Thought for Today...

 Ponder this...

When you pray to God to change a situation that you are in, have you ever stopped to think that maybe God put you in that situation to change you?

Friday Fun...

Just for fun this Friday... Here is a routine from one of my favorite comedians, Jeff Allen. His rapid-fire humor, which centers on marriage and family, is a hit with all ages, but everyone over the age of 50 will find the truth in all of Jeff's observations.

Persecution of Christianity

Thought for today...

We often lament the lack of Christian values today in America. While this may be true, we need to take a moment and be thankful for the freedom to worship our God. This is not the case for many areas of the world. Around the world, many Christians face imprisonment, violence, and even death due to their faith in Jesus. In fact, the persecution of Christians is currently at the highest level of any time in history. 

Christian persecution has reached record highs, with over 388 million Christians facing high levels of discrimination and violence globally. One in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide. Circumstances are worse in Africa, where 1 in 5 suffer under persecution. Meanwhile, the highest frequency happens in Asia, with 2 in 5 Christians enduring persecution. The total number of Christians killed for their faith increased last year from 4,476 to 4,849.

Please remember to pray for persecuted Christians in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ.

Earth Day

Established in 1970, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year. It is a day for people around the world to show their support for environmental protection, and it is often filled with events that encourage care for the earth (such as tree planting or recycling efforts) and educate participants on the environment and how to preserve it. On Earth Day 2016, more than 120 countries signed the Paris Agreement, a controversial treaty in which the participating members agreed to lessen the impact their countries have on global warming.

Earth Day is not a Christian holiday, but care for the earth is not a secular concept. When God created the first man and woman, He charged them to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). In fact, man’s first job was to care for the beautiful garden God had created (Genesis 2:15). Both the earth and humans are God’s creation. We should care for the world as a miraculous work of God’s own hands. This care is known as stewardship, the act of being responsible for the care and cultivation of something. God did not create the world for us to neglect and abuse. He created it, in part, to be enjoyed, and, in order to enjoy creation, we must be good stewards of it.

Here are 5 questions to consider:

1. What is the difference between seeing creation and seeing the God of creation?
2. How can we worship the God of Creation and not creation itself?
3. What does this mountain range, tree, river, waterfall, etc. tell us about the nature and the power of God?
4. If [natural] revelation is both perceived within us and around us, what can I learn about God by how I respond in my spirit to great and striking moments of natural beauty?
5. With Christ we have a new lens through which we can more accurately interpret natural revelation [God’s revelation in nature]. Does anything we perceive around us tell the story of creation, fall, redemption and consummation?

However you celebrate Earth Day just remember that we need to beware of the tendency to worship and serve created things, as can happen with some Earth Day activities. Instead we should give glory and honor to the Creator and return to the authority of His Word. This Earth Day, let us bow the knee to the Lord of Creation, and spend some time beholding, and loving, and caring for that which he has made.

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Interview with Wes Huff

Wes Huff is a Canadian Christian apologist, theologian, and public speaker specializing in the reliability of ancient biblical manuscripts and the defense of the Christian worldview. Born in Multan, Pakistan, to missionary parents, he spent his early childhood in the Middle East before returning to Canada, growing up in a diverse environment exposed to various worldviews. At age 11, Huff was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition that paralyzed him from the waist down for about a month, followed by a full recovery that doctors described as medically inexplicable. 

Huff holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from York University, a Master of Theological Studies from Tyndale University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in New Testament studies at the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College, with a primary focus on the history of ancient biblical manuscripts, textual transmission, and the development of the biblical canon. As Vice President for Apologetics Canada, Huff speaks regularly at churches, universities, conferences, and interfaith events across North America, addressing topics such as the historical reliability of the New Testament, the formation of the biblical canon, and responses to skeptical objections.

This interview is over 3 hours long, but it covers lots of interesting faith topics and Biblical history are discussed.

America Reads The Bible

 

From April 18–25, 2026, over 475 voices will unite to share God’s Word—inviting the nation to listen, reflect, and engage like never before. For generations, God's Word has sparked revival and realignment. In 2026, as America marks its 250th year, Christians Engaged invites the nation to join America Reads the Bible—a historic, nationwide event where leaders and everyday citizens will read the entire Bible aloud, from Genesis to Revelation, over 7 days.

