Anchored Hope Blog

ANCHORED HOPE

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Prayer
  • Subscribe

4/30/2026

Avoiding Reader's Remorse

1 Comment

Read Now
 
Picture
Have you ever tried something new — only to be disappointed? Maybe that restaurant everyone was raving about — and you left hungry? 

A similar feeling of disappointment has happened to me sometimes when I read a book from an unfamiliar author. I start the book with high expectations, but then I think a few times:  “Uh oh, did that say what I think it said?”  A few pages later, another sentence makes me stop and wonder. But after a few chapters, I give up and wish I could turn back the page (pun intended) to the moment before I decided to buy the book. 

There are so many options out there, but truth be told, not all “Christian” resources promote ideas that align with Scripture. It’s wise to be “picky eaters” when we select what we read, watch, and listen to. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence. What we take in shapes our thoughts, our emotions, and our desires. Since we can’t treat books like lotion samples (no ‘try before you buy’ option) how do we know if something is going to be a great read or another book in our DNF (did not finish) list? 

One way to see if a resource is worth your time and dime is to look over the reviews or testimonials on the cover of the book or on the website.  A quote from an author or teacher that you trust can give you confidence in the decision to read the material. And of course, a teacher, pastor, or mentor at your church can offer wise counsel when we are unsure of a source. They may even have a copy for you to read! 

We don’t want to start making a new recipe before checking all the ingredients that are needed. Likewise, you can possibly avoid reader’s remorse by checking out an author’s online bio. Knowing some general facts about their experience, skills, and education can be eye-opening. It’s worth noticing what degrees they have and what institutions they studied at. The denomination of their alma mater may have a significant influence on their views. Along with their education, their past and current job titles can also provide insight. 

It’s also helpful to look at the author’s church affiliation. A few extra minutes browsing their church’s website can help shed light on their doctrinal views. Other points of interest are the overall structure of the church leadership and the names/photos of people on staff (including the author in question).  If there isn’t a church mentioned, or the church doesn’t have a clear statement of faith, you may want to remove it from your TBR list before regret sets in.

So you’ve done some research, read reviews, and you have decided to get the book from the author that everyone is talking about. But that is just the warm-up. The next challenge is to use those discernment muscles as you are reading! 

You can stop and ask yourself questions as you are reading. Does the author rely on emotional pull or speculation to draw conclusions about a Bible passage? When an author mentions a verse, does the verse actually say what the author says it says? (Don’t ask me to say that again!) 

Finally, if you want to level up your discernment skills without having to buy anything, Quill Meanwell is at your service! Check out our Learning Discernment blogs and become a pro at spotting common missteps in Christian literature.

Remember, your heart follows what you treasure (Matthew 6:21). A little discernment now may prevent  reader’s remorse later.

See also: When Stories Don’t Match Real Life, Book Buffet

Share

1 Comment

4/27/2026

When Stories Don't Match Real Life

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture

Okay, let’s talk fiction! Christian fiction, that is. 
 
As a writer, I stick mostly to blogs, poems, and short reflections. 1,000 words or less. I am content to leave all the plot twists for others to expertly weave and untangle. I have the utmost respect for the skill it takes to craft a well-written novel. 

But as we know from our Quill Meanwell series, even Christian resources should be approached with discernment. Over time, I have noticed a few storytelling patterns in Christian fiction that show up often enough that they are worth mentioning. Three in particular stand out— fortune cookie verses, random theology drops, and greeting card dialogue.
 
Fortune cookie verses   
Let’s set the scene. Mr. Professional Christian sits at his desk, deliberating the sticky situation he is facing. He opens his Bible and voilà, the angels sing as the perfect verse appears. He ponders the inspirational delight for a moment and just like that…his problem is solved. 

In stories like this, we usually don’t see characters reading larger sections of Scripture, thinking about the context, or struggling to understand what it says. We could be tempted to think that Bible reading is as easy as cracking open a fortune cookie to satisfy our cravings.

