Do You Want Peace?

Posted on September 13, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Do you want peace?

Who doesn’t, right?

It might be helpful, though, to define what we mean by peace. When I think of peace, I envision nothing stressful going on–no pressure, no conflict, a time of ease, of having enough (provisions, time, etc.).

Life isn’t always like that, though, is it?

We can pray for peace:

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

But the Bible also tells us to pursue peace:

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

Here are some ways to do that.

First, we acknowledge that peace is found in Jesus Christ.

“For to 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” (Isaiah 9:6).

“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-16).

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Jesus said His peace is not like the world’s (John 14:27). His peace doesn’t mean all the circumstances will be calm and favorable. But even during tribulation, we can have His peace.

Peace is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Peace is a byproduct of faith:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

God often gives peace through His Word. When we don’t feel peaceful, what are we feeding our minds? What are we focusing on?

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

We also find peace in surrendering to God. Sometimes my inner conflict comes when a situation isn’t working out like I wanted, or when I fear what God might ask of me. But when I turn my anxieties and fears and all the possible outcomes over to Him, I can rest in His wisdom and love.

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5b-7).

Sometimes peace comes after discipline. When something isn’t right between us and another person, peace isn’t restored until we can talk the situation out and apologize. It’s similar with God. When we’re knowingly doing something we shouldn’t, or not doing what we should, we won’t be at peace with Him until we confess it and ask forgiveness. Sometimes our trouble is God’s discipline to bring us back to a right place with Him.

“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10-11).

“Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18).

Let me say here, though, that if we have a sense that something isn’t right between us and God, the best thing to do is ask Him to search us and show us what’s wrong, and then wait quietly to see what He brings to mind. He wants us to be right with Him, so He convicts specifically. A general sense of unease without specific conviction may be a result of filling our minds with other things besides His truth.

There’s much more that could be said about spiritual peace. There are 361 verses in the ESV containing the word “peace,” not to mention verses that talk about it without naming it, allude to it, or use a different word. But these give us the main gist of biblical peace.

God sent Jesus to make the way by which sinful people can have peace with a holy, sinless God. He took our punishment on Himself that we might be forgiven and made God’s children. Believing in Him, focusing on Him, beholding Him, spending time in His presence, getting to know more and more of who He is, filling our minds with His word, seeking His grace to obey it will all lead us to His peace.

May the LORD bless you and keep you;
may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

Laudable Linkage

Posted on September 12, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Here are some of the blog posts that spoke to me this week:

I Joined a Violent Chicago Gang. Then a Church Moved onto the Block, HT to Challies. “I questioned how I had gotten to this point. How had I thrown my life away for people who had no regard for me? My situation was hopeless. I knew there was nothing I could do to change it. But all of a sudden, it occurred to me that God could change my situation. For years, I’d had conversations with church people about a God who could raise the dead to life. I thought of all the times a certain youth pastor had shared the gospel with me. And so, closing my eyes to my reflection, I prayed.”

Pleading My Righteousness? HT to Challies. When David prays for God to act according to David’s righteousness, what does he mean? And how does that gel with the Bible’s teaching that we’re not righteous in ourselves, only in Christ? I don’t think I have ever seen this dealt with, though it’s something I have wondered about. I think this article gives a good explanation.

How to Pray When You Feel Like You Pray the Same Thing Every Day, HT to Challies. “If you don’t want to pray the same things all the time, praying Scripture might be helpful. When we pray Scripture, whether it’s a psalm or any other passage, we have fresh ideas to fuel our prayers each day. And it helps us ask for things according to God’s will (1 John 5:14–15) because we’re praying God’s word back to him.” Courtney then gives a few examples of what that

Five Ways God’s People Minister Grace to Each Other, HT to Challies. “God has provided our counselees with Christian brothers and sisters—fellow church members—as vital means of God’s grace to help them know Jesus initially and grow in Jesus continually.”

The Ministry of Saying Less, HT to Challies. Though this is written primarily about preaching, I think it holds true for blogging, writing, teaching, even commenting during Sunday School or Bible Study. “In preaching, teaching, counselling, and leadership, there is something to be said for saying less. I am not suggesting that we become aloof and mysterious. But there is a danger that we can say so much that people start to miss what they most need to hear.”

