faith

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #315

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Introduction: A couple of years ago, I made the mistake of watching all of a series on a streaming platform titled House of Cards. I write that it was a mistake because it messed with me spiritually. The themes in that show were so dark, so vile, that I literally felt sick to my stomach when viewing more than a few episodes. The acting was superb; the cinematography was top-notch; the storylines were riveting; all of that is accurate. But something happened inside my spirit and in my guts because of watching that show. I felt like I’d seen inside the belly of the beast. I felt like I’d seen behind the black curtains into the very bowels of hell and its denizens. I still think about that show, and what it portrayed about the lengths to which some evil people will go to get and maintain power. It sickened me then and it sickens me now. For some, their god is their belly, their appetites. In short, they are their own gods (Phil. 3:19).

Connection to Scripture: In Luke 11, Jesus was teaching about the Devil and unclean spirits. Listen to the words of Christ: “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first” (Lk 11:24-26, ESV).

What’s going on here? In short, Satan is persistent; he hates the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He hates God. He hates God’s people, Christians. So, when the powers of hell are confronted, they must be vanquished entirely. They must be defeated. Fully. God’s light must vanquish the darkness. The spiritual lights must be turned on like a switch for the dark deeds to be exposed. That’s why House of Cards troubled me so deeply; darkness prevailed there. That’s why there was always a spirit of suspicion, narcissism, and jockeying for power. No one loved anyone but himself/herself.

Jesus says in John 3:19 (ESV), “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”

Takeaway: Still now, years later, that show haunts me. Why? Because I so long for light and truth and beauty to prevail. I’m hard-wired to root for the righteous. I believe in truth, in the good, and the beautiful. But those categories only make sense because they are rooted in the God who is. Lord, may You be pleased to vanquish the darkness, shine the light of Your holiness on the myriad houses of cards using spiritual forces of darkness to blind the minds of countless souls. Bring glory to Yourself by exposing sin and exalting righteousness.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #314: The Good Portion

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Intro: The works wheel. That’s what I call it. It’s the tendency that many folks have to think that they can work their way into God’s favor via their own labor and/or merits. But what the Lord desires is obedience to His revealed will.

It’s an easy trap to fall into, let us admit that. I cannot speak for others, but I was raised to work hard. As a boy, I was taught discipline and the value of labor. It started off with simple tasks appropriate to my age, and now that I’m much older, those lessons have followed me. I have a deep distaste for laziness. Biblically, we were designed to labor, not to coast. So, it is easy for me to get on the works wheel and think that I’m somehow pleasing God. It can be a sneaky spiritual virtue signal, if you will, where one points to himself/herself and says, “See what all I’ve done, Lord? See all my efforts?”

There is a short episode in Luke 10 of Martha and Mary that demonstrates what I’m exploring. Here’s the text:

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10:38-42, ESV)

Teaching: Did you catch Jesus’ rebuke? Wasn’t it unexpected? Martha was busy, busy, busy. Martha was a worker. She was getting after it. You’d think she’d be the one commended by the Lord Jesus, right? But the Lord rebuked Martha because she was “anxious and troubled about many things.” Martha’s sister, Mary, was the one to receive the commendation. Why? She was seated at the feet of the Lord Jesus. She was looking to Christ; Martha, on the other hand, had been looking at Martha, and at her own works.

Have you ever worked yourself to a frazzle for folks who didn’t appreciate it? Have you ever labored for what seemed like ungrateful people? Have you ever been a Martha, and the Lord had to teach you to trust Him rather than your own works? I cannot speak for others, but I certainly have that tendency. And it’s painful to learn (and re-learn) that we cannot make others see; we cannot make others care; we cannot work ourselves or anyone else into a state of grace. We are simply recipients of grace that comes from the hand of Christ. Mary sat at the feet of God, and she was commended. Martha was working herself into a state of anxiety and was rebuked. May God be pleased to rebuke us to alert us to the truth that He’s the source of any Godly change, not anything that we do or manufacture.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #313: The Root of Righteousness

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Introduction: What does this level of violence reveal about a people? Like many others, I am aghast at the assassination (on video) of Charlie Kirk. He was a model of open debate. He traveled to colleges and universities, supposedly institutions grounded in the free and open exchange of ideas, and welcomed Q & A times with students and faculty. He made a huge cultural impact. The POTUS is even to bestow the nation’s highest honor upon Charlie soon. It’s a posthumous award, of course, but it speaks to Charlie’s testimony as a Christian, husband, dad, and kind warrior for open debate. But I again ask the question: What does this level of violence reveal about a people?

