Respite for the Remnant

Encouragement in such a time as this

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  • A Little Musical Respite From Back in the Jesus Movement Day

    I’m that old to have been writing music and strumming a guitar back in the Jesus Movement days. Today’s “musical respite” for you, dear reader, is from my “archive” resurrected from a fragile beat-up cassette tape with the help of my daughter Jenni and son-in law Gary who are eons more knowledgeable about technical thingies than I am.

    With a little AI enhancement this tune never sounded so good–nor did I in reality–back in the day nor do I today, except for the styling vibe. My guitar, however, was–and is–a little dinged up but it still puts out the chords.

    NOTE: when you sit back for a listen, I hope, in some quiet corner, keep in mind that the “singer” here is Jesus, the “you,” is, well, you peering at this screen, because sometimes Jesus gets this personal–even smack dab in the middle of some fray or other, often multiple, frays.

    May I invite you to pause a little in your busy life and savor.

    Verse inspirations, so to speak, are listed below.

    https://suno.com/s/XdFiz7Mmt5ADI0wc

    Phyllis Beverige Nissila

    …..

    Scriptures, etc., related to “You Belong to Me Now”

    Psalm 94:19–“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

    Deuteronomy 31:6–Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

    Isaiah 41:10–Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

    Matthew 11:28–Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

    John 14:27–Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

    Further reading: .What does it mean that eyes have not seen what God has planned for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9)? | GotQuestions.org

    .

  • Poetry: In Such as Time as This (and a gentle reminder in a harsh world)

    “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 NIV)

    In such a time as this

    When truth is often excised

    From revelation

    By the tongues–

    Sharp as scalpels

    Slick as blood–

    Of unholy dividers,

    Pretenders

    In the dark

    Of the dark.

    In the days of poetry

    Upon us now

    Revealing

    God’s light

    For us. Now

    There are still

    Words shouting

    The Good News

    Abroad for more

    To come and see

    Emblazoned

    For the few who find

    The narrow path, bright,

    Sparked to sight

    By the Way,

    Truth and Life

    In the days

    Of poetry…

    Closing

    Soon.

    For those still occupying in such a time as this who know the clarifying, guiding, and calming light of Christ, here is a gentle reminder for us of those yet to hear from us—we, the poets, musicians, artists, scientists, teachers, students, farmers, tradespeople, grandparents, neighbors, associates, children…in the Gospel language we speak to those who will yet hear, who are still without the light of the Holy Spirit and the comfort of Christ amid the cacophony of chaos in such a time…

    Consider:

    Bing Videos People Need The Lord – Steve Green [With Lyrics].

  • On the End Times “Harlot Church” Guest Video Teaching by Roberta Morrison

    Update: I have not disappeared! I just yesterday concluded a year and a half of an intense education ministry, and I have a calendar at the moment, literally, ramping up in writing, music, and other service opportunities.

    The following video seems of the utmost priority this morning. The topic, generally speaking, is on what many believe is end-times church activity in the world just now. Specifically, as comprised of a conglomerate of non- and extra-biblical false teachings and doctrines made up of various and sundry false “churches” that have a little bit of truth, of course, to manipulate those yet unaware of it so as to plant the seeds, practices, “new apostles” and “new prophets” of this new entity. Should you want a deep dive of over forty posts from my investigative journalist’s research, that includes many other warnings and exposés, see my other blog: NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION Table of Contents Page | pnissila There are many more investigative reports, studies, and theological analyses out there (I am not a theologian) proliferating across Churchdom since I concluded that report requested by the leadership of my former church over two years ago. These are beloved people in my life, many, still, but to the conclusion of my project for them (which took about a year) they are/(or hopefully were, by now) aligned with some of the more serious teachings and practice of this new conglomerate entity. At the conclusion of the meetings with the pastor and assistant pastor, ordered in, as far as was possible, a biblical manner, it was respectfully suggested I find a new pastor and a new church.

    Today’s post is both timely and urgent, in my view.

