October 1, 2025

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

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The True

Already in Progress

“We now join the following program already in progress.”

If you are above a certain age (we’ll intentionally leave to the side a discussion about just how old is old enough), you are likely very familiar with this phrase. Those nine words—or something very close to them—were regularly used as a broadcasting bridge to transition from a concluding broadcast (often live) to an originally scheduled program. In the event the now-concluded broadcast had run long, the broadcast would jump to the midpoint of the next program in order to return to the original timing schedule. It sounds antiquated in our digital age, but if we could ask for a show of hands, I wager nearly all of you would attest to being able to hear those nine words playing in your head.

I was reminded of those nine words this week when I heard these lyrics:

I can’t wait for eternity

Join the song they’re already singing

Holy, holy, holy are You Lord

The song is Endless Praise by Charity Gayle and you can hear the full song here. But first, I want to invite you to consider the powerful Truth that the eternal praise of God is already in progress, and in fact awaits the moment when you and I will join in!

It is a stunning thing to consider, but it is hardly ambiguous or a subject of uncertainty. While the physical details of your transition and mine into eternity are admittedly somewhat veiled, and while eschatological debates have a way of dividing Jesus followers, we can have every confidence in the fact that the eternal praise of our God in the heavenlies is already happening! Consider the following passages that indicate the eternal is not something off in the future but rather a fixture of the here and now:

“Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand” (1 Pet. 3:21-22).

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk. 15:10).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:1).

Finally, consider the very words of Jesus on the cross to the sinner hanging next to Him: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43).

My friend, the eternal song that is yours to join is already in progress!

To be sure, you still have work to do on this side of joining it, but it is certainly not some far-off and abstract concept only to be realized in some future moment. Rather, the song is in full voice already and it anticipates your arrival and your joining in agreement!

How should this knowledge shape your reality today? I invite you to consider that perhaps your being should be buoyed by the realization that the heavenly soundtrack of your life’s purpose is already playing. The cast and the choir are in full crescendo, and perhaps that fact should animate everything from your demeanor to your gait to your attitude!

If the eternal song is already being sung, and if your spirit expresses an anticipation for the day you will join in, why not join now? Tune your ear to the heavens and lead a life that joins in the heavenly programming already in progress!

World

Twenty Points for Peace

Israel has agreed to yet another proposal to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The 20-point plan was produced by the White House and agreed to by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas is reviewing the proposal.

If Hamas agrees to the proposal and both sides move to execute its terms, the overall aim of the plan is to accomplish a “deradicalized terror-free zone” in Gaza, and the first step is an immediate end to the war, beginning with an Israeli withdraw and the release by Hamas of all remaining hostages. Humanitarian aid would then flow into Gaza and a “Board of Peace” chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump would oversee a temporary transitional government.

Analysis and eternal perspective: “Seek peace and pursue it.” That is your charge and mine out of Psalm 34:14. It encompasses so much, beginning with the internal personal peace offered through Jesus as a result of surrendering our lives and wills to Him. But taken in context with the rest of scripture, including the call in Matthew 5:9 to be peacemakers, we are absolutely meant to be agents of physical peace in our world, as well.

That, of course, does not automatically mean that every proposal to end conflict is just and worthy of embrace. True and lasting peace requires the protection of the innocent and the afflicted (Is. 1:17), and governing authorities have a duty to secure terms that make that protection possible (Rom. 13:3).

The Israeli government has determined the terms of this deal to be a satisfactory path forward, and the world waits to see if Hamas will arrive at the same conclusion. As we wait, we should continue to pray fervently for those still held hostage. May those who are weeping return with songs of joy (Ps. 126:6)!

U.S.

Comey Indicted

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on two counts by a grand jury in northern Virginia this week. Comey is charged with making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The grand jury declined to indict on a third charge also related to making a false statement to Congress.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Nobody is above the law and nobody is below the law. It has become a common refrain for The Equipped family, and it is certainly relevant for this story.

Former Director Comey should be held to the same standard of honest and forthright testimony to Congress as any other person. His stature as a prominent government official does not in any way diminish that requirement.

Director Comey should also be afforded the presumption of innocence and every right to mount a defense, just as any other accused. His political positions and views must not be used as the basis for either an investigation or a prosecution.

This is a prime example of a story that allows all of us to examine our motives, because Comey is accused of violating the very principles we just outlined above, and we must now apply that to his own prosecution proceedings. As you consider this story—both Comey’s prior actions and the charges now brought against him—intentionally lay down your partisan inclinations and instead put on the standard outlined above. It is a standard enshrined in American rule of law, but also one derived from biblical principles.

Proverbs 18:17 reminds us to fairly consider both sides of a case, and Deuteronomy 25:15 tell us to treat people equally by using “accurate and honest weights and measures.”

My friend, we live in an age where quite literally any perspective we choose can be “supported” by “information.” It is critical you and I choose to stand on the unchanging principles of God’s Word and allow them to both refine us personally and also be applied equally to those of all political persuasions.

U.S.

Grand Blanc Attack

Five people, including the assailant, are dead and at least eight others injured after a gunman plowed his truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Sunday. The driver then set the church on fire and began shooting, killing four. Investigators are working to determine a motive.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Brokenness is so very evident in our world. Each and every week, there are vivid examples of this brokenness, and it can be difficult to determine both how much attention to devote to stories like this one and how to best respond to them.

As always, we turn to eternal Truth for those answers:

In a world reeling from an unending string of violence and a perpetual invitation to fear and division, you are called to be an ambassador for Jesus (2 Cor. 5:20), who is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6).

There is cause for fear, hatred, and even vengeance. But you serve the God of the universe, who has claimed vengeance as His own (Rom. 12:19) and gifted you with power, love, and a sound mind in the very place you would otherwise have fear (2 Tim. 1:7).

So pray for and grieve with those who are hurting and grieving in Grand Blanc. As you do so, resist the urge to be anxious or fearful. The brokenness of our world is in plain view, and we can be assured it will continue to be present. You can be equally assured of a peace that passes all understanding when your mind is stayed on Jesus (Philip. 4:7).

The Beautiful

The Balm of Surrender

There is precious little as beautiful as a surrendered soul. The result is an internal tenderness that is impossible to contain. It spills over and out from the surrendered vessel and pours over those fortunate enough to be in its vicinity. This is true because surrender occurs not in a place where all has been set right, but where the wounded one finds assurance that all will be made right (Rom. 8:28)!

He emptied my hands of my treasured store,

And His covenant love revealed,

There was not a wound in my aching heart,

The balm of His breath has not healed.

Oh, tender and true was His discipline sore,

In wisdom, that taught and tried,

Till the soul that He sought was trusting in Him,

And nothing on earth beside.

- Author unknown, excerpt from Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman