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Thursday, April 9th, 2026
{Spoiler alert: this will be controversial. I’m just alerting you ahead of time}
Only a person born yesterday or has their head buried in the sand would not know there is a social (and spiritual) battle raging in our culture today. It has been around, but the onslaught began a few years ago with the Riley Gaines and Lia Thomas fiasco in swimming. It really hit its stride in recent years. The scandal in the college volleyball world. An Olympic boxer whose punch was so hard it totally discouraged a female boxer to continue within seconds of the first round. More recently, the Olympic committee handing down its verdict that no man can compete in women’s sports. And more.
I’m speaking, of course, of the “trans” movement. Let me say up front that I believe each individual matters to God-straight, gay, trans, liberal, conservative, white, black, Hispanic, or whomever. God is not into saying, “You are such-and-such so I like you better.” He has unconditional love for each one of us and the Bible tells us that “He is patient and wants all men everywhere to repent and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Peter 3:9). But whether we like it or not, God has standards that are found in His Word. We can use all the arguments we want from culture, psychology, personal beliefs, etc but eventually our sole yardstick is God’s Word. And whether we like to admit it or not, God’s Word is pretty clear about “alternate lifestyles” and transitioning from what He originally made us. The Bible is clear that “God made us male and female.” (Genesis 2:18-25). Jesus’ own words back that up. (Mt. 19:4).
What started me thinking of this more seriously is the book I am reading: Transformed by Kyla Gillespie. I am almost 3/4 of the way through and it has been a mixed emotion read. No disgust. Just sadness. The pain Kyla experienced growing up with gender dysphoria and feeling more male than female is palpable. I feel for her. I feel for her struggle of trying to decide what road to take, yet at the same time wanting to maintain a relationship with Jesus. (She eventually dumped that for over 10 years as she followed her own desires). Her decision to transition that started with testosterone injections, and then a hysterectomy and “top half” surgery. Those were considered two of the three surgeries necessary to complete her transition. She is contemplating the “bottom half” but I have not reached her decision yet. But she has been loved unconditionally by a couple, BJ and Jess, who have led her back to wanting a committed relationship with Jesus. It has also led her to her current crisis of the “bottom half” surgery. Do I or don’t I?
I don’t know the result yet (I did not read ahead). 🙂 But two Scriptures are rocking her world. Isaiah 45:9-12 and Psalm 139:13-16. I’ll let you read them. I will also revisit this post after I finish the book. Until then, I highly recommend it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Culture, God's Word, Lifestyle, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sexualtiy, Sin, Story, Transgender
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Many times you will hear, most often in sports, the phrase, “He or she rose to the occasion.” That phrase means when the game was on the line, a certain player or players stepped up and made the difference.
In the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, there is an oft lost or passed over story. Even now it is possible you are thinking, “Huh? I know that story like the back of my hand and I can’t think of any.” Possibly so. But then again, I’m willing to guess there is one story passed over this past celebration weekend. It’s almost like a sidebar or a footnote.
The incident? John 19:38-39 (Please take a moment to read it). Two men. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Two men with secrets who now make it public. Joseph we are told is a secret disciple “because he feared the Jewish leaders;” and Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night (see John 3). But both rose to the occasion when it was necessary. Joseph provided the request to Pilate and the tomb; Nicodemus provided the help and along with Joseph the spices and linen cloths necessary for a Jewish burial.
Joseph risked everything, as did Nicodemus-status, reputation, and safety-to honor Jesus with a proper burial. There is no question in my mind that their lives changed forever that day. Can you hear the tongues? Can you hear the chatter at the next Sanhedrin meeting? “They did what?” “I had no clue of their allegiance.” “Of all the nerve. Kick them out. NOW!”
I’m surmising by this time neither Joseph nor Nicodemus really cared what their colleagues thought. They had staked their claim. Or as we might say, “That’s their story and they’re stickin’ to it.”
Secret disciple no more. Devoted disciple forever.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Conviction, Jesus, Leadership, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Tuesday, April 7th, 2026
I mentioned in yesterday’s post I was tired. I finally figured out that at 73 I am not going to recover as quickly as I used to. You guessed it, I’m still tired. 🙂 So I’m going to borrow some thoughts from my sermon Sunday morning.
“Jesus invited people to believe in Him. Not just in His teaching. Not just in His cause. Not just in His ideology. But in Him. He called people to a personal belief in Him. But that also means He must be who He said He was. That He was worthy of our belief. He was and is unique. He was and is one of a kind. And what TOTALLY sets Him apart is the event we celebrate today-His resurrection from the dead.”
My message was entitled The Surprising Savior. I called it that because no one expected the event we celebrated Sunday: His resurrection. No one expected it. Not the disciples. Not the ladies who went to the tomb that morning (remember: they were wondering how they were going to move the stone). Not the religious leaders (they thought He was dead and gone for good). Not Herod and the Romans (they only did the dirty deed because they were intimidated or told to). NO ONE!
The Easter message can be distilled into one simple sentence: Jesus came back to life after He died. We use the word resurrection to describe the event. That word comes from resurge or resurgence, in the sense of “coming back” or “rising up.”
Plain and simple: The resurrection of Jesus is the central tenet of the Christian faith. If someone can dismantle the resurrection, they would succeed in sinking the uniqueness of Jesus and the Christian faith. Without mentioning any names, no other religion can make the claim that their leader has risen from the dead and has been seen by hundreds of others. The resurrection is the anchor point for the cables that hold the Christian faith together.
That is why, if anyone wants to destroy Christianity, they must first start with dismantling the truth of the resurrection. People a whole lot smarter than me have tried to do that but all it comes to is EPIC FAIL. I’m not the smartest person on the block, but I will stake it all on this one truth: Jesus rose from the dead.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: God's Word, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Resurrection, Story
Monday, April 6th, 2026
“It just takes a lot out of me.”
I heard that often as a young pastor. I didn’t understand. They were, of course, speaking of preparing for special days, like a special Christmas service or (novel idea) a special Resurrection Sunday service. That is where I find myself this morning. Let me explain.
We have been saving for an addition to our church building since 2018. We have vowed to pay cash for it. Since we have no debt we have determined we would stay that way. It allowed us to weather COVID well. Due to God’s faithfulness, the people’s faithful giving, and careful watching of the church’s finances, we were not hit like many churches. No staff layoffs. No cutback on programs (except those our state government “requested”). No concern over which bill to pay or not to pay. God and His people were good.
In 2018 we finished a much-needed youth addition to our building-functional and modest-and immediately started saving for an addition to our current building. It would serve as a new worship area where the adults could attend as one. Seven long years later we began by breaking ground. We watched as it slowly developed into a building that we had planned and saved for. It still isn’t done and we will have to put a “hold” on getting some things done due to costs being more than estimated, but yesterday (Resurrection Sunday) we were able to meet in the new addition. It was “rough.” The drywall is installed but not finished. The electricity is installed but there are only 3 working outlets. The HVAC cannot even begin to be installed until May due to his schedule. So we used propane heaters for 2 hours before to warm up the building (and when people got there no one noticed the chill). We borrowed 150 chairs from our neighboring event venue. Men and women worked hard on Saturday setting chairs, getting the sound system working, getting the lobby/greeting area inviting and a myriad of other chores. Along with some natural lighting (thanks God for the sunshine), we also used some portable LED lighting.
With God’s help and with a tremendous effort by many of our people, WE DID IT! It was a wonderful day! For a little over an hour or so, we worshiped the Risen Christ. It was a great foretaste of what is to come when we are finished. Next week, we will be back to our old “digs.” The drywall needs finished. When money is available the electricity will be finished and HVAC will be installed. The walls will be painted. The bathrooms will be finished and the nursery will take on the look of a nursery. But we are okay with waiting. We have waited this long. What’s another couple of months or more?
But I started this by saying I was tired. I will echo my older mentors: “It just takes a lot out of me.” I am tired this morning. But this is a good tired. And I could put up with that all year long. 🙂
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Church, church addtion, God's Plan, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
Have you ever been to a “puff-out-the-chest” convention?
