain success or achieve anything of [lasting] worth” (Job 5:12 Amplified Bible).

The enemy has no foothold in those who know and live out the everlasting Word of the living God.

Being a Berean means taking back Truth in a world set on perpetuating lies that are meant to destroy God’s plans on earth. When we “have stored up God’s word in our hearts” (Psalm 119:11), we will “know the plans God has for us, declared by the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). The enemy has no foothold in those who know and live out the everlasting Word of the living God. Be a Berean!
Be Bold!

To learn more about Dave Glander, or to book him as a speaker, please click HERE.

Footnotes:

This spelling of "worshiping" is in line with Webster's spelling rules for two-syllable words where the first syllable is the stressed syllable, and the second syllable ends with a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern. It is also the preferred spelling in American English Bible versions, though "worshipping" may show up as a more common spelling in general American English. (https://strategiesforparents.com/worshiped-or-worshipped-which-spelling-is-correct/ )
Gregory Koukl, Tactics. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Reflective, 2019), pp. 52-86.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/21/don-t-just-take-my-word-for-it-really#comments 0 Hope―Much More Than Wishful Thinking https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/14/hope-much-more-than-wishful-thinking Fri, 14 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/14/hope-much-more-than-wishful-thinking

Have you ever found yourself using the word "hope" in a wishful, but somewhat doubtful context? I must confess that I have, and probably a lot more than I'd like to admit. In today's blog, join me (Holly) through a favorite DeBunked video and a lot of Scripture to remind us both of how God's definition of hope stands in stark contrast to the world's.

“I hope God will bless me with lots of ideas today.”
“I hope I can get in the writing zone after taking these notes.”
“I hope I can unpack the material in a way that the audience can learn
and master this important content.”

As I once again viewed DeBunked, Episode 4, “There is Real Hope without Jesus ... DeBunked,” I was convicted about my own doubtful approach in using this word in my everyday conversations. I encourage you now to take a few minutes (2:54 to be exact!) to watch this video to truly understand what I’m getting at here.

"We all desire something we can place our trust in with certainty."

My “hopes” so to speak were voiced merely as wishes, or as Webster’s puts it, “feeling(s) of wanting something along with the belief that it may happen” (italics mine). As we are queried in Episode 4 of DeBunked,

“...(C)an we really call uncertain, confidence-lacking, rolling the dice, closing your eyes, ruby(-slipper) clicking, rabbit-foot rubbing, wishful thinking―hope? … Shouldn’t true hope, ultimate hope, eternal hope be based on truth, fact, … something I can … be confident in?”

Though these questions are designed to be a bit rhetorical, I think we’d all agree with a solid, “Yes!” We all desire something we can place our trust in with certainty.

At Reasons for Hope*, we believe that such certainty is revealed in God’s Holy Word. The word “hope” as used in the New Testament (NT) is from the Greek “elpis” which means “expectation, trust, and confidence.” From the root “elpo,” meaning “to anticipate (with pleasure) and to welcome,” elpis is then having confidence in what is guaranteed.

We first see the use of this word in the NT in Matthew 12:21, “and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” It later appears over 50 times and is used to refer to future events that are sure to occur. The notable recurrence of elpis in Scripture shows us how important it is to God that we "Know it! Live it! Share it!"

The Source of Hope

In case there is any doubt, let’s establish that THE source of true, confidently expectant hope you can trust now and forever is God Himself. Scripture calls Him, “the God of hope” affirming Him as the source of all real hope. If we truly desire genuine hope, it has to come from Him, for only He has the power needed to provide it.

Because I am a Christian, Christ has provided me―and ALL believers in Him--with the hope of salvation both here on earth and for eternity.

And to be honest, we really need to have this eternal hope to get us through the ongoing flood of trials and tribulations on this earth in the present. When my husband and I started sharing with friends and family that we were joining the team at Reasons for Hope*, many of them quickly responded with, “We could sure use some of that right now!” This message is both needed and timely, for “if in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied”
(1 Corinthians 15:19).

The Blessings of Hope

To make this idea even more personal, that is to say, “Christ in me, the hope of glory” brings to the conversation the absolutely mind-boggling, soul-stirring concept that “the power of Christ rests upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). To then assert that my hope is a “blessing” seems cliché, yet, at the same time, attaches the concept of hope to the certain, able-to-be-trusted, tangible promises of God--exactly what it tells us in His Word.

"When you have hope, you understand blessings in a deeper way."

Also, Titus 2:13 posits that we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Through this hope, we don’t just get a little bit of benefit (blessing) but are filled with joy and peace. When you have hope, you understand blessings in a deeper way.