    Consider and pray.

    Mark and avoid where you may…need to.

    Stay in the Word of God.

    (2) 06-11-2026 The Rise Of The Harlot Church – YouTube

  • Is It “The Silent Treatment” or Emotional Survival? Part 1

    From the archives at https://pnissila.wordpress.com/category/is-it-the-silent-treatment-or-emotional-survival/

    Click here for all 6 posts in this series from 2013-2017.

    Update, May 2026

    The destructive nature of verbal abuse, specifically covered in this series, and how to deal with it has been expanding both in the Church and in the world since I began this series on 2013 on my other blog. Verbal abuse is, of course, an age-old problem going by other names such as “bossy,” “picky,” “controlling,” “domineering,” and in contemporary society, “mean (girls/boys/women/men…)”, but “abusive”, in my view and investigation, is the more appropriate over-arching theme when self-control and empathy are lacking in human interactions.

    NOTE: I am not a counselor or therapist; I am an investigative journalist, thus numerous footnotes and links to professional resources are provided throughout the series. Some links may no longer be available in 2026.

    NOTE: this topic does not include the normal highs and lows, ebbs and flows, of relationships, where prayer, counsel, clarification, negotiation, and reconciliation contribute to resolving issues. This topic refers to words used as weapons of dismissal, dehumanization, and destruction. Only God knows the intent of the perpetrators, but people see and experience the fallout daily. And in certain cases it becomes necessary to remove oneself from the toxicity and/or escalating danger of a verbally abusive individual or institution.

    And, generally speaking in such a time as this considered by many prophecy experts to be the “end times” (see here for links to Questions about the End Times (All) | GotQuestions.org), “cold hearts” and lawlessness are certainly becoming more and more apparent in the world at large.

    Consider also: the destruction of relationships, personal or institutional, often begins with words.

    Beloved Remnant: may I encourage you to be on guard and remain in the love of God and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in these increasingly trying times. Nobody is immune to all brands of our “real enemy’s” attacks, but God is always a present help in times of trouble, whatever it might be. As put in Psalm 46:1, NASB 1995:

    A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

    Sing it out, brothers and sisters…

    ____________________

    Part 1, originally posted on June 5, 2013

    Click here for all posts in this series.

    Some time ago, a friend of mine left a verbally abusive marriage. She knows I sometimes write on women’s issues, although my commentaries are church focused. But because verbal abuse occurs in all facets of life, she thought her observations, shared below, might be of some help to some of my readers. Her original title appears with it. With permission, I have edited it in places for continuity, added a note or two, and listed recommended resources for victims of verbal abuse. I believe what she has to say is important.

    THERE COMES A POINT: WHY VICTIMS OF VERBAL ABUSE EVENTUALLY BECOME SILENT, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH  “The Silent Treatment.”

    I often read that “the silent treatment,” i.e., refusing to respond to a partner, is always abusive, and I believe there is another “silence” that might be confused with this. The “other silence” is the third reaction that, in my opinion, should be included in the classic “fight or flight” responses to threats. It is the survival response called “freeze” [update 2026: a 4th reaction called “fawning” is now recognized. See What Is the Fawning Trauma Response? | Psychology Today].

    In a relationship in which the verbal abuser occasionally or even often exhibits one or more of the following behaviors—criticizes, orders around, “corrects” (no matter the subtlety, the artificial smile, or the tone of feigned concern), puts-down, mocks, undermines, accuses, rages, baits arguments, twists words and changes subjects when confronted by his partner for all or any of the above—there comes a point in the relationship that the abused partner “freezes,” as it were, out of self-protection.

    There comes a point, after the heartbreak, the tears, the prayers, the explanations, the fear, the self-doubt, the second-guessing, the feelings of betrayal, confusion, anger, failure; after the research, the counseling, the changing of her appearance, attitude, clothes, hair… there comes a time the victim realizes: This Will Not Stop. No matter, it seems, what she does, or stops doing. (And the trouble is she knows she isn’t perfect, and she is reminded of her flaws, so guilt goads her as well.)