This is a pivotal moment to reflect on our spiritual foundations.

Inspired by Ezra reading Scripture to the people (Nehemiah 8), this movement is about calling hearts back to God, sparking renewal, and encouraging a deeper connection to His Word during a crucial time in our nation’s history.

Whether you’ve read the Bible your whole life or you’re just curious, this movement is for you. Individuals, families, churches, and communities are all invited to be part of what God is doing.

How to participate?

• Watch live from Washington, D.C.
• Follow along with the Bible reading
• Join in by reading on your own or with others
• Share the movement and invite others

Hosted by Christians Engaged in partnership with 60+ national ministries, this gathering will take place from the World Stage Theater at the Museum of the Bible, reaching landmarks across Washington, D.C., and streaming throughout the nation. This is more than an event—it’s a call back to our spiritual foundation. Together, we can carry God’s Word forward into the next chapter of our nation’s story.

Register for the livestream HERE.

Bigger Than Belief

Last Friday, we discussed the Easter message that Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover delivered from space on April 5, 2026, describing Earth as a "beautiful oasis" and a "spaceship" that deserves to be protected. He urged humanity to appreciate their shared existence, reminding everyone, "you are special in all of this emptiness".

As the Artemis II mission continues to inspire millions, fueling a sense of awe and wonder of outer space, few understand the significance like Dr. AJ Poelarands.  For years, Poelarands spent years researching space in the Netherlands – after pursuing and completing a doctorate degree in Astrophysics. After work brought him to the United States, he began to ask “why” when it came to the universe – eventually returning to school for a degree in Theology. After more than a decade as a Astronomy/Physics professor, he came to the Twin Cities – where he currently serves as the Director of Faith and Learning at the Anselm House in Minneapolis.

On yesterday's episode of Bigger Than Belief*, Dr. Poelarands talks about his career journey, and how faith and science battle on some issues – but coincide on others, including creation and our society’s purpose.

*Bigger Than Belief is a weekly WCCO/CBS Minnesota podcast hosted by Adam Duxter that explores faith, religion, and personal belief stories. Launched in December 2025, the series focuses on human experiences and interviews with believers from various backgrounds to foster fair, accessible conversations about spirituality.

 

I don't necessarily agree with all his conclusions, but I found it very interesting to hear Dr. Poelarands talk about the interconnectivity between Christian faith and the sciences. 

Old Testament Parallels

I think these guys are a little bit "redneck," but this is an interesting discussion about Old and New Testament comparisons in the Bible. Most people read the Old Testament as a collection of ancient stories, but what if you realized it’s all a massive "spoiler" for the ending?

 

The Feud Between President Trump and Pope Leo

I choose not to express political opinions on this forum, but this has been everywhere in the news the past couple days...

President Trump has openly condemned the head of the Roman Catholic Church after Pope Leo XIV criticized the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. Pope Leo reiterated calls for peace after President Donald Trump criticized him as weak on crime and said he "caters to the radical left" amid disagreements over the Iran war (listen here). Trump separately drew bipartisan backlash for a now-deleted Truth Social post appearing to depict Trump as a Jesus-like figure (see here). He said he thought the image depicted him as a doctor.

As I previously stated I will refrain from comment on this disagreement, but this did lead to thoughts about whether the Christian Church (not just Roman Catholic) is liberal or conservative. I believe the issue is complex with no easy answer and the confirmation bias we discussed yesterday has  a lot to do with the answer.

 A person’s perspective of the Church is usually shaped and determined by how they identify themselves politically and ideologically. A conservative will view the Church through a conservative lens and a liberal will view the Church through a liberal one. 

• The Church is conservative because it opposes abortion and values the lives of the unborn. The Church also believes in personal responsibility, which is a conservative value. The Church believes in the existence of objective truth and rejects the notion of relativism.
• The Church is liberal because it advocates for the poor, the oppressed, the immigrant, and the worker. The Church believes in personal freedom from things such as slavery and coercion. The Church teaches us to love our neighbor.

The problem with seeing the Church through an ideological lens, or any type of lens for that matter, is that some aspects of her teaching will be overemphasized while other aspects are ignored. A conservative might focus more on the Church’s teaching against abortion and contraception while ignoring her teaching on collective responsibility to provide justice for the poor and needy or her teaching regarding the fundamental option for the poor. A liberal might focus more on the Church’s teaching to care for the poor while ignoring the Church’s teaching on abortion.