Just weeks ago, a ‘trans’-identifying person (Hale), murdered three children, three adults, and injured scores more at the Covenant School in Nashville, TN. And on 27 August 2025, Robert Westman, another ‘trans’-identifying person, murdered two children and injured twenty-one adults at Annunciation Catholic School, a Roman Catholic school in Minneapolis, MN. And this week, Charlie Kirk bled out on camera for all to see. It was horrifying to watch. He bled out because it appears he was shot by a young man whose shell casings are stamped with Leftist slogans. There’s even video of people cheering the public assassination of Kirk. Regardless of one’s politics, that ought to break our hearts, that folks can be that cold-hearted and blinded by ideology. But Charlie’s legacy will endure because he was an open book. He, contrary to his haters, welcomed open dialogue and debate. In fact, a theme that recurred through his ministry was that if we stop talking to one another, violence is next. And he was proven, yet again, to be correct. He has now been made a cultural martyr for conservatism and open debate and dialogue.

Scripture: Solomon wrote “No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved” (Pr 12:3, ESV). Charlie has been murdered by one, it appears for now, anyway, to be yet another bitter Leftist bent upon destruction. I’m sure he’ll be caught soon. But we’ll see how it all plays out. What is clear, however, is that Charlie was right: if and when courteous dialogue and rigorous honest debate are squashed, violence is creeping at the door.

Encouragement: The “root of the righteous will never be moved,” however, just as Scripture teaches. You can murder truth and truth-tellers, but both abideth still.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #311: The Alternatives (Lessons from Daniel)

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Introduction: Daniel is one of the most debated books when it comes to its prophetic sections. There are some cryptic passages about which there’s no paucity of debate. But what is clear in the section I want to look at in this piece is Daniel 11:32-35. These four verses speak to a vital issue, namely, the alternatives facing a people. Follow me …

Text:

32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 33 And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. 34 When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, 35 and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. (Dan 11:32-35, ESV)

Most scholars with which I’m familiar teach that the man referred to here is Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the 160s B.C. and the Maccabean revolt that resulted due to Antiochus’ destruction and profanation of the temple in Jerusalem.

First, what interests me here is how “the wise among the people” (v. 33) behaved. What does the text say about them? It says they “knew their God” and that they “[stood] firm” and “[took] action” (v. 32).

Second, the wise helped others understand because destruction was afoot (v. 33).

Third, a winnowing occurred as part of judgment (vv. 34-35). In other words, purification.

God was refining His people. He was separating wheat from chaff. He was using suffering to purify His people. He was teaching them.

Encouragement: The alternative was made plain, in other words. God’s people could either bow to the pagan forces and capitulate or they could stand firm in the Lord, and fight for truth and light. This is simple but not easy. Simple, I say, but not easy.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #310: The Matter of Separation vis-a-vis the Truth

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The Issue: The Matter of Separation vis-à-vis the Truth

Background: For over a year now I have been teaching the saints from class. We are near the end now of Matthew’s gospel. This Sunday we will be in Matthew 26. This is where the chief priests and elders plot together to kill the Lord Christ. It is also the section in Matthew’s gospel where a woman anoints Jesus’ body with very expensive ointment she pours from her alabaster flask. And do you know what’s happening? A separation is occurring. A division between the spiritually hardened (the chief priests and elders) and the spiritually regenerate and tender (the woman with the flask of ointment) unfolds in real. Two types: those hostile to the truth vs. those who embrace the truth.

Jesus’ Words about the Woman:

10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Mt 26:10-13, ESV).

Teaching: In sum, Jesus was rebuking those who were more concerned with criticizing the woman than with embracing Him as the only Savior. They were more concerned with external appearances and finances. Meanwhile Jesus says this woman’s obedience will remain forever lauded wherever the gospel is proclaimed. How’s that for a commendation?

Encouragement: When your desire is to please the Lord, rest assured that separation will occur. Those whose longing is for the approval of man will resent you. But your obedience is known by the Lord Christ. Stay true, stay humble, and trust the Lord.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #308: Leadership Lessons

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Introduction: In 1 Samuel 28 we read this episode of wicked King Saul first disguising himself to get his way. Second, wicked King Saul practices necromancy in this episode. He consults a medium and summons the dead. Third, we see wicked King Saul be again rejected by God due to his (Saul’s) disobedience and lack of integrity.