    If her sense of self-efficacy hasn’t already been completely destroyed by the thousand little emotional hits of verbal abuse, there comes a point when she is faced with a decision. There comes a point she knows it has to end, but she may feel for the sake of others—the children, the family, the church, God, even him whom she may still love—she can’t leave, or can’t leave yet. (Many people on the outside cannot understand this, by the way, because they have no emotional connection to the abuser, they may know him only as a nice guy, and/or because they believe they would never let themselves be such a victim.)

    So she does whatever she can to avoid the hits. Contrary to popular opinion, words DO break bones (just like sticks and stones), only “emotional bones,” if you will, and, just like a bone break affects other body systems, emotional hits affect other aspects of the self, too, unless something is done to fix the injury so the healing can begin. And so the victim realizes she needs to protect herself.

    She speaks less and more carefully (so as not to seem to bait an argument or incite a criticism, a sarcastic response, a contradiction, or a rage) thinking that where there is no fuel perhaps the fire will go out.

    In order to avoid criticisms, arguments, or put-downs, she remains neutral when it comes to daily choices: whether to stay in or go out, what to watch on television, whether or not to have people over, what to fix for dinner, how to arrange the furniture, and/or how to fix the yard. She remains neutral especially when she has her heart set on a certain thing or event so that the effort to get him to understand her point of view will cause less disappointment should he disregard her wishes or perhaps become angered. She learns to suppress her passion so that she will avoid a more painful response to the rejection that often comes unexpectedly. She participates carefully, more and  more on guard.

    She learns to not completely trust the good times, the occasional compliment, the way he might praise her in public, the gifts, the hugs and kisses, the greeting card sentiments—even the occasional apology– because the rug of emotional security is likely to be pulled out from underneath her at any time.

    She can never quite predict his subtle and/or blatant negative reactions although she has tried. At times, in moments of candor when she thinks she is safe from a put-down or criticism and shares something personal, she may soon realize she called it wrong. She may have even said to herself, “Now, why didn’t I see THAT one coming! I’ve certainly been HERE before!” And then she vows, again, to protect herself even more.

    In short, she becomes what he may at length even blame her for, and for which he may, in part, even leave her, or force her to leave him. “There’s no ‘there’ there,” he might put it, as he notes her growing loss of enthusiasm for things they once enjoyed more together. “She gives me the silent treatment!” he might complain. “She USED to be a lot more alive, a lot more fun.” He may even wonder if she no longer has passion for him. She may still have, but she has long since learned to be careful about expressing it, very careful, lest he criticize her mode of expression, or compare her however obliquely to someone else or to some “others” in general, or ignore her altogether. Or her passion may have been quickly replaced by fear, insecurity, intimidation, doubt, rage, and/or resentment, especially at first.

    And if she does express her feelings, again, about the reasons why his verbally abusive responses to her engender her “less than enthusiastic responses” to him, she needs to steel herself against the accusations “You’re just too sensitive,” or “It’s all about you.”

    There comes a point when this just has to end–if she can pull herself together to do something. Sadly, many can’t. The years of verbal abuse take their toll. Just as a broken bone affects other body systems, “freezing” to survive verbal abuse also affects other aspects of a person’s life. The erosion of her self-worth, self-value, and confidence in this, her primary and most vulnerable relationship, even begins to affect her initiative in other areas of her life.

    Her creativity elsewhere deteriorates as she spends so much mental and emotional effort and time trying to figure out, fix, and/or just survive the constant stress of her relationship with the verbal abuser. If she was raised, as many women have been and some still are, to always defer to the man, the “head of the household,” the “stronger,” “more rational” partner (editor’s note: or as some churches teach, the spiritually superior spouse), this exacerbates the pain and adds confusion. Many just give up and live out the relationship as best they can. But sadly, verbal abuse can also escalate to physical abuse.

