WHY ARE WE HERE?
ANCHOR AND AFFIRM, WITH ANGELIQUE CHASE
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
THE GOODNESS OF THE HARVEST
Around mid- to late September, in our great regions on the plains of America, the great big green Combine Harvesters slowly chug down about 2/3's of two-lane roads heading for the corn or bean fields to cut the dried-out grain stalks, ready for the massive storage bins all over the Midwest.
It is an annual ritual that evokes the sights and sounds of tailgates, Friday Night Lights, apples and pumpkins everywhere....including the ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice...er...everything!
The Harvest is here. There are pieces of cornstalks all over the sidewalk. My brother and friend, and retired Pastor Milton, in his 70s, still drives the grain trucks from the fields to the bins, a job he remembers doing as a youth at his dad's trucking firm down in southern Illinois. These days, being 70 years old is the new 50! I learned that from one of the most unforgettable men I met in 2025 - Bob Tiede, of Leading With Questions, who has worked for CRU (formerly Campus Crusade For Christ) for 54 years. Bob is now 76, and as we discussed my approaching the 70 milestone in 2026, we discussed the Power of asking Questions.
It set me to thinking, all through the Gospels, we find the Lord Jesus asking questions of mere men like you and me. Did He ask questions because He did not know the answer? No! He asked them for these people and our benefit, almost 2000 years later. We find out that Jesus asked a total of about 125 questions, and there could have been more.
The Apostle John said in John 20:30-31 that "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name".
One powerful question which Jesus asked in John 4:31 is " Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" In this context, He was attempting to fire up the disciples and us, to sow the seeds of the Gospel. The world is lost, and so many are departing this life, without the guarantee of eternal security, because, particularly in the Western world, the workers in the Harvest are few.
So let us, in this Harvest Season of 2025, step out of our comfort zone, suit up and get in the game. May we begin by sharing our story with those who will listen, or even those who do not know, yet they will listen. Then we can use our testimony as a gateway to ask if we can pray for someone, take them out for coffee, or share a book that inspired you (before recommending the Bible). If you have a bible on your desk at work, bring it up in ordinary conversation and keep planting those seeds....and do it with joy, enthusiasm, and compassion in your heart. People will read that before they care to know anything else from you.
May we be like this verse from Galatians 6:9, which says, "let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart". Amen
PRAYER: Lord, in the Name of Jesus, I pray, while it is still today, that You in Your infinite, mercy we thank You that You have called us to serve in an intentional way, as Your hands and feet of the Gospel, to take the Good News to the End of the World....starting with those in our streets, stores, work places, families, friends, churches and communities. Grant us boldness, courage and the correct approach and words to say, when that opportunity arises, so we can bring glory to Your Mighty and Precious Name, Jesus, amen.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
INTRODUCING STUBBORN FAITH WITH ANGELIQUE CHASE
Angelique Chase is a daughter of the King (Jesus), actress, filmmaker and ministry leader. I love her Prayer Share cards and now she's a brand new podcaster.
Her "Stubborn Faith" affirmations of the Christian Faith, in this time of Revival, will encourage and stir you to excellence, if not drive you to the Bible and a closer walk with Jesus.
I will be posting each of her five episodes so far, in the next five days.
There will be more on this great woman of God, from here on out.
Click here to subscribe to her brand new channel on YouTube.
Sunday, September 14, 2025
AS FALL APPROACHES.........
The stunning beauty, smells, sounds, and sights of Autumn are a marvel to behold. It is more than just a bridge from the steamy days of summer and its associated activities, and the cold wintry nights. It should inspire us to be amazed at the God Who created the cycle of falling leaves, from trees of many colors. It should motivate songs and poems of praise and awe to the Creator for all this goodness,
While these days of some warmth and much refreshing cool lead to light jackets and even colorful scarves, the Word of the Lord comes to heart, mind, body, and spirit in such a flood that it overflows like a Niagara of rushing water over the edge. These days should drive us to our knees in search of the God Whose Name is praised in the Bible, for His great deeds in Eternity Past, to present and beyond.
