March 25, 2026

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

The True

Let's Just Skip This One

Rebuking. It is next on our list from 2 Tim. 3:16-17 of things Scripture is useful for, but if you are like me it is tempting to skip over this one.

Who wants to be rebuked? Who wants to be told they are wrong and to stand down? Who wants to submit to “sharp disapproval or criticism because of [our] behavior or actions” (the dictionary definition of ‘rebuke’)? The answer is nobody! None of us likes to be rebuked, and yet, here it is as one of the four things scripture is “useful” for in order that you might be “thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

When our youngest daughter, Hope, was very small, Brooke would often take the kids hiking on local nature trails. Most times, these were excursions in familiar settings, but one day they found themselves on an unfamiliar trail and Brooke realized with alarm that little Hope was happily running toward a steep drop-off. If Hope didn’t stop immediately, she would be significantly harmed.

Brooke had time for a one-word command: “Hope, STOP!”

It was a stern rebuke without an explanation. There was no time to explain why, or for Hope to protest that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. There was not time for understanding or explaining, but simply a rebuke of her seemingly-innocent action and direction and an order to immediately stop.

Fortunately, Hope’s training and her trust in her mama caused her to stop immediately, just a few feet from the edge. Her instant obedience was not about understanding the danger but instead wholly rooted in her submission to her mother’s rebuke. She knew as a matter of training that if mom said to stop, she should stop, full stop!

I have a confession, and I wonder if you are in a similar boat:

When God rebukes me, my human nature wants to quickly check my surroundings to see if that rebuke is really warranted. I want to just double-check to see if God is overreacting. I want to trust but verify, because if God is overreacting, I’d really rather not receive the rebuke.

Here’s the kicker: My fleshly reaction is often not even about whether to stop; it’s about being offended by the idea of yielding to rebuke.

I do not like to be rebuked. I never have (you can ask my mother) and I probably never will (you can ask my wife). But I desperately need to be rebuked! Why? Because sometimes I am running headlong toward the cliff!

Here’s that hard-but-ultimately-comforting truth: You need to be rebuked too. But not just by anyone. Our passage says it is scripture that is useful for rebuking. This is not about self-loathing or false humility or withering under the negative talk of those around you. It is about trusting that your loving heavenly Father has sent His Word for the express purpose of preventing you from hurtling into harm’s way.

Ask yourself today: Does my training and my trust in the Father override my discomfort with rebuke?

My friend, it is critical the answer be ‘yes.’ It is critical that the Word of God be the primary authority in your life, because sometimes you are running with abandon toward the edge. Sometimes there is no time for explanations or understanding. Sometimes it is simply a one-word rebuke: “STOP!”

It is so very ‘useful’ if you have pre-determined to immediately yield to the rebuke of scripture. It is the difference between security with your Father and hurtling over the edge.

Don’t skip this one. God’s Word is useful for rebuking.

U.S.

Press at the Pentagon

A spat between the Pentagon and several media outlets that cover defense-related news is escalating this week after a federal judge ruled the Pentagon had overstepped when it set new limitations on the media’s access to the facility. The ruling requires the Pentagon to reinstate several press credentials that were previously revoked. The Department of War is expected to appeal the ruling and, in the meantime, has closed the Pentagon’s media offices and indicated they will be relocated to an annex outside the main building.

Analysis and eternal perspective: This story highlights the natural tension between two revered governing principles: 1) The assurance of a free press as guaranteed by the First Amendment, and 2) The need to protect national security information. These two legitimate needs are nearly always in tension and more than occasionally clash directly, as in this story.

From a governing perspective, the most important question to consider is whether the actions of both sides demonstrate a commitment to both of these ideals. Is the Department of War securing sensitive information or are they seeking favorable media coverage? Are the journalists covering the Pentagon reporting the news or advancing a narrative?

These are difficult questions to pull apart, particularly given that most coverage of the story (including the news link above) is written by an outlet involved in the story (either one that has submitted to the new restrictions or one challenging them). But as Jesus followers, we should endeavor to apply the now-familiar-to-us standard of Proverbs 18:17: “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.”