    However, there are those who make the courageous choice of leaving no matter the cost. There is an old proverb: “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife” (see Proverbs 17:1, Ed. ). Not only may the woman who leaves her verbal abuser suffer materially, she may also suffer the rejection of others because her abuser may present himself outside the relationship as a nice guy. She and perhaps the children may be the only ones who know the truth—or she may be his only victim.

    But if she comes to knowing it is the right time to leave, despite the emotional fallout, despite the loss of security, and/or despite the fear, she will at least be able to process it where she is free to express herself. And she will be able to get the help she needs while at the same time regaining her sense of worth and experiencing the return of her creativity and zest for life.

    It may be very hard for a woman to adjust to leaving even such a damaging relationship, especially after many years, but at least as the healing progresses it will be in a place of emotional safety and freedom.

    Thank you, my friend. I pray many will be helped and enlightened by your observations.

    _________________________________

    Recommended reading:

    Perhaps the most frequently referenced and quoted expert in the area of verbal abuse is Patricia Evans. Here are two of her books:

    The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond

    Victory over Verbal Abuse: A Healing Guide to Renewing Your Spirit and Reclaiming Your Life

    For the verbally abused woman/wife: Why Does He Do That? Lundy Bancroft (who also has a helpful website)

    Books and articles by my friend, Cindy Burrell, author and blogger—and survivor– can be found listed at Welcome | Hurtbylove Cindy provides a wealth of information for both women and men and includes one specifically to help inform church counselors.

    There are other books, articles, podcasts, etc., on this kind of insidious abuse–even since my last update in 2018, as well as numerous professional websites and blogs now available.

    Related

    Update on “Is it The Silent Treatment or Emotional Survival?”: Part 2 Another Good ResourceNovember 9, 2014In “abuse”

    Is It The Silent Treatment or Emotional Survival, Part 6: “Losin’ All Your Highs and Lows”October 14, 2017In “abuse”

    Is it The Silent Treatment or Emotional Survival? Part 4, Medium Chill and Gray RockJanuary 25, 2015In “abuse”

    This entry was posted in abuse, Christian Women Topics, Commentaries, IS IT THE SILENT TREATMENT OR EMOTIONAL SURVIVAL?, most recent posts, survival tools and tagged a different kind of “silent treatment” for survival, Abuse, AbusePsychological, difference between silent treatment and emotional survival, Mental Health, Physical abuse, results of verbal abuse, silencing the abuser, silent treatment or emotional survival?, Social rejection, surviving emotional abuse, surviving verbal abuse, The Silent Treatment or Emotional Survival?, Verbal abuse. Bookmark the permalink.

    11 Responses to Is It “The Silent Treatment” or Emotional Survival? Part 1

    1. Joni's avatarJoni says:

    December 26, 2018 at 9:18 pm

    This helps me. Everywhere else I’m reading as I look for help with my son tells me I’m abusive for deciding I’m no longer discussing things with him. I feel like he deliberately ruined Christmas day and now he’s begging me to discuss what he did (alternately begging and threatening me if I don’t discuss it but he doesn’t get the irony in threatening me). But discussing it won’t help, it never does. It just gives him a chance to attack. Opening myself up over and over to verbal abuse just perpetuates our problems and slowly eats away my soul. Silence helps stop the never-ending barrage. I don’t know if it’s a control thing or not but I’m too tired to continue talking. This is a sad Christmas.

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    1. pbn's avatarpbn says:

    December 29, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    Joni,

    Thank you for contacting me. I’m honored.

    Please do NOT stop researching this issue as you are on the right track. By what you tell me, I agree that your son is exhibiting abusive behaviors. You do not deserve this. And verbal and mental abuse over the long term, can be far more destructive than physical abuse.

    Please finish my series on this topic and link to the references I have compiled for you and other readers who need them. Believe me, there is a lot of help out there.