Why Don’t We Ask God for Big Things? “Scripture and experience make it clear that God is not a genie in a bottle who is obligated to give us whatever we ask for. He is an omniscient deity who has His own counsel, will, and plan. Yet in mysterious ways known fully only to Himself, God invites humans into those councils and listens to their requests.”

Don’t Let AI Steal Your Blessing, HT to Challies. “What we lose in the process is blessing from God. ‘But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing’ (James 1:25). Who is it that receives the blessing? The one who ‘looks’ and ‘acts’ gets the blessing. If I let AI do all the looking, then I’m missing a crucial piece of the blessing.”

Taking Time Off Takes Humility and Faith. “Maybe you wrestle to slow down, delegate, or admit you’re weary and empty. Perhaps, like me a few years ago, you’re currently in a season where the brokenness of the world—and of life right under your feet—has become a heavy weight on top of you. Circumstances God has allowed are confronting you with your weakness, limitations, and, let’s call it what it is: your humanity! He is inviting you to trust and love him by stepping aside for a time—perhaps even stepping out of current responsibilities—for the sake of rest, recalibration, and renewal.”

The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.–J. R. R. Tolkien

Opinions

Posted on August 30, 2026 by Barbara Harper

I don’t remember where this little bookmark came from, except that it was tucked in as an unexpected freebie with something else that I had ordered.

The design is cute. One side says “Quill Power.” But the quote on the other side is a little strange: “Armed with ink and opinions, this desk shall forever be my battlefield.”

A quick Google search doesn’t show any sources for this quote. But doesn’t it sound just like a lot of Internet communication these days?

There are a few problems, though, with being “armed with opinions.”

Our opinions might not be right. We might not have all the details. Our sources may be wrong. Our views may be skewed by our own frame of reference and not understanding another’s.

Even if our opinions are on the right track, however, is it best to “go to battle” with them?

Duty Calls by xkcd

It depends.

According to the Merriam Webster online dictionary, one definition for “opinion” is “a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.” Another is “belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge.”

If we go to battle with our opinions, judgments, and views, how do we determine who wins the battle? The one who speaks the loudest? Or uses the most words? Or is the most condescending towards other views? Or gathers the most “likes” and agreeing comments?

If my opinion is my own view or judgment, and the other person’s opinion is their view or judgment, how can we determine who is right? Even if our opinion is based on facts (as we perceive them), the other person might have the same facts, but interpret them a different way.

It’s not wrong to have opinions, even strong opinions. We don’t have to be spineless and wishy-washy, never expressing an opinion for fear of offending someone. But we need to remember our opinions are just that, and other people are entitled to theirs.

And then, do we even need to express our opinions all the time? A while back, during a period of unrest, the online sentiment was, “If you don’t share a correct opinion on these issues, then by your silence you’re complicit with the wrong side.” But not everyone with a blog or social media account will want to get in on every cultural conflict. They may have strong opinions but not feel their venues were the best place for them. They may want to reserve those thoughts for quieter, less volatile conversations.

Plus, we have access to so much more news and information these days, we can’t possibly have an opinion on everything, unless maybe we spend all day online.

Even on lesser matters, we don’t always need to share our own opinions. You’ve probably met people, as I have, who not only hold strong opinions about nearly everything, but must express them.

If a fellow blogger shares that she enjoyed roasted eel recently, we don’t have to say, “Eww, gross,” even though that’s what we are thinking. We might say, “Interesting. I’ve never had that.” Or we might not mention it at all.

It’s okay to discuss differing opinions if both sides can do so without devolving into anger and put-downs. If I say I love a certain book, and someone else says, “Oh, I hated that one.” I’d probably ask, “What didn’t you like about it?” And we might have an enlightening conversation. Or we might not. You learn, over time, what people you can have those kinds of conversations with and what people you can’t.

I respect and am more likely to listen to those whose opinions are slow in forming, based on years of wisdom and life experiences as well as Scripture, than those who write an opinion piece every week (or day) on the current hot topic. I’ve been greatly helped by sorting through issues by discussing opinions with a trusted friend.

If I am asked my opinion on something, I try to hedge it with “Based on my understanding . . . ” or “My thought is . . .”