  • Disguises
  • Spiritual darkness
  • Divine rejection

First, “So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night” (1 Sam 28:8a, ESV). Disguises. Masks. Saul’s wickedness is on full display.

Second, “And he [Saul] said, ‘Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.’” (1 Sam 28:8b, ESV). That’s spiritual darkness on full display. Consulting a medium is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Lev 19:31; 20:6, 27; Dt 18:10-12; 1 Sam 15:23).

Third, the truth-teller and prophet of God again was the vessel through which God rejected wicked King Saul:

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Sam 28:15-19, ESV)

  • Disguises
  • Spiritual darkness
  • Divine rejection

Encouragement: What we see repeatedly with the wrong leader is narcissism and weakness of character. Saul was a man of disguises, of masks. He was a fraud. His kingship was characterized by darkness, secrecy, suspicion, envy, and insecurity. What he feared more than anything else was for the spiritual lights to shine in on his backroom deals. Finally, however, we see God remove him. God had his truth-teller Samuel who again served to teach wicked King Saul that he was a dead man walking.

How is this instructive for us? We are to be a people of discernment and not be deceived by the Sauls of the world. We’re to seek out leaders who care for the sheep rather than fleece the flock for their own comfort. We are to watch how our leaders respond to demands for transparency and for the light to be shone upon them. Lord, forgive us for falling for salesmen. Teach us to cultivate authentic shepherds. Equip us to understand the times in order that we know what to do. Raise up Godly shepherds for Your people.

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #307: Biblical Reminders about Leadership

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Introduction: It is perhaps a story from history with which you are familiar. It’s the story of David being anointed king. It’s found in 1 Samuel 16. But we dare not allow familiarity blind us to profound truths here, namely, that it was God who provided the king, and that it was the circumcised heart of a man (David) that God used to shepherd His people in distinction from the uncircumcised heart of a false shepherd (Saul) that wrought destruction upon the people.

Text from 1 Samuel:  

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest,[a] but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

Teaching: In the very first verse, we read this—that God provided for Himself a king. In other words, God was doing what man fails to do—be 100% faithful. Was David going to be 100% faithful? No, of course not. He would sin grievously against Uriah, with Bathsheba, in his failure to deal with Absalom, and on and on. But the point is that God was pointing the way to the pattern of how short we sinners fall. We fail. We demand Sauls. We get what we deserve in our choice of leaders. Therefore, God, being rich in mercy, provides for Himself the King. In the temporary and immediate sense here, that king was David. In the infinitely greater sense, that King is Jesus, the Christ.

Second, will you notice the command to discern? It comes in v. 7: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I don’t know how that could be any clearer. Discern. Learn to discern. Learn to think deeply and not fall for salesmanship and empty suits. Why? Because what’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.

Encouragement: We fall short. Therefore, God satisfies what He demands—perfect obedience. David was a type and shadow of the greater David who was to come, the Lord Jesus. Second, we still must learn to discern. It is a commandment of God. It serves both our own good and God’s glory, two patterns that are inextricable.

Another Reason to Believe

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Intro: I had a few hours of drive-time ahead of me. Several hours alone in my car. A friend from Sunday school had sent me a text message that said, in short, “Watch this. Important.”

After I labored to teach the saints from Matthew 25 this morning, I was once again on the road, headed out. Back to work.

The power of music: As is my custom, I had a few moments of unfiltered thanksgiving where I told the Lord what He already knew: “Thank you, Lord, for the opportunities You gave me yet again today … to love, to serve, to teach, and to be with Your saints. There’s nothing like it, nothing I love quite so much. I don’t deserve a seat at Your table. I’m well aware of this. Therefore, from the bottom of my being, thank You for mercy.”

Then, again, as is my custom, I put on my favorite driving tunes for the drive back to post. My go-to music includes the Allman Brothers Band, the Beatles, scores of tunes from Van Morrison, Cream, John Mayer, E.L.O, E.L.P, Rush, Zeppelin, more Beatles, the Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS), the Eagles, Johnny Cash, Jackson Browne, George Jones, and more. But mostly, it’s the ABB.

Perhaps it’s because I spent most of the formative years of my life a stone’s throw from Macon and know the ABB’s zip code today as well as I knew it then. I still hate the heat and humidity and gnats, but in terms of music, the ABB’s best tunes pluck my soul’s strings like little other soulshine.