    I also encourage you to access whatever local resources you can, if you already haven’t. If you don’t know where to start locally, I suggest contacting a local women’s shelter. Perhaps your doctor can recommend a counselor other resource. Perhaps your church……..HOWEVER, be very careful, there. There are still many churches who blame the victim, particularly if she is a woman who is often told to submit more or what have you, and offer little comprehension of domestic abuse, whether by a spouse, child, parent, or other relative.

    Please feel free to respond at any time.

    I am so sorry you had a sad Christmas. Now, let me encourage you to have a better New Year by making a commitment to self care, education, and getting away from your abuser, however this may be possible for you. It can be done. It starts with exactly what you are doing: owning your grief and pain and reaching out for education and, now, other resources.

    You are in my prayers.
    Phyllis

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    1. Canuck57's avatarCanuck57 says:

    July 10, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    I do agree with you that there is s difference between “silences” here. However, I think they can be differentiated by “intent”. A PA will use “the silent treatment” as punishment, by not validating their victim. A person such as yourself is using silence as a defensive mechanism for self-preservation. Your intent seems to be that you are simply trying to avoid further verbal abuse, but you are not going out of your way to hurt your spouse. A PA will always go out of their way to hurt their victims…it’s the nature of the beast…they are always punishing people.

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    1. pbn's avatarpnissila says:

    July 10, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Yes. Good comment. I agree. The conversation needs the delineation.

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    1. turkeyboneheaven's avatarturkeyboneheaven says:

    July 22, 2013 at 4:44 am

    I have to say I agree with the Silent Treatment becoming a way of survival for me today. Sometimes I find myself in situations where I would rather shut down then speak. Thank You much for sharing. 

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    1. pbn's avatarpnissila says:

    July 22, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Thanks for the response. This post has had an unusual number of “hits” from around the world. As I further research the issue, I’ve also come to learn that for some people who are in relationships with more significantly verbally abusive people, it becomes a “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” situation. I believe in such cases the danger of the victim losing his/her core identity and sense of value is at high risk and he/she should leave. But, I’m not a professional counselor or therapist, just a researcher and an observer.
    Blessings,
    Phyllis

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    1. caringmyheart's avatarcaringmyheart says:

    June 21, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Reblogged this on PTSD & Anxiety attacks (Sertalin, Zoloft) by caringmyheart and commented:
    Words do break bones. “You are too sensitive”, It’s all about you.”
    A blog that relates to my life completely and I hope we find a way to heal ourselves to fade off these scars in our memories.

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    1. pbn's avatarpnissila says:

    June 21, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    caringmyheart: thanks for re-posting my article and following. Your “name” points to a very important piece of the recovery from verbal abuse: caring for oneself. It seems to me that victims of verbal abuse and other forms of abuse are forced to spend nearly all their emotional and mental energy on avoiding the abusers’ put-downs or attacks or trying to figure out how they can “fix” the things their abusers’ criticize them for that they (the abused) neglect their own heart, their own physical health. This is not good. Keep up the good work.
    P.

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    1. Carl Gordon's avatarCarl Gordon says:

    June 6, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    I commend your friend for having the courage to articulate the insights she gained through her experiences. I believe many who feel trapped in similar situations will see themselves in there and will also muster courage to depart. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” (excerpt from the Biblical book of Jeremiah, chapter 29 verse 11 I believe when it’s time to leave God will help. Shalom.

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    1. pbn's avatarpnissila says:

    June 6, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Sadly, many Christians are experiencing the same thing these days. We need to stay close to Him.
    Cheers,
    Phyllis

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    1. just1ofhis's avatarjust1ofhis says:

    June 6, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Thanks for sharing that! Reading it, I felt like I was walking through my very painful relationship with the physical (not the true) church. Fortunately, God has provided for a separation. He is so faithful! Father, forgive them, they know not…..

  • Poetry: Glitter or Gold ?

    It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Pvbs 25:2)

    Glitter or Gold?

    Light is brightest in the night,

    Treasures are hid in the day.

    Epiphanies herald in smallest spaces,

    Yet still, in nature’s array.

