Christian Living Magazine November December 2025

CELESTE Mays

Her ‘dream school’

A HOME OF Thanksgiving

Be a mom who makes one

His midfield prayer

Celeste Mays, right, is the founder of Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse, and her husband, Michael, left, is her chief supporter

Contents November / December 2025

PUBLISHER

Sandy Jones • 208-703-7860 christianlivingmag@gmail.com

EDITOR

Gaye Bunderson editorgaye@gmail.com

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PHOTO

Torri’s Photos • torririenstra@icloud.com (208) 409-6902

CONTRIBUTORS

Larry Banta, Steve Bertel, Daniel Bobinski, Nathan Carroll, Tom Claycomb III, Roxanne Drury, Joan Endicott, Greg Grotewold Leo Hellyer, Vincent Kituku, Rosie Main, Dave McGarrah, Gary Moore, Mark Naito, Bethany Riehl, Ryan Roberts and Matt Sieger

PUBLISHER’S Corner

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

By Sandy Jones

We moved in March of 2024. A mile and a half from our new home a sign was soon put up announcing that a popular convenience store and gas station was “coming soon.” Here we are eighteen months later. The sign is still there, but no c-store.

Unlike the elusive c-store, Jesus IS coming soon, but we have to remember His version of “soon” is clearly different than mankind’s idea of “soon.”

Behold, I am coming soon... – Revelations 22:12a ESV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. – John 14:3 ESV

Sandy Jones

In February of this year a road closure sign was put up on the fastest route from our home to the local hospital. The original projected closure dates were February 10, 2025 to August 2025. They finally reopened that intersection sometime in September. With eight trips to the ER during this time period, we definitely noticed when it ran past the projected deadline.

It’s made me stop to consider: Could it be that road construction, the inconvenience it causes, and even the delays, be used to remind us that Christians are promised eternity with Christ, but we’re not promised it will always be easy?

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” –Matthew 16:24-26 ESV

Then there’s the traffic merging signs seemingly everywhere; and anytime there’s a merging situation, there’s always that one person who needs to zip past everyone and squeeze in at the last minute.

As annoying as that person who rushes up alongside traffic only to merge in at the last minute can be, wouldn’t it be great if instead of getting upset, we all saw them as an example of our loved ones who aren’t walking with the Lord quite yet, those who are getting up there in years, and perhaps at the very last possible moment invite Him into their hearts?

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. – Luke 15:7 NIV

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but one time I turned the wrong way on a one-way street. Fortunately there was no traffic coming, and I quickly righted my wrong, all the while hoping nobody saw me.

I doubt that it could have been less embarrassing, but it also could have been a reminder that Jesus tells us there is only “one way” to salvation.

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

One of the things I appreciate as I travel around the Treasure Valley is that there seems to be more and more lights that are set up for legal U-turns. I’m so grateful for the time in my life when I was the prodigal, when I got lost, and was able to do a U-turn – encouraged to actually – and was welcomed back into His fold.

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep’.” – Luke 15:3-6 NIV

Signs are everywhere, and since perception is reality, perhaps it’s time we all looked for the hidden messages behind them. Messages of hope and promise; reminders of God’s love for each and every one of us.

In closing may I leave you with this thought? As topsy-turvy as the world seems these days, I invite you to ponder the following verses often. Commit them to memory, and do your best to make them a daily habit. There’s far too much division in our world today – and, I believe, if we all live out these Scriptures, we will find that we’re much more alike, our dreams and goals are much more similar, than some would have you believe. What parent wants their children suffering from division? I’m certain our Heavenly Father’s heart aches to see so much of this in our world today.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:16-17

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40

From our family to yours: May you have a blessed holiday season, keeping in mind that God is still on the throne; know that He has a plan – we’re simply called to be faithful to do what He has asked us to do!

Until next time…

God Bless! n

Also, I’d like to remind you to please frequent our advertisers. While our team works diligently to put this wonderful magazine together, nothing any of us do matters if we can’t get it printed and out to you. Our wonderful advertisers make that possible. When visiting their stores or offices, please thank them for the important role they play in supporting Christian Living Magazine. And to all of you who shop our advertisers regularly, thank you as well.

UNDERSTANDING Relationships

Marriage requires three kinds of love

By Gary Moore

Best-selling author and relationship consultant, Barbara De Angelis, has said, “Marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner every day.”

We all have a goal for our marriage. We want our love to last a lifetime. For us to have a chance of reaching that goal, we must learn what real love truly is and how it works. So, what is love really? How can we know our love is real and not based on an emotional feeling? How much do our feelings really have to do with it?

We’ve all heard that opposites attract, but there is no promise that opposites will always get along. That takes something more than just attraction and “falling in love.” Even when the differences are minor, you can allow a wedge to be driven between your spouse and yourself if you don’t understand the type of love required to overcome them.

Without some form of context, it’s very hard for we English-speaking people to answer the question: what is love? I say I love my Yorkie, Cooper. I love the BSU Broncos. I love ice cream. I love my daughters, grandkids, and great grandkids. I love my wife, Nancy. In English, it’s all the same word but with many different meanings.

refer to romantic, physical, and sensual love. It is the “falling in love” kind of love that we talk about today. It represents the sexual side of love. Essentially, the basis of eros is self-seeking –self-satisfying – and sees the other more as an object to be won and conquered than as an individual to be cherished and honored.

Interestingly enough, the word eros itself is not found in the pages of the New Testament. The concept of physical love, however – expressed in the context of marriage – is found and affirmed in the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 7:5; Hebrews 13:4).

Phileo means warm affection or friendship. Phileo was commonly used with reference to friendships or family relationships. For example, it was used in Matthew 10:37 to indicate love for father and mother or son and daughter. Phileo was the word used of Jesus’ love for His friend Lazarus (John 11:3,36) and His love for His disciple

The Greeks of Jesus’ day didn’t have that problem. They used different words for love. The word eros was commonly used in the Greek-speaking world of New Testament times to

Phileo is more emotional than it is physical. It is the familiar, comforting love of friends and family. We must intentionally and continually develop a deep friendship with our spouse. In successful marriages, husbands and wives are as good as friends as they are lovers. It is not enough for us to love our spouses – we must also like them. We must enjoy one another’s company, doing things together, sharing interests, and pursuing common goals.

Although this is more of a mutual love than eros, it is also conditional. If you meet my needs, I’ll meet your needs. When you stop meeting my needs, I’ll stop meeting your needs. The relationship is often easily broken because it can be based more on what two people have in common than a commitment to stick with each other through times of differences and animosity.

Agape is the sacrificial, unconditional love of God. In the New Testament, agape is the highest form of love. But outside of the New Testament, the word was rarely used. Prior to New Testament times, agape did not carry any special significance as a higher kind of love. Thus, it’s the New Testament understanding of the unique nature of God’s love – not the word’s usage in the Greek-speaking world of the first century – that gives the word agape its special meaning.

Agape love is the very glue that keeps marriages together. It is selfless, unconditional, and supernatural. This is the self-sacrificing love we find exemplified by Jesus. And that’s also why it is the most challenging for most of us to exercise. God calls us to always employ this kind of love, especially with those to whom we are the closest.

Agape love is not something you feel, but something you practice whether you feel like it or not. You’ve got to remind

yourself daily not to get offended or insist on your own rights. You must constantly remind yourself to resist selfishness. You must learn to lay aside your self-interest for the sake of others, especially your spouse. Real love, agape love, gives without expecting anything in return.

Even though society puts an emphasis on eros, in a good marriage, all three kinds of love are often present at the same time. And, if you choose to make phileo and agape love consistent parts of your life and your marriage, you will fall in eros all over again with your spouse and continue to enjoy that aspect of your marriage for years to come.

Remember, it takes all three – but as Paul said, “the greatest of these is agape”. n

Gary Moore served as associate pastor at Cloverdale Church of God for 15 years. He does couples’ coaching and leads couples’ workshops and retreats called MUM’s the Word. He has a weekly radio program – Life Point Plus – on KSPD 94.5FM at 8:45 a.m. on Fridays. His website at www.mutualunderstanding.net has video teachings and other resources for couples. He may be contacted at glmoore113@gmail.com.

Gary Moore

ENCOURAGING Words

Five key facets to strengthen your walk

By Daniel Bobinski

Imagine you’re holding a magnificent diamond perfectly cut by God. As you turn it slowly, you see five brilliant facets reflecting God’s glory. The beauty isn’t in any single facet, but in how they complement each other.

This is how I’ve come to view what God wants to do in us. When properly aligned with God’s light, five aspects of our relationship with God will illuminate our path while simultaneously attracting others to Christ.

Facet One: Your FAITH

The Greek word for faith, pistis, encompasses unwavering trust, complete confidence, and absolute reliance. Jesus said if we had faith (pistis), we could move mountains (see Matthew 17:20). I am convinced that God wants this kind of faith to be the lens through which we view every circumstance.

Abraham demonstrated this faith when God called him out of Ur. He left everything familiar. Yet his faith wasn’t based on understanding God’s plan; it was based on trusting God’s character. If you read Hebrews 11 you’ll learn about people who demonstrated great trust (pistis) in God.

Jesus wants us to fully trust in God’s plan, provision, and protection. If we struggle with this, we can turn to Scripture. The entire Bible is replete with promises that God made and kept. But know this: your faith grows by exercising it.

Facet Two: Your AUTHORITY

The Greek word exousia, meaning dynamic power and authority, appears over 100 times in the New Testament. Jesus delegated His exousia when He gave His disciples power and authority over demons and diseases (Luke 9:1).

Unfortunately, too many Christians today act like beggars when they should be standing firm in God’s authority. Why? Because the same exousia that Jesus exercised comes into us when we have the Holy Spirit.

Exousia isn’t about dominating others; it’s about relying on God’s spiritual authority to defeat darkness and bring healing. Recognize that this authority is in you, and God wants you to put it into action. Think of it this way: God adopted, equipped, and commissioned us. Therefore, by using the authority God gave us, we can command fear to leave and declare healing over the sick.

Facet Three: Your PRAYERS

The Greek word proseuchomai means “to pray.” Unfortunately, too many Christians don’t pray regularly because they think they need special training or that God will view casual conversation as irreverent. Neither is true. Jesus talked with our Father naturally, whether it was blessing a meal or crying out on the cross.

And note this: Jesus modeled prayer as relational, not as a religious performance.

James 5:16 tells us that the prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much. Notice it doesn’t say our prayers must be “perfectly worded” or “theologically correct.” And a “righteous” person isn’t perfect, but rather someone who is earnestly seeking alignment with God.

To me, “praying” is simply a fancy word that means “talking with God.” God delights in hearing from us, whether it’s saying, “Thank you for this beautiful sunrise” or “Help me get through this difficult meeting.”

Also, Paul said to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This doesn’t mean spending the entire day on our knees, but rather talking with God throughout our day.

We’re also told to be bold in approaching Him (Hebrews 4:16). Why? Because we’re His children! By the way, Jesus said, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). This is not adding a magical phrase at the end of our prayer so Jesus hears us. It means we’re to pray in alignment with our Lord’s heart and purposes.

Facet Four: God’s LOVE

Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This is agape love, and its definition (1 Corinthians 13) is comprised of verbs— action words — not emotions. Frankly, it’s a type of love that only God can provide, so it comes through us when we get out of the way and let God’s love manifest through us.

Jesus also gave us the second-greatest commandment: love our neighbor as ourselves. He even told us to love our enemies! That said, we’re not called to manufacture love for difficult people; we’re called to let God’s inexhaustible love flow through us. Loving with God’s love changes how we treat our families, coworkers, and even our enemies.

Practically speaking, agape love means choosing to act in someone’s best interest regardless of how they treat us. It means offering forgiveness before a person asks. It means serving others as Jesus served, even when no one notices. When we operate in this type of love, it draws people to Christ.

Facet Five: Your SPIRITUAL GIFTING

The Greek word charismata refers to spiritual gifts God freely gives every believer. These aren’t spiritual trophies for display, but rather tools for building God’s kingdom. Paul makes it clear that every person has been given gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 12).

God equips each person for a specific role, so whether God equipped us for teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, or leading, our gifting plays a part in helping to make disciples.

Sadly, too many Christians never discover their gifts because they’re comparing themselves to others or waiting for special feelings. Don’t wait! Many spiritual gifts tests can be taken online for free. I recommend taking several and looking for what keeps appearing.

Also, pay attention to where you feel energized rather than drained, and ask mature believers what gifts they see operating through you.

Putting It All Together

God developed a design for each of us before we were born. Every trial, victory, and moment of growth has been part of His precise “diamond cutting” process. Each of these five facets is not just for our benefit, but also so His light will shine through us and draw others to Him. n

Daniel Bobinski, Th.D., is an award-winning and best-selling author, and serves as the Education Director at the Biblical Studies Center in Boise (www.boisebsc.org). Reach Daniel directly at danielbobinski@protonmail.com.