 In fact, I did try this method often. And guess what? No choirs of angels. I didn’t discover any immediate answers to my problem. 

Random theology drops 
Now let’s picture Sweet Suzie at the grocery store. She bumps into NonChristian Nancy and they start to talk about their children, who are on the same sports team. Suzie says she is glad that her daughter can participate because it is a great way for her to learn how people can work together — just like the body of Christ lives together in community. Nancy is instantly intrigued and from there Suzie launches into a thorough gospel explanation. 

Scenes like this depict characters inserting random theology drops as part of everyday conversation.  It can imply that we should be able to turn encounters from an everyday topic like the weather to deep doctrines in 3.2 seconds.

I would get frustrated because I wasn’t “spiritual” enough to think of these connections and have frequent redemptive conversations in everyday situations.

Greeting card dialogue 
In another scene, we read about Mike and Carol, who have been married for a few years. She is explaining to him how she felt when he said something insensitive. He responds thoughtfully and repentantly. Bible verses are quoted and the misunderstanding is resolved. And of course, they finish by reaffirming their enduring love. 

Difficult conversations presented as perfect greeting card dialogue can lead to unrealistic relationship expectations. 
At least it did for me. My husband didn’t respond to me like the husbands in Christian fiction when I presented my well-rehearsed grievances. And needless to say, our conversation didn’t end like the ones in the books.

From fiction to reality
As I read more Christian fiction, I found myself looking for these things to happen in my own life, and I was angry when they didn’t work out the way they did for the characters in the story.  I began to wonder if something was wrong with me. At times I even questioned whether God loved me the same way He seemed to love the characters whose stories always wrapped up so neatly.

Looking back, I can see how my own sinful desires and lack of discernment played a role. When my imagined “happily ever after” didn’t unfold the way I expected, I made poor choices and even became frustrated with others. Over time, I learned to spot these elements and remind myself that they are only part of a fictional account. These are not real life examples and they are not models that we are expected to follow.  

As we read Christian fiction, it is important to reflect on the lessons we are learning from the characters. Are they lessons that will prompt us to view God correctly? Are they practical examples of godly living? Or are they creating unrealistic expectations? 

We are called to imitate Christ and the godly people he has placed in our lives. As we walk together, we look to him as our example. As we grow in Christlikeness, the Holy Spirit will work in us to live in ways that will glorify him. 
Through regular, focused Bible reading we can learn more about God, his character, and his works. This will lead us to be able to make wise decisions that honor God. We won’t expect fortune cookie verses to guide our thinking. As we know God and love him more, that love will be evident in genuine relationships with others. We can find ways to share what we know and love about God without needing to awkwardly drop theological insights into our conversations. 

When we work through a relationship struggle, we won’t expect our conversation to flow like a formulaic greeting card sentiment. We will make mistakes. The problem won’t be settled in a few minutes. We will need to remind ourselves that we have been forgiven. We can extend forgiveness and patience to others.
Let’s continue to read and support the authors who create redemptive stories for our enjoyment and edification. But as we enjoy their work, let’s remember to use discernment. This applies to anything you read here at Anchored Hope, too.

Life doesn’t always turn out like the stories we read, but we know that this life is not all there is. Someday we will worship, work, and live together in perfect harmony on the new heavens and new earth.
​

See also: Literarily by Kristie Anyabwile, Book Buffet

Share

0 Comments

4/23/2026

Powerful Proclamations

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
The following devotional is intentionally written by a fictitious character to illustrate common missteps in Christian resources. It is not an endorsement of these ideas, but a tool to help you practice discernment. 

