As I have done for several years now, I am sharing my favorites in a variety of categories. All items listed were released or took place during the first half of 2026, except for books, which reflect books that I read during the first half of 2026, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list, and find some good recommendations.
Movies
Top Pick: A Great Awakening Continue reading
I’ve been thinking a lot about how to finish well for our good and God’s glory. To finish well, we need to embrace stewardship. The concept of stewardship is defined as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. For the Christian, we can refine this definition as the management of God’s resources – time, talent, treasure, and creation – according to His purposes. Christians know that the resources we have – money, giftings, talents, property, etc. – are not our own, but we are stewarding them for God. Continue reading
When a war breaks out, we want to know that the action was justified. So, when is it justified to use military force? In other words, when is war morally permissible? “Just War Theory” was primarily established by Augustine in the 5th century, and further developed by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. It is the Christian understanding of when war is morally justified, and how a morally justified war should be undertaken.
On a recent episode of The Briefing, Albert Mohler shared seven criteria that have to be met for a war to be just and justly fought. He stated: Continue reading
Our Father in Heaven,
As Christians around the world celebrate Resurrection Sunday, we thank you for the sacrifice that your Son made on our behalf, a sacrifice we don’t consider, meditate on, or give thanks for often enough. Sadly, for many, it’s only during this time of the year that much thought is given to Jesus’ resurrection.
In perfect unity with you and the Holy Spirit, Jesus willingly came to earth as a human, as one of us, enduring suffering and temptation just as we do, but without sin. From the beginning, Jesus knew that His earthly mission would end up on a cruel Roman cross. He prayed in the garden that His cup would pass, but He was always in complete submission to Your will.
In the “Great Exchange” on the cross, Jesus took on himself the sins of all Christians – past, present and future. In exchange, He gave us His righteousness. Hallelujah! What a Savior! Continue reading
Our Father in Heaven,
We thank You that our Midwest winter has finally come to an end. We have had more snow and more bitterly cold days than in the past few years. Though we have missed some of the more severe winter weather that the rest of the country has faced, it has still been a long, cold and dark season. But just like spring following winter, you have given us an encouraging verse out of the book of Lamentations. Continue reading
What do you think of when I mention joy? Is it the thrilling victory of your favorite sports team? Perhaps it is a beautiful sunset or a new puppy?
A dictionary definition of joy is “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness”. Tim Keller tells us that joy is a deep sense of gladness that is not dependent on circumstances.
We may think that the opposite of joy is sadness. For example, I can be sad when my favorite team loses an important game, or when someone I love is suffering. Keller however says that the opposite of joy is not sadness, but hopelessness.
The word joy appears often in the Bible. For example, joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, as we read in Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Continue reading
None of us knows how many years we will have on this earth. As I write this, I’ve been retired for more than seven years after working nearly thirty-eight years in my primary vocation. I still have opportunities to lead in our local church and presbytery, but haven’t led a team on a daily basis since I retired.
My wife Tammy remains active as a Bible Study leader in our church, and enjoys singing in the choir and helping out in the church office as needed. We often talk about being “used up for the Lord”, as long as we are physically and mentally able to do so. Continue reading
As I have done for several years now, I am sharing my favorites in a variety of categories. All items listed were released or took place during 2025, except for books, which reflect books that I read during 2025, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list, and find some good recommendations.
Movies
Note: Just a few years ago, my wife Tammy and I would see at least one movie per week in the theater. The pandemic and actor and writer strikes changed our viewing patterns, and we have moved much more to home streaming.
Top Pick: Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning
Other movies that I’ve enjoyed, in no particular order, were:
Father in Heaven,
We come to You this morning as we welcome in a new year with much anticipation. Today, we look forward to a day of rest, perhaps time with friends and family, enjoying a meal, going to a movie or watching football.
What do You have planned for us in 2026? How can we serve You and others with the gifts, talents and resources You have blessed and equipped us with? How can we make a difference in the lives of others this year?
As we look forward to a new year, and for some of us, a much-needed fresh new start, we also look back at 2025. Thank You for all of the blessings You have given us in our vocations, in relationships, and in our educational pursuits. Thank You for those who came to a new relationship with Jesus, Your Son, during the year. Thank You for the memories made with loved ones on vacations throughout the year. You have been so good to us.
Father in Heaven,
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day! As we prepare to celebrate this joyous day, we look forward to gathering with family and friends to worship at Christmas Eve church services, exchange gifts, enjoy meals and our family traditions. But most importantly, we remember the incarnation, the day when everything changed. On that day, Jesus, your only Son, left Heaven and came to earth to live as a man. This was a plan that was made in perfect unity with the Trinity before the foundation of the world. That baby in the manger, the baby that would one day go to the cross for us, was your beloved only Son – truly and fully both God and man. He came to earth to save us from our sins and reconcile us to You, and we are so thankful. Continue reading