This new Fall series will seek to bring out the beauty of His Word, in keeping with such excellence, to extol His deeds, in gratitude and love.
Psalm 19:1-4 (NASB) says, "The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them, He has placed a tent for the sun".
Have you ever wondered why the great rivers of the world, like the Mighty Mississippi, can keep flowing and flowing….into the Gulf? The Thames River in England flows directly into the North Sea. The great St. Lawrence River of Canada flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence which then empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Snows come, and in Canada, especially, heavy snows come and go. They melt and flood their banks, yet the ocean is never full. The mysteries of life go on that way to the point that even the Book of Ecclesiastes mentions it.
This is the handiwork of the good Lord we serve. His mercies endures forever. His favor is for a lifetime and His love is overwhelming.
As we go through the approaching days of Fall, with its bright sunny days of crunching leaves underfoot, or the winds of November that come calling, may we call to mind, over and over – the awesome power, majesty and unfathomable creative Mind of the Creator, Who has given us breath.
Sunday, August 31, 2025
FAITH TO BEAR LAUNCHES IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS
grandfather. In the two decades I have known him, as a colleague and a man on a journey through mountains and valleys, of faith and hope.
Early in 2025, he mentioned that he felt called to write these beautiful Children's Books. After reading through his work, with its stunning graphics and content, which bring back childhood memories to any parent, from any age - from boomer to Gen Z. I highly recommend these books.
Ronald has since expanded into a ministry called Faith to Bear (FTB). Click here for this website.
To fully comprehend what led to all these stunningly lively graphics and now praise music and videos, which can be viewed on the FTB YouTube channel, I asked him a few questions to get a feel of the man, his ministry, and why he felt led to launch a full multimedia, almost blitz, as he did.
To get to the point, I asked four questions. Ron Bear responds as follows (see below). For the record, I recommend the Children's Books (Giggles, Gratitude and Growth in God) for your children and especially the Electronic Version. They will benefit tremendously from the links to FTB's Praise and Worship music, videos etc.
1-Why did you write the book?
In a world of judgment and condemnation, I found myself seeking truth and following paths that led to personal destruction. I cried out to GOD, declaring, "There is no Joy in my life! How do I experience Joy?"
GOD began guiding me to teachings that revealed Joy is not absent from my life, it has been buried by distorted emotions created by trauma -Physical and verbal assaults that caused me to feel unloved and even unlovable. I felt unworthy of Joy, Happiness and Love.
GOD asked, "What is your heart's desire?" I responded, 'I desire to be Happy, joyous, and Free.' I desire the abundant life Jesus spoke of. I want to be free from debt. I want my family restored, and I want to leave a legacy for my children and their children.
I want to create and share with others a message of Joy that will prevent young hearts from experiencing the traumatic experiences from addiction to escape and to guide veterans of psychic wars back from the pain of escape to a place of refuge in Joy.
2-To whom is the book written?
This book is written for young hearts to nurture Love in innocence and promote Joyful Hearts.
Also, this book is to provide a channel for the spirit of Joy to heal the already challenged hearts, as they share with their children, siblings, and friends.
3-Describe the content.
This book contains several coloring pages, activity pages, Scripture references, and blessings for each simple song inspired by "The Holy Bible," enhanced by vibrant graphics to spark artistic appreciation. It also includes links to energetic music and videos to invite dancing and create an immersive, Joyful experience.
4-What is your Goal/Mission
The mission of Faith to Bear Ministries is to encourage refuge in Joyful experiences and heal the emotional wounds from seeking escape.
We encourage people of all beliefs and levels of understanding to "Keep the Light KIND".....and to shine our light in a manner that attracts people to desire to be like you.
In this way we will experience restoration to a state of being One with GOD.