As you read Quill’s devotional with a discerning eye, notice how the verses are used. Do they faithfully reflect the main points of their passages when read in context? Are there ideas that subtly undermine God’s character, or suggest that humans possess abilities or authority that belong to God alone?
Prayer: Dynamic Declarations by Quill Meanwell

In the first devotional in the Prayer series, we learned how prayer is as easy as breathing. We saw that when God breathed life into Adam, the very act of breathing was designed to say God’s personal name (Yahweh). Now we will see how the Creation story gives us the key to strengthening the power of our prayers. 

Even before Adam was created, God spoke. His words created light and life. His words formed the universe and filled it with plants and animals. Then God’s speech made Adam. He blessed Adam and gave him authority over creation. Specifically, in Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam to subdue and have dominion over everything. Adam’s first dominion task was to give names to the animals. In naming the birds, fish, and livestock, he used his words to give them their identity. Not only could Adam breathe God’s name, but now he began to use his words to actively shape creation. 

Life giving words. Wonder working speech. Words with the power to create and form. 

Just as God simply said, “Let there be….” he has given us the authority to use our words to make powerful proclamations! Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that life is in the power of the tongue. We can boldly and confidently pray for what we hope to see happen. 

At this point, you may be skeptical —why do our words sometimes fail to create the reality we expect? We know that God has promised us that our prayers are powerful. Rather than doubting God, it would be helpful to take some time to examine our hearts.  

Weak faith or a spirit of negativity will hinder our prayers. When we eliminate our fears and hesitations, then God can step in mightily to answer our life-giving prayers. We can pray like the psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and test my heart. See if there is any offensive way in me.”  These words will bridge the gap between our hearts and what we have declared in our prayers.

Breathing Yahweh’s name. Speaking powerful proclamations.
This is how we connect with God and bring light and life into his creation.

​

Quill continues to encourage prayer and summarizes Genesis 1 & 2, suggesting that Adam’s task of naming the animals demonstrated the same authority and creative power as God. He implies that we can shape, create, form, and give life just as God did. This blurs the distinction between humans as God’s creation and God as the Creator, leading readers to believe that their words could be as powerful as God’s. These ideas reflect the “Word of Faith” movement, where followers are taught that their words carry equal authority with God’s and are encouraged to make bold declarations about what they wish to see happen.
Quill quotes Proverbs 18:21 to support the idea that our speech can make things happen. However, the book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings that use metaphor and imagery to instruct people in faithful living. When read in context, it is clear that Proverbs 18:21 was not intended as a literal guide for how we should pray. This verse, like many others in Proverbs, reminds us to be careful with our words. Our speech can help others—or it can hurt them. But our words cannot be equated with God’s words. We cannot create life or light, and we cannot change reality through our prayers.

Quill correctly points out that we often do not see the answers we expect to our prayers. It is true that our prayers can be hindered by sin we harbor in our hearts, and it is good to regularly pray Psalm 139:23–24 so that God can help us see what sinful attitudes or desires may lie behind our words. However, it is important to remember that God acts according to His will at all times. He is not waiting for us to have a perfect attitude or the perfect words before He responds.


Quill’s declarative prayers may give the impression that God is obligated to respond to our requests. If we say the right things, God dispenses what we ask for. If we eliminate doubt and use the correct language, God will act.  But prayer is not as simple or as transactional as Quill would like us to believe. True prayer frees us from the burden of making things happen. It invites us to rest in the assurance that God is at work, whether or not we have the perfect words.

Prayer is humbly acknowledging that we are God’s creation and that He is the Creator. When we pray, we are invited to come to our heavenly Father and ask Him for what we need. Often we do not ask with the right motives or for what is truly best for us, yet He delights to listen to us and loves to give us what is truly good.

As we consider what words to use when we prayer, we can follow the example of the model prayer in Matthew 6. Or we can read and meditate on Paul’s prayers in the New Testament (Ephesians 1, Philippians 1, Colossians 1, to name a few!) As we follow the models given in Scripture, and consider verses in their full context, we will better understand how to pray with wisdom and insight. 


