April 22, 2026

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

Reader discretion advised! There are difficult concepts in this week's edition; Please use discretion and discernment in sharing with children.

The True

Awe

“I stand in awe” (Hab. 3:2).

There is an emerging body of science that points to awe as a particularly critical and powerful emotion with all manner of benefits. The research has roots in a 2003 paper authored by Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt but has been supported by dozens of scientists and researchers in the more than two decades since. In short, the research suggests that human beings benefit from being awed by something vast or magnificent because it causes us to cognitively set aside self-interest in order to take on new information that was previously outside our mode of thinking.

For example, when you stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon or when the crew of the Artemis II recently took in the view of Earth from space, it creates a sense of awe. It temporarily allows you to escape the bonds of your smallness in exchange for greater awareness of the vastness of God and His creation!

Here’s what I love about this: The research is relatively new, but it is simply affirming what the Old Testament has been telling us for millennia!

Many of you know this, but my favorite scriptural example of awe is in Habakkuk 3:2. Habakkuk is an irreverent prophet, and he’s been in this back-and-forth verbal and mental tussle with God because he can’t get over his frustration with the state of the world. All Habakkuk can see is the despondency of his own situation, and it takes God’s repeated insistence to shake Habakkuk out of that self-centered place and to the one of engagement for which God had designed Habakkuk.

When Habakkuk finally relents, note what it is that triggers his change in posture: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Habakkuk was gobsmacked (let’s consider that a technical term) by God’s works. He was jarred out of his despondency and self-focus by the realization he had encountered a huge God with a vast array of mighty deeds and a sweeping fame.

In short, Habakkuk was in awe, and because of that awe he was able to shift his prayer from one of despondency to one of invitation and participation. Habakkuk’s awe is what moved him into position to carry the power of the almighty God.

Are you in awe today? If you find yourself struggling to understand the world around you or overwhelmed by its demands of you, it is likely you need an encounter with something that will remind you this temporary home is so very small compared to the transcendent God.

You need a fresh dose of awe!

Good news: Your God specializes in wondrous acts of awe (Ps. 40:5, 72:18, 77:14; Job 5:9)! Tell Him you have heard of them and are in awe. Ask Him to awe you again. Then simply stand in wonder!

U.S.

Shreveport Shooting

Eight children ranging in age from 3 to 11 are dead after being shot in Shreveport, Louisiana by a 31-year-old man who was father to seven of the children. Two women—the suspect’s wife and girlfriend—were also shot but survived. The suspect was pursued by law enforcement and eventually shot and killed, as well. An investigation is ongoing, but authorities say the shootings were a “domestic incident.”

Analysis and eternal perspective: This is one of the more difficult stories to read and consider. To be frank, it is stories like this one combined with the body of research that suggests our brains were created for small tight-knit communities that cause me to conclude that each of us should be carefully monitoring—and restricting—the amount of “news” we consume.

The reality is that extremely difficult news has long been happening on a daily basis. But only recently have you been able to be aware of nearly all of it nearly instantly. The result is not only a deluge of heavy stimuli to your brain but also an entire industry that profits from searching out the very worst stories to keep you engaged and coming back for more. It is a recipe for disaster and there is a better way for you as a Jesus follower.

Choose the true.

Choose the noble.

Choose the beautiful.

These encouragements from Philippians 4:8 are a reminder that you are responsible for your focus. When a story like this makes its way into your awareness, you should absolutely hit your knees and pray. God, pour out your mercy and healing on this hurting family and community. Surround them with your unfailing love!

You should also pay close attention to what is local to you. If you are in the Shreveport community, you should search out ways to support your neighbors in their time of need.

If you are not from Shreveport, there still may be ways to help, but even more crucial, let this be a reminder to be aware of those living right around you. Although you have access to stories from every corner of the globe, don’t be overwhelmed and distracted from the ones playing out on your street.

As you pray for the hurting in Shreveport, commit anew to the daily renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2) and make intentional decisions about the portfolio of news you consume. These proactive measures will help you heed both the greatest commandment to love God with everything you have and the second greatest commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39).

U.S.

Senseless Act

Justin Fairfax, former Lt. Gov. of Virginia, and his wife are dead at his hands after an apparent murder-suicide last Thursday. The couple had been in divorce proceedings and Fairfax had recently been ordered to move out of their shared home. The violence occurred with their two teenage children at home, both of whom were unharmed.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It is our second intensely difficult story in a row. Much like the first, most of us will not be in a position to do more for this hurting family than pray (though, if any of you are local, prayerfully consider how you can comfort the grieving). In fact, it is tempting to turn away from this story altogether. Ultimately, I’m including it for our collective consideration largely due to how a similar story shapes my own life.

In chapter seven of my book, My Fame, His Fame, I write about a similar act of senseless violence that ravaged our family two generations ago. On February 26, 1962, my then-eight-year-old dad lost his mom and stepdad in a similar chain of events. There is no sugarcoating the magnitude of the pain those events caused.

But my friend, tragedy and pain are not the end of the story! You serve a God who comes to the rescue of the hurting, who pulls beauty from ashes, and who wipes away generational pain.

I do not know what tragedies are part of your story. But I do know there are some. It is the reality of our existence in these temporary bodies. But no matter the details, God has a plan that is greater than the circumstances in which you find yourself. The enemy of your soul came to “steal and kill and destroy,” but your God came to give you life “to the full” (Jn. 10:10)!

Your story has tragedy in it. But your story is wrapped up in His story, and the end of it has been written. You will cry no more (Rev. 21:4), and you will reign with Him forever (2 Tim. 2:12)!

World

Ship Seized

The U.S. has seized an Iranian ship as the back-and-forth struggle over control of the Strait of Hormuz continues. It is the first ship that has been commandeered since the U.S. blockade of the Strait began last week, though there have been numerous (and competing and conflicting) assertions about the status of the Strait and the ability for shipping vessels to traverse it. While peace talks are ongoing, this seizure signals the fragile nature of the current ceasefire.

Analysis and eternal perspective: War is ugly. That statement is not a throw-away opener. It is the reality of war, and this story is a reminder that the path to peace is rarely a straight one. As you continue to pray for those in harm’s way, and for those making wartime decisions, guard your own heart against despair when setbacks to peace occur.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is incredibly complex with numerous moving parts. This week also produced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it is highly likely that subsequent weeks will also have multiple occurrences with a mix between those that bring peace closer and those that push it further away.

Through it all, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12:2)! He is preparing you a place where war is no more, and where the wolf and the lamb live together (Is. 11:6; 65:25)!

The Beautiful

Surrounded by Goodness

This week’s news bundle produces a need for beauty and a bit of humor. Brooke provides both in this image that includes her signature touch of something that is just a bit out of place. Do you see it?

Be honest: Have you ever felt like the frog in the picture—surrounding by giant obstacles and sticky situations? I sure have! But have you considered that perhaps you are simply surrounded by God’s goodness? Perhaps He has provided abundance for you in the form of beauty and just plain ol’ goodness!

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6).