But there is a difference between an opinion and absolute truth. An opinion may be based on truth or may not be. I can give way to some opinions, but I can’t give way on truth. Contrary to popular belief, truth is not elusive or ephemeral.

The Bible says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of truth” (John 15:26).

God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).

But even armed with truth, we don’t use it to bludgeon. We’re told to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Our purpose isn’t to battle with our opinions, but to be gracious instruments through which God might “open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

When God Doesn’t Meet My Need

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Several years ago, I was preparing to attend my second writer’s conference. There’s always a butterflies-in-the-stomach-feeling when facing a trip. But I wasn’t consciously nervous since I had been to this conference the year before, and it was in a town where I used to live.

However, for some reason, I could not get much sleep the night before. I couldn’t get comfortable. I was too hot, then too cold. My knee started tingling. I played music on my phone, then tried an audiobook. Nothing helped. Of course, I prayed off and on all night.

I ended up with maybe two hours of sleep. It’s one thing to putter around the house without much sleep, but I was in no condition to drive for three and a half-hours.

I couldn’t help but wonder if God didn’t want me to go. I had good motives: I wanted to learn writing and the publishing industry better in order to be a more effective writer for Him. But had I asked Him about this conference? I couldn’t remember.

So I did ask at that point, as well as asking for wisdom to know what to do next. As I prayed and pondered, I decided to go ahead and get ready, then try to take a nap in my desk chair, and see how I felt after that. I asked God to multiply my sleep like the loaves and fishes and make it enough if He wanted me to go.

And that’s what happened. After I slept for a short while, I hit the road. I missed most of the opening session, but was able to attend the rest of the day’s meetings, slept well at the hotel that night, attended the Saturday sessions, had a great time, and made it home safely late that afternoon.

But for several days, I was confused, frustrated, and even a little wounded over that long night of sleeplessness. Why would God create me to need sleep and then not provide it, especially on a night when it was so crucial? Why would He not answer earnest prayer to enable me to do something for His glory?

One of the first thoughts that came to mind was Psalm 66:18: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Unmet needs and seemingly unanswered prayer can lead to soul-searching.

Deuteronomy 8:3 also came to mind. During Israel’s days of wandering in the wilderness, a couple of times they were without water and food–a dangerous situation any time, but especially in the desert. God told them, “He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

One of God’s purposes for letting them hunger was to humble them. There’s nothing like being in desperate need to make us humble ourselves before the Lord. We realize there’s nothing we can do, and we cast ourselves on Him completely. However much we need bread–or sleep–we need Him more.

That also seems to be what Paul is saying in Philippians 4:11-13: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” God gives us strength to face both abundance and need with contentment, knowing He will take care of us in His own time and way.

Whatever other factors that might have played into my sleeplessness that night, my main conclusion was that God wanted me to depend on Him in ways I would not have otherwise.

God did actually answer both my need for sleep and the Israelites’ need for food and water–just not in the conventional way.

That helps me when thinking of death. This is probably not a spiritually healthy way to look at it, but death could seem like the final unanswered prayer or unmet need. We prayed for healing, but our loved one died. We prayed for safety, but our loved one got into a fatal accident.

But God said no to those prayers so He could provide something better–eternity with Him. Heaven is not a lesser answer.

Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” tells of Abraham, Noah, Samson, and others who experienced great victories for the Lord. But the last few verses tell of others who were beaten, persecuted, destitute, and mistreated. These were not second-class believers whose faith fell short. They were “commended through their faith” though they “did not receive what was promised” in their lifetimes.

Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33).

God knows what we need, both physically and spiritually. He might withhold a physical need for a while to work on a greater need in our hearts. But He’s a good Father who loves and cares for His children. He wants us most of all to trust Him and rest in Him.

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

Insights on Revelation

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Barbara Harper

The book of Revelation can be daunting to read, with all its symbolism and strange experiences. I used Charles Swindoll’s Insights on Revelation as a companion this time through the book and found it quite helpful.

Swindoll says this book is a “mile-high” view of Revelation. He goes into more detail than a mere overview, but mainly hits the high points.

The Greek word for “Revelation” is apokalypsis, form which we get our word apocalypse. Today, apocalypse conveys the meaning of a massive, end-of-the-world-type battle. Though Revelation tells of the final, victorious battle between good and evil, the word actually means an unveiling. This is an unveiling of the future, but even more so, and unveiling of the true King.

Revelation was written by the apostle John, brother of James. He was an old man now, living in exile on the island of Patmos, when he was caught up to heaven and told to write what he saw.

First he is told to write seven letters to then-existing local churches. Swindoll calls these a type of performance review. Each church is told what they did right, what they’re doing wrong, and how God wants them to respond. The message to each church has much to say to us today as well.

Then John sees several visions of things to come, including the reign of the Antichrist during seven years of what we call the Tribulation, leading to the final judgments of mankind, the resurrection of all from the dead, and the crowning of Jesus Christ as the King of the universe, with all those who believed on Him through the ages coming to live with Him in His kingdom.

Revelation pronounces a blessing on those who read and obey it: “The one who reads this is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!” (Revelation 1:3, HCSB). The blessing is repeated near the end of the book: “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7, ESV).

Swindoll emphasizes that we may not understand everything in the book–even John didn’t understand everything he wrote. But there is still much we can glean and be blessed by. He says careful observation of what the text says, paying attention to the context within Revelation, and bringing in what we know from other parts of the Bible help us understand it better. He says, “The book of Revelation wasn’t written to confuse, frighten, or entertain. Rather, it was given to believers to read, understand, and apply.”

There are groups of people with very strong opinions on some questions in Revelation: whether there will be a “Rapture” of the church, a catching away of Christians; when that will occur (before, in the middle of, or after the tribulation–seven years of trouble); whether there will be a literal millennium–a thousand year reign of Christ on Earth; or whether everything in the book is symbolic. I felt, even before this book, that these things are not worth arguing over or breaking fellowship over.

In fact, the study of Revelation can often devolve into trying to prove one’s version of these things. But a focus on these things can obscure or even miss the point. “The purpose of Revelation is to change us, not simply to inform us.” The book of Revelation gives us hope for the future, inspires us to live holy lives in light of what’s coming, and “moves us to worship God, who will ultimately triumph over evil.”

After each section, Swindoll share practical applications we can draw from the text for our lives here and now.

Some of the judgments God pours out on the unbelieving and rebellious in the end times are some of the most awful things we’ll read in the Bible. But the good news is, God has made a way to escape those judgments by believing on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior now. The last chapter of the book contains an invitation: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Revelation 22:17).

Laudable Linkage

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Here’s some of the good reading found this week:

How to Hold onto Faith When You Feel Disappointed. “Do you sometimes feel as if life and maybe even God has disappointed you? We picture ideal scenarios for our lives, and sometimes (usually) our reality falls short of our hopes and expectations. Sometimes it’s our fault, and other times, despite our best efforts, life goes sideways. We end up feeling hurt, disappointed, and even betrayed by God. We know He is all powerful and can order the circumstances of our lives any way He chooses, so why this?”

You Still Have to Eat on Vacation, HT to Challies. “When life takes a turn, or when we leave town, most of us tend to push Bible reading aside until our circumstances return to normal. If we’re not able to sit down at our kitchen table for a quiet hour of in-depth study, we don’t even crack open God’s Word. Somewhere along the way, we’ve told ourselves that if we’re not able to feast, we shouldn’t eat at all, not realizing that a handful of almonds in the middle of the night is far better than allowing our souls to starve.”

When You’re Looking for Substantial Devotional Reading. I don’t usually put reviews here to books I have not read, because I don’t want to recommend something I haven’t checked myself. But I love what Michele wrote in the first few paragraphs here about devotions and devotionals. (Plus, I have read one other book from each of the authors she mentioned, so I think they are probably all right.)

A Liturgy with a Pause–for the Killing, HT to Challies.”Picture this scene: A person is sitting in a room. A member of the clergy is with them, offering them communion, with the classic formulation: “The body of Christ (given for you). The blood of Christ (shed for you).” Some other prayers are said. A few moments later, a nurse or doctor administers a lethal injection, killing the person. Is this a scene from some disturbing dystopian movie? Sadly, no—it is the disturbing reality of the state of the Anglican Church of Canada.”

10 Reasons to Avoid Sexual Immorality. “Easy sex will keep you from being wise. To make this point, Solomon lists ten consequences of sexual immorality in Proverbs 6:24-35. Before reading my list, I urge you to read the passage yourself and see how many consequences you can observe. Perhaps making your own list will help you to remember these things when you face temptation.”

We Weren’t Always This Way. “I’ve been surprised by the friendships that begin right now, the ones where we step into each other’s lives with decades behind us already—decades in which we did not know each other. Decades we can describe only in summaries and stories. We bring all these years with us into the conversation, yet we sometimes forget that not everyone was alongside us for them.”

Better than Me, HT to Challies. “What is my greatest weakness? A few weeks go by and I know the answer. As I sit on the couch and scroll through my phone I notice an icky feeling bubble to the surface. Social media used to provide inspiration, but it now breeds comparison. I compare myself to others and my past self, able to do more—and do it faster, better, and stronger. I used to fit into smaller clothes, do more jumping jacks, or stay up later. Despite my accomplishments, there’s always someone who performs better.”

What Is a Woman? The Question Our World Is Afraid to Answer. “Between ‘be exactly like a man,’ ‘fit this narrow mold,’ and ‘make it up as you go’—you’re caught in the crossfire. The confusion is real. The answers seem impossible to find. Everyone claims to know the answer, but their answers conflict. But what if, among all these competing voices, there’s one you can actually trust? . . . There is. It’s the voice of the One who made you.”

When Christians Don’t Get Along: How the Gospel Calls Us to Unity. “I don’t know about you, but the thought of being personally named in Scripture because you were causing division in the church is a horrifying prospect. Yet this passage also gives us a powerful reminder: the Lord cares deeply about the unity of His Church, and the gospel is far greater than our differences, preferences, or personal agendas.”

Long-View vs. Short-view Leadership. “Call me simple, but my capacity to absorb ‘revolutionary tips for transformative change’ has a pretty low threshold. And I don’t have much patience with Christian resources that seem to be driven more by marketing than by Scripture. That said, God has graciously allowed me to stumble on some life-altering principles along the way. I call it Long View Leadership.”

No Christian can afford to neglect his Bible. If he does, he will be stunted and dwarfed in his spiritual life, and he will be a prey to doubts and fears, and may be carried away by every wind of doctrine.–Harry A. Ironside

Laudable Linkage

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Happy 250th birthday to America! Our country, like all others, is not perfect. But we have much to be thankful for and to appreciate about our nation. The first few posts I’m sharing today touch on that theme.

America at 250: Teaching with Honesty and Gratitude, HT to the Story Warren. I don’t usually share blog posts about books I have not personally read. I don’t want to promote something I am unsure of. But I appreciated what was said in the first paragraphs of this post. “Young people are reportedly less patriotic, less involved in community issues and organizations, less likely to say they are proud or grateful to be Americans, than they were fifty years ago. Most of our readers would agree that their greatest love and loyalty are owed to God, but that doesn’t mean their country isn’t owed its rightful share.”

A Wholesome Patriotism Is Full of Gratitude to God. “A typical way to define patriotism is ‘having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.’ As a Christian, should you feel guilty for being patriotic? No.”

Our Hope, Our Home. “Like every nation in human history, ours bears the marks of both God’s common grace and humanity’s sin. . . . The church need not ignore either reality. Instead, we come today to thank God — not for a perfect nation — but for His undeserved kindness within an imperfect one.”

How Writers Helped Shape America: Lessons from the Declaration of Independence. “How did a squabble with the king over personal liberties grow into a movement uniting thirteen unique colonies into birthing a single democratic union? When we look back, we see that much of the breakup with Britain was due to one source: writers and speakers with a mission.”

Childhood Memories of the Bicentennial. This was a fun look back at America’s 200th birthday fifty years ago. I was a college student at that time, but I don’t remember anything about the Bicentennial other than that it happened.

The Jewish Curse. Biblical reasons against antisemitism.

A Different Kind of Influencer, HT to Challies. “Influencers are everywhere on social media. They make it their business to sell others whatever they love. But I’m thinking there’s another kind of influencer that Christians must be.”