See also:   Cookie Crumb Prayers
                   
Biblical Meditation part 2


Share

0 Comments

4/20/2026

As Easy as Breathing

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
The following devotional is intentionally written by a fictitious character to illustrate common missteps in Christian resources. It is not an endorsement of these ideas, but a tool to help you practice discernment. ​

Prayer: As Easy as Breathing  by Quill Meanwell

For many people, prayer seems like a struggle. We have trouble remembering to pray and are easily distracted during prayer. Prayer isn’t meant to be hard or complicated. In the very act of creating man, God gave us what we need to pray. In Genesis 2:7 after God formed Adam, he gave him the breath of life. From that moment, Adam became a living soul. Every human being while alive has this breath. 

Each time we breathe - we speak the name of God as we inhale and exhale. The sound of our breathing corresponds to the personal, covenant name of God (YHWH - pronounced YAH - WAY). When we inhale, we are saying “YAH”. When we exhale, we are saying “WEH”.  Yah-weh.  As you breathe, you are praying to God. As we breathe, we are acknowledging that he sustains us and gives us our very breath (Acts 17:28). This is how we know that we can pray unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Our very breath is a prayer. We don’t need to be discouraged or frustrated by struggling with active prayer because our breath is praying for us.  Even as we breathe, we are speaking God’s name.  

Yah. Weh.  Yah. Weh. 

We can also add words to our breath prayers. Choose a short phrase (5-6 words) from a Bible verse. As you breathe in, say the first few words, then as you breathe out, say the last few words. 

For example: Psalm 36:7  How precious is your unfailing love.
                                    INHALE (How precious is)  EXHALE (your unfailing love)

Repeat this until the words become as natural as breathing. You will be breathing and speaking God’s word. As the words calm your soul, you will be ushered into the presence of God.

Now that you have read the devotional, it’s time to examine it. Rather than immediately pointing out concerns, let’s begin with guiding questions to help you practice discernment for yourself.

  • What is the purpose of the devotional? 
  • What biblical truths is Quill claiming, and what Scripture is used to support it?
  • Read the verses in context. Do the verses support what Quill is stating?
  • How do breath prayers minimize God’s attributes?
  • What are the potential ramifications of this teaching? How would this affect someone’s prayer life?


Commentary

Quill addresses a common struggle —prayer can be hard. The very purpose of the devotional -- to make prayer easy — contradicts Bible passages which show that prayer can be challenging. In Romans 15:30, Paul asks them to “strive together with him in prayers”.  Jesus tells the disciples to “watch and pray” when they had trouble staying awake (Matthew 26:41). Scripture presents prayer as dependent, personal, and intentional rather than effortless and involuntary.

Genesis 2 highlights the creation of mankind in the image of God. To emphasize the difference between man and the rest of creation, we see that God forms man from dust and breathes life into him. Nothing in Genesis 2 suggests that breathing is the way in which God expects man to communicate with him. Likewise, the verse in Acts 17 is not from a passage that teaches us how to pray or that our breathing is praying. Paul is speaking to pagan philosophers to explain God’s sovereign sustaining power and our dependence on him.  

Quill’s use of these two verses is an example of “prooftexting”. Prooftexting is the practice of lifting a verse out of its context to support an idea.  As you read or listen to Christian resources, it is important to take the time to go to Scripture and read the full context of verses when they are quoted. 

Curiously, Quill does not give us a verse that would seem to support the claim that breathing produces the same sounds that are in God’s personal name. The concept of breathing as praying has its roots in some strands of Jewish and Eastern mysticism. The practice of repeating several words and combining it with breathing techniques attempts to facilitate access to a higher power. Quill uses some of those concepts but reinvents them with Christian lingo (calm your soul, ushered into God’s presence).