Daniel Bobinski

MAXIMUM Health

Ancient wisdom for restoring the body

By Rosie Main

In today’s world, chronic inflammation is at the root of so many modern illnesses – from autoimmune disorders and heart disease to digestive issues and even anxiety. While many seek relief through pharmaceuticals, God has gifted us with powerful remedies – straight from the earth and rooted in ancient wisdom – to calm inflammation and restore balance from the inside out.

Let’s journey back to the beginning, to the timeless ways our ancestors supported their bodies, using food as medicine, movement as therapy, and prayer as sustenance. When we align with these biblical and ancient principles, healing becomes more than possible – it becomes the fruit of faith and obedience.

Understanding Inflammation: A Defense Gone Rogue: Inflammation itself isn’t evil – it’s the body’s built-in defense system. When you scrape your knee, fight a virus, or recover from a sprain, acute inflammation rushes in to heal. But chronic inflammation is different. It’s low-grade, persistent, and destructive – often triggered by processed foods, stress, environmental toxins, and hidden infections. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit...therefore honor God with your bodies.” To do this, we must return to the healing tools God has already provided.

Ancient Healing Strategies to Calm Inflammation

1. Fasting and Restorative Eating Patterns: The concept of fasting is not just biblical – it’s deeply healing. Ancient civilizations often fasted due to food scarcity, but in Scripture, fasting was also spiritual – a way to draw near to God and restore alignment.

Modern research confirms that intermittent fasting reduces inflammatory markers, balances blood sugar, and allows the body to enter a state of repair (autophagy). Try a 12-16 hour fast, allowing your gut and immune system time to reset.

Faith Tip: Begin your fast with prayer. Use hunger as a reminder to feast on God’s Word (Matthew 4:4).

2. Herbs and Botanicals Used for Thousands of Years:

• Turmeric (Curcumin): Revered in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, this golden spice reduces joint pain, brain inflammation, and oxidative stress.

• Frankincense (Boswellia): Used in biblical times for anointing and healing (Exodus 30:34), it calms autoimmune inflammation.

• Ginger: Reduces gut inflammation, improves circulation, and soothes pain.

• Holy Basil (Tulsi): Supports the adrenal glands and lowers stress-related inflammation.

3. Ancient Movement: Walking, Stretching, and Breathwork: In ancient cultures, people walked to gather water, stretched as part of prayer, and worked in rhythm with nature. Today, we sit far too long, cutting off lymphatic flow and stagnating the very systems meant to heal us.

Gentle movement such as morning walks, rebounding, and deep breathing can make a dramatic difference.

4. Fermented and Healing Foods:

• Sauerkraut & Kimchi: Rich in probiotics and enzymes that reduce gut inflammation.

• Bone Broth: Heals the gut lining, eases autoimmune and digestive issues.

• Raw Honey: Contains antimicrobial properties and supports wound healing.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” –Psalm 147:3. Choose nourishment over numbing. Choose ancient wisdom over modern confusion. Trust – fully – that your healing is coming. n

For further support with your health goals or more information, go to MainHealthSolutions.com.

Healing Recipes to Calm Inflammation from Within

Golden Healing Broth

Ingredients:

2 lbs grass-fed beef or chicken bones

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves

1 Tbsp turmeric

1 tsp black pepper

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks

Sea salt to taste

Optional:

1 strip kombu

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a pot or slow cooker. Cover with water and simmer for 12–24 hours. Strain and sip warm.

Ancient Anti-Inflammatory Tea

Ingredients:

1 inch fresh ginger

1 tsp turmeric

Juice of ½ lemon

1 tsp raw honey

Dash of black pepper

2 cups hot water

Instructions:

Steep ginger and turmeric in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Strain and stir in other ingredients.

Rosie Main

The public is invited to experience a live nativity that includes the Bethlehem marketplace, wise men, and a camel, along with trying to find a room at the inn. Participants may also follow a star to shepherds who will guide them to a stable to see Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus.

The event will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, December 5, and from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 6, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 538 W. State St. in Eagle. This event has been ongoing for 24 years, according to church secretary Jodi Glenn. More information may be obtained by calling (208) 939-6625, emailing eaglesdachurch@gmail.com, or visiting eagleadventist.com. n

Public invited to church’s live nativity Drive-Thru event set for eighth year

Meridian’s Interfaith Community Leaders are holding their eighth annual no-contact Drive-Thru donation event from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 7. It will be held at the Vertical View Climbing Gym parking lot, 1334 E. Bird Dog Lane in Meridian, near the intersection of Locust Grove and Overland roads behind the Maverik station. Residents of Meridian and nearby communities will be invited to open their hearts and pantries to those in need, according to event organizer Shannon Smurthwaite.

The Drive-Thru event will accept non-perishable food items for the Meridian Food Bank, new blankets for refugee and homeless shelter residents, and cash or gift cards (Walmart) to provide a brighter holiday season for local families. Those who wish to donate cash or gift cards may note their choice of charity on the outside of a sealed envelope.

As in past years, the no-contact nature of the Drive-Thru allows contributions to be made in the warmth and comfort of a vehicle, while community, faith and civic leaders greet everyone curbside and accept donations through a window or an opened car trunk.

“Service to others is an important aspect of what makes Meridian such an amazing community,” said Mayor Robert Simison, who participates at this annual event. “I appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Interfaith Food Drive to feed those in need.”

Smurthwaite stated: “We sincerely thank those who come and support us every year. The generosity of our community is overwhelming. Every item or dollar donated makes an impact on lives, especially at the holidays. Our goal is to curb food insecurities for those who need an extra hand each winter.”

For more information or ways to volunteer, email meridianfriendsoffaith@gmail.com. n

Fin ding a qualifi ed dealership al ternative that’s easy to deal with. (That’s driving joy.)

Fixing cars, driving joy.

EXPLORING God’s Great Outdoors

Fishing in the Northwest Territories

By Tom Claycomb III

I met with Plummer’s Lodge at the Safari Club International Convention in February and lined up a fishing trip for me and Katy. My daughter Kolby and I went six years ago and had an awesome trip.

We were all set and then… Katy took a bad fall this spring while we were mushroom hunting with the Bowdens and broke her ankle in three places. No biggee, I’d postpone the trip six weeks and then we’d go. I used to rodeo a lot and have broken quite a few bones and in 4-6 weeks I’d always be back in the saddle, but this turned out to be a serious break. Twelve screws and three plates later she was released. Even now, four months later she couldn’t have made it running through the airports, etc.

I tried to get 8-10 other photographers to go but all were tied up so I was soon on the way by myself. When visiting a new area, I’d recommend going at least a day early to explore the town/surroundings – the restaurants, flavor of their food, and sights that are unique to that locale.

The next day I jumped us onto a smaller plane and flew to the lodge where we unloaded, slammed down a fast breakfast and then met our guide and took off fishing. Wow, I could write at least four articles on this trip so I’m going to have to give you the condensed version.

There are multiple fish species in the Northwest Territories but our main target was lake trout. I probably averaged over 40 hits per day and netted over two dozen fish. The last day was the best. I caught 14, 15, 16, 18 and 22 pounders plus a

lot of other nice ones.

One day I talked my guide Sam into deviating and we went fishing for northern pike. In Canada they’re looked down upon as a lower class of fish, but I love fishing for them. My brother-in-law best describes them as the barracudas of the fresh water.

They are super aggressive. I’ve had them chase my lure right up to the boat and then drill my lure right from under the boat, surprising the heck out of me on the next cast. They’re ferocious.

But there is something that the Canadian guides do that is legendary – shore lunches. We’d keep a 3- to 4-pound fish and at lunch pull up on shore, build a fire and whip out a shore lunch. They are to die for. Why don’t we do this in the States instead of eating cold fried chicken or a stale peanut butter sandwich?

Then there were other fun adventures. After eating dinner at the lodge at night, Isabella, one of the camp workers, showed me where to pick wild blueberries. To me, store-bought blueberries are inbred and have no taste. Wild blueberries are awesome. But the hordes of mosquitos think it is their job to protect the blueberry patches. My wrist got bit so bad that I had to let the wrist band out three holes.

Then one day we saw three musk oxen up on top of a ridge. I’ve never seen one before.

Well, like all good times the trip finally came to an end after catching lake trout all day long and gaining 10 pounds, due to shore lunches.

As soon as a northern pike sticks his head out of the egg he has an attitude, according to outdoorsman Tom Claycomb III, who said he once caught a skinny 18-incher that had two jigs broken off and hanging from his lip. (Photo submitted by Tom Claycomb III)

If you’ve never fished in Canada, you might want to check it out. I’ve only gotten to go three times but have enjoyed it every time. Especially the shore lunches!

Christian Tip #8 – I had this article written and was going to sleep on it, re-edit and submit it the next morning. I woke up at 2 a.m. and felt redirected to re-write the Christian Tip. Some would have you believe that Charlie Kirk was a radical Christian activist.

Well, let’s do a little comparison. I don’t know about you but I’ve never been arrested for obeying God and breaking man’s rules (Acts 4:19-20). I’ve never been beaten for obeying God above man (Acts 5: 41-42). I’ve never been stoned like Stephen or Paul (Acts 7:54-60, Acts 14:19).

It’d take a whole squad of FBI agents a month to uncover enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian. When’s the last time that someone has sat back and watched me and said I want what you have? Am I just a fat, dumb and happy Laodicean Christian?

Who more resembles Christ? Charlie Kirk or me? The answer is blatantly obvious. Charlie was not a radical. He was the norm. He exemplified the early apostles to a T. He died a martyr because he was hated by them that do the works of evil. Unfortunately, I think he was also hated by many churches because he exposed their lukewarmness. Now is the time for pastors to step up and be shepherds and for Christians to count the cost and cast all caution to the wind. n

For more information about anything in this column, contact Tom at tomclaycomb3rd@gmail.com

Directions to He aven

ybody talkin’ ‘bout heaven a’int goin’ there. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Author Michael Regan believes the Rapture is imminent and challenges his readers to be ready! What is the rapture? Are you ready? How w ill you know? dir ec ti onstoh eaven.org

Order your Copy Today!

Tom Claycomb III

MARK Thornton Part 2 A kneeling, midfield prayer causes controversy

By Steve Bertel

(Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a two-part article.)

Mark Thornton knew the Lord. He attended church. He read the Bible. His father was a pastor. But Mark had no desire to follow in his father’s footsteps.

He wanted to play football.

After graduating from high school in Sacramento, Mark attended Boise State in 1984 with aspirations of doing “big things” to impact the sports program. But, he is quick to admit, “Back then, I was not living for the Lord. I was living the wild life. … And I didn’t finish my time as a player very well.”

That “wild life” led him to become the owner/manager of a local pub –which also led him to face a 25-yearsto-life prison sentence for “facilitating” an illegal drug deal out of the pub’s back office.

Mark always felt confident he would “get out” of his trouble with the law. But he didn’t. He ended up reaching a plea bargain agreement with prosecutors – pleading guilty to delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine) – which would require he spend a mandatory three-and-a-half-years behind bars. Not the best deal, but Mark knew it was far better than a life sentence.

BSU football chaplain Mark Thornton has been a successful spiritual mentor to the team’s players. He also successfully handled a controversy with the Freedom from Religion Foundation and, with the university’s backing, continued to bring Jesus into the locker room and onto the field. (Photo furnished by and used with the permission of Boise State University)

Looking back, Mark said, “I certainly could have controlled my own actions.” But it was all part of God’s plan “… because, if it had not been for that prison sentence, my life would not have turned around.”

In August, 1992, Mark says he experienced a “Joseph moment” behind bars and decided to really, truly, honestly become a follower of the Lord. As a result and, while still incarcerated, Mark began studying the Bible more, began attending Promise Keepers meetings, and soon became the prison’s chaplain director.

Released and paroled in October, 1995, he eventually began attending Capital Church in Meridian in January, 1997.

Several months later, Mark says, “Pastor Ken Wilde came up to me and said, ‘God told me you are going to be my worship pastor.’

“But I was skeptical. I told Pastor Wilde, ‘Okay, but you don’t know me. You don’t know my story. I’m here to serve, but do you really want to put me on the platform?’”

He did. Later that month, Mark was hired as the church’s assistant worship director.

It was in 2010 when he was first asked to speak to the Boise State University football team and hold a chapel service. That led to him being eventually brought on board as a volunteer chaplain. Three years later, still serving in that capacity and, through his dedicated work with the “I Heart Treasure Valley” community outreach imitative, he was honored with the Governor’s Brightest Star Award for Volunteer Service. That same year, he became Capital Church’s Community Pastor.

After years of sharing the chaplain position for the football team with local chaplains from two groups, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action, Mark became the Broncos’ only volunteer chaplain in 2016 – while continuing to lead at Capital Church

His job entails joining the team on the sidelines, both at home and away games; holding chapel the evening before each game; joining and facilitating student-led prayers before and after each game; leading weekly Bible studies; and really, being available for any of the program’s players, coaches, and other personnel who feel they need prayer or counseling.