What to Do When They Walk Away, HT to Challies. “Scripture never promised us that men and women would receive the gospel with open arms. I think we all know this. Jesus sent out the seventy-two and told them that some towns would refuse them and when that happened, they were to shake the dust from their feet and keep moving (Luke 10:10–11). Paul preached in Athens and some mocked him while others believed (Acts 17:32–34). The pattern has always been that the gospel divides, and that division is normal. Indeed the division isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you or even your method. Instead it shows that God is truthful. We should prepare for it and we should even expect it.”

Wives, Let Him Go to the Gate. “When some of these opportunities first presented themselves over the last few years, I read Proverbs 31:23 with fresh eyes. ‘Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.‘ And it hit me in a new way: she let him go to the gates. The gates were a place of business, law, and civic decisions, and being known in the gates and sitting among the elders indicates great leadership and influence. Part of me hates this verse because I love my husband’s company and metaphorically wilt when he is gone.”

The Phoebe Hoax, HT to Challies. “Never has more been made of so little than what egalitarians make of Paul’s mention of Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2. This is no disrespect to Phoebe, who clearly was a faithful Christian woman from the environs of Corinth. But egalitarians have fabricated an entire mythology around this woman that is not justified by what Paul actually says about her.”

The 50-Year Payoff: When Photo Albums Become Memorial Stones, HT to Challies. “As I went through the albums, I thought: This is why we did the work all those years ago, so that now, as an older man, I can look back over my life and see how richly God has blessed me.”

When Your Biggest Problem Becomes Your Biggest Asset

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Temple Grandin was diagnosed with brain damage at the age of two in 1949. But her mother found an article on autism symptoms and felt that diagnosis fit Temple better (Temple was formally diagnosed as autistic as an adult). At that time, doctors advised that children like Temple be institutionalized. Her father wanted to follow the doctor’s advice, but her mother did not. Her parents divorced a few years later.

Temple’s mother took her to special needs researchers and neurologists, hired speech therapists and nannies to work with her, tried to make her school environment accommodating, and eventually enrolled her in a specialized school. She taught Temple social rules to help her remember how to interact with others. She emphasized that Temple was “different, not less.”

When Temple was a teenager, she worked at an aunt’s farm one summer. She noticed that the cattle mooed in different ways. When she mentioned that to others, they dismissed its importance. But Temple kept observing. She also noticed that when left to themselves, the cattle would herd themselves in circular patterns away from their handlers. She saw that they got upset by shadows, clothing dangling from a fence, and other distractions. When they got upset, they’d try to get away, causing damage and sometimes death to themselves and other cattle in their panic.

Years later, Temple designed a circular ramp system for cattle to go through the dipping process to protect them from insects. Many didn’t believe her or take her seriously at first. But when they took her suggestions, they found the system was not only more humane and calming for animals, but it saved the ranchers from loss due to animal injury. She went on to revolutionize the cattle industry with other suggestions and inventions.

In the movie Temple Grandin, Temple and her mother attend an autism conference by a leading “expert.” The parents in the audience shout questions to him which he can’t seem to answer. Temple stands to address some of the questions. Someone asks her how old her child is. She says she doesn’t have an autistic child, but she is autistic herself. When she mentions her degrees and her career, she’s flooded with questions until the moderator asks her to come forward to address the group. The parents are filled with hope while hearing someone who understands their children and has successfully navigated her life with autism. She went on to speak and write books about being autistic.

While autism is a different way of thinking and not a problem in itself, from what I understand, it can lead to misunderstandings and even bullying. Though Temple faced a lot of hardships growing up, her different way of perceiving things eventually became her greatest gift. She saw and understood things others didn’t. Her experiences became a beacon of hope to others.

In a similar vein, Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck in a diving accident as a teenager. She has spent more than fifty years as a quadriplegic, encouraging and ministering to others, advocating for the disabled, supplying wheelchairs to people around the world, writing books, hosting a radio program, and speaking at events. Her words carry weight because of her experiences. We know she doesn’t talk about suffering only from a theological standpoint, but an experiential one.

