Can I begin with a personal anecdote? In writing this article, I was humbled as it challenged me on every spiritual and emotional level.  I suppose it is human nature to become frustrated toward a specific person or group of people whose beliefs differ from our own. Daily, I am frustrated by the brazen actions of those who openly support abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, and false doctrines. While I am frustrated toward other actions and lifestyles that are condemned by the word of God, these four specific issues appear to be at the forefront of the spiritual and political polarization within this great nation. Each day, I study my Bible and see the error of these ideologies – sometimes feeling as Isaiah did with Jezebel, alone and helpless to fight against them. In speaking from personal experience, it is quite easy to direct my own personal frustrations toward these issues onto certain individuals, who either embody or advocate the ideologies that most irritate my spirit. In those moments, I find it easy to resort to the instinctual comeback that appears to be embedded in all of humankind, “I am right, you are wrong.” However, in my moments of vexation, I fail to realize that it is not the sinner that should be at the focus of my frustrations but rather the sin. It is in my empathy toward the sinner that I recognize they are a victim of sin much like myself. The difference is: They continue to cling to sin …

By: Zach Collins In 2012, a Bible given to Elvis Presley at his first Christmas in his home in Graceland in 1957 was auctioned off in London, England. It was evident that Presley had used the Bible, as the book was filled with his handwriting and notes that he taken throughout the years. In fact, outside of the words of Jesus in Luke 9:25, when Jesus considered the cost of discipleship, Presley had written in the margins of his Bible, “For what is a man advantaged if he should gain the whole world and lose himself or be castaway.” I don’t know about you, but I agree with that statement. Of all people, did not Elvis Presley have money, fame, and anything the heart could desire? Yet, Presley understood, even if he gained all the pleasures this world had to offer, it would not bring him true fulfillment. When the auction was concluded, the Elvis Presley Bible sold for $94,600 to a collector. As I examined this story, I found the selling price particularly interesting. Clearly, the price reflected the worldly sentiment that the value of the book was determined by the person who owned the book. Now, I understand the whole “celebrity” thing. If a celebrity touched it or sat upon it, the value increases in the eyes of the world. However, do you find it ironic that, from the world’s perspective, the value of this Bible was increased by the owner of the Bible? Let’s explore this thought …

By: Zach Collins On the night of December 9th, 1914, Edison Industries was destroyed by a fire. In the flames, Edison lost two million dollars over night and much of his life’s work. Unfortunately, he was only insured for about $238,000 because the buildings were made of concrete, which at the time was thought to be fireproof. At the time, Thomas Edison was 67 years old – no longer a young man – and everything he had worked for had been destroyed in the flames. At least, that’s how we would view such a loss. However, Edison did not share that same perspective. The story goes, as Edison walked amongst the charred embers of his hopes and dreams, he beheld his life’s work and said, “There is great value in disaster. All of our mistakes are burned up and, thank God, we can begin anew.” Sure, all his accomplishments and inventions were destroyed in the fire, but so were his mistakes. He was never too old to begin anew, and he found that refreshing.  Moses was also afforded the chance, by God, to begin anew. It has been said, “Moses lived 40 years as a son of Pharoah, 40 years as a son of Jethro, and then 40 years as a son of God.” Though his upbringing was royal, Moses never forgot his roots and always seemed to possess a heart of gold. However, Moses still committed many mistakes. After he saw the burdens of the Jewish people, he attempted …

By: Zach Collins According to the New American Oxford Dictionary, the term amazed can be defined as, “surprise (someone) greatly; fill with astonishment.” In fact, this term is used heavily within our culture. If you were to casually scroll through any TV guide or streaming platform, you would find many TV shows and movies that are prefaced with the word amazing. For example, The Amazing Race, or The Amazing Spiderman, or Amazing Grace. We, as Americans, love to be amazed and astonished. However, this term is also found in the scriptures. In fact, there is one situation that stands out within the holy scriptures, where our Savior was amazed.   Let us allow this question to guide the remainder of this article: What amazes Jesus?  In Luke the seventh chapter, at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus comes into Capernaum where a life-or-death situation is presented before Him. Here’s the situation: The servant of a Roman centurion was sick and ready to die, so the elders of the Jews come before Jesus and plead with Him to heal this servant. Jesus proceeds to come into this man’s home, where we see one of the strongest attitudes of humility in all the Bible. In this account, the centurion demonstrates great humility, (v. 6), and recognized the authority of the Christ, (v. 8). In fact, because of this marvelous attitude, we find the answer to our question, in v. 9, when the Bible records, “When Jesus heard these things, …