In 2020, publicly praying with the team – and, in this case, along with the opposing team’s players – inadvertently embroiled Mark in what he feels was the greatest challenge of his career. “We were playing BYU [Brigham Young University] at Albertsons Stadium. I always tell the players, ‘Let’s play hard. Let’s compete. But let’s pray together when it’s all over, because you never know when [a player from the opposing team] might become your teammate at the next level,’” he pointed out.

So, after the particularly intense game, Mark led all the players and coaches from the two teams in kneeling and praying together midfield, praying especially for the student athletes who had been injured in the game, praying they’d make quick recoveries. “Well, a national media outlet covered it, and a photo appeared in the press. The Freedom from Religion Foundation found out about it and essentially accosted us, contending it was a violation of the separation of church and state [since BSU is a publicly-funded university],” Mark recalled.

The FFRF is a nonprofit group made up of atheists, agnostics, and nontheists that advocates for the separation of church and state, and objects to the government and government money backing faithbased programs. “They wanted me immediately removed. They even threatened to sue the university over it. Plus, there was an issue because they assumed I was being paid to travel with the team,” he said. In short, the FFRF felt “providing a chaplain position at a public university creates an unnecessary and unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.”

“So, while BSU was consulting with its legal experts,” Mark said, “I paid my own way to the next game – not knowing if I would be allowed to pray with the team or if I had to stay off of the sidelines. It didn’t matter, though, since most of the praying I do with the guys is in the locker room. I wanted the opportunity to continue to minister to them.”

What’s more, the issue surfaced during the nationwide COVID pandemic so, as games were being cancelled due to concerns over the disease spreading at large public gatherings, like sports arenas, some BSU senior players were worried they would miss their opportunities to be seen by NFL scouts and, subsequently, miss their important one-shot opportunities to play professional ball. “Our chapel services and Bible studies were the only things that gave them encouragement and consistency in their lives at that time,” Mark pointed out. “So, with this issue and the assault by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the team’s worship opportunities were at the risk of being taken from them as well.

“So I told BSU, ‘I don’t care about this organization. I will meet with the players one-on-one if I have to. We’ve got to get through this. I’ve got to be there for them.’

“Then, at least one news report said I had been removed as chaplain. After seeing that, I thought, ‘Now it’s personal’. I was really upset. I was going to go fight the battle myself. But the Lord told me, ‘No, I’ve got this.’” So Mark had to step back, let go, and let God handle the situation. As it says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Then, “Long story short, the University went to bat for me,” he stated. “And announced its decision to the world.” In a December 18, 2020 news release, BSU stated, “Boise State University unequivocally supports and will fiercely defend our students’ right to the free exercise of religion. It’s shameful that parties external to the university are using a photo of student-athlete prayer as an opportunity to attempt to interfere with our student-athletes’ constitutional right to freely practice the religion of their choosing.

“Despite misleading reports to the contrary, Boise State did not end its relationship with Pastor Mark Thornton. We seriously evaluated the constitutional considerations related to this matter, our legal team made an appropriate response, and we remain committed to protecting all student-athletes’ individual rights under the Free Exercise Clause, including access to Pastor Thornton … and other spiritual leaders our students may wish to call upon now and in the future.

“We have set up a fund to support Pastor Thornton’s travel to our games, and, if you feel as we do about this matter, we invite you to contribute to a Free Exercise Fund for students.”

But why did God allow that to happen? Mark believes, “It was one of those moments where someone persecuted us, attacked us for our faith, for our pursuit of Jesus Christ. What was meant for evil was certainly turned around for good. And, I feel, we became a closerknit team, a closer-knit sports program as a result. Even people who aren’t Christians were amazed at how God showed up in that situation. Some even became more receptive to what we do in chapel and in Bible studies.”

He went on, “I believe everything that happens like that is a set-up of what God wants to do. A lot of times, we want to know what the outcome will be. But God tells us, ‘Don’t worry, don’t be anxious about what it is or what’s going to happen. Just be prepared for what I am going to do.’ For me, it was really a confirmation as to how my

absence, the chapels, and the Bible studies were affecting the players. It was a confirmation of ‘Yes, Mark. You’re in the right place. You need to continue being there.’”

“So, now,” he added, “the Boise State football program is going to be known for more than its blue field or its Fiesta Bowl wins. It’s going to be known for its people of prayer.”

Current head football coach Spencer Danielson is perhaps the first coach in BSU sports to be publicly open and vocal about his Christian faith. A quick Google search reveals a number of post-game press conference videos or podcasts or other public appearances where Danielson first and foremost “gives Jesus the glory” for his team’s successes. “The coach and I first met in 2017, when he was a graduate assistant,” Mark recalled. “He was always there, always at chapel. Of course, not all the coaches or players come to chapel or attend our Bible studies, because they are of different faiths. Some are Catholic. Some are Protestant. Some are LDS.”

Reflecting on their friendship, Mark continued: “My favorite ‘Coach D’ story relates to when he got the full-time coaching job. He had applied for it, because he wanted to stay in Boise, and considered coaching at Boise State his dream job. [Former BSU head football coach] Bryan Harsin, who later went on to coach at Auburn, wanted him to be his defensive coordinator there. But ‘Coach D’ said, ‘No, I really believe God wants me to be here in Boise. I know God’s got a plan for me. I don’t know what that plan is yet, but I think I heard Him correctly when He told me my family and I are going to stay here.’”

Mark went on: “When he was going through the head coach hiring process, it was the end of his seventh year at BSU. And I told him, ‘Coach, you know the number seven in the Bible is the number for conclusion or completion, and the number eight in the Bible is the number for new beginnings. So we’re believing you’re going to get this job. We know God will do miraculous things, not only through you as a coach, but through this team.’

“Of course, he was later named head coach and, in his eighth year – which, again, is the year of new beginnings – we made it to the college playoffs! ‘Coach D’ is always trusting in the Lord. And the Lord shows up. So, through prayer and fellowship is really how our friendship has developed over the years,” said Mark. “And my opportunity to be a spiritual advisor to him.”

Continued on page 16

Mark Thornton part 2

Continued from page 15

Mark sees himself also as an always-available spiritual mentor, a spiritual advisor to the players. Or, as he put it, “Some of the players will come up to me and say, ‘Please pray for me, Pastor. I need to trust Jesus.’ Because they may be going through some traumatic time in their life.

“And I tell them, ‘Okay, let’s pray. Right now.’ And we do. He prays with team members for whatever difficulties or situations they are facing at the time, either challenges in their academic lives or challenges in their personal lives. Or both. As Mark described it, “The players recognize I’m there as a spiritual advisor to help them be the best versions of themselves that they can. Then the doors open up, the walls come down, and I’m able to minister to them and show them the love of Jesus in a way they can receive it.”

The Bible-based guidance Mark gives those in the football program arms them with the faith and spiritual strength they need to face the day-to-day struggles of life. On a number of occasions, it has even led to more lifelong impacts. Case in point: former defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein.

Born in the United States, Ahmed was six years old when he moved to Egypt with his father. Ten years later, he returned to this country and was convinced to play sports by his brother, who was then an offensive coordinator for an Anaheim, California high school football team.

Ahmed’s talents on the gridiron caught the attention of Spencer Danielson, who was then Boise State’s defensive coordinator. In December of 2020, Ahmed signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Boise State.

During his first two seasons as a Bronco (2021, 2022), Ahmed played in more than 20 games and completed 18 tackles. His breakthrough season came the following year, with a total of 53 tackles – earning him first-team All-Mountain West honors. He became one of the team’s captains in 2024 and, after making a sack and six tackles in the Fiesta Bowl, wrapped up the season with 48 tackles.

Mark remembered well the pre-game encounter several years ago that became a turning point in Ahmed’s life. “It was an away game. We had chapel on a Friday night, because we had a Saturday game. When we got to the stadium on Saturday, I began praying individually for the guys in our locker room. I had them line up individually. Well, given the space constraints, we were praying in front of a player’s locker – Ahmed’s locker. I remember he was standing there, looking at me, listening to his music, and wringing his hands.

“Finally, he said, ‘Mark, can you pray for me? I’m not a Christian.’

“I knew he was from Egypt and had had a Muslim upbringing. That was what he was holding on to. I told him, ‘Absolutely! And don’t worry about not being a Christian – I am!’

“And he said, ‘Okay. That makes sense.’

“So I prayed for him. And then, over about the next two years, he would occasionally come and ask me to pray for him. Then he started asking me questions. Then he started coming to chapel. “Then, last year, right before the season started, we were in a Bible study when Ahmed came up and said, ‘Pastor Mark, I want to get baptized. I want to give my life to the Lord. But I want to know if my dad’s not going to be in heaven with me. He prays five times a day.’

“It took me a minute or so to respond to him, because I figured my answer could either make or break his decision. At that moment, the Lord told me to tell him, ‘Not yet! But, he has seen the changes that have taken place in your life. And he’s going to get saved, too.’

“Then Ahmed said, ‘But, by giving my life to Jesus, I’m going to lose a lot of relationships, aren’t I?’

“I told him, ‘Yeah. You are.’ What struck me was: I did not tell him he was going to lose a lot of relationships; I feel the Holy Spirit told him that.

“Then he said to me, ‘You know what? I don’t care. Let’s do it. I’m getting baptized.’

“So he gave his heart to the Lord … and got baptized that Sunday!

“For me, it’s been exciting watching him grow in his relationship with Jesus. He even started watching [the Christian streaming series] The Chosen. And he’d say to me, ‘Pastor Mark, I’m in love with your Jesus!’ Here’s this 6-foot-3, 270-pound Egyptian kid saying, ‘I’m in love with your Jesus!’ It is so beautiful, the genuine love he has for Jesus, coming off his Islam religion.

“Then, one day, he told me, ‘I want you to talk to my dad.’

“So I Facetimed with his dad for some 45 minutes. It was 10:30 p.m. our time, which meant it was about 6:30 a.m. in Egypt, where his dad was.

“Then his dad finally told me, ‘I want to know Jesus, too. The mosque is not doing anything for me. Mecca is not doing anything for me.’ And now, even Ahmed’s sister has accepted Jesus.

“It’s amazing to see how God has transformed Ahmed. He’s told me, ‘Pastor Mark, you changed my life!’

“And I’ve said, ‘No. I didn’t change your life. Jesus changed your life. But I’m glad to have been one of those people to have an influence.’”

Today, Ahmed is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions, having achieved his goal of playing in the NFL. Mark pointed out, “Michigan has the largest Muslim population in the country. So now, Ahmed is a newly-converted Christian from Islam who gets to give his testimony in the lion’s den, you might say. I know there will be a lot of pressure on him. But we’ll have a lot of prayers for him.”

But Ahmed isn’t the only one. Last year alone, Mark pointed out, 31 BSU players gave their hearts to the Lord and were baptized.

As the student athletes leave the program and go on to greater heights – both in their careers and spiritual lives – some new students have reportedly transferred to BSU not only for its famous “blue turf” and its academic opportunities, but also for its growing reputation in steadfastly following the Lord. As an example, Boise State is now among a number of universities – and even professional sports teams – throughout the nation that markets T-shirts emblazoned with the school’s logo as part of a cross, accompanied by the uplifting verse from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Coach Danielson appears in social media ads proudly holding up the blue-and-orange version of the shirt, which is touted as being “Perfect for game days, church, or everyday wear!”

“[New transfers] may have lots of other options at other schools, but they choose Boise State not only for our tradition of winning, but because of our culture of faith. They believe in what they’re seeing in ‘Coach D,’” Mark pointed out. “They see what’s been happening in the lives of our players. And they know our stand is ‘We love Jesus here and we aren’t ashamed of it!’”

He concluded, “In fact, within the football team, I really believe we are going to see [a continued] revival on campus. God is already at work both here in the Treasure Valley and on the Boise State campus in ways that are blowing people’s minds. Whether it’s religious opposition or agnostic opposition, people are really amazed that we are promoting God in sports.

“And I feel it’s going to continue for years to come.” n

Steve Bertel is a multi-award-winning professional radio, television, print media, and social media journalist, who retired after a 30-year broadcasting career. Now a busy freelance writer, he released his debut suspense novel “Dolphins of an Unjust Sea”, available on both Amazon and Kindle. Steve and his wife of 43 years live in Meridian, Idaho. He can be reached at stevebertel65@gmail.com.

BIBLICALLY Responsible Investing

Being an ‘obedient child’ in your finances

By Nathan Carroll

Much of our journey as Christians is about acquainting ourselves with the Word and will of God. How does the Lord want us to carry ourselves as Christians? How can we continually improve and become more like Christ? Our mission in this way is outlined in 1 Peter 1:14-15, which says:

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”

Our mission, our directive, is to strive to be holy in our conduct and in all that we do. Notice that it says in all your conduct. Not just how we treat others, or how we carry ourselves in public, but in all that we do. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says:

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

When quoting this verse, much like in 1 Peter, we emphasize that it says whatever you do. Everything should mean everything. Including your finances. People can relate their finances to their faith, and steward their money in a way that (hopefully) honors the Lord and aligns with the Word of God. So often when someone walks into faith, away from their old lives, they shed off many fleshly desires but continue to steward their finances in a way that isn’t an obedient child.