Breathing as praying minimizes God’s attributes in several ways. First, his personal, covenant name is reduced to nothing more than an involuntary bodily function. This pulls our focus away from the reverence that is due his name. God’s sovereignty is diminished when we treat communication with him as an automatic reflex, rather than an intentional act of humble worship. Finally, Quill tells us that breath combined with words will bring us into God’s presence. This leads us to think that God is not omnipresent and that we must do something specific to draw him to us. 

While Quill certainly means well by trying to help us with our prayer lives, these techniques can lead us away from a godly discipline of prayer. If praying were as easy as breathing, it would no longer be necessary to study examples of prayers in the Bible to enrich our prayer lives. Repeating phrases in combination with a special breathing technique may lead us to think that it is our work (our breathing) that is key to a relationship with God.  Our frustration with our attempts to pray should lead us to acknowledge our weaknesses and rely on God’s strength.

Prayer is not easy. There are not simple solutions, but we do have a sufficient Savior. Jesus understands that we are weak and easily distracted. He is sitting at the right hand of God as our intercessor. Because of Jesus we can actively pray with confidence, despite our imperfections.

 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

See also: Cookie Crumb Prayers, Biblical Meditation Part 1, Devoted Dorcas Part 1

​

Share

0 Comments

4/16/2026

Escaping the Anxiety Tornado

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Worry has stolen many hours of sleep from me. And yet the next morning, the worries are still there. And then I have to face the day tired, grumpy, and still anxious. I know that the Bible says “Do not be anxious” — but it’s hard not to be. I can’t just flip a switch and end the tornado of anxious thoughts and emotions. I have found that meditating on Matthew 6:25-34 helps redirect my thoughts. 

Jesus starts by telling us, “Do not be anxious,” and repeats it two more times. This is comforting for us because it shows that he knew that his listeners (and future followers) would struggle with being anxious. Jesus understood that we would be pulled in different directions and distracted from following him wholeheartedly. But Jesus doesn’t only tell us not to be anxious — he also reminds us why we don’t need to be anxious. 

Jesus uses several questions and two object lessons as he teaches.   Earlier in his sermon, Jesus had instructed the crowds to pray to “our Father in heaven” and to ask for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:9,11). Now he is reminding us that our heavenly Father even provides sustenance for the birds that he created. We are created in our heavenly Father’s image, so why wouldn’t he provide for us also?  To wrap up the lesson from the birds, Jesus reminds us that we are not able to extend our lives by worrying. Rather than being distracted with worry over what we can’t control, we can remember how our heavenly Father delights to provide for all of His creation. 

The second object lesson uses another word picture from nature. Just as the birds “neither sow nor reap,” the lilies “neither toil nor spin” — and yet,  God clothes them with glory greater than the richest, wisest king of Israel. The Greek word for “consider” indicates that we should watch and learn. The lilies can teach us about God! This argument ends with another sober observation —our worry reveals little faith. 
After the object lessons from nature, Jesus asks us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. He doesn’t say to work harder to increase our righteousness. He had already told the crowds in Matthew 5:20 that they wouldn’t be able to enter the kingdom unless they were more righteous than the Pharisees. He also warned them about pridefully exhibiting their righteousness in Matthew 6:1. Our righteousness will always be tainted with sin and will never be enough. 
We need to seek Jesus because in Him, we are made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was sinless and fulfilled all righteousness. Because of his perfect obedience, we can rest in his righteousness. 
This is amazing news! Our confidence is not in the strength of our faith or our ability to control our lives -- our confidence is in the object of our faith. Jesus is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, we have been given everything we need. Why would we be anxious about things such as food, drink, clothes, or our bodies? Why would he not graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). We can easily be pulled away by fear of the future, but we know that God is sovereign. 
When we take a close look at Jesus’ words, we realize he didn’t tell us to never think about clothing, food, or our bodies. It isn’t wrong to be concerned about those things. Jesus isn’t saying we should sit back, relax, and forget about providing for ourselves and our families. Rather, Jesus says, “Seek first.”  Seeking his kingdom is the first priority. When our thoughts start to spiral out of control, we can reorient our compass. 
So what does it look like to seek his kingdom when we’re staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., when our bodies are exhausted, but our minds refuse to rest? It may look less like having the “right” thoughts and more like bringing our anxious ones honestly before our Father. 
Seeking his kingdom in that moment might mean turning our worry into prayer. They may not be polished or eloquent prayers, but simple ones. Heavenly Father, you know what worries me, and you know what I need. You see tomorrow more clearly than I do. Help me trust you for what I need each day.
Jesus doesn’t call us to deny the reality of our needs or pretend that tomorrow doesn’t matter. He invites us to remember who reigns over the future. When anxiety presses in, we are reminded again that we are not sovereign—but God is. And the One who rules the kingdom is also our Father.
Worry leaves us weary. Jesus offers something better. 
He offers rest grounded in his righteousness, not our performance.
He provides peace rooted in God’s provision, not our foresight. 
When sleep doesn’t come and anxiety lingers, we can return—again and again—to the truth that our lives are held by him.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
​
Also see: Always Here, Winter Glory

