religiousranting

Selah, a citizen of Erudition, had a reputation for her steady kindness and encouragement. Her lamp always seemed to burn bright, even when others’ lights flickered low. Struggling villagers often came to her for uplifting or when their love for their neighbors had grown thin. Selah would listen, offer a kind word, giving them fresh […]

Naqam turned from the still waters, considering what was next. The comfort of reconciliation with Joram was fading, leaving a sense of shame and embarrassment. Naqam, not used to being so wrong, thought back, “The things I said about Joram…I nearly ruined his reputation.” Naqam gripped the blanket tightly. “Now I’m the foolish one, and

Joram was a well-established merchant in Erudition. His stall, facing the great olive tree, offered much. The finely woven blankets, robes, and carpets were seldom unnoticed by those with an eye for finer crafts. Honest weights and careful work made him known, bringing in steady business. Joram took quiet pride in his work. Every morning,

In the village of Erudition, nestled among the hills where the spring never failed, Constant had become the most admired man. Through simple farm life, he saw new ways and outlooks to share. He taught that true strength began within. “One cannot give what one has not first stored within,” he would say as villagers

Prosaic looked out across his glistening orchard during the cool of the evening. Hoe in hand, he leaned on it gazing at his proud work; labor through sweat and exhaustion; his reward. Prosaic tended the orchard from his youth, being taught the lessons of hard work reaps abundance and slack results in want. His father

When I was eight years old, I remember sitting next to my dad in a church pew. I thought about how arrogant some members were. The Preacher asked, “Who knows they are going to Heaven?” Many responded quickly, with a raised hand of intent, proclaiming, “Me!” I turned to my Dad with a look of

Handrails separate us from the danger of a fall and sometimes a deadly distance of no forgiveness.  These same “safety” measures take away freedom, preventing us from stepping to the edge.  I’m not against handrails, but “safety” should not override freedom.   To quote Benjamin Franklin, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches ?Luke 16:11 ASV Sunday morning arrived with the teacher and his disciple standing outside collaborating plans. Tony would be handed the reins presenting his carefully planned lesson. They continued to prep and a congregation of

Lately, I have been considering a collation involving counterfeit money.  A bank teller in training is taught how to identify the real from the fake.  My first thought would be all the different forms of fake dollars.  In each, the teller would is shown a flaw in the portrait or a portion of the bill

“Either renounce your faith or be cut off.” This has become a reality for our Chinese brothers and sisters. Any religious imagery has to be replaced with portraits of Chairman Mao and President Xi Jinping. Propaganda demonstrates the government filing voids where the church falls short. As an example, a poverty-stricken Christian woman sought help