February 4, 2026

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

This week’s issue of The Equipped is abbreviated—no news, just The True and The Beautiful. The reason for this one-week change is my bride and I are celebrating twenty years of marriage! Thank you for affording us some margin to reflect on God’s goodness, thank you for being part of The Equipped family, and thank you for aiming your life toward the True and beautiful aim of God’s glory! -Thann

(Note: This week’s The True lives permanently on our “Why read The Equipped?” page. We use it as a mooring anchor for our work, and we encourage you to use it similarly. The stressors of our times have a tendency to cause unintentional mission drift. By regularly revisiting an unmoving articulation of what it is you are aiming for, you can be aided in regular and careful recalibrations toward your loving heavenly Father.)

The True

All is lost . . . or is it?

There is an ever-growing tension for followers of Jesus in our world today.

Maybe you are among those who feel that all is lost in both culture and government, and are ready to walk away. On the other hand, maybe you feel the only option is more control over culture and government in order to stave off disaster. Each of these conclusions is understandable, but each falls short of the biblical call issued to followers of Jesus Christ. We are well served to remember that culture is always going to look different than our chosen lifestyle of embracing the cross of Jesus Christ, and that a decision to model our lives after the Gospel will set us apart as peculiar from those around us (1 Pet. 2:9). Even so, God’s very purpose for sending us to this place and time is to serve as His physical representatives—His ambassadors—to those around us. (2 Cor. 5:16-21)

We must engage with culture in order to invite those in it to choose an embrace of the call to follow Jesus. However, this does not make culture our highest call. In fact, we engage with culture as an appeal to those who are hostile to our beliefs rather than with an aim at conquest or cultural control. We are in the world, but not of it (Jn. 17:6-19). When culture conflicts with our Gospel call, we have too often convinced ourselves that we are called to righteous anger. While there are certainly causes for which we should rally a passionate defense, we, like Jesus, should lead lives primarily marked by, and overwhelmingly tilted toward, service. The cross, the foot-washing basin, and the servant’s towel come to mind as images that embody how Jesus engaged with those around Him—and therefore how we should engage with those around us.

You are invited to regularly read The Equipped to:

Be aware of the times – If we are intentional ambassadors of Jesus, we need to understand the times. (Rom. 13:11-14) The Equipped will aim to provide you accurate information that is free of undue narrative or agenda, even—and maybe especially—when that information does not fit neatly into any particular political agenda or narrative. We will strive to remain faithful to only one narrative--Jesus came to seek, save, and serve the lost (Lk. 19:10, Mk. 10:42-45), and we are commissioned to do the same. (2 Cor. 5:16-21)

Be equipped rather than consume – We were made to serve, be caretakers, and live generously, not to simply consume. (1 Cor. 4:1, Jn. 13:1-17, Gen. 1:26-30, Luke 6:38) Very few of us consume too little information. If The Equipped will serve as just one more intake of news and information, we respectfully acknowledge you would be better off not reading it. The Equipped is designed to help you shift the way you take in news and information, with an aim at reducing your volume of consumption while increasing your capacity to engage in service-oriented action.

View all things through a lens of the eternal – We are to set our minds on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise. (Philip. 4:8) At The Equipped, we describe these things as, “the True and the beautiful.” When we view the fallen world around us through this lens, it enables us to spurn fear and instead lead lives marked by power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) A far cry from minimizing our impact on culture and society, this approach will revolutionize and radically expand our ability to impact others for the Gospel.

We at The Equipped are nowhere close to having all the answers. We are on this journey right alongside you, and there are plenty of situations (maybe even a majority of them) that feel overwhelming to us. But we are committed to serving you as we together seek to be more like Jesus. Our prayer is that this publication will leave you better equipped to make Him famous as you engage with the world.

The Beautiful

Top Five

It is five for the price of one this week in The Beautiful! We are reaching deep into our archives to find our top five favorite images. The common theme is beauty, but it comes in many different forms. Enjoy this look back!

Untouchable

Perspective is a beautiful thing! This week in The True, we considered the blessing of finding refuge amid a threatening world. That refuge is possible because the world that seems so large to us is nothing in God’s expanse. Even the smallest and weakest among us is untouchable if we nestle under the proper covering!

Sweet Delight

It would be enough to be saved by a merciful God. But you are DELIGHTED in by a relational God! May this reality add sweetness to your life and spirit this week!

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17)

Fruit or Gold?

What is truly beautiful in your life? I imagine the answers jump immediately to your mind.

Now for a harder one: Where do those beautiful things rank in your list of priorities, especially as it pertains to the way you spend your time?

Your time is limited. Spend it on the beautiful! The result will be far better than earthly gain!

“My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver” (Pr. 8:19).

Snow

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Is. 55:10-11).

The beauty in God’s Word, as in His gifts in nature, is in so much more than just what meets the eye. It is also in the blessings that remain long after the physical presence of His Word can be seen and felt!

The Mystery of God

The unknown is where the mystery of God abides. So gather that adventuring spirit of your youth, pull together a friend or two (maybe even a chicken and a cat) and make your way into the mist! Beauty and wonder await!