Share

0 Comments

4/13/2026

Cookie Crumb Prayers

3 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Our Father in — wait, did I switch laundry yet? 
Heaven, hallowed be your name — I can’t believe I called that student by the wrong name yesterday!
Your kingdom come ….what time is my dentist appointment tomorrow? 
where was I?  Oh yeah, your will be — your will  —  I’m so tired, I can’t even finish a complete thought. 
How can I claim to help others when I can’t even pray right? 
on earth as it… oh wow, I only have five more minutes before I have to leave for work.
In your name I pray, Amen

Distractions. Fatigue. Busyness. Messy, imperfect prayers.
Our fragmented thoughts seem more like the “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” story than the Lord’s model prayer. 

But Jesus didn’t only teach the disciples to pray like the model prayer in Matthew 6. He also told them a story to teach them to “always pray and not lose heart”. He knew they would be discouraged and disheartened. The parable of the persistent widow was for them (and us, too). 

Luke 18 has a lot of interesting details. But the main point is clear: we are to be encouraged and not give up praying. After the story about the widow and the judge, Jesus reminds us that God is not like the unrighteous judge that gets tired of the widow’s continual requests. God gives “justice to his elect”.  That’s us! The elect, his chosen ones, his people.  His children who would stumble through praying. He doesn’t get tired of hearing us cry day and night. He wants us to keep coming to him. 

The story about the widow reminds us that prayer is about persistence, not perfection. What does “not losing heart” look like as we also try to be faithful in our daily responsibilities? I don’t always get it right, but these are some habits that have helped me keep praying throughout the day:

  • Daily routines can become gentle prayer prompts. Doing dishes might bring missionaries to mind. Brushing teeth can be a reminder to pray for your dentist or doctor. Cleaning up crumbs can become a prompt to pray for those caring for little ones.
 
  • Bible reading and prayer don’t have to be separate activities. As God speaks to us through his Word, short prayers of praise or gratitude can naturally follow.


  • Scripture itself often gives us words to pray. Some of Paul’s prayers have been especially helpful as starting points for praying for others (for example: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9; Ephesians 1:15–18; Philippians 1:3–11; and Colossians 1:9–12).


  • Even social media can become a prayer prompt. Instead of scrolling past a friend’s post, or only posting a quick comment—it can be an opportunity to pause and pray.


  • Lingering on a verse for several days can deepen prayer. Slowly meditating on a short passage often leads naturally into praying through it—and memorizing it along the way.


  • Writing prayers can help when focus is hard to find. Even scattered words or short phrases on paper can quiet some of the mental noise.


  • Dates tied to prayer requests are easy to forget. Setting a reminder can help bring those needs back to mind at the right time.


  • Dry seasons are not meant to be endured alone. Reaching out to a trusted friend for prayer can be a quiet act of persistence when words are hard to find.