Fundamentally the real truth is this:  The fact is that the teaching of the Church does not fit perfectly within any worldly ideology, whether conservative or liberal, left wing or right wing, capitalist or socialist, or any other artificial category. The teaching of the Church cannot be confined to any limited set of merely human ideals.  

Ideology is one of the largest contributing factors to fear, disunity, division, public unrest, distrust, hatred, and lack of genuine dialogue. According to the New Oxford Dictionary, the definition of “ideology” is “a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy – the ideas and manner of thinking characteristic of a group, social class, or individual.” While it is natural for people to have differing ideas and ideals concerning ecclesial, economic, or political theory and policy, the problem is that too many people become so entrenched in their own ideas that they refuse to listen to people with differing ideas, views, and perspectives. Adhering to radically ideological thinking fosters an unwillingness to listen to others. This lack of listening and dialogue only increases fear, animosity, and hatred of others and eventually leads to violence if left unchecked.  All of us need to learn to listen to one another and to listen together to the Holy Spirit and discern the Spirit’s action in our lives and in the life of the Church.

Differing viewpoints on the same issue.

I often wonder how different people can see the same situation and come up with completely different viewpoints of what, why, and how of the situation and its outcome. Here is a possible explanation of how this happens from Light the Way Counseling Center...

Why We See What We Expect to See

• They didn’t respond to me right away. What did I do wrong that is making them ignore me?
• I’ve told them the same thing over and over again. They still don’t do it. I don’t think they love/like/care about me.
• I’m thinking of buying a blue car, but all I see are blue cars on the road.
• Have you noticed how easy it is to find evidence that supports what you already believe?
• If you think someone doesn’t care, you’ll notice every missed text.
• If you believe you’re failing, your mind quickly gathers proof.
• If you’re convinced a relationship is “just broken,” every disagreement feels like confirmation.

This isn’t because you’re negative or stubborn. It’s because you’re human.
This pattern has a name: confirmation bias.

What Is Confirmation Bias?
Confirmation bias is our brain’s tendency to look for, focus on, and remember information that supports what we already believe—while filtering out information that challenges it.

It’s not something “other people” do. We all do it.

Our brains are wired for efficiency and safety.
Once we form a belief, our mind tries to protect us from uncertainty by building a case around it. Our brains do not like uncertainty.

The problem is that what feels protective can quietly keep us stuck.

How Confirmation Bias Shows Up in Everyday Life
You might notice confirmation bias when:

• You assume your partner doesn’t listen, so every misunderstanding feels like proof.
• You believe you’re “too much” or “not enough,” and your mind collects moments that support that story.
• You think conflict always leads to rejection, so you avoid hard conversations altogether.
• You’re convinced anxiety will always control you, so you discount moments of calm.

Over time, these beliefs don’t just shape how we think — they shape how we feel, respond, and relate. And the longer a belief goes unquestioned, the more “true” it feels.

Why Confirmation Bias Is So Powerful in Relationships
Relationships are especially vulnerable to confirmation bias because they involve emotion, history, and vulnerability.

If you expect:

· criticism → you hear tone before words

· abandonment → you brace yourself before it happens

· disappointment → you stop hoping

Eventually, you’re no longer responding to what’s actually happening — you’re responding to what you expect to happen.
This doesn’t mean your experiences aren’t real.
It means your interpretation may be narrowing without you realizing it.

The Cost of Confirmation Bias
Left unchecked, confirmation bias can:

• Increase anxiety and emotional reactivity
• Deepen resentment in relationships Reinforce negative self-beliefs
• Make change feel impossible
• Create emotional distance where closeness is possible

Most people don’t need “better logic.” They need gentle awareness and space to see more clearly.

How to Change Your Confirmation Bias
You don’t have to force positive thinking or deny pain.
Instead, try expanding the picture.

Here are a few simple, grounding questions to ask yourself:

• What evidence might I be missing?
• What are other possible explanations?
• What would I notice if I assumed the best?
• Has this belief always been true — or did it start at a painful moment?

