Keep The Faith

Edited 1/2/2026 I have been thinking about this post. I am getting lazy and have been looking for AI to create my final post, correct my mistakes, and make it look pretty, but I am noticing that it is taking me away from my original thoughts.  Back to my original thoughts:  I think we can glean important concepts from the Acts church that we can use in our communities, but I think some things should be different.  When the Acts church started, it consisted of the apostles and followers of Jesus during his public ministry of about three to three and a half years. They heard his teachings, saw with their own eyes' the miracles he performed. They were all witnesses to the prophecies, verifying that he WAS/IS the Messiah. They were, in essence, all in the kingdom of God, Father God's kingdom.  We no longer have these people with us, but their stories were passed on in writings and by word of mouth. The Bible is a collection of sacred texts for Christianity and Judaism. T...

  How Can You Know You're Listening to the Right Lord? As I reflect on this question, it becomes clear that true discernment begins with being part of God's kingdom. According to John 17:2 , entrance into that kingdom comes through eternal life—a gift given by Jesus Christ. But what is eternal life? Jesus defines it in John 17:3 : it is the sure and intimate knowledge of the Father, the one true God, and of Jesus Christ, whom the Father sent. This isn't just intellectual assent; it's relational certainty. So how can you know you're in the kingdom of God—and thus listening to the right Lord? Your life will reflect the character and example of Jesus. The way He lived on earth becomes the blueprint for those who truly follow Him. His compassion, truth, humility, and obedience to the Father are not just admirable traits—they're signs of kingdom citizenship.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the state of our United States of America. Under the leadership of Donald J. Trump, I fear we are drifting away from the democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution and inching toward an autocracy—one increasingly shaped by the will of a single man. I keep asking myself: Is there anything we can do to halt this progression—or at least slow it down? One word keeps rising to the surface: prayer. Prayer is powerful. What if we began praying—not just for ourselves, but for one another? For our leaders, even those who seem to be leading us down dark and uncertain paths. For people across the globe, especially those caught in the devastation of war. What if we prayed without ceasing? Jesus said: John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Let us pray that we all find the way—the truth about ourselves that leads to repentance and ultimately to eternal life . Imagine what et...