I am what I am

Hector M. Earle The pursuit of happiness has been a quest for humanity since the dawn of time. Many people chase after material wealth, convinced that the latest gadgets, luxurious cars, and grand houses will fill the void within. Social media often becomes a stage for sought-after moments of joy, with the hope that likes and comments will validate their happiness. Yet, behind the screens, many…

Photo by Roger Nettles There is a new popular trend toward what people call “manifesting” one’s future. The idea itself isn’t new, but its popularity is. When people use the term manifesting, they believe they are bringing something they really want into reality. I have heard it said on television shows, during interviews, and even on game shows. You hear the term more and more often. According…

During a recent gathering, a discussion ensued regarding 1 Corinthians 15:33. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals'”. The concern about bad company is that when we hang around with those who practice evil, look for trouble, or regularly use foul language, we tend to follow suit. When we are young, we naturally pick up the habits and phrases used by our family and community. We…

by Hector M. Earle “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) For me, this verse stands as one of the most profound and comforting declarations in all of Scripture.It…

By Hector M. Earle photo by Daniel von Appen There are moments in life when words fall silent. When the ache is deeper than breath. When the world feels unbearably still and cold. I found myself in such a moment last spring, standing at my daughter’s grave. No parent is ever prepared for that type of sorrow. That day, the ground was soft beneath my feet, but my heart felt like it was breaking…

By Hector Earle We live by our calendars. Dentist visits, work meetings, church events, social gatherings, and school pickups are all penciled in and prioritized. However, there’s one appointment that often slips through the cracks, yet it matters more than all the rest combined: our daily appointment with God. The Christian life isn’t built on the Sabbath alone; it’s shaped in the quiet, daily…

by Robert Berendt One of the most interesting books of the Bible is the book of Job. There are many lessons to be learned from this account of one man’s encounter with Satan. God had allowed adversity to strike with such ferocity that his family and friends were also involved (Job 42:11). Very little is said about Job’s wife and family, so when we strive to understand more of this account, we…

                                                  by Robert Berendt Chambers’ Concise Dictionary defines birthright as something to which a person is entitled due to their birth. Birthright can include an inheritance, and usually, parents leave all their children an equal share of whatever they have gathered in life. Parents give a slightly different birthright when more than one child is…