Pastor John Vaughn’s wife and two-year-old daughter were severely burned in a fire in 1978. Neither were expected to survive, but they did. A few years later, when Vaughn sought for a Christian school to accommodate his daughter’s special needs, he couldn’t find one. He ended up starting Hidden Treasure Christian School, which grew to educate children with a variety of special needs for more than forty years now. One of their mottoes is “God has given each child what they need to accomplish His purpose in his or her life.”

Sometimes the areas in life where we have suffered or experienced pain or problems are the very things God uses in our lives to minister to others. That makes sense. Second Corinthians 1:4 says God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The areas where we have struggled are the areas where we have learned to trust Him, to depend on Him, to function within the parameters He has given us.

Most of us have not experienced trials this severe, but we’ve all experienced problems. Family issues, death, illnesses, financial situations–whatever God has allowed in our lives, we can empathize with others in those situations and help them with what we have learned. De Witt Talmage has written that our work may be “to stand a lighthouse at the mouth of the bay to light others into harbor; perhaps to show how glorious a sunset may come after a stormy day.”

A poem that I have quoted often here is from an anonymous author and first came to my attention in Rosalind Goforth’s book, Climbing: Memories of a Missionary Wife. The first stanza says:

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back;
‘Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perchance, Faith’s light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

From our experience with the Lord along the way, we can testify to others, as one song says, “All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good.” And we can encourage them that He will be faithful and good in their lives, too, as they trust Him.

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)

Laudable Linkage

Posted on June 20, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Here are some good reads found this week:

What to Do When You Really Mess Up. “Have you ever really blown it–made a sinful choice with the potential to destroy your life and possibly the lives of those around you? The story of David in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 offers insight into what we should—and should not—do when faced with our own moral failures.”

When Faith Seems to Fail. This is the summary, outline, and transcript of a message by Adrian Rogers that I heard parts of this week on the radio (the overview and audio are here). The part that especially grabbed my attention was how in Hebrews 11, the first part of the chapter tells of the faith shown by Abraham, Moses, Noah, and others. But then verse 36 says “Others suffered . . . ” mocking, flogging, imprisonment, stoning, death, wandering. Verse 9 says all of them were commended through faith. As Rogers put it, “Some escaped by faith. Some endured by faith.”

We Don’t Hate and Then Harm–We Harm and Then Hate, HT to Challies. “We live in a world of ceaseless conflict. And when we look for the source of that conflict, we often assume it’s hatred. We hate people and then treat them poorly. It’s because we feel contempt toward others that we sin against them. But that’s only half the story. Often it’s the other way around. First, we hurt someone, and only then do we begin to hate them.”

6 Expressions of God’s Kindness in the Prodigal Son Parable. “The father’s response in this parable overflows with compassion, forgiveness, and generosity and mirrors our heavenly Father’s heart toward all of us. No matter the depth of our wandering, God rejoices when we come home. The father’s kindness isn’t expressed in a single moment but unfolds again and again in deliberate and tender ways throughout the story. Jesus gives us a picture of what God’s kindness looks like in motion, revealed through the father’s actions.”

The Gift of Finitude, HT to the Story Warren. “You might accomplish a few more of your goals with a sensible routine in place. But you still can’t do it all. And that’s ok. Finitude is not fallenness. Adam and Eve were created with finitude, and they were declared good. Finitude isn’t a bug of being human; it’s a feature.”

Technology Is Fast, Sanctification Is Slow, and Claude Can’t Do It for You. “What if the inefficiency of creativity is a benefit rather than a drawback, a feature rather than a bug? What if the purpose of creativity is greater than merely generating the output? What if creativity fosters a kind of inner formation that is every bit as important as the work that eventually results from it? What if we turn over to AI a process that is an important part of what it means to be human, and one that is genuinely good for us?”

In It Together. “Almost everything that men and women experience together, we experience differently, but through patience and understanding, listening and talking, through expressing care in all the ways we can think of when we just don’t know how to help each other, we continually send the message, over and over again, through all kinds of trials and troubles: I’m here. We’re in this together.”

Making Family Devotions Work. “While my parents often prayed with us before bed, for the most part anything beyond that wasn’t a part of our normal rhythm of life. I never really understood why not, until I had a family. Then I realized how challenging it is to maintain family devotions.”