    In pomp and ‘glory great kings arrive, but One

    Is mangered in hay.

    The former topple in barren places,

    The latter, in hearts to stay.

    The mind contrives, the heart conspires,

    The powr’ful in neon proclaim.

    The masses follow each shooting star,

    Yet a remnant and One remain.

    The road is broad the world pursues,

    Narrow the path of the few.

    By looking the crowds see only the shine,

    By faith the remnant see Who.

    Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

  • Something Seductive This Way Comes

    Have you noticed that it’s not always something wicked that’s coming this way by way of false doctrines and teachings infesting the Church, rather, just some new and more seductive show-and-shine iterations of the same old manipulations –that is, when you look behind the stained glass as many are doing today.

    As my mother would say, “It’s easier to catch flies with honey than vinegar.”

    But, whether by stick or by (honey-glazed) carrot the sheep are compelled or lured away from the sheep gate and into the wilderness, each new iteration of what my father used to call “Church of What’s Happening Now” involves some apparently leftover works, you might say, or new experiences and Bible translations (that may not be bona fide translations) that we have to participate in or study in order to join the current Spiritual In-Crowd, thus rendering Jesus’ declaration “It is finished” a lie.

    Whoa! Kind of harsh?

    But what about…

    “It Is Finished”

    I was born into the single most complex, compound religious system, one of the oldest, richest, most populous, politically-enmeshed–and powerful–of all such systems and there I was spiritually marinated for the first 23 years of my life before receiving Christ alone as both Savior and Lord. I am still unpacking what I call one of Jesus’ most powerful “one-liners”.

    “It is finished”–my flagship verse–still brings me to kneel at the foot of the cross, pause the kindergarten of my mind for a few minutes; it compels me to lean in further to what exactly Jesus bled out for, as in my salvation, a once, and for all time, sacrifice, sans anything else needful.

    Yours as well, if you so choose.

    Most of all, however, this one-liner has increased my trust in, and my love for, God.

    Those words also prompt me to think moments beyond the torturous last hours of Jesus’ sacrifice for us when His executioners, having finished flogging, piercing and impaling Him on the rough beams–the last of His blood trickling down to join the rest already gelling on the ground–heard Him say: “It is finished,” His purpose and mission complete.

    And then, only then, did Jesus commend His soul to the Father.

    But there was a lot more that happened just then, a powerful witness to Who He really was, events and phenomena we don’t often read or hear about.

    This is St. Matthew’s account:

    50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

    51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

    54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (chapter 27)

    Ya think?

    My lively imagination and modern vernacular would add: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”–of real prophecy, promise, and power.   

    Shown and Told

    It has been said that hundreds of specific prophecies in the Old Testament regarding Jesus’ earthly ministry were fulfilled by the events of His life. Here is one summary:  How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill?

    But apparently, according to the false spiritual headliners of today and some from my yester-year, it still wasn’t enough. There are added fees, sur-charges, other hidden costs for their goods. And the curious, hungry–broken–gather around. Hoping…

    “Bring your troubled minds, your hungry souls, your infirm bodies to us,” they bark, “and we can give you some miracles and wonders better than even Jesus did, not to mention brand new prophecies and revelations!”

    They determine, decree (and declare) their own brand of newer, better–the best yet to come–phenomena, voices a-quiver, often staged in front of Marshall stacks blaring emotion-grabbing music laced with their brand of theology… (the better to entice the young, notes one of the new Pied Pipers).

    But it’s just new merchandise from an ancient line first marketed in the Garden of good and evil.

    Me, I had my fill of trinkets and idols in my old days, that, over time, have joined, one by one, that old Ozymandias broken and sinking in the sand.  

    A few reminders occasionally surface from my mind and psyche, like leftover spiritual shrapnel, but I can freely, now, lay them at that cross, too—where Jesus paid my price of admittance to eternal redemption.

    Selah.

    There, at the foot of the cross, I cannot hear Him say it enough:

    IT.

    IS.