Although I’ve made some progress by incorporating these habits, there are still seasons when days pass without prayer. Some days my prayers are eloquent, polished, and focused. Other days they feel more like the mouse looking for a straw, crayons, and masking tape—only to end up right back where I started. And that’s okay.
I know my cookie-crumb prayers are still received because James 5:16 reminds us that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Our prayers are not heard because we pray well. They are powerful and effective because we are righteous. And we are not righteous because we have done everything right—we are righteous because God has made us righteous through what Christ did on the cross.
Jesus stepped into our world to make us right with God. And when he ascended to heaven, he did not leave us without help. Even our weakest, crumb-sized prayers make a difference—not because of our words, but because the Holy Spirit is pleading for us at the throne. When words fail, Scripture reminds us:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26


ALSO SEE: Finding Treasure in God’s Word 
        Biblical Meditation Part 1
        Biblical Meditation Part 2


Share

3 Comments

4/9/2026

The Reception

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Picture yourself as a guest at a wedding ceremony. Close your eyes and imagine the scene as the beautiful bride makes her spectacular entrance. Before the witnesses and God, the bride and groom proclaim their vows. Now you and the other guests go to the location for the reception. You are surrounded by friends and family as you wait eagerly for the newlywed couple to arrive. Think of the anticipation of the celebration to come, which will certainly include food and music! 

This eager anticipation mirrors our spiritual reality here and now as we await the return of our anointed Messiah, the Lamb who was slain! Let’s look at the imagery that Scripture uses to describe the church’s union with Christ.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 
        “Hallelujah! 
        For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 
        Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, 
        for the marriage of the Lamb has come, 
        and his Bride has made herself ready; 
        it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— 
        for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:6-9 ESV
Revelation 19:7 says the marriage of the Lamb “has come”, the bride “has made herself ready”, and “it was granted her”. These verbs are in the present perfect tense. The present perfect is used for actions that started in the past and are continuing into the present. This reflects the “already, not yet” tension that is present throughout Scripture. When verse 7 says the marriage “has come”, it means our union with our Groom is already a reality.  Salvation is a present reality and a certain, future hope.  Just like a bride and groom after the wedding ceremony, the church has been united with Christ. 

What does the bridegroom see as he looks at us, his bride? He sees our wedding clothes -- “fine linen, bright and pure.” Where do these clothes come from? Verse 8 says “it was granted her”. This means it was given, delivered, or gifted to the bride. As his bride, we have been given these clothes. We did not do anything to earn or make the clothing. He gave this clothing to us as a free gift through the atoning sacrifice Christ provided through which his righteousness was imputed to us. 

We are already united with Christ with all the spiritual blessings that we have through faith in Him (Ephesians 1:3-10). We are waiting for the reception, the marriage supper of the Lamb and his Church. He has seen us, loved us, and covered us with the fine linen of a bride; we are his bride and the celebration is coming. Soon we will be rejoicing and feasting at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

As our Groom promises: 

          Surely, I am coming soon. Amen. (Revelation 22:12)


SEE ALSO: Behold Him, We Sing

​

Share

0 Comments

4/6/2026

Book Buffet: Four Reads to Savor

1 Comment

Read Now
 
Picture
​Welcome to my “book buffet”—a sampling of reads that have encouraged and challenged me in different ways. Each one offers something unique, from rich storytelling to practical biblical wisdom. Here’s a taste of four books I’ve enjoyed recently.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
This book surprised me. Although it isn’t marketed as Christian fiction, it carries a redemptive thread throughout. It blends all the ingredients of a savory read—drama, romance, mystery, and even touches of humor. The story weaves together the lives of the people in the town of Golden, centering on a stranger who quietly leaves a lasting impact.

Most of the time, when I read fiction, I move steadily from page to page without stopping to admire the “scenery,” so to speak. But with this book, I found myself pausing—sometimes rereading entire paragraphs—just to savor the beauty of the author’s language and imagery.