But back to reasons to believe… My friend Jim had texted me. As a former Roman Catholic steeped in reliquaries, he said, in sum, “Send this out.”

I listened to Jeremiah, the interviewed scholar, non-stop. He was/is clearly very bright and steeped in academia and history. I was hooked.

What’s the draw? Science, evidence, empiricism, blood samples, 3-D imaging, non-reproducibility, etc. It can all get technical, but Jeremiah (PhD from Oxford) kept it relatable.

Showing my cards: I don’t believe this is a clincher argument, to be sure. Most will not believe. We are told that up front in Scripture (John 3:18-36). But for those with integrity, with those who will truly follow the evidence, for those who say, “If You’re there, I’m here. And I’ll follow the truth!” then this is gold. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/rKMQY49py4w?si=W08vly-42yL94a_X

Jim, thank you, brother.

Press on.

My goal is to see you both in the end zone and hear, “Welcome …”

Chaplain Daily Touchpoint #306: Learning from a Bad Example

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Bottom line up front: Learning from a Bad Example

Text: 1 Samuel 15

Context: Wicked King Saul Is Rejected by God

Overview: Wicked King Saul continued to reveal his true colors. God commanded Saul via the prophet Samuel to “devote to destruction all” that the Amalekites had. Saul was to lead Israel and not spare any of the wicked Amalekites. God was calling Israel’s king (Saul) to be a people set apart unto God, and for the people he represented (Israel) to be a light amongst the fellow nations. Would Saul succeed? Would Israel succeed? Would either be faithful to execute God’s word to them? That’s the issue.

We only get to v. 9 before we see Saul’s true colors: “But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them.” And just like that, the Lord speaks again to Samuel, the prophet and truth-teller: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments” (1 Sam.15:11a, ESV).

Saul had “turned back” from following God’s word. And the people who followed (like undiscerning sheep) wicked King Saul, were likewise being judged. That’s the key issue here—the turning back/turning away from God’s word. “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:22b, ESV). It doesn’t matter how many oxen, sheep, or rams we sacrifice if our heart is not one of obedience to the Lord, the Commander. We can get all puffed up with pride if we point to ourselves and say, “See how much I’ve done? See how much I’ve sacrificed? See how many successes I’ve accrued to my credit?” That is pride – plain and simple –and it is damning.

Learning from Saul’s Failures: We can learn from anyone if we’ll but pay attention. That is, we should learn, even from bad examples. Saul is an example of a failed leader. Saul’s favorite person in the world was Saul. He wasn’t out for the good of his people. He failed his nation. He failed in God’s eyes, too. God was going to seek a king after His own heart, a true shepherd. In the immediate context, that man was going to be David. In the greater sense, however, that Shepherd is the Lord Jesus. But for now, let us learn from Saul.

Slice-of-Life Story about Covering Down & Studying King Saul

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Another chaplain was out of town, and so I was asked if I’d cover down on his lunch-hour Bible study. I absolutely welcomed the opportunity. The biblical texts the group has been going through surround Saul’s imprudence. Saul was definitely guilty of that.

No matter how many times I go through Scripture, I learn so much about leadership from studying Saul and David. Saul was, fundamentally, a judgment upon Israel for the nation’s lack of discernment and their sin.

1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV) reads,

And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.”

There it is in overt terms. God tells His prophet Samuel that the people didn’t want God. Therefore, as a judgment of their rejection of God Himself, God tells His prophet to give the people the human king they desire, and to watch the destruction that flows from that choice.

Samuel, as is typical of prophets and truth-tellers, sees where things are headed, and he is grieved. In fact, Samuel pleaded with the Lord about wicked Saul.

One of the most important sections in the whole saga of Saul is in 1 Samuel 8. Samuel sees what’s coming. He knows Saul’s going to be disastrous:

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” (1 Sam 8:6-9, ESV)

Did you catch that introductory phrase? “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.'” That’s so important. Why? Because that’s exactly what Saul was: judgment. They as a nation had been imprudent and undiscerning, and now Saul was the embodiment of imprudence and obtuseness.

My fellow soldiers will be arriving soon. I will ask them questions:

  • What patterns do you see in Saul?
  • How should we learn from them?
  • Why do you think the people liked Saul initially?
  • What does that tell us about the importance of discernment when it comes to leadership?
  • In what sense was David a man after God’s own heart?
  • What traits do we see in David that were not in Saul, and vice versa?