So what does it look like to be an obedient child in your finances? How does one steward his or her wealth wisely? As in all things, the answer lies in the Word. In Deuteronomy 8:17-18 the Bible tells us that wealth is not something we earn ourselves, rather the Lord is the one that grants us power to gain wealth. Any wealth we do gain is a testament to His provision, not our own capabilities.

Additionally, 1 Timothy 6:6-10 teaches us that contentment is godliness. That our pursuits should be focused on the kingdom, and that when our focus comes to building wealth and loving money that evil follows; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 teaches us the value of generosity, that wealth is a tool for us to bless others, and when we sow into the kingdom and to others, the Lord also blesses us in return.

Proverbs 21:5 teaches the value of saving, to create a plan for what you have and the abundance that follows from executing a good, godly plan. Proverbs 22:7 teaches us to avoid debt, as the borrower is a slave to the lender. In all these things, the Word gives guidance on how to be a more godly steward of your finances, and ultimately how to be a more obedient child of God.

While those verses are a drop in the bucket in what it means to put God in your finances, it should start the conversation of whether your finances look like those of an obedient child. Pray to God and ask him to examine your finances and to instruct you in where you can grow. Being an obedient child – in all that we do – includes finances and giving that portion of your life to the Lord. n

Nathan Carroll is a Registered Assistant with Christian Wealth Management in Boise, Idaho. For more information, go to investforthegloryof god.com.

Investment advisory services provided by Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities are offered through CFD Investments, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC. 2704 South Goyer Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, (795) 453-9600. Christian Wealth Management LLC is not affiliated with CFD Investments, Inc. or Creative Financial Designs, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.

Cultivating a home of thanksgiving

By Bethany Riehl

“…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Years ago, my sister had us over for dinner. Pot roast. It was delicious and being a new bride that wanted to know how to cook all the things, I asked her for the recipe. It was pretty straightforward, but one of the instructions was puzzling – I had to cut the roast in half.

It made no sense. Why? Remember, I was a new cook and touching meat gave me the heebie jeebies. I’ve (mostly) outgrown this. When I asked my sister why the roast needed to be cut in half, she admitted that she’d never thought about it. She tracked the family member that had given her the recipe originally, and she, also perplexed, looked for the answer.

Through a series of phone calls, we discovered that the originator of the recipe didn’t have a pan big enough to fit the roast as is and she had to cut it in half. And thus, many women after her were cutting their roasts for no reason.

I still find humor in this story, but recently it hit me that this is a simple example of how influential mothers can be.

In my yearly Bible reading plan, I read one Psalm a day until I’ve read the whole book, then move on to one chapter from Proverbs a day, then start over. So twice I year I come upon Proverbs 14:1, “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

We have such an incredible privilege, ladies, to shape the next generation. Indeed, we’re shaping it, whether it’s intentional or not. For whether it’s a recipe, a habit, or an opinion, our children are taking what we give them and carrying it with them into life.

A dear woman at church and I share funny reels, beginning around August, about putting up Christmas trees and décor early. We joke about setting up the tree while everyone is out at the pumpkin patch or some such thing. But the closer we get to the holiday season, the more the algorithm thinks I want to see reels about women complaining through “humor” about how much work the holidays take and how clueless their husbands are.

Ladies, this is not the way.

We are the Maker of the Memories, the Keeper of Traditions, the Heart of our Homes. What a privilege! What a joy! Let’s not waste – or miss it! – by grumbling.

My oldest is a senior this year and I’m feeling big emotions about everything. Her last summer vacation, last first day of school, her last holiday season in our home, her last…you get the idea. Someone asked me recently how I’m doing with having a senior and I answered, “Like I’m reevaluating every decision I’ve ever made!” Not because I’m worried about any of my children, they are honestly incredible humans. No, it’s just that there is no going back. What’s the foundation I’ve laid for them? Since my oldest is almost a carbon copy of me, she has also been sentimental this year. It’s fun to hear her planning our seasonal traditions and drawing her friends into them. Listening to her fills me with joy – and relief. She has fond memories of our traditions and family culture and sees her parents as flawedbut-redeemed people that have taught her to love and trust the

Lord. Praise God.

So how can we do this, moms? How can we set aside our human tendency to grumble and get overwhelmed and create an atmosphere of thanksgiving, praise, and joy this season and all year long?

First, we get in the Word and we get the Word into us. Prayer, daily immersion in Scripture, memorization, working it into conversations with our kids; letting the Word shape our actions and thoughts. Over and over and over. It might feel clunky and tedious at first, but by God’s strength and power at work in us, it becomes second nature. He is sovereign, yes, but we are responsible to obey. This includes being diligent over what we listen to, watch, and consume.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD and on His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

Next, cultivate a home of thanksgiving. Be an example of contentment.

Is your home not what you want it to be? Be thankful anyway, choose to verbally rejoice in what you do love about your house and circumstances and find ways to share with others.

Love on your neighbors, pray for them, invite them to church, lavish them with treats at Christmas time. Ask the Lord to help you when they annoy you, to love them anyway and be His light to them.

Third, serve your church with thankfulness. God has provided other believers to pray with and for, live life with, and pursue holiness with. What a gift! Don’t just be a consumer, or spectator – get involved. I tell you that if this is not already your practice, it will bring more joy than you can imagine, and your kids will follow suit.

I believe that the number one reason kids leave church when they grow up is because they’ve never seen it as important because their parents only went when they felt like it and never got involved, so church never became “theirs.” Encouraging kids to find a way to serve their church has an extraordinary impact on how they view Christ and His Church. Kids can serve by helping to clean up/set up, in kids ministry, on the tech team. Let them help you make and deliver dinner if you’re on the meals ministry! It’s incredible how much they want to be part of it.

Lest you get the idea I’m lecturing, please know that these are all things the Lord taught me through the example of my parents and through much of my own trial and error. I spent the early years of our marriage and our daughters’ childhoods being discontented in my home and thinking church was there to serve me. Grumbling, complaining, self-pity; all were my constant companions.

Until one year, by God’s grace, I actually stuck to a daily Bible reading plan. That same year I did a study on 1 John and began to see that it was not enough to agree with the Bible, but I had to actually do what it said. And it changed everything. By God’s grace my children now look forward to the little things that make up our family culture: a special breakfast the first day of school, a day in October dedicated to raking the widow’s leaves next door, hosting friends for dinner and a bonfire on Reformation Day/Halloween and passing out candy, family game night with the Christmas Crooners playlist in the background,

Bethany Riehl

shopping for someone in need around Christmas and laughing hysterically at the one that tiptoes to the front door, sets the gift basket down, then rings the bell and runs like the wind to get out of sight in time. We got involved – really involved – in church, and as a result, so did our daughters.

Thankfulness, joy, church, and serving became the heartbeat of our home once the Lord Himself used His Word to cure me of my grumbling and discontentment.

I have friends that host their neighbors for coffee and cinnamon rolls every Christmas Eve.

A family at church serves hot dogs to anyone that comes by their driveway on Halloween.

I recently met a woman who invited me to come to her Christmas open house and enjoy some cookies. She and her husband have been doing this for 50 years and it’s such a part of them that they made up cards to carry all year and invite people to come!

I know there are as many traditions out there as people. For every tradition that you create or uphold, mama, your kids will most likely do the same. Will they enjoy it as you do? Or will they grumble and complain…as you do?

These are important things to ask ourselves and press into. We are the Maker of the Memories, the Keeper of the Traditions, the Heart of the Home. What kind of memories, traditions, and homes do you want to cultivate?

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) n

Bethany Riehl lives in the Treasure Valley with her husband, three kids, and a dog. She writes articles and fictional novels when she can, and her one desire is to point others to the love and sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse Where education’s foundation is always Jesus

“I dreamt I opened a school … ”

— Celeste Mays

By Gaye Bunderson

Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse in Caldwell started with a dream. Not a “pie-in-the-sky-someday-I...” sort of thing. But an actual in the dark, slumbering in bed dream.

First, the night miracle in 2019 put an idea in Celeste Mays’ mind that launched into an incredibly large life goal. Then, three years later, an ER emergency showed up and pushed her close to death.

“After deciding to homeschool my children, I got a blood clot in my lung in August of 2022,” Mays said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to live; but by the grace of God, I worked hard to juice and go on walks by my house.”

The juicing and the walks led her to a small building marked Crosspoint Church of Caldwell.

“At the time,” she stated, “I was praying over the building that is now the Sanctuary Cowboy Church. I walked for a year and asked God if this was the building He wanted the school in. For an entire year, I never saw anyone in the building until one day on a brief motorcycle ride with my husband, Michael, I finally saw people outside – former youth pastors Laura and Dave Clason. Dave mentioned that his wife had considered opening a school of her own at one time, encouraging me to talk to the pastor of the church, Eddie Hancock, and inviting us to attend.”

The Mays attended Crosspoint Church the following Sunday, and Celeste was able to share her vision for a new school with Pastor Hancock, who embraced it and invited her to present the idea to the church leadership team. The team embraced the idea as well.

But what’s new about a school? Adults have been educating kids for millennia now. Is there anything really new? Well, yes and no.

Mays has taken some long respected concepts, mixed them with a sense of acceptable modern models, and brought them into a 2020s decade institution with an old-style name like “schoolhouse.”

The school’s launch was in 2023, with the theme, “Keeping Jesus at the Foundation of Education.” So far, Mays has clocked two successful school years, and the future looks glowing. The blend of approaches appeals to many parents, particularly parents of faith. “Another wonderful school year resumed on September 2, 2025, and God willing there will be many more to come,” said Mays.

Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse is located at 912 W. Linden St. in Caldwell. The Sanctuary Cowboy Church is in the front building on the property, and Crosspoint Church of Caldwell and Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse are in the back building on the property, all sharing the same address.

Thirty-four-year-old Mays focuses on classical education at the school.

“What makes us unique is that we teach classical education in a modified one-room, schoolhouse-type setting where multiple grades reside in one classroom. Classical education is a traditional education that has been abandoned in the United States,

but we are bringing back these timeless truths and virtues,” Mays said.

The school has a theme, as stated, and an overriding principle taken from Proverbs 22:6 that is the scriptural light classes are taught by: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (NIV)

Mays explains it this way: “It’s God’s promise that if we are diligent in teaching our children in the way they should go (loving Christ and others), when they are old it is something that they will come back to. We truly believe we are doing just that, not just by teaching children classical education, but by also teaching them about how to be missionaries, whether in their neighborhoods or in the world.”

A novelty at Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse is a class that started just this year called Missionaries-in-Training, designed to inspire a deepening of the students’ faith and a pursuit for the biblical Great Commission, as mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus commands his followers to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

The missionary part of the school started with a parent, Keisy Kretzmann, who is from Brazil and speaks Portuguese. She and her husband served on a mission to Brazil, and Keisy brought back items from their trip to show the students. The school is essentially preparing future missionaries but also teaching the children about different cultures, and the Kretzmanns are the class instructors.

“I have to listen to God. It’s not always just what I want,” Mays said, smiling.

The Schoolhouse curriculum is similar to what a parent would find in almost any school but with some differences. In classical education, children also study Latin, critical thinking, and great books. Other schools no doubt do this as well; but at the Schoolhouse, everything circles back to connections between humanity and God; how God is the Creator of everything; and how, without Him, there would be nothing –including great books.

The curriculum also includes, along with academics, sewing, music, and art. And it emphasizes life skills and manners as well.

While there are no proms or homecomings, there is entertainment. “We have a family dance, and a DJ plays. Last year, we called the event Glow for Jesus,” Mays said. “For this year’s family dances there was a Fall Ball and there will be a Spring Dance. The Fall Ball focused on manners and etiquette. The spring dance is not so formal. Families in the community enjoyed it so much they requested two family dance parties. These are open to the public – most of our events are.”

Here, she keeps a Plato quote at the ready and said her music teacher, GMAMA, also quotes it: “To sing well and to dance is to be well-educated.”

“GMAMA is our music teacher. It’s her nickname; it stands for Grandma. Her name is Joani Baker-Gerner.”

Mays received her teaching degree from the College of Idaho and originally wanted to start a farm school, where the kids would study and also do farm work. She liked the idea of a farm where kids could be outside, grow plants, care for animals, and then take time to go to school. She tried it in 2020, but medical events during that year didn’t lend themselves to novel concepts. Intriguingly, Mays didn’t grow up on a farm but was raised in Santa Barbara, Calif. She later went to school in Middleton, and post-college taught in Notus.