Lay aside your natural inclinations for a moment and consider the following two core assertions:

1) The Department of War has a duty to protect national security information, especially in a time where U.S. service members are in a conflict zone.

2) A free press requires direct access to information and decision makers, and must not be controlled by the decision makers holding the information.

It is highly likely one of those two assertions made you uncomfortable (your default perspective determines which one). The reality is that both principles are critically important, but neither can stand on its own. Both must be tempered by the other. Failure to achieve this balanced tension renders each useless at best, and destructive at worst.

Neither side will want to give the other an advantage by ceding legitimacy to its premise. But you as a Jesus follower can stay level-headed by acknowledging there are legitimate and competing priorities involved.

U.S.

Tarmac Tragedy

Both pilots of a passenger plane that collided with a firetruck at LaGuardia Airport over the weekend are dead, and many of the crew and passengers are injured. The accident happened shortly before midnight Sunday and just after the plane had touched down. A fire truck responding to the needs of another plane failed to yield to the landing plane and was struck at a high speed. The nose of the plane was decimated but most of the passenger compartment remained intact. A flight attendant who was ejected from the plane survived, as did all the passengers. The official investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Analysis and eternal perspective: We begin, as is our habit, by praying for those who have suffered loss. “Father, we pray you would wrap your arms of love and comfort around the families of these two pilots. May your presence sustain them, and may they draw near to you in a real and lasting way.”

Next, this story reminds us that life is but a vapor, here in one moment and gone in the next (Jam. 4:14). The impact of this reality depends on the posture of your spirit. If you are clinging to the flesh of your physical being, it will cause you great fear and trepidation. But if you are secure in the promise of eternity, it should actually be quite liberating because you know your eternity is secure and your days on Earth are numbered and purposed by the One who guards and protects you (Ps. 139:16).

So as you pray for those who are grieving, take honest stock of your posture regarding the fragility of your own human life. If that reality gives you a spirit of fear, it is time to humbly ask your heavenly Father to intervene and replace that fear with His promises of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

My friend, you don’t have to live in fear. You should not live in fear. Fear is a tactic of the enemy, and he has no power over you. Your security is rooted in that which is beyond his reach.

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Ps. 139:16).

U.S.

Mr. Secretary

Former U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) is now Secretary Markwayne Mullin after being confirmed by a vote of 54-45 to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Mullin was nominated to replace Secretary Kristi Noem and his conformation comes amid an ongoing shutdown of the department that is causing many employees to work without pay. This includes TSA officials and is resulting in long security lines at airports across the country. The White House, Congress, and now Secretary Mullin are tasked with negotiating a funding deal to reopen the department.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Secretary Mullin’s confirmation process was heated, in large part because of a personal dispute he has with Sen. Rand Paul (KY), who chairs the committee overseeing Mullin’s consideration. Sen. Paul was the lone Republican to vote against Mullin, while Democrat Senators Martin Heinrich (NM) and John Fetterman (PA) voted for him.

Regardless of your feelings about the Secretary or Senators from either party, you are now tasked with praying they would govern wisely and with humility (1 Tim. 2:1-2; Rom. 13:1-7; Pr. 8:15-16).

This story is also an opportunity to consider how to better love your neighbor. The spat between Sec. Mullin and Sen. Paul stems from a confrontation Sen. Paul had with his neighbor, which is yet another reminder that we humans are naturally inclined toward conflict with those around us. How can you live counter to that inclination this week? How can you show love to those in your immediate vicinity, even in the face of disagreement? It is what the clear command of Jesus requires:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mk. 12:30-31).

The Beautiful

The Same but Different

You are fearfully and wonderfully designed (Ps. 139:14)! You are the same as your neighbor in that you are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27), but you have your own unique slant on that image! God put that special finishing touch on you in order to set you apart!

Similarly, God has given you a unique view of His character. His Truth is unchanging, but He has given you eyes for a unique vision of Him because He desires your relationship (Is. 43:21).

What a beautiful gift to be the same but different!