Impossible Christianity by Kevin DeYoung
This book comes with quite the subtitle: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time.

The subtitle may be long, but the book itself is a quick read. Don’t let its size fool you—it offers plenty of substance to digest. With equal measures of encouragement and biblical conviction, DeYoung serves up a helpful perspective on pursuing godly living in a balanced and practical way. As we grow in spiritual disciplines, he reminds us that we don’t have to carry the burden of perfection.

Time Out: The Gift of God of Youth Sport by John Perritt
This book takes a thoughtful look at sports and stewardship. How can we use involvement in sports to wisely steward our time, resources, character, and bodies? How should parents evaluate their children’s participation in these activities?

Perritt gives parents, coaches, and teens plenty to chew on as he serves up a balanced plate of both the redemptive aspects and the potential dangers of sports and physical activities. He brings an honest and nuanced perspective to this topic—something I found especially refreshing.

The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce Longenecker
This is one I had to keep reminding myself was fiction. Longenecker skillfully blends historical and archaeological detail with imagined correspondence between two New Testament figures.

As we read fragments of letters written by Luke and Antipas, we gain insight into the culture and structure of the Roman Empire in the first century. It’s a rich and immersive read that kept me engaged from beginning to end, even as I anticipated the bittersweet outcome.

If you sample one of these “book buffet” selections, I’d love to hear what you think!
See also: How to Find Jesus in the Old Testament, Literarily by Kristie Anyabwile

Share

1 Comment

4/3/2026

The Olive Press

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture

Auhtor: K. Luce

I sit to contemplate my value
A humanness gone askew
Why this need to discover anew
For what Jesus says is true

What must I contemplate
Christ already sealed my fate
Always present those that hate
But no need to take the bait

Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus suffered agony
Through this rhapsody
I seek my alchemy

A chance to evaluate
Deeply appreciate
No need to dominate
To Christ I gravitate

Life so contradictory
So full of trickery
Why stay in misery
In Jesus the victory

Feel the stress
Upon me press
A big juicy mess
For Jesus to Bless

Like blood through pores
Life choices a mind tours
My wretchedness obscures
What the Lord truly adores

My soul is sorrowful
I bare the weight and tremble
In my core I feel reproachful
Through this I must travel

The challenge builds me new
Resurrection I am too
For once I felt askew
And now I feel anew

Share

0 Comments

4/2/2026

The Temple

2 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Light and life 
Created from nothing 
Formed and filled 
The garden temple 
Male and Female
Pinnacle of creation 
Image and Likeness 

Skins and linen
Made by the pattern 
Carried and raised
The wilderness temple
Anointed and consecrated 
For glory and beauty 
Priest and Intercessor

Gold and silver 
Built for the Name
Promised and fulfilled
The mountain temple
Established and prospered
Given Wisdom and understanding
King and Son 

Grace and truth
Dwelt among us
Uncreated and Unrecognized
The Incarnated temple
Destroyed and resurrected 
Entered through the veil
Immanuel and Redeemer

Majesty and Glory
Reigning with the Father
Ascended and enthroned
The Greater Temple
Fulfilling the covenant
Once for all
Mediator and High Priest

One and many
Born of water and Spirit
Chosen and beloved
The holy temple 
Living and Growing
Joined with the cornerstone
Saints and Sinners


City and Bride
Coming down from heaven
Prepared and adorned
The Lord and the Lamb
Glorified and Exalted
Dwelling with his people
Light and Life

Share

2 Comments
Details

    Archives

    May 2026
    April 2026
    March 2026
    February 2026
    January 2026
    December 2025

    Categories

    All
    Learning Discernment
    Living Faithfully
    Poems And Prayers
    Recommendations

    RSS Feed

Home

About

Blog

Prayer

Subscribe

WEBSITE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT BY STEPHEN LASNICK MEDIA
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Prayer
  • Subscribe