Additionally, we are the willing recipients of the abundance of God’s grace as we wait expectantly for “His glorious appearing” in the person of Christ. The more I read and study this four-letter word, the more excited I get to share this amazing and awesome news with anyone who will listen! But then, isn’t that what the Bible says happens when we have this hope?

The Boldness We Have Through Hope

When we understand hope biblically, come to know it personally and experientially, and live in its fullness, we can’t help but share it, because one of the byproducts of hope is boldness. But you don’t have to take my word for it (Acts 17:11b); these Scriptures speak for themselves and empower us to live out our faith with boldness.

So, … no more wishful thinking, Christians. We can press forward with absolute certainty and boldness because of Whose we are.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear."

Author Bio:
Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development at Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They live in southern New Jersey, and yes, they eat lobster (properly pronounced “lobstah”) and crab whenever they get a chance!

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.

]]> https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/14/hope-much-more-than-wishful-thinking#comments 0 The Matchless Mercy of God https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/10/the-matchless-mercy-of-god Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:38:01 +0000 https://www.rforh.com/blog/2025/11/10/the-matchless-mercy-of-god

Today’s blog was written by guest writer and friend of RforH, Dr. James Carlson, who reminds us of one of God's most amazing attributes: mercy. When I truly understand that He lavishes His benefits upon my life daily―benefits that I haven’t earned and, frankly, don’t deserve―it gives me a glimpse of the depths of His love for me. We pray this timely reminder will bless you.

*******************************************************************************************

One of the most compelling scenes in the movie, The Passion of the Christ, is when an adulterous woman is brought to Jesus by Pharisees and Old Testament lawyers. They want her stoned because she has broken one of the Ten Commandments. Jesus sees the tragedy of her life and the need of her heart and offers her forgiveness. Before this gracious act of mercy, however, he confronts the religious leaders with their own sinfulness. One by one, they walk away. The Biblical account is found in John 8:2–11.

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.

Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

There’s an amazing prophecy about this event in Jeremiah 17:13, written over 600 years before Jesus earthly ministry.

O Lord, the hope of Israel,
all who forsake you shall be put to shame;
those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,
for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.

What did Jesus write in the dust of the ground with his finger? The names of the accusers who had forsaken the Hope of Israel? The names of the accusers who had forsaken the Spring of Living Water?

They wanted to see the woman die. Jesus wanted to see her live life to the fullest.

Many know John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

But they stop there, and don’t read on to also internalize the message of John 3:17.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

The forgiveness Jesus offered the adulterous woman is extended today to every one of us! “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

In 2 Peter 3:9 we read, “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Did the woman in the story accept Jesus’ offer? Without a doubt. This is why her narrative is included in the Bible.

Did any of the Pharisees or scribes ever repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior? We know some did, like Paul the Apostle. In 1 Timothy 1:15 and 16, he wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy.”

In 1738, Charles Wesley wrote a beloved hymn entitled “And Can It Be?” The third verse shared below is a powerful exposition of the mercy of God.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

In Luke 18, Jesus told the parable of a tax collector (a publican) who had lived such a sinful life that he believed he was unworthy of salvation. Desperate to find God, he went to the Jerusalem Temple, beat his chest, and cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” At the same time, within earshot, a Pharisee boastfully prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like one of these publicans.” Jesus surprisingly declared, “The tax collector went home to his house that day justified rather than the other.”

How thankful we can be that the Almighty is a God of mercy; otherwise, there would be no hope for any of us.

If you are not a Christian, and you think that God could never forgive your sins because they are too horrendous or too revolting, think again. Jesus paid the penalty for the transgressions of the world when He died on the cross. Salvation is a free gift for anyone who desires to receive it.

This is the mercy of God.

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Are you surrounded by people who push you in your faith? Make good decisions? Are a good influence?

When Jesus Saw Their Faith

Can YOUR Faith Heal a Friend?

Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIVIf either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Kids need to see faith lived out through the good, the bad, and the ugly—up close and personal, day-by-day—and feel safe asking questions and sharing doubts about their faith.

You Have Questions ... We've Got Biblical Answers!

Have You Downloaded Our App Yet?

A Case in Point

Where’s the Justice?

Fair and Impartial?

Headline: Teacher Threatens to Kick Out Student with Trump 2020 Flag in Virtual Background

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Scripture is there to guide us and give us much needed reminders of the hope we have in Christ. But do we always remember to turn to God and His Word in the midst of our troubles?

How many times have I taken common things for granted that I could be, and should be, thanking God for?

Do you have things in your life that prompt you to look beyond the troubles of the moment?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him.And He shall make straight your paths.

We Have Just the App You're Looking For!

Can you be a Christian and not believe in the resurrection?