FAITH TO BEAR RESOURCES:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Friday, June 13, 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
THINK SERIES, PART 15: "ON BEING PRUDENT AND SHREWD"
That is a powerful statement that addresses the gullibility and the discernment of two types of people. We do not really have to look very far to observe this fact. Because most of modern humankind is bereft of Critical Thinking,
Many of us may remember the “Beanie Baby” craze of the 1990s. That five-inch-high stuffed toy created a market that rose up, made countless millions for those who knew how to market the allegedly exclusive ones and get them off their basement shelves to gullible buyers. Twenty years later, you and I can find boxes of them at garage or yard sales for 50 cents a pop. What does this have to do with thinking, by normally conservative and even discerning folks? Well, some of them THOUGHT they could make the big jackpot by selling the “Princess Diana” purple beanie in the plexiglass case.
This is just one simple, fun and harmless example, unless someone spent their entire social security check on $ 100s of dollars of Beanies, thinking they would pull in the bucks, within weeks and months, only to find out that another million people had the same idea. However, the goal of this series is not to go Dr. Phil on folks and pick on them with “what were you thinking”… about any decision where we follow the crowd. The goal is to develop and train, first in ourselves and then our children, grandchildren, and those whom we mentor, the value of prudent (as opposed to positive) thinking, Biblical thinking, and how to think critically.
The original biblical Hebrew word for “prudent” is “Arum”. It is a word which ranges in definition from being “shrewd, subtle, and prudent” to the almost opposite, as in cunning. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:6, as He warned His disciples to be “as shrewd as serpents but as innocent as a dove”. Two things about this quote from the Greatest Life Coach Who ever lived:
Jesus is NOT saying that we are to be as deceptive as that snake, Satan. This is the sinless Son of God. What Jesus means is to be extremely discerning. That is, to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, as an old song goes.
Every intention of the word “prudent” in Proverbs 14:15 requires we are supposed to have, not just proper thought, but discernment, grounded in truth – objective truth. Objective truth is black and white. Either you believe or you do not. The Bible gives a powerful statement regarding atheists, where the good Book says, “the fool says in his heart, there is no God”. It takes more “faith” to NOT believe your eyes, your conscience, and the law of God written in the hearts of every single human ever born, than the faith it takes to be a believer in Jesus, as Lord. That is literally Objective truth.
There are also terms of Logic. When an atheist or an agnostic (i.e., an atheist who is a coward) makes a statement that there is no such thing as Absolute Truth, when we say that we believe in God, that non-believer has violated the terms of Logic by making an absolute statement. Therefore, under the terms of logic, we can, by all rights, dismiss their argument. Period.
To get to this point of Critical Thinking, one must have a strongly and exponentially growing measure of Biblical Wisdom. The first three Chapters of the Book of Proverbs will be a good place to start and read, over and over, until it sinks into your consciousness. I spent two weeks in Proverbs chapter 2 a while back, as I felt the tug of the Lord pulling me back more and more to those pages to embed those words in my soul. What emerged from that period, where I camped on Chapter 2, was a series called - "A Proverbs 2 Man". (CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS).
We must be led by the Spirit to discern the wiles of this corrupt world, so that we can function, with an unction, in the Righteousness of God - in thought, in word and in deed. The Holy Spirit will guide us into the pathway of ALL Truth.
To be as shrewd as a serpent and innocent as doves, we must know the ways, teachings, and commands of God so that we will never sin. There is a line in the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus teaches us to pray, in the original language – “do not allow us to fall into temptation”. We have to be buffeted and surrounded by the strength that comes from God and His Word, so that we can spot a trap a mile off. We have to be in our right mind. We have to think. We have to think critically.
Sadly, too many Christians fall for the wiles of a seductive financial deal, woman (or man) or something that is too good to be true. When we have the ability, capacity, and the FREEDOM to RUN in the opposite direction. The Bible gives us clear direction to think critically so we do not ruin what is most precious to us and Him, our witness, testimony, reputation, and families. He has given us these beautiful and powerful words to embed in our consciousness that we can live in peace, joy, and contentment, all the days of our lives.
Proverbs 3:5-7 “: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil". Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)