    FINISHED.

    I invite you to pause for a while there, too, when the cacophony of little gods with their big lies wait just outside the gate with their seductive wares—and price lists–and/or worrisome if not fearsome tales of the conseqences if you deny or delay them…

    I invite you instead to hear Jesus’ voice.

    Ponder His words.

    He is the only Way, Truth, and Life, His body the only–and priceless–coin of our admission to the everlasting realm.

    Paid in full.

    I am still in awe of this.

    …..

    Read more about Jesus’ life and ministry in the accounting of His life in the Bible.  

    For those yet to come into His welcoming–and safe–pasture, consider this presentation.

  • Water, Spirit, Grace

    (From the archives, August, 2012)

    I once heard it said that the last thing a fish knows is water.

    It flips and rolls in its liquid universe unaware of its dependence on sea, lake, or river until it surfaces to a world of too much oxygen, takes its last little fish gasp, so to speak, and expires. We can only imagine its final awareness narrowing to panic, its gills twitching in terror.

    Man shares something with that water-deprived fish: we sometimes don’t realize what we have until it’s gone, or nearly gone, or until we get too near some fatal awareness of our own…

    What H2o is to a fish, God’s Word is to man’s spiritual life. St. Paul wrote about it this way: “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26, KJV).

    Unlike sea, lake, or river, however, the water Christ gives nourishes and sustains within; His Word purifies and powers the spirit.

    Jesus put it this way: “(Whosoever) drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

    How to get this water? “If any man thirst,” (Jesus, again) “let him come to me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (7:37-38). John adds, “But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive” (39).

    The water of God’s Word, cleansed at Calvary, flows from the font of grace through the pens of prophets and apostles to thirsting hearts. And, like the Word Made Flesh, the Word scripted remains the same “yesterday, today, and forever.”

    It’s easy to take the power and necessity of God’s Word for granted, though, until, brought to the surface of some crisis whether by choice or by chance, we panic like that ill-fated fish.  We wonder where is God? How will I survive? Fortunately, He is near.

    And when we do return to His Word, we realize again the life-renewing power of parable, epistle, and psalm; the truth coursing deep: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).

    Cleanse, refresh, and renew yourself in the Word of God today. I’ll be there, too.

  • Poetry: Three in the Back Row

    (A literature instructor whines a little as the semester wanes.)

    Three in the Back Row

    He storms in and out

    Wearing his trauma

    Like a straightjacket.

    She sits solid, stolid

    On her grande cynic’s throne.

    Another one

    Plugs in

    Tunes out

    Rolls over

    Waiting

    For the channel

    To change.

    Meanwhile,

    Life  

    Pulses on,

    A kaleidoscope of

    Colorsoundscents…

    Like the finale of

    July 4th fireworks

    –Even the two-year-old

    On Daddy’s shoulders

    Squeals with delight

    Viewing a peacock! in the

    Night sky–

    Carpe Diem!

    I shout

    Into the stone silence

    Trying hard to resist

    Lecturing in 25 words or less,

    One verse at a time,

    To the window shades;

    To remove one more delicacy

    From the silver platter

    Overflowing with writers,

    Musicians, artists, craftsmen

    Who found an escape

    From their own back rows

    That could maybe help these three, too.

    Well,

    Maybe next year.

    All things are possible.

    Right?

    What’s even worse, though:

    I often see my old self

    There, too.

    Back in the day,

    And now

    Trying to teach

    The most important lesson–

    All semesters wane

    Faster than we think.

    Seize the day, students;

    Seize the day, teacher.

  • On Everyday Valentines

    Right?

    Why save chocolate and roses and cards for just February 14th?

    So many beautiful small things can trigger a smile, a tear, a moment of the kind of soft relief that interrupts the gloom–if just in that moment.

    Better yet, beautiful small things might get the eyeballs glued to some small electronic gadget to look up and around for a minute (miracle of miracles).

    But no time for cynicism here, just to offer this, today from my cache of posts from 2013 that I still think about up here in 2026.

    I hope you may be encouraged–maybe even inspired–by the experience and thoughts offered here, too.

    From the Archives: “On Valentines and Kindness,” 2013

    The story a local resident told in his letter to the editor went something like this:

    I went to the window of my office to stretch a bit and watch the goings-on in the street below. It was cold outside. A disheveled looking guy sitting on the curb, a homeless man I’d seen before, sat with his arms wrapped around himself to get some warmth, I suppose.

    As I was watching, a well-dressed man with an attaché case stopped by. He sat down on the curb next to the homeless guy and talked for a few minutes. Before he got up and went on his way, he took off his gloves and gave them to the other.  

    Neither man knew, of course, I witnessed this simple act of kindness. It kind of restored my faith in mankind, you know?

    On this Valentine’s Day when, with a little help from Hallmark, the flower shops, and the candy stores we celebrate love, I am reminded of the kind of love that gilts the gold, ices the cake—restores the heart.

    It’s not necessarily bright, shiny, brave, or beautiful as we sometimes imagine love to be. It resembles more a few minutes’ chat in a lonesome place; the warmth of compassion, of a sudden, on a cold curb. The best of who we can be offered to someone else with or without a return.

    Here are some other thoughts on this, I believe, most potent form of love:

    “There is nothing so rewarding as to make people realize that they are worthwhile in this world.” (Bob Anderson)

    “Nothing,” wrote Tolstoy, “can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.”

    “Sometimes it’s easy to lose faith in people. And sometimes one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again.” (Randa Abdel-Fattah)

    And this little gem:

    “Life is mostly froth and bubble,

    Two things stand like stone.

    Kindness in another’s trouble,

    Courage in your own.” (Adam Gordon)

    Take heart. Give heart. Happy Valentine’s Day.

    .

  • Poetry: In a Dark, Dreary (Colorless) World…Part 2

    Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish… they will still bear fruit in old age. (Psalm 92:13-14)

    Note: Believe it or not, this is part 2. Part 1 was a humorous representation of what has become of art and architecture, music, fashion, and humanity in general in our darkening world today, but here is what was really on my heart for you in a more serious tone–but of blessed hope.

    Have you noticed

    How the sowers and reapers of evil,

    Tend to first strip the landscape,

    Then the mind,

    Then the spirit, if possible?

    Have you noticed

    How they heap the ground

    With the debris of civilization

    Scattered among broken lives

    And ill will?

    No more of love, joy,

    Peace, patience, goodness,

    Mercy, kindness, gentleness, and

    Self-control in their acres, where

    Wind whistles through

    Dead men’s bones.

    So we must tend the beautiful things,

    Even in a world caged

    In big black boxy buildings

    Furnished in brutalism,

    Moth and rust.

    Where gashed high-rises

    Block milky suns,

    Gilt degrades to grunge,

    Diamonds, to pin-pricks of light

    Through shattered glass.

    Music becomes a clash

    Of pitch and tone,

    Lullabies turn into requiems.

    Wars and rumors of wars

    Smeer color-splashed vistas

    In a slurry

    of blood and ash.

    Evil says, demoralize the people,

    Strip their eyes of color,

    Mute their ears to laughter,

    Symphonies and hope.

    Twist their minds to

    The seedy side of the street,

    All the better to deploy

    Chaos, fear—and despair—

    If It could.

    So to tending

    The beautiful things:

    Plowing resistance,

    Planting truth,

    Watering perseverance–

    To yield abundant harvest

    In the fullness of time.

    That’s the plan,

    Has been, is, will be.

    And savor this:

    Even a humble plot can

    Still yield fruit that nurtures,

    Salves and saves–and

    Produce a still, small voice

    As loud as

    A brass trumpet.

    And so, a call

    To tending the beautiful things

    Until the angels come

    To gather the golden wheat.

    That’s the other plan.

    Was, is, and will be.

    Carry on, brother and sisters.

    31 …they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)