Let’s see: I’ve been to pastor’s conferences. I’ve been to church growth conferences. I’ve been to youth pastor’s conferences. I’ve been to music concerts. Chances are good then, except for possibly the latter, you too have been to a puff-out-the-chest conference. By now I suspect you know what one is. It’s a group of pastor/youth leaders getting together and becoming blowhards. You know: “We’ve had x amount of additions this past year.” Not to be outdone another blowhard says, “We’ve had x amount of baptisms the past 6 months.” “Our attendance has doubled in the past year.” Blah. Blah. Blah. On and on it goes; where it stops nobody knows. I was joking with the staff the other day. On the Day of Pentecost it says 3000 were added to the church that day. A few verses later it talks about a great multitude. “The 3000,” I said, “is the actual count. The great multitude is the preacher count.” 🙂
Sadly, many pastor/church leaders are blowhards. Been there done that. We get into a puff-out-the-chest game of one-upmanship. We act like “my dad can beat up your dad” kind of kids.
Strange. I distinctly remember something being written about our leader who came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. That very same leader said, “Unless you become like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of God.” I wonder how long it will take us to realize riding on a donkey is better than a Roman steed and becoming like a child is better than an overblown adult?
Instead of puffing out the chest, we ought to be sucking air wilting in the presence of the King of kings, the real King, the One who showed us it was all about being a servant, not winning a game of “i can top you.” Blowhards need to come in contact with a pin cushion.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
APRIL FOOL’S DAY
A day of trickery and tomfoolery. A day of (mostly) innocent joking and trying to catch people making…well…a fool of themselves. But not so innocent when you read some Proverbs:
- “For simpletons turn away from me-to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.” (1:32)
- “Wise people think before they act; fools don’t-and even brag about their foolishness.” (13:16)
- “Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.” (14:9)
- “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouth shut, they seem intelligent.” (17:28)
- “Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.” (23:9)
- “Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off ones’ feet or drinking poison!” “Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.” “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” (26:6,8, 11)
- “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold back.” (29:11)
Just to name a few. But the ultimate use of the word is found in Psalm 14:1-“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good.”
Being a fool on a calendar day-April 1-is considered a joke, and in a way, is relished and expected by many. (I simply cannot imagine the teachers of young children on a day like today). But being a fool in real life life…that is not good. It is not a joke. It is not funny. It is not relying on a calendar date and thinking it will all go away the next day. Being a fool in real life is serious and must not be taken as a joke, but something to be alleviated, taken care of and avoided.
BE WISE TODAY AND EVERY DAY!!
{Note: All Scripture from New Living Translation}
Posted in InTheShadow | 2 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Fooishness, Fools, God's Word, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Truth Telling, Wisdom
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
“That’s not forgiveness; it’s blackmail.”
That was the statement I made this past Sunday. A little background first. I was preaching about why Jesus died. One reason was “for forgiveness of our sins.” I went on to say that Jesus did not say “If you do this I will forgive you.” Nor did He say, “If you give me this I will forgive you.” Neither should we. Forgiveness is not dependent on the other person’s response of acceptance or rejection. Forgiveness, by us, is granted based on God’s work in our life.
When we forgive someone, we don’t expect a payment for what was done. If I wrong you or you wrong me, forgiveness is not offered with “Well, okay, if you pay me or do this for me.” That is when I made the statement: That’s not forgiveness; it’s blackmail.
True biblical forgiveness knows no ifs, ands, or buts. Forgiveness has no agenda. Forgiveness assumes grace. Forgiveness is not “getting even.” It is, in actuality, giving up the right to get even. Forgiveness has no agenda. Aren’t you glad Jesus did not say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing and don’t until they do”? Yikes! I know I would be in a world of hurt if that had been the case. I would never have been the recipient of the grace of God.
No. We have been forgiven. Grace made sure of that. And that is what we need to offer others. Forgiveness, not blackmail.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Jesus, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin
Monday, March 30th, 2026
A life of contrasts.
I suspect if we are honest, all of us live lives of contrast. What we say doesn’t match how we live. How we act belies our maturity (or lack thereof). What we say laughs at our so-called “maturity of age.” In fact, the way we talk often screams at our words of “I am a Christian.”
As I was reading this morning I ran across some contrasts. I found them in Proverbs 12. I’m going to just give a few and would like to encourage you to read this chapter on your own and make your own notes and conclusions:
“The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.” (v.5)
“The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. (v.6)
“A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised.” (v.8)
“Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.” (v.12)
“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” (v. 15)
“A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” (v.16)
“Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.” (v.19)
I’ve given you just a few of the contrasts and there are more. What struck me though was how we hear voices speaking to us and they are telling us the exact opposite of what we need to hear and should hear, i.e. the truth. Not necessarily truth with a capital “T” (Gods truth found in His Word), but truth with a small “t” (as in telling the truth). The voices we often hear are the ones that tell us “Do your own thing” or “Do what seems right” or “Do what feels right.” Voices that are skewed. Voices that are off-base.
The only reliable voice to listen to is the voice of God found in His Word. Trust THAT voice.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Faith/Feelings, God's Word, Lifestyle, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Friday, March 27th, 2026
I was gone last week but one of our elders, Tom Mangia, did a phenomenal job filling in. When I first asked him little did I know how much of a God-thing it would be. I was in Ohio for the weekend and our Youth Pastor, Ryan, welcomed his oldest daughter, Anna, back from a 4 month stint with YWAM in New Zealand and his son and daughter’s homeschool co-op prom. Tom preached on The Sold-Out Savior (Judas and Peter) so I get to pick it back up with The Sin-Laden Savior this Sunday. I will be using various Scripture during the message as I talk about what we mean when we speak of The Passion of Christ. My biggest point will be giving 6 reasons for the death of Jesus (there are a whole lot more).
I would love to welcome you to our services this week. We have them at 9:00 and 10:45. If you are unable to attend, we also do a live stream at those same times. You can access the live stream at YouTube (Owen Valley Christian Fellowship) or on our Facebook page (Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, IN). I would be honored if you would join us. Have a great Palm Sunday as you celebrate the final week of Jesus on earth. Your prayers would be appreciated.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Jesus, Reflection, Sermon Series
Thursday, March 26th, 2026
If someone were to ask you, “What is the single most devastating idea to biblical Christianity?” what would you say?
Here are some ideas I tossed around this morning. I realize the list is not complete (not by a long shot), but it is a start.
- Progressive Christianity- True Christianity is too tied to biblical ideas and needs to progress toward more liberal thought (so they say).
- Legalism- whether tied to rules we have to live by or self-imposed rigidity, this can be a deal breaker.
- Charlatans in the pulpit and the airwaves- what a mess these people make of the Gospel and peoples’ lives.
- False teaching- from the ridiculous to the ridiculous this is undermining so much of what is actually the truth.
Like I said, there are more I’m sure. But there may be one more devastating than any of those I listed. Here it is…are you ready for it? HYPOCRISY.
That’s right. Hypocrisy. The word hypocrite comes from the word play acting. Simply put: there are too many playing at Christianity. They are good about putting on airs, but their faith is fake. It is also a stumbling block to others. It should not escape us that Jesus’ harshest words were reserved for the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious leaders of His day. They were so zealous for their brand of faith, but they were so zealously wrong. They were sincere about their observance of the rituals and laws, but they were sincerely wrong.
Hypocrisy is different from true faith/religion in one main area. They both can go through the motions. They both can do all things right in observance of sacraments or teachings. The Pharisees were good at doing, but Jesus said one thing that devastated their whole stance. THEIR HEART. Their heart was not in it. His words: “Their hearts are far from me.” I’m pretty sure we all have struggled with that in one or another. Doing something “just because.” Not necessarily because it is meaningful or will change a life, but maybe because “we have always done it before” or because it is expected.
Hypocrisy is a total opposite from real biblical faith. It is as simple as “have to” versus “want to.” Do you struggle with doing things “just because?” Join the club. But maybe it is time we put a hammer to that clubhouse and to our tribe and get with the real program.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Hypocrisy, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Truth Telling