10 Phrases to Eliminate from Your Bible Teaching. These are good reminders not only for teaching Bible, but for any kind of speaking or writing and even everyday conversation. Of course, we need to be gracious listeners. Some of these phrases sneak in unaware when the speaker is trying to gather his thoughts. But when we can eliminate them, we make ourselves much easier and more interesting to listen to.

A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there,
but a guiding light whose love shows us the way. Author unknown.

Laudable Linkage

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Barbara Harper

Some of the good reads found this week:

Steve McQueen, born again, set free, HT to Challies. “Steve McQueen made The Great Escape. But he was sprung by Jesus Christ who made the greatest escape. The actor just pretended to escape from a Nazi POW camp; the Savior conquered hell and death for real. And he saved Steve and me and many other sinners from the hell to come.”

What Does It Mean to Walk by the Spirit? “Walking by the Spirit sounded somewhat vague and unclear. There isn’t a clearly laid out list in Scripture, not “Step 1, do this. Step 2, do that.” Over the past fifteen years I have learned and grown a lot in this area. I think I have a better idea of what walking by the Spirit means, and while it doesn’t mean that stopping sinning is easy, it does mean that it’s possible.”

The Commodification of Christianity. “All of this, the commodification and the gamification and the online communities, ultimately leaves us with a shallow faith. If you teach a generation Christianity through TikToks and Instagram Reels, don’t be surprised if their version of belief has nothing to do with virtue, with how they actually live their lives, and everything to do with what they post, how they label themselves online, what’s on their Story. Don’t be surprised if Christianity becomes nothing but a weapon in the culture war, a cross emoji in a bio.”

What Jesus Does Not Pray. “Jesus does not ask that we will be kept from all trials, all suffering, all sorrows. He prays simply that as we remain here, we will be held firm in the grip of God to carry out his will.”

How to Break a Hurting Heart: Lessons from Job’s Friends. “Job’s friends didn’t set out to wound him; they came to comfort a man who had lost nearly everything. Yet somewhere between his suffering and their explanations, they ended up doing more harm than good.”

Should Christians Flip Tables Like Jesus? HT to Challies. “Scripture tells us to be like Jesus. Does that mean we should call hypocritical leaders “blind fools” and a “brood of vipers” like Jesus does in Matthew 23? Does imitating Jesus mean we should make a whip of cords, curse a fig tree, and flip a table in a temple? Should we make it our goal to do the same? And if not, why not?”

When Discipleship Is Difficult, Start With Delight. “This was my problem: I was looking at discipleship from the wrong perspective. It hadn’t yet clicked that discipleship is more than education and obedience to biblical commands. Discipleship is a matter of the heart. It is about helping others love Who and what we love; learning to delight in the God who delights in us (Zeph. 3:17) as we become like Jesus from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18).”

God’s Many Mercies for Our Many Miseries. “Years ago, a dear friend from church was murdered at her home. I will never forget the wise encouragement our pastor shared at her funeral. He acknowledged our longing to know the answer to the question of ‘why’ this tragedy had occurred. And yet, he insisted, deeper comfort would come through knowing the answer to the question ‘who?’ Who is the God who enters our most horrific tragedies?”

Stop Believing Your Best Years Are Behind You, HT to Challies. “I wonder if we’ve badly misjudged the later years. We frame them as a time to ease up, slow down, and coast toward the finish. I think we have it exactly wrong. What if a man’s later years are meant to be his strongest? What if they’re not for winding down, but for our greatest contribution? If we’ve prepared well, the second half should be when we run our best race.”

The Things I Cried About Yesterday, HT to Challies. “The balm of time and the gift of hindsight show that God knew what He was doing all along. We are short-sighted creatures. We can’t see beyond the present, and we’re really bad judges of the future. How many are the things that are disappointing today that I will be worshipping Him for in a few years?”

The Beauty of the Unnamed, HT to Challies. “There is no story that is insignificant to God. There is no role or purpose that is outside of his profound influence. God is one who sees those who others forget. He sees them and though they are unnamed in the pages of history, they are known by name to him. History has been formed by the faithfulness of the unnamed.”

Whatever the Weather, We’ll Weather the Weather, Whether We Like It or Not. “Contented cheerfulness in hard circumstances is not a personality trait; it’s an intentional choice.”