Seventeen students attend her school at present, from junior kindergarten (for 4-year-olds) through fifth grade. She has four employees currently; including herself as director, she has a junior kindergarten-second grade teacher, a third-fifth grade teacher, an office administrator/event coordinator, a music teacher, and a Missionaries-in-Training teacher. “With every decision, I go to the board; there are five board members. We are a non-profit; I actually am a volunteer. We pay a small fee for rent.”

Her first dream was to start a Christian school; her second is to make Christian school more affordable. The Schoolhouse presently costs $3,250 a year for full-time students. There are other part-time tuitions available for half-day and homeschooled students.

Along with her dreams, she has a Vision and a Mission. Her Vision is alliterative:

“To become an educational institution that teaches students to hold each other accountable to grow in grace, grit, gratitude, and grammar.”

Her Mission is equally as uplifting. It says, in part: “Helping students cultivate a love of what is true, good, and beautiful.”

Her dream is a reality now. n

Registration to attend CCS doesn’t end when the school year begins. For more information, go to www.ccschoolhouse.com.

Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse is a registered private Christian school with a provisional accreditation through the Classical Latin School Association.

A child named Lincoln performs at the Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse’s 2024 fall performance. The woman near him is known by the students as GMAMA, which stands for Grandma. She is the music teacher at CCS and is more commonly known by others as Joani Baker-Gerner. (Courtesy photo)

Celeste Mays mans a booth promoting the school she founded, the Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse, located at 912 W. Linden St. in Caldwell. (Photo taken by Gaye Bunderson)

A DIVINE appointment A shirt, a kosher symbol, a friendship

By Matt Sieger

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man; the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 147:10-11).

I have a good friend named Douglas. I met him about 15 years ago in a way only God could have orchestrated.

One Saturday morning, my wife’s MacBook froze up. I volunteered to drive about eight miles from our home in South San Francisco to the nearest Apple store in Burlingame to see if they could repair it. I was wearing the shirt I had slept in, I am a Jewish believer in Jesus, and the shirt says, “Jesus Made Me Kosher,” with the kosher symbol alongside.

My wife hadn’t started the laundry yet. And I had no other clean shirts! So I just got up and left for the store, not thinking much about the shirt I was wearing. When I arrived at the store, a few people stared at my shirt like I was from another planet. However, the Apple security guard took a different kind of interest. As I was leaving the store, he stopped me and said, “That’s neat. What does that mean? Are you Jewish?”

I could see he was genuinely interested and curious. I explained that I am Jewish and that when I put my trust in Jesus, He declared that I was “kosher” – clean, forgiven, set apart. Douglas, who is Filipino, told me he loves Israel. It turns out that he lives in South San Francisco. I asked if he would like to meet for coffee sometime so we could discuss these things further. Douglas eagerly took me up on my offer. After we talked over coffee, I asked if he wanted to trust in Jesus as his Savior. He jumped at the chance. We went to my car for some privacy, and, sitting in the passenger seat, Douglas asked Jesus to come into his life.

I invited him to church, and he came the very next Sunday and has kept coming ever since. His girlfriend, Liane, who was living with him, also started attending church and gave her life to Jesus. Then they decided to get married.

Douglas and Liane had horrible neighbors. I experienced them when my wife and I visited our new friends. The neighbors were a bunch of thugs, just looking for trouble. They would put trash on Douglas’s lawn, stare him down every time he came home, mutter to each other about him when he walked by.

Inadvisedly, Douglas, when the chief thug started taunting him again, got the gun he owns from his garage and showed it to his tormentor, just to let him know he had it. He did not point it at him. But it was still a bad move. The thug’s mother, who also lived there, called the police and claimed Douglas had pointed it at her. Douglas ended up in court and the judge issued a restraining order.

Then one day, Douglas was at Peet’s Coffee. When he went to sit down with his coffee, he noticed the mother sitting at a nearby table. Because of the restraining order, he quickly moved away. But she called the police anyway. They went to court, where she lied again, claiming Douglas had approached her and talked to her at Peet’s. Douglas didn’t think to ask Peet’s for video footage from their camera until more than a month had gone by. He then learned that they only kept the footage for 30 days!

So the restraining order was extended. To make matters worse, the mother worked at the same tech firm where Douglas was now employed as a security guard. She told Human Resources about Douglas’s restraining order, and they fired him. All this time, Douglas faithfully came to church and to his Monday night men’s group, of which I was a part. He knew he had blown it. But he also knew we all loved him and so did God.

Time passed. The restraining order expired. But the awful neighbors were still there, doing all they could to make life even more miserable for my friend.

In the meantime, Douglas had applied for a job at the San Francisco airport. We all had our doubts he would get hired once they did a background check, given the tightened security measures at the airports. But Douglas was honest about all the court proceedings. And we all prayed. To our amazement (and to his), he was hired. He now fuels the jets and loves his job. Shortly afterwards, his neighbors moved, apparently kicked out because they could no longer pay rent. Now Douglas has a very nice couple with young children next door.

Through all of his trials, Douglas, perhaps without even knowing the verse, followed the Apostle Peter’s instructions: “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3). And we all got to see God demonstrate that grace in his life.

Seven years ago, my wife and I moved from South San Francisco across the Bay to Martinez, an hour away. Shortly after, Douglas and Liane came to visit us for the first time. We went to church together and caught up with each other afterwards at a restaurant and then in our new home. It was so good to see them.

They remain happily married and faithfully attending church. I’m sure God could have reached them in other ways, but we were glad to be a part of it, all through the failure of my wife’s computer! n

Matt Sieger, now retired, is a former sportswriter/columnist for New York and California newspapers. He has a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is the author of “The God Squad: The Born-Again San Francisco Giants.”

“I

Get

By Joan Endicott

To!”® I choose my view — always!

Dear Young at Heart, I pray this series creates a special opportunity for you to enjoy personally, while also sharing these stories and life lessons with the little ones you love, as well. May it connect with all ages, giving wonderful moments of compassionate conversation that serve to ground every heart, regardless of age, in the timeless Truths of God’s Word.

AI generated art submitted by Joan Endicott

~ Joan

The swing swayed gently beneath the old Juniper tree, its branches stretching wide like open arms. Its slow, steady rhythm seemed to breathe along with them—GiGi, Joy, and Princess the pup—tucked together like treasures in a safe place. The late afternoon light shimmered through the branches, casting lacy shadows that danced across the grass below.

The sweet scent of the nearby lavender mingled with the gentle coo of turtledoves singing their evening song. Joy nestled closer to GiGi’s side, while Princess the pup curled contentedly across their laps, her warm belly rising and falling with each sleepy breath.

After a long day, this was their spot—a place where sighs softened into stories, where the world slowed, and thoughts felt safe to wander.

Joy traced a heart with her toe in the grass below.

“I don’t like how it feels when people don’t like me—I wish I were different so they would,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not good enough.”

Her voice was almost a whisper as tears filled her eyes. GiGi wrapped both arms around her and held her tight.

“I’m so sorry. It hurts, doesn’t it? I know that feeling, honey. I know it far too well.”

“You do?” Joy asked, surprised.

GiGi sighed. “Ohhh yes, that’s been a very tender spot in my own heart, as well.”

Joy looked up, wiping her eyes.

“Really?”

GiGi smiled.

“Absolutely! I used to work very hard to get people to like me, to try and make sure they approved of me and told me I mattered— even people who clearly didn’t like themselves.”

“Did it work?” Joy asked.

“Not at all,” GiGi giggled. “Even if it seemed to work for a little while, it didn’t last. It was like trying to fill that old broken watering can with water—no matter how much you pour in, it all runs right through.”

Joy’s voice shaking. “Sometimes I think something’s wrong with me if someone doesn’t like me.”

GiGi looked down into Joy’s eyes.

“Ohhh my love, I completely understand that! I used to think that too. But here’s something God’s been teaching me: I don’t want to waste my life trying to guess or manage what anyone else thinks about me. Instead, I get to rest in what God says about me—and that never, ever changes.”

“What does He say?” Joy asked.

GiGi leaned closer, her voice gentle and sure:

“He made you special and wonderful.

He says you are His masterpiece.

He says you are chosen, dearly loved, and fully known by Him. He says He rejoices over you with singing.”

Joy’s eyes widened. “He sings over me?”

GiGi winked and smiled. “Yes, and not just when you’re ‘good.’ He sings over you because you’re His—not because you earned it, but because He made you and He loves you.”

The swing rocked slowly as Joy thought.

“But what if someone still sees me all wrong?” she asked.

GiGi looked out toward the fading sunset.

“Then they’re wearing the wrong glasses,” she said. “People don’t see the world around them as it is—they see it as they are—in that moment. If someone’s glasses are cracked or smeared with fear, anger, envy, or past pain, they’ll see you—and everything else—through that mess. It doesn’t mean you’re a mess—it means their lenses are.”

Joy nodded, slowly.

“And too often,” GiGi added, “I wear those cracked, messy glasses, too. That’s why we can’t even trust our own thoughts about ourselves or others.”

“So, what do we do?” Joy asked.

GiGi cupped Joy’s hands and placed them over her little heart.

“First, we learn what God says in His Word about us. Then we choose—over and over and over again—to believe Him more than anyone else—even our own thoughts.”

Joy rested her head back on GiGi’s shoulder.

“I want to do that!”

GiGi grinned and kissed her forehead.

“That’s one of the best and bravest choices you’ll ever make, Joy—learning to care more about God’s Truth than about anyone’s approval. Even when others don’t understand you, the One who created you always will. The One who knows you best loves you most! And His love doesn’t change based on what you do—it’s anchored in Who He is. God IS love, and nothing you could ever do will make Him love you more—or less.”

Princess let out a contented sigh as the swing swayed on.

For a few golden minutes, the whole world seemed in tune with heaven.

Neither of them spoke for a while. The silence simply wrapped them like a warm hug. As GiGi brushed strands of Joy’s hair from her forehead she was reminded that it was times like this when God’s lessons grow best in our hearts. Peaceful…comfortable…safe havens.

A few days later, Joy came running through the yard, calling out, “GiGi!” She spotted her in the garden, kneeling to gather fresh lavender, it’s calming scent drifting through the air.

“Guess what, GiGi?”

GiGi looked up with a smile. “Well, hello, sweetheart! Tell me!” she said, wiping the soil from her gloves and grabbing a hug.

Joy’s words tumbled out like marbles spilling from a jar. “Remember when you told me I always have the power inside me to choose my attitude—even if I’m having a bad day or someone is mean to me?”

“Well,” Joy continued, taking a big breath, “this morning things felt really, really hard. I got up late and forgot my lunch. Then, on the bus, one boy noticed my socks didn’t match and he made fun of me. I was so embarrassed, my face got hot and it felt like I had a big rock in my throat—like I couldn’t swallow. Everything inside me felt (big sigh) too heavy.”

GiGi set her basket down and rubbed Joy’s back. “Oh honey, that does sound hard—I’m sorry! You’re sure smiling now, though… what happened next?”

Joy’s shoulders lifted. “Well, I remembered what you told me—that even though we can’t control things around us, God gives us the power to control the things inside us…and that our attitude is one of the most important things because that changes everything else!

And you told me I can always find something to be grateful for if I choose to look through the gratitude lens.”

She took a deep breath, her eyes brightening. “So… I prayed right then and there—on the bus— and asked God to help me learn to do that. And guess what, GiGi?”

GiGi’s face lit up. “What, my love?”

“HE DID—and I did!” Joy giggled. “First, I looked out the left side of the bus. All I saw were buildings, cars, and people hurrying—and that made me feel even more anxious. But then I looked out the right side… and oh my goodness, GiGi, it was so beautiful! The big blue sky was full of white puffy clouds that looked like giant cotton balls right above a field full of gold wheat. Then I saw two of the prettiest horses running through a green pasture. And before we got to school, there were purple and white wildflowers growing right out of the cracks in the sidewalk!” They laughed with delight.

Joan Endicott

Joy’s voice softened. “It was just like you told me—no matter what’s happening around me, I get to choose what I focus on. Like which side of the bus I look out of.”

“YES! YES! YES!” GiGi’s eyes filled with tears of pride. “You said it best, my love! That is the perfect example. Life is like that bus ride. When you get on to go to school, certain things outside of you will always be true: the driver, the route he takes, the kids on the bus, the time it takes to get there. But what happens inside, well, you get to decide. The window you choose to look out of for the entire trip—

that’s always your choice. You choose your view!

“Today you proved to yourself that no matter what’s happening around you—or where your seat is—you get to choose which window you look through.”

Joy nodded in happy agreement. “And you know what, GiGi? The rest of the day felt so much better because I kept choosing to look through the ‘gratitude lens’.”

GiGi hugged her close. “Oh, my dear, that’s the key—you saw the wonderful difference it could make, and you kept choosing!”

“Every moment of every day ‘I Get To!’® choose my attitude and perspective.”