Which One Are You?

1. An Admirer of Christ's Ideas and Philosophies

2. A Beneficiary of Christ's Redemptive Sacrifice

John 11:25 NKJVJesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Romans 10:9-10 NKJVThat if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Conclusion

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Why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t it have been done another way?

WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?

John 10:17-18, NKJV“…I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down myself…”

WHY COULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN DONE ANOTHER WAY?

God’s salvation and forgiveness are available to ALL who believe (John 3:16-17), but no one is forced to believe or accept it.

Yes, it is our freedom that makes sin possible, but it doesn’t make it necessary.

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, `Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, `Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, chose it. Without that self-choice, there could be no Hell.

CONCLUSION

God loves mankind with perfect love and does not desire that anyone should perish.

... Our value comes from the fact that the Creator of everything made us in His image—NOTHING could give us more value than that.

Ephesians 2:4, 5But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Psalm 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,and a light unto my path.

Today’s youth will not just accept something as truth because we say so.

Stay Bold and shine a light, God’s light, on someone today!

The Word of God is like a lion. You don't have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.Charles Spurgeon

It’s time for Christianity to actively address real scienceand our true history found in Genesis . . .

2 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Malachi 3:3 NKJVHe will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.

1 Peter 4:12–13Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

1 Timothy 6:10 NKJVFor the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 19:23-24 NKJVThen Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

1. Job is described as having many riches.

Job 1:3 NKJVAlso, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

2. Abraham was “very rich.”

Genesis 13:1-2 NKJVThen Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

3. King David’s wealth was enormous, and Chronicles gives us a strong clue of how wealthy he was.

1 Chronicles 22:14 NKJVIndeed, I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

4. King Solomon, by today’s standards, was worth around $2.2 trillion dollars. Remember, Solomon chose wisdom and God still blessed him with riches (2 Chronicles 9:13-29).

"God’s love for you doesn’t depend on your perfection or achievement. It’s not that He looks away or isn’t concerned when you stumble. He sees it all, and He continues to love you with a love that is as eternal as eternity.” ― Dr. David Jeremiah

God’s love is uncaused by anything we do.

God’s love is unreasonable.

God’s love is eternal. Unending. Everlasting.

God’s love is unlimited.

God’s love is unchanging.

God’s love is unconditional.

I John 2:15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, for anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.

Romans 8:38-39For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 63:3Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

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Often the answers to your deepest longings and desires are only found in weathering the storm.

Galatians 6:9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

I had always been a creationist and believed God’s Word was true, but this new information made me realize that I had been compartmentalizing my Christianity.

Psalm 119:160 NKJVThe entirety of Your word is truth,And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

I would argue that one of the last hopes we have as a society rests in our children. This is why we need to teach them the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psalm 8:3When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,the moon and the stars, which You have ordained...

Psalm 147:4He counts the number of the stars;He calls them all by name.

Ephesians 3:19–21To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge ... Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, ... to Him be glory, ... forever and ever.

Often when we are fearful, we pull away, or we want to hide, shut down, and take no risk. But a loving person will move forward, give, open up, and risk.

The thing we truly have to fear is separation from a holy God for all eternity.

2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

"Don't think for a minute that you can outsmart the coming year with your careful plans, or power your way through to your goals with the force of your will."

Respond to God’s Voice.

Expect distractions, BUT don’t give into them.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him.
And He shall make straight your paths.

John 11:25 NKJV
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

John 10:17-18, NKJV
“…I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down myself…”

Ephesians 2:4, 5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.

The Word of God is like a lion. You don't have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.
Charles Spurgeon

It’s time for Christianity to actively address real science
and our true history found in Genesis . . .

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Malachi 3:3 NKJV
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.

1 Peter 4:12–13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 19:23-24 NKJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Job 1:3 NKJV

Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.

Genesis 13:1-2 NKJV

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

3. King David’s wealth was enormous, and Chronicles
gives us a strong clue of how wealthy he was.

1 Chronicles 22:14 NKJV

Indeed, I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.

"God’s love for you doesn’t depend on your perfection or achievement. It’s not that He looks away or isn’t concerned when you stumble. He sees it all, and He continues to love you with a love that is as eternal as eternity.”

― Dr. David Jeremiah

I John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, for anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 63:3
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Psalm 119:160 NKJV
The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psalm 8:3
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have ordained...

Psalm 147:4
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.

Ephesians 3:19–21
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge ... Now to Him who is able
to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
... to Him be glory, ... forever and ever.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

“Come to Me, all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28,29

Ephesians 3:17-18
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may . . . grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ.

I didn’t understand how they could be worshiping¹ the same God I had just met.

The Columbo Tactic²

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear."