October 22, 2025

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

Note: The U.S. government shutdown continues. Let’s together as The Equipped family continue to be the tangible hands and feet of Jesus to those most impacted by this disruption.

The True

But for a Moment

“Sin survives in this ark, and in my heart.”

Last week, our family engaged in what is becoming a tradition when we traveled to see Sight & Sound’s production of Noah. It was a terrific show! If you have a chance to take in one of their shows, it will be well worth your time, as they do a wonderful job of storytelling and communicating biblical truths.

There were several moments during the retelling of the very familiar story I was struck by the surprising parallels of Noah’s story to yours and mine, including:

- Noah’s need for obedience even when he was short on understanding

- The critical importance of family-instilled values in a world gone astray

- God’s radical mercy showed to Noah and his family

But it was that line—“Sin survives in this ark, and in my heart”—that has most remained with me in the days since.

It is a truth God acknowledged when he responded to Noah’s offering immediately after the flood receded: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood” (Gen. 8:21).

God had gone to great lengths to rid the earth of the brazen evil that had run rampant. He sent a flood to destroy all but just a few select remnant in Noah’s family. All but those who were aboard the ark were destroyed because of their wicked ways.

And yet, sin survived. How? Within the human hearts aboard the ark. Sin survived because every earthly human being harbors an evil inclination in our hearts. We are born into sin, and we pass that dark tendency on to each new generation.

It is sobering in a very real way, but it would be inappropriate to not follow this realization closely with the wondrous reality that God’s mercy completely overwhelms that inclination of your human heart.

Sin may have a temporary foothold in your human heart, but your God made sure that hold is but for a moment. He loves you so deeply that He made a way for the power of that sin in your heart to be completely conquered!

There is a moment in the production when Noah’s sons ask how the sin in their heart will be conquered. I have to believe this was a very real conversation, because the very same chapter in which God makes a post-flood covenant with Noah reveals how Noah and his family were immediately pulled back into sin. It is so pervasive, and Noah’s family must have grappled with how they would possibly overcome the curse of sin.

Oh, but Jesus!

You have the amazing blessing of living after the revelation of the way God made for overcoming sin. You live with the knowledge of the Son of God who came to Earth, lived a perfect life, took on and died for your sins, and paved the way for you to escape the sin that survives in your heart!

So this week, when you face the inescapable truth that sin is once again rising up in your heart, respond with the deep assurance that sin’s jurisdiction in your heart and life is only temporary! Noah may have had to grapple with how his sin would be overcome, but you do not! You know that your sin has already been conquered by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)!

U.S.

An Indictment and a Pardon

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had a busy week, including issuing an indictment of former national security advisor John Bolton and commuting the sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos.

The Bolton indictment includes eight counts of transmission of national defense information and 10 counts of retention of national defense information. The charges stem from allegations that Bolton inappropriately stored and shared classified information in the form of diary entries on and from his personal computer. Bolton has pleaded not guilty.

The Santos commutation frees the former representative from the final 84 months (out of 87) of his prison term, as well as the obligation to pay approximately $370,000 in fines and restitution. Santos previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after lying on financial reports and fabricating significant portions of his personal biography. Santos apologized during an interview after his release.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It is a recurring theme here at The Equipped: Nobody should be above or below the law. It is a biblical principle (See Pr. 18:17 and Deut. 1:17, pasted below), and the thrust of it was endorsed by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi in the announcement of the Bolton indictment when she said: “There is one tier of justice for all Americans . . . Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law.”

Of course, it is one thing to express this principle, and another to operate by it. The DOJ has an enormous amount of responsibility—perhaps second only to the President of the United States—to ensure both sides of this equation are honored. These two stories are sure to create a whirlwind of competing opinions about whether they represent an administration or a miscarriage of justice.

As a Jesus follower, it will be difficult but important to lay aside your partisan persuasion—in either direction—and consider each of these actions on their merits. Both the indictment and the commutation are linked above, and it would be wise to read them for yourself before rendering judgment on them.

Nobody should be above the law. Nobody should be below the law.

“In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines” (Pr. 18:17).

“Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike” (Deut. 1:17).

World

A Title No More

Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Andrew is relinquishing all remaining royal titles, including that of Duke of York. The voluntary act, which is a step short of being formally stripped of the titles by the parliament, comes after additional revelations that Prince Andrew’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was more extensive than previously admitted. Epstein died in jail in 2019, but the fallout from his nefarious activities continue, including the 2022 conviction of his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison term.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It is one of the most tawdry and controversial stories of our day, and it continues to produce sub-stories and additional revelation of victimization. This most recent development involving Prince Andrew will generate disproportionate attention because of the significance of the Royal Family. As in our previous story, it is certainly appropriate that all responsible for the atrocities committed in this decades-long case be brought to justice.

However, you and I should not lose sight of the sometimes-overlooked aspect of justice, which is the restoration of the victims. God’s Word repeatedly reminds us to defend the cause of the oppressed (Is. 1:17, Ps. 82:3-4), of which there are many in this situation.

While it is difficult to know exactly how to carry out this command in a story like this one, you should start by being in fervent prayer for those who were harmed. Pray for their continued healing and restoration, and that they would be drawn into the comfort of a relationship with their Creator. Commit also to holding fast to the truth that all responsible for these evil acts should be held accountable.

Sports

World Series Set

Baseball’s World Series is set after the Toronto Blue Jay’s completed a dramatic late-game comeback to defeat the Seattle Mariners in the deciding Game Seven of the American League Championship Series. The Blue Jay’s advance to face the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who swept the Milwaukee Brewers in four games to earn the National League pennant.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Baseball is known as America’s national pastime, and it certainly holds a special place in this author’s heart (even after my Chicago Cubs were painfully eliminated one game away from the National League Championship Series). In the heat of the moment, it feels to baseball fans as though a tremendous amount is riding on every game, and even every pitch. After all, one significant homerun was the difference that carried the Blue Jays to the World Series rather than the Mariners.

But of course, as a follower of Jesus, you know that even the most significant moments of earthly gain or loss fade into nothing in light of eternity. Both the most significant temporal accomplishments and the most devastating failures will be meaningless against the majesty of eternity with your God.

So as you enjoy the World Series—or maybe you’ve already turned your recreational attention to football or some other hobby—remember to constantly keep before you the eternal joy that is yours in heaven!

“[L]et us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

The Beautiful

Beauty Matters

Our intentional focus on beauty is not simply because it is enjoyable. It is quite specifically because we have been instructed to notice and call out the beautiful things of God (Philip. 4:8) and because beauty is often the very thing that restores in times of brokenness (Is. 61:3).

The current fall season provides an abundance of beauty wrapped in the form of nature’s seasonal life cycles. They are here for a brief period, then replaced with other forms of beauty.

But in every season (both literally and figuratively), beauty is all around you! When trial or struggle strikes, look around! There will be beauty to behold! Your daily walk and even your commute to work contain beauty if you will look for it! And look for it, you should! Because beauty matters!