Connection questions: 1. What was your favorite part of the story? 2. What do you love about that part? 3. Would you like to do that too? 4. What will that look like? 5. Today, when you look through your gratitude lens, what do you see? n

Grab your FREE copy of Joan Endicott’s “I Get To!”® book at www.JoanEndicott.com. See Joan’s encouraging words in her short videos on social media. Joan is an Award-Winning Keynote Speaker, Author and Coach whose coaching has reached over 30 countries. Find out more about her speaking and coaching here: www.JoanEndicott.com.

COME and see Why your Tuesday nights matter

By Pastor Dave McGarrah

It’s an old invitation, one you find threaded throughout the Gospels, but its power is as fresh today as it was 2,000 years ago: “Come and see.”

Philip said it to Nathanael, urging his skeptical friend to just spend a little time with Jesus. And Nathanael, that honest soul, put aside his preconceptions, went, and had his life changed.

My friends, I’m issuing that same invitation to you today. In a world that is so loud, so complex, and so rapidly changing, I want to invite you to a place – a time, really – where you can ground yourself in the eternal truths of Scripture, wrestle with the issues of the day, and connect the dots between your faith’s deep historical roots and your life right now. I’m talking about our weekly gathering: Tuesday Night Live with Master Minded Ministries.

Master Minded Ministries

For those who don’t know my wife, Jerri, and me, our life’s work through Master Minded Ministries has been a journey of discovery and bridgebuilding. For decades, I’ve served as a pastor and teacher, currently here in Caldwell at Deer Flat Church. But the journey that led us to found Master Minded Ministries was a deeply personal one – a spiritual awakening to the incredible, tangible reality of God’s covenant with Israel and the Jewish people.

I’ll admit it: like many of you, I grew up in a Christian tradition that often treated the Old Testament as a distant, preparatory work – a stage set that was mostly packed up once the curtain rose on the New Covenant. But the more Jerri and I studied, the more we traveled (nearly 40 trips to Israel so far!), the more we realized that the tapestry of our faith is one single, beautiful, and indivisible whole. We’ve been utterly “smitten” by Israel, transformed by connecting the biblical narrative to the physical land where it unfolded.

Our purpose became crystal clear: to help the Christian community understand its Jewish roots, to foster a deep, biblical love and support for Israel and the Jewish people, and to, in the words of Romans 12:2, be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is the essence of what it means to be Master Minded: to think God’s thoughts after Him, to apply the mind of Christ to the world around us.

This ministry finds expression in a few different ways. On the airwaves, you might know our radio program, “The Teacher and the Preacher,” where I have the profound privilege of engaging in an ongoing, respectful dialogue with an Orthodox Jew, Aaron Lipkin. This show, airing on dozens of stations across the U.S., is a living, breathing example of the bridge we’re trying to build – celebrating the common ground we share while openly discussing our theological differences. It’s an act of courageous, loving engagement in a society that so often defaults to shouting across divides. As we like to say, the discussion is “always a dialogue, never a debate. Mutual respect and friendship is what makes the success of each conversation.”

But the cornerstone of our local ministry, the beating heart where we connect as a community and truly live out our mission of bridging the gap, is Tuesday Night Live.

Bridging the Gap, Right Here, Right Now

When we envisioned Tuesday Night Live, we wanted to create a unique space that goes beyond the typical Sunday sermon or mid-

week prayer meeting. We wanted a setting where we could do two essential things: provide an up-tothe-minute current events briefing seen through a biblical lens, and then dive deep into an in-depth Bible study that directly confronts the complex issues of our contemporary world.

Each week, we start with the headlines. I’ll share an update on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, a conflict that is so often misunderstood and misrepresented in the popular media. We’ll discuss societal polarization, cultural flashpoints, or the latest technological and ethical dilemmas facing the church. But we don’t just talk about the problems. We immediately pivot, rolling up our sleeves and opening our Bibles to ask the most crucial question: What does God’s Word say about this?

This is the power of Tuesday Night Live. It’s not about finding comfort in an echo chamber; it’s about confronting reality with conviction. It’s about taking the timeless truth of Scripture – truth rooted in the Jewish faith that Jesus Himself lived and taught –and applying it as the ultimate operating manual for navigating this changing world.

You see, I firmly believe that the Christian who understands the covenant God made with Israel, the one who grasps the historical and theological foundation of their faith, is the Christian best equipped to handle the shifting sands of modern culture.

This isn’t dry academic study; it’s a vital, transformative process. It’s the moment when the ancient history of Israel connects to your Tuesday morning at the office. It’s when a prophetic passage from Isaiah informs your perspective on the news you read on your phone. It’s the intentional process of seeking truth – a powerful, countercultural act in an era of quick takes and superficial engagement.

Why You Need to “Come and See”

Perhaps you’ve found yourself feeling disconnected. Maybe the pace of change in the world is causing you to wonder how your faith fits into it all. Or perhaps, like many dedicated believers, you’re looking for a deeper, more rooted understanding of the faith you already hold dear.

This is precisely why I urge you to join us. Tuesday Night Live offers three gifts that I believe are essential for every believer in this era:

1. Rooted Clarity in a World of Noise – The world throws constant noise at us – fear, sensationalism, and conflicting narratives. By starting with a biblically informed current events briefing, we learn to filter the noise and focus on what truly matters. We learn to see the unfolding of history, not as a random series of chaotic events, but as a purposeful narrative guided by the hand of a sovereign God who keeps His covenants. This clarity is an anchor for your soul.

2. Deep Community and Dialogue – Faith was never meant to be a solo sport. When we gather on Tuesday nights, we are building a community committed to a “renewed mind.” We foster an environment where respectful questions are welcome, where we learn from each other’s insights, and where we strengthen one another in our collective commitment to biblical truth. It’s a chance to share in the practical, actionable expression of faith – not just a theological idea.

3. The Power of the Transformative Journey – Master Minded Ministries is built on the reality of transformation. Jerri and I have seen it on our Biblical Journey Tours to Israel, where hundreds of lives have been transformed by connecting the Scriptures to the

Pastor Dave McGarrah

land. But you don’t need a passport to begin your journey. Tuesday Night Live is where that same transformative power of grounded, intentional study happens every week. You are grounded in history, reminded that your faith is a living narrative, and equipped to confront contemporary issues with a deeper, more rooted understanding.

An Invitation to Be Master Minded

This ministry’s commitment is simple: We are here to help you live a vibrant faith at the dynamic intersection of history and culture. We blend biblical scholarship, cross-cultural appreciation (like our work supporting local synagogues and taking students on study tours), and a hands-on, communityfocused approach.

We are helping to equip a new generation of believers – a Master Minded generation – to stand firm in their convictions, engage with the world with grace and love, and ultimately, to fulfill the call of Christ.

So, here is my personal invitation: Put aside your Tuesday evening plans. Come early, connect with others, maybe enjoy the live music we sometimes have before the study begins, and then settle in for a night of challenging, rewarding, and deeply grounding study. During our intermission period, have a cup of coffee with a new friend.

Don’t just hear about our mission. Don’t just read the headlines. Come and be a part of the answer. Come and see how God is using the deep, rich history of our faith to inform your life today.

Your Tuesday night is calling you to be transformed.

We meet at 6:30 every Tuesday evening at Nampa Christian High School. All are invited to join us for an update on current events briefing and in-depth Bible study. To find out more about the ministry, our radio program, and our upcoming events, please visit us online at www.mastermindedministries.org. n

KETO HEATING & COOLING

THE RENEGADE Psychiatrist Avoid passivity, get in the game of life

By Dr. Larry Banta

One of the most destructive forces in our culture is passivity: sitting back as a spectator, not participating, not doing our part.

God has a problem with passivity. If we fail to feed ourselves spiritually and live according to what the Word tells us, we soon find ourselves drifting into dangerous passivity. We no longer care about the things of God but become more involved in ourselves, our own lives, our passions, our desires.

Speaking to one of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus says:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

– Revelation 3:15,16

The second law of thermodynamics states basically that everything tends toward chaos. So, if you don’t do anything, things don’t just sit there, they get worse. If you fail to take care of your house or car, it soon will start to fall apart. By our actions we can reverse the chaos. Alternatively, by inaction we can let it proceed. This is true in our spiritual life as well.

Cain was the first to partake of the poison of passivity. He likely knew what sacrifice he needed to offer to please God, but in his passivity, he brought only grain. He could have traded some grain for a lamb from his brother and all would have been well.

Genesis 4:6,7: “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

God explained that he just needed to do right or watch out! Sin is waiting to take over.

Passivity works like a poison, slowly and persistently drawing us into a state of apathy, not really caring, not really desiring to make a change or put energy into ourselves or our lives, leaving ourselves open for sin to take over. As we read on in Genesis 4, we see – just as God had said – sin took over and Cain killed Abel.

Passivity leads to chaos in our lives. One can simply live life as a spectator and not really notice what dangers are lurking. We can see the poison in the workplace, in the church, and especially in the family. We fail to live up to Christian standards at work, succumbing to the bad jokes and foul language, half-completed jobs, doing just enough to get by and get paid.

In the church we sit enjoying the worship as though it was a show for our benefit, being critical of the “performance” if not up to our standard. Jobs and opportunities to serve come up, but those are for the other folks.

We sit by while the schools raise our children according to their secular standards. We come home from work to head straight to the TV or game room to entertain ourselves, while the children come home and go to their rooms and engage in social media and games that are teaching them the ways of the world. The family dinner table is avoided in favor of each person grabbing something and heading back to the entertainment. No communication, no teaching, no training, no involvement, no family devotion time. We then wonder what happened, why they turned out as they did. It is so easy, especially in our culture – the wealthiest in the world – to let the world begin to remold and overtake us. If we allow the poison of passivity to take a foothold in our lives, then gradually we move away from God.

It may start with Doubting God. We then are easily Diverted to the ways of the world then Deception starts to creep in. Before you are even aware of it, you are being Deployed by the enemy! Used for his purpose. Soon he is done with you and will Destroy you.

1 Peter 5:8: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. In accepting Christ as our Savior, we also accept Him as Lord. Master. Boss. If He is Lord, we are servants. We must accept the responsibility that goes with putting on Christ. Maybe we did not realize we were entering a battle. We are to be transformed into what God wanted us to be. We were not to lie dormant absorbing all the benefits of salvation only. Transformation is active involvement and change as described in Romans, starting in chapter 12 and then through the rest of the book. It is something that we are about for our entire lives. We are either transforming, moving forward, growing, becoming more like Jesus, or conforming to the ways of the world. Passivity is not neutral but falling into the ways of the world, moving away from God.

Romans 12:1-2: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. When we have been poisoned, we call Poison Control. We have our spiritual poison control as well. Starting from the basics, I John 1:9,10 states: But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts (NLT).

Confess and repent. Repenting is changing our minds, turning around, not just confessing and going about our lives the same way. Our next step is to fix our eyes on Jesus. Get back into his Word. Start praying. Get back to church. There are so many good Bible-believing churches that can help you be restored. Then put on the armor and get to work (Ephesians 6:14-18).

Ephesians 6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Rejecting the poison of passivity and accepting the Lordship of Jesus will transform your life and even those around you.

Our journey with Christ can be fulfilling if we choose to stay close, keep on top of our faith, staying strong on the foundation of His Word and working out our faith, doing what God has in mind for us. We can do well and share in the blessings, maintaining joy and enthusiasm.

Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. n

Dr. Larry Banta is an author of several books, a retired psychiatrist, and a former missionary. He served in India, Mexico and Kenya. He and his wife, Evelyn, a counselor, travel together to provide consultation and training in various international locations.

Dr. Larry E. Banta

Faith Community Nursing training planned

Faith Community Nursing (also known as the Faith Community Nurse Network) is holding a training for interested nurses November 6-9 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, 1055 N. Curtis Rd. in Boise.

Saint Alphonsus is offering the training that, according to a brochure about the event, will focus on “intentional care of the spirit and promotion of wholeperson health within a faith community or community organization.” It will include a Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum.

A similar brochure reads: “A Faith Community Nurse is a registered nurse with an intentional focus on spiritual health, who primarily uses interventions of education, counseling, prayer, presence, active listening, advocacy, and referral.”

Faith Community Nursing works in coordination with churches, and there are more than 100 nurses in 20 faith communities in the valley, with an emphasis on ecumenicalism.

“We integrate prayer in our work,” Faith Community Nurse Faith Boyd stated.

Cost for the training is $350, and scholarships are available. Training participants will learn about nursing documentation, community resources, the guidelines they must follow, and how to start their own faith / health ministry. When the training is completed, participants will receive certification to be part of Faith Community Nursing.

There is no minimum or maximum age to participate, and both male and female nurses are welcome.

To sign up, or for more information, contact Cari Moodie, RN Coordinator of the Faith Community Nurse Network locally with Saint Alphonsus, at (208) 367-6494 or Cari. Moodie@SaintAlphonsus.org. n

by Steve

Bertel

Fill in each answer, one letter per square. Then ar range t he letters in t he highlighted squares to reveal

TECH & Faith

Finding a balance in kids’ screen time

By Mark Naito

Most of us have heard that tech (screens) can be harmful for kids. However, most do not know how to live with it and to avoid the pitfalls without going from one extreme to the other. Whether you have demands of using screens at school or even church, what can you do? And at the same time, how do you teach your kids to be responsible with them?

This is a hard reality we all face.

What most might not know is we started Navigating Tech Family based on our own family’s need to find alternative ways to live without the pitfalls of tech. Our sweet daughter had a year-long health issue which required a lot of antibiotics. My sweet wife used her smartphone at the time, with a heavily popular social media platform: YouTube. The content was not bad – worship music – but because it is designed to be addictive, I noticed some unusual tantrums from my daughter after taking away the device. As a former product marketing manager, I put on that hat and did some thorough research.

I quickly learned that things like this are very addictive. Through that journey we discovered we were not alone, and we became aware of a need to educate people on how to live intentionally with tech while avoiding the pitfalls of it. Technology is not going away so we need to learn how to be wise with it.

To start off, here are some statistics to be aware of.

According to https://www.bostonmagazine.com/education/2024/08/27/truth-about-kids-and-smartphones/:

• 95% of kids age 13-17 use social media

• 7 in 10 girls ages 11-15 with moderate to severe depressive symptoms find suicide-related content on social media monthly

• 31% of parents say they are distracted by a phone when talking to their teen, but the reality is 46% of teens say their parents are distracted by their phone when talking to them

Did you know that top tech executives like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates sent their kids to a school with no screens? Why? Because research has proven that having no screens is the optimal way to learn. And not only in school but also at home.

(Disclaimer: We do not encourage or endorse going to the specific school system below but are merely using its secular studies as proof that screens or technology are not needed to learn.)

Here are some direct excerpts from the Parent Handbook 20242025 from Waldorf School:

• “The young child’s ability to picture, to envision and to see inwardly is crucial to the development of creativity. This delicate faculty is overwhelmed and eventually crushed by the constant bombardment of media images. Chief among them is television. In the process, the child is also taught a passive relationship to the world (outer stimulation and inner emptiness) that is very similar to that of drug or alcohol addiction.”

• “Children are also unnecessarily exposed to much that is not appropriate for their age. Recent studies also show the debilitating and distorting effects of television and other media watching (regardless of content) on the nervous systems of growing children and its contribution to learning disabilities.”

• “As with all Waldorf schools, our faculty is extremely concerned about the effect of television/media on the young child. We prefer that our students not be exposed to television, videos, computers, and computer games. We are convinced that television/media has an adverse effect on child development. The developing child is simply too young and too open to cope with the physical effects of these electronics and their substitution of electronics for human voices. Excessive screen time contributes toward nervousness, inability to concentrate, anti-social behavior, a dimming of the imagination, and a general passiveness that is deadening and harmful to learning.” Also, a concept from Alcoholics Anonymous is the acronym H.A.L.T. Something to keep in mind with your kids in making sure they are not on any tech during this time: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. This is when our flesh is weak and sin tends to enter in.

A great way to look at things with your kids is to use the following graphics as examples. Here, we can all see what we did before social media and what we all can still do today when we aren’t hooked to our screens. We can even learn and explore on our own, without a tech device near us or in our hands. (Outernet is the infrastructure that makes up parts of the internet.)

What I tell people in my coaching sessions is that there is always a way around using tech if you really look. Also, use the ultimate super computer, your brain, which our amazing creator made for us to be creative in our own way as well. Think of things that are not screenrelated. You will be surprised what your kids and you come up with. Yesterday I felt lead, after finishing this article, to have our family do an outdoor activity. My family was not 100% on board, but after getting out to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge area, we found ourselves hunting for special things like rocks, flowers, and animals –we even discovered some animal footprints in the cement walk path. We had so much fun and made some lasting memories! Let us be honest… Some things are not “convenient” but will help everyone be more intentional in relationships with each other – especially with our families.

Sometimes you do not need to search online for your kids. If you do not immediately go to the computer and search for them, they may actually learn a biblical principle, such as: “And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts.” (Romans 5:4-5)

And because we live in such an instant society, we are not teaching our kids by example how to be patient.

Some practical things to try is to explore local things. Ask people you know what kinds of local things they like to do. Go to the local hotel and see if they have a visitors’ brochure to pick up some ideas. Try the local newspaper for some additional ideas. Another great place is your local AAA office – their maps have ideas and other local activity sources.

This is all with the end goal of helping your kids use the ultimate computer that the world is trying to duplicate: our brain. You will be amazed that the more you provide your kids with these opportunities the more they will grow, be creative, and will not need to be entertained.

Our company recently was a vendor at the AACC World Biblical Conference in Tennessee. We were widely supported and told many times to, “Please keep doing what you do because we need it.” There were so many great resources we now have access to and to share about battling screen time and just doing something! The experience proved to us there is a need to make some changes.

Some key ideas in living more intentional with tech are:

• Meal time is sacred and there should be absolutely no screens

• No screens in any non-public areas of your house

• Look at more screen-free activities

My challenge to you as a parent is to find ways you can facilitate moving your family up the “hierarchy of communication” to in-person with your family as much as possible. You will never regret these times – especially later in life as your kids move out of the house. This will pass along a legacy to your kids to then pass along to their families as well.

As always… please share with us your stories! We love to hear the transformations and how God is moving. We recognize our main role is to help people join God in what He is already doing. We sometimes simply need to remove the distractions to see that, even things that are not technology-related. We pray the good Lord would bless you in your journey and please reach out if you need anything. n

Mark Naito is passionate about helping people by seeking ‘root cause’, providing result-oriented solutions and good outcomes. His passion has always been to empower others to be educated to make their own informed decisions on what makes sense for themselves or their family. He started Navigating Tech Family toward that goal. He is a family man with a beautiful wife and kids and loves doing life with his family in the outdoors. He may be reached at mark@navtechfam.com.

Mark Naito

Lounsbery Using games to reach and teach everyone

By Gaye Bunderson

Have a conversation with Eric Lounsbery and you’ll be convinced of the veracity of statements like this: “I’m kind of a high-energy guy. I wouldn’t go to bed if I didn’t have to.”

Lounsbery uses his energy for good – for God, for believers, and for non-believers as well. And he does it through board games that he’s created himself and worked on in conjunction with artificial intelligence.

“I’m on a mission to take the gospel to the world,” he said. If that seems like a tall order, know that he’s working in tandem with the very highest intelligence: God. For Lounsbery, creating games is an act of service and love.

“When you love somebody, what is important to them is important to you,” he explained. “Get on board and go take the gospel to the world. His priorities should be ours too.”

To do that, he uses what he’s good at: creating games. “I’m a very limited man, but creating games is one of my gifts,” he said.

Many of his limitations have to do with his multiple sclerosis, a condition he was diagnosed with in his early 30s. He’s now 62. A former resident of Boise from 2004 to 2009, he worked in sales for a siding company. Later, he worked at Lowe’s and Home Depot. He’s proud of his sales records during those years and said he was consistently in the highest sales brackets in the companies.

But memory issues related to his MS sidelined him. Such issues still plague him. “I am drastically losing my memory, and losing memory of Bible verses. With MS, your brain [can be] so much like Alzheimer’s – you’re not able to learn new material. By the grace of God I can create in my brain but can’t learn and memorize. I can have ideas, and can think that way.”

He created his first board game in 1991, a Bible trivia game called Inklings because “it only takes an Inkling to win.” Of this game, Lounsbery said: “It reached 2 million in sales. But you have to know about the Bible to play it.”

However, he launched a new game (his fourth) this past June that, while it has significant appeal to believers, it also by design offers components that appeal to non-believers as well. It’s called Tetrad.

“It’s complexity wrapped in simplicity,” Lounsbery said of his latest invention.

He utilizes AI, so he does all he does, he said, “not because I know stuff but because AI knows stuff.”

He stated: “The No. 1 thing that I use AI for is to assemble things that create projects to take the gospel into the world and strengthen Christians in their faith.”

He also uses AI in his theology. He loves to engage with and debate willing non-believers. “I use AI as the means to present evidence in overcoming the strongest objections from non-believers. I’ve debated some of the most famous atheists.”

At a Freedom Summit in Ari zona, where he now resides, he debated the late George H. Smith, author of “Atheism: The Case Against God,” whose views align with the late, famous atheist, Ma dalyn Murray O’Hare. Lounsbery also debated Daniel Edwin Barker, who is both a New Testament scholar

and the founder of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

“I also had debated him twice before that on the ‘The Infidel Guy Show’ years before. After my last debate, Dan told the attorney Marc Victor, who organized the Freedom Summit debate, that he would never debate me again. That was because I told the audience they couldn’t believe anything Dan said to them because he had personally gone on record saying that atheists are obligated to lie if necessary to turn a Christian from the faith because that is ‘the moral thing to do’.

“When he said I was lying about what I had claimed, I played the recording of Dan saying exactly what I had testified that he’d said, and I played it out loud for the entire audience to hear. Clearly caught in another lie, he was proven completely untrustworthy regarding any claims he would make about God.”

Lounsbery contended that, “Every leading AI model, all of them, are saying God is real; 100% of them say Christianity is true.” While many may remain skeptical, no one is bolder than Lounsbery when it comes to defending his faith; and while some critique AI as a tool with the potential for dangerous misuse, it nonetheless serves a valuable purpose in his hands, aiding him in bringing biblical board games to the masses. Tetrad especially holds appeal for people who might otherwise dismiss a Biblebased game.

One of his friends, Trace, is an atheist. Even though the two men have a good relationship, Lounsbery admits, “Trace loves money.”

After Trace played Tetrad and was asked what he thought of it, he gave it a 10.

Eric Lounsbery has a knack for board game creation, and he uses that skill to help spread the gospel. His latest game is called Tetrad, and Lounsbery feels it’s a game that both believers and non-believers can enjoy and learn from. (Photo provided by Eric Lounsbery)

stance the image of David as a shepherd boy as he slays a bear attacking the sheep and Job covered with boils as he sits in silence with his three friends.

With Tetrad, people buy the base board, and then going forward, all they have to purchase is a new deck of cards, with topics that can include everything from Bible images to the periodic table to U.S. presidents, and more.

Tetrad is for ages 9 and up. “But 7-year-olds are able to win,” Lounsbery said, continuing, “It’s a great way to teach the Bible.”

One of the biggest pluses about the game is, according to Lounsbery, “We try to remove the feeling of, ‘Oh, I’m not going to win’.”

Lounsbery is not alone in his efforts to spread the gospel message. Of his family, he said: “We now total a Jesus-loving group of 22. The Lord has been so merciful and gracious to our family there are no words to express the impact it has had upon all of us. We are a small army intent on taking the gospel to the world and are working diligently using any and every means possible to pursue souls.”

Lounsbery has had a lifelong love of board games. “I’m the game guy,” he said. “Since I was young, I was always the guy who comes up with the games.”

God is using “the game guy” to bring people to Him – or closer to Him. For Lounsbery, it is, at the same time, a way to overcome the challenges of MS, mentally, physically, and financially. “Between the fact that my MS has gotten so bad and I have been out of work for the past five years … and therefore in order to be able to secure some kind of income, I scraped together enough to get a small run of games done myself and am working with Amazon to sell them. But until I sell more games, I am living on an insane budget.”

Does it get him down? No.

“My joy is in the Lord, and His goodness to my family has me dancing day after day,” he said. No wonder he created a game that removes the feeling of, ‘Oh, I’m not going to win’! n For more information, go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDPKVMMS or Tetrad-Games.com.

REAL MAN’S Toolbox

What happened to the principle of integrity?

By Leo Hellyer

Living as a Christian man in 2025 is a very daunting endeavor. There are many things competing for our attention. Men are getting pulled in many directions at once. As Christian men, we need to keep our focus on God, and His will and direction for our lives. We can’t allow ourselves to be distracted by the counterfeits that surround us.

Men of integrity are an endangered species! For our nation to return to be known as a God-fearing, Christian nation, we need vocal, loving, Biblebelieving, uncompromising, open dialogue seeking men of integrity. In my 73+ years on planet Earth, I have known, or known of, some very notable men of integrity. A few of these men are my father, Mack Hellyer, Walter Cronkite, President Kennedy, President Reagan, Billy Graham, Dennis Rainey, Skip Hall, Bruce Young, Bill Roscoe, etc. These are all men with a strong backbone, a life of integrity, and a big, loving heart.

In most cases with men of integrity, we do not realize the magnitude of their integrity until after they are gone from our presence. Men of integrity are defined in many places in the Bible. I want to share two of those places.

Proverbs 4:25-27 – Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet, and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Just recently, we lost a great man of integrity, taken from us way too soon. This was a man filled to the brim with integrity, dedication, love for his nation, love for his family and friends, love for others – even those who disagreed with him – love for his enemies, and most importantly, and foundational to the rest, a pure love for his Creator, God Almighty. Charlie Kirk had a big impact on many people while he was alive, but he has impacted multitudes more, around the world, with the tes timony of who he was, and whose he was, before he was taken. Charlie’s legacy of integrity is still very much alive.