These questions aren’t meant to invalidate your feelings.
They’re meant to loosen the grip of a story that may no longer be serving you.

· Slow down your thoughts to give yourself time to explore other explanations and the source of your response.

· Accept your emotions without judgment.

· Allow new perspectives to emerge.

· Awareness opens the door to choice.

A Gentle Invitation
If you’ve noticed yourself feeling stuck in the same emotional loops — in your thoughts, your relationships, or your sense of self — it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It may simply mean your mind is doing what it learned to do to survive.
And that can be unlearned. You don’t have to believe everything your thoughts tell you.

Maybe what we need to take away from this info isn't that there is a specific right or wrong way to view events. We need to be more understanding the everyone can have a different viewpoint and if others don't agree with you the best response may be to simply "agree to disagree". Although I often feel like this Jason Gray song...

God Behind Bars

God Behind Bars is a non-profit organization with the goal to introduce inmates to Jesus and connect them to the local church. Since 2009, God Behind Bars has partnered with ministries across the country to transform the lives of inmates and their families by introducing them to Jesus and connecting them with a local church. 

1.9 million people in the U.S. are affected by incarceration each year, the most unchurched population in our country. 

It’s a simple fact that less than 14% of inmates are serving life sentences, and up to as many as 95% of all incarcerated individuals will be released back to society at some point. 27% of those released will return to prison within three years, 82% will return to prison within ten years. God Behind Bars addresses this drastic recidivism problem with a unique approach that focuses on the spiritual, physical, and relational needs of inmates and their families.

Find out more about this outreach organization at godbehindbars.com.

God Behind Bars has just released a music video, "Outlaw" featuring Stephen McWhirter that I enjoy. I hope you will also...

Thoughts from Space...

The Artemis II Orion crew capsule returns to Earth today after flying around the moon. The spacecraft broke the record for the furthest distance humans have travelled into space, reaching 406,771km away from the Earth.

Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover explained how orbiting above the world led him to reflect on faith, humanity, and our place in the universe.

In so many words, his message wasn’t just about space, it was about us.

 From his vantage point, far beyond Earth’s surface, Glover described something both humbling and unifying: Earth doesn’t look divided. It looks whole… one planet, one home, one shared existence.

As he reflected on Scripture and the beauty of creation, he offered a striking comparison. While astronauts are seen as traveling in a “spaceship” far from Earth, we often forget that we, too, are living on one. Earth itself is perfectly designed to sustain life in the vast emptiness of the cosmos.

In that contrast, his message became deeply personal.

In a universe he described as “a whole bunch of nothing,” Glover pointed back to Earth as an oasis—rare, beautiful, and full of life. A place where humanity exists together, not apart—not as separate nations, cultures, or beliefs, but as one shared story.

Speaking from Artemis II days before Easter, his words took on even more meaning. Whether someone celebrated the holiday or not, Glover framed it as a moment to reflect on who we are, where we are, and how deeply connected we truly are.

His encouragement was simple but profound: in all the vastness of space, you are special. And more than that—we need each other.

Watch the video here:  instagram.com

UPDATE 4/16:  Here is a working link...

The Shroud of Turin

The interesting thought for today... 

The has been much news about new revelations on the Shroud of Turin. Is the Shroud of Turin REALLY the burial cloth of Jesus, or the greatest hoax of all time? Why has this ancient artifact continued to puzzle scientists for decades? Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston, after years of research, he’s gone from thinking the shroud was a joke, to traveling around the world as one of its biggest advocates. What changed his mind?

Here is a great overview of some of Dr. Johnston's findings:

The Crimson Worm

 I had an interesting Bible study last week about Psalm 22, discussing the parallels with the crucifixion of Christ. The interesting line was Psalm 22:6, "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone and despised by the people".  I have seen this before, but never really considered the meaning of "a worm".  Read about this amazing worm at https://share.google/BGTkDltgp9S1im85H.

Welcome Back...

 It has been about five years since I have put new posts in the Living Word Lutheran blogger account. I am gong to try to resurrect the account to share some thoughts. Please note that these topics are not the official comment or position of Living Word Lutheran Church, but instead are simply topics that I find interesting. Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions as we go forward.    ~Living Word Webmaster.

Today I would like to share a recent talk from author and apologist Lee Strobel about Easter. I hope you enjoy...