I would like to challenge the men who read this, around the world, to step into the void left by the passing of Charlie Kirk. Let’s step up and multiply his witness, starting wherever we are at, geographically and spiritually. We need to step out in faith, be present, be vocal, be steadfast in our faith, be willing to discuss polarizing issues with those who have differing opinions from us. We need to advance in God’s strength, not our own.

We need to continually be prayed up. We need to take care of our individual spiritual walk and strength, daily. We cannot think about filling others with

God’s love and strength if we do not have tanks overflowing ourselves. All of us need to have the full armor of God on before we go into battle – and yes, it is a battle.

If you are interested in being a bright light in a world of darkness, if you are ready to go to battle in the spiritual realm with God’s strength and not your own, then I have a couple of books that I highly suggest you make a part of your Real Man’s Toolbox.

The first book is “The Power of Integrity: Building a Life Without Compromise” by John MacArthur. The second book is “Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality” by Henry Cloud.

To become men of integrity, or to continue being men of integrity, we need to be well disciplined, well focused, dedicated, courageous, wise, tolerant of others, loving, willing to serve, listen first and speak last, with words from the Father.

We are all flawed, sinful, human beings. What God did with Billy Graham, Dennis Rainey, and Charlie Kirk, He can do with each of us. We need to confess our shortcomings, seek forgiveness from God Almighty, and then step out in faith, in God’s strength and wisdom, and see what God has in store for us. We need to be ready for God to provide us with divine appointments. We need to be eager and willing to step out of our comfort zones and follow God wherever He leads us.

God has different battle plans for each of us according to the gifts and strengths that He gives us. God has a specific mission for each one of us to complete. If we will boldly step out in faith and go into the battle God has prepared for us, He will reward our efforts. God is searching for men of integrity. God is searching for men to carry the torch. God is searching for heroes of the faith who, in obedience to Him, will bring empowerment, clarity, truth, and love to a lost and depraved land. It is time for the Church to unite, with integrity and love, and minister to those people God brings across our path. We need to be the conduits, the vessels, the means by which God touches lives directly, with his wonderfully unconditional, perfect, cleansing love. Dear God, clearly show each one of us what it is that You want us to accomplish for Your kingdom! n

Leo Hellyer is a non-staff pastor with a local church and has been married to his wife Norma for 50 years. The couple volunteered with the Boise FamilyLife Ministry Team for 20 years. Leo has also been serving with Boise Rescue Mission Ministries for more than 20 years and is currently serving at the River of Life Rescue Mission. He is president and chief firearms instructor with Helping Hands Firearms Training LLC. If you have questions about Real Man’s Toolbox, or need other assistance, he may be reached at silverplate426@ msn.com or (208) 340-5544.

Leo Hellyer

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

and keep’

Thankfulness not just a one-day event

By Vincent Kituku

Maybe you have had time to reflect on your blessings, including being alive, having good health and/or a job. Maybe you celebrate Thanksgiving Day with loved ones. In your quiet reflections you consider the good things that you have or what has happened to you in the last 12 months. Don’t quit being thankful.

An attitude of gratitude must be a lifestyle but not an act or ritual that occurs once a year. If you make it a practice to count your blessings on a daily basis, you will realize that each day is a Thanksgiving Day. Just think about the simple basics of life: a clean glass of water that you don’t have to travel miles for. You may not even have to worry about your next meal. In terms of clothes, your main challenge in the morning is to select the colors that reflect the season or your mood for that day.

Having these life support basics is a struggle millions in parts of this world go through daily. If in addition to the above you have someone who loves you (a family or friend), you are in many ways better off than many who long for unconditional love. In this list of simple things that we shouldn’t take for granted, consider it a double blessing if you still have a job.

What we should not forget any day we wake up and find ourselves still walking on American soil is the blessing of living in a free country (special thanks to all those in our armed services). Our dreams to live up to our potential and the ability to enjoy the fruit of our labor and other aspects of progressive living are possible because of the freedom we have in this land.

However, there is another level of thankfulness, albeit experienced by fewer people. That is the fulfillment you can enjoy daily because you play (or played) a role in giving someone else a better life. When you visit the sick, help a senior citizen, pay for the meal of an armed services man or woman, or coach young people, you find another source of thankfulness, the depth of which can only be experienced.

Yes, it is wonderful to be blessed with material possessions, to have a great family, health and a job or a thriving business. It is great to achieve your goals. Yet, it is marvelous to reach beyond self and provide either resources, wisdom or time for a fellow human being to have an easier moment of life.

Soon you start understanding that what you give is what you keep. Even an insignificant memory of your good deed can turn a “cloudy day” into sunshine. An unexpected thank you note can be the inspiration you need to carry on for another day.

Thus we should be thankful for what we have and get out and make a difference in other people’s lives to continue being....even more grateful. n

Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku, motivational speaker and author of “Overcoming Buffaloes at Work & in Life,” is the founder and executive director of Caring Hearts and Hands of Hope, a nonprofit organization that raises tuition and fees for poor orphans and other children from poverty-stricken families in Kenya. Contact him at vincent@kituku.com or (208) 376-8724.

Vincent Kituku

UNCHANGING Jesus, the Rock, will forever

By Greg Grotewold

We have a large rock in our front yard. It must weigh 500 pounds. It sits right in the middle of an island of landscaping but has served purposes beyond decorative. Given its girth, this borderline boulder lent itself to all types of uses when our boys were young: a lookout tower, a base, a shield, a hiding spot, and any other recreational uses they could conjure up.

The rock’s most important function, though, is a symbolic one. It represents invariability. The thing simply doesn’t change. The big stone looks and weighs the same today as it did 20 years ago when we bought the house. Short of Armageddon, it will look and weigh the same 2,000 years from now. And when I look at that rock, I think of Jesus. He also does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, ESV).

Greg

Jesus has sameness. He carries and exercises the same authority irrespective of circumstance or span of time. Such immutability is only impressive, however, if the degree to which He carries such authority is impressive. A consistent display of marginal strength isn’t terribly compelling.

Exactly how powerful is Jesus? Paul makes it clear in what I consider the most potent passage in all of Scripture.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:15-18, ESV).

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He resembles God because He is God. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. He was begotten, not born. He has never not existed. Jesus created all things. He formed every atom and every galaxy and everything in-between, including you and me. Jesus is before all things. He precedes every event in human history, either causing them to happen or allowing. He is never surprised, never caught off guard. Jesus holds all things together. He is not only creator of all things but their sustainer. The sun rotates on His command. Jesus is the head of the body, the church. He resurrects the elect, securing their blood-bought path to glory.

The answer to the question is clear: Jesus is the sovereign force of the universe. He is peerless. His sameness has no match.

The same Savior who providentially forgave Peter for his denials providentially forgives us of ours. The same Savior who providentially superintended Paul’s walk providentially superintends ours. The same Savior who providentially pursued the Samaritan woman at the well, and all of her baggage, providentially pursues us and ours.

But there’s an even more important question to be answered: why is Jesus who He is? Paul tells us that too. Jesus is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. The Savior is preeminent over all things so that He would be the preeminent affection of our hearts. He exists to be glorified above all else. He exists to be made much of above all else. He exists to be adored above all else.

Jesus will forever be the same. May His reigning immutability cause us to fall at the foot of the cross and praise Him. He is the better sameness. n

Grotewold lives in Oakdale, Minn. with his wife, Sandi, and their two sons, Luke and Eli. He is a deacon in his local church and greatly enjoys serving in this capacity.

Greg

Grotewold

Image by Pixabay

PARENTS and grandparents Are you leaving a legacy of faith?

By Roxanne Drury

“Impress these commandments on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” – Deuteronomy 6:7

Parenting may be the hardest job you will ever have. Just sayin’! If your parenting days are ahead of you, get ready for the ride of your life. If your children are all home, God bless you and give you wisdom. If your children are all grown and out of the home, newsflash: you are not out of the woods yet. Grandparenting is a tad more fun, but it holds some of the same responsibilities. The ultimate goal is to raise children who become responsible adults capable of taking care of themselves and others. Every day they are in your home is an opportunity to teach them something, whether they are 2, 22, or 52. We can and should teach our children everything, from how to brush their teeth and tie their shoes to how to buy their first home and plan for their retirement. However, teaching our children how to live life in the world is just one part of parenthood and grandparenthood.

Roxanne Drury

What about teaching our children how to live a good, healthy spiritual life following the Lord? We must ask ourselves:

• “As a parent, have I taught my children about God, His ways, and His Word?”

• “Am I passing on my faith?”

Deuteronomy 6:7 is a reminder to do just that. Teaching children to pray and to love and live by God’s Word is fundamental to their living a good life and foundational for their spiritual life and growth. Their moral compass is shaped as they learn to live according to the truths in the Bible, as well as by what they observe in your life. This is a crucial part of parenting and grandparenting and one we cannot overlook.

Scripture not only urges us to impress God’s commands on our children but also to discuss them frequently. This verse is very clear on that point. When you sit at home or walk along the road, talk about things related to God. When you lie your child down to sleep and wake them up in the morning, pray and discuss God things.

As a preschool teacher, one of my most cherished and honored moments was when a student raised his hand and asked me, “Mrs. Drury,

why do you talk about God so much?” My prayer for every home is that your children will want to know and come to understand why you all talk about God so often.

Talking about God helps your children understand who He is and demonstrates that He is a priority in your life and home. Opening God’s Word with your children shows how it is a valuable tool for learning how to live in a way that pleases Him. And bonus: the Bible stories are full of heroes who honored and trusted God. There is more action in the Bible than in any TV movie.

I think I know what you may be thinking. What in the world would we talk about? Following are five ideas to get you started on leaving a legacy of faith:

1. You can start with simple statements. On a walk: God made the trees, the flowers, and the birds in the sky, which He also created. Camping: God made the stars. Did you know the sun is a star? When God created everything, He placed it right in the middle of the solar system. A child tells a lie: Uh oh, let’s see what the Bible says about lying. Read Proverbs 12:22.

2. Start praying with your children at least once a day. Examples include before a mealtime, bedtime, or school. Increase this as much as possible. Add to it when a child is hurt or sick.

3. Begin reading the Bible with your children at bedtime.

4. Start incorporating weekly family devotions into your home. For ideas, scripts, and how-tos, visit my website at: https://roxannedrury.com/ family-devotions. Discount Code: 52WEEKSFAM

5. Make sure to find out what Bible lesson your child learned in church and talk about it or read the story at home.

I encourage you to start taking action now to become a Deuteronomy 6:7 parent or grandparent. You will be helping to shape the lives of your children and grandchildren, for now and in their future, by leaving a legacy of faith in your home. n

Roxanne Drury is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Christian preschool teacher who served the Lord in children’s ministry for over 45 years. She has written a group study guide on Psalm 23, as well as other books. She may be reached at glorylandbooks@gmail.com.

OPEN the tent fly

Let the Light into your heart

By Ryan Roberts

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” — Isaiah 9:2, NLT

When I was in my twenties I went on a three-day raft trip with my dad and a couple of other guys. We were on the Smith River, deep in the remote wilderness of Montana. The experience was amazing. On the first night of the trip, Dad and I set up our pup tent, laid out our sleeping bags and quickly fell asleep. We were exhausted from a full day of rowing, exploring and fun.

I tend to be a wild sleeper – prone to talking in my sleep, half-awake/ half-asleep moments, and occasional sleepwalking. I awoke in our pup tent in the dead of night, enveloped in complete blackness. We were in the wilderness, with no streetlights or artificial light – just mountains and darkness looming all around – and in my half-asleep state, I panicked.

I couldn’t see a thing, and I was scared. My dad tried to console me, gently saying, “It’s okay bud, I’m here with you. We’re just sleeping in a tent on our raft trip.” But in my half-asleep state, I couldn’t be calmed. Finally, my dad unzipped the tent fly and told me to look up. The stars were breathtaking – their light pierced the darkness and dispelled my fear. I came to my senses and peacefully went back to sleep.

Even kind words in the darkness couldn’t bring me peace. It took the light to dispel my fear. Fear and darkness are intertwined. Just as light dispels darkness, it also dispels fear. The moment I saw the light, my fear faded.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

Are you in the dark? Jesus is the light we need. Just as the stars pierced the darkness that night in the Montana wilderness, so does the light of Jesus pierce through the panic and fear in our lives. His light brings clarity in confusion, comfort in anxiety, and peace where there is worry. Darkness, panic, and fear are no match for the light of His love and presence.

Look to Jesus. Open the tent fly of your heart and let Him light up your life. n

Ryan Roberts serves as an associate pastor at Eagle Nazarene Church. He has also been a longtime public educator and ministry leader in the Treasure Valley.

Image by Kanenori from Pixabay

~Luke 2:10b-12 NIV