Month: September 2026

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

– 1 Corinthians 11:1

If we stop and take a good look around us, we begin to see patterns all over. It’s also not hard to see patterns in our own life. Those routines we follow everyday, from the order we get ready in the morning to the route we follow to get to work. Most likely we have quirky little patterns too. Things that can simply make us feel more secure because personal patterns bring a sense of order into what so often feels like a chaotic world. 

Beyond ourselves, patterns abound within the places we frequent, the people we interact with and even in the sounds we are exposed to. When traveling the roads of the cities and towns we frequent or even if we are driving through somewhere we have never been before we see patterns in how streets are laid out, how traffic flows and even the somewhat logic behind traffic lights. Architecture is another place where we can identify patterns. Sometimes these patterns are for structure and engineering while other times for the pure aesthetic. One thing is for sure, patterns are definitely throughout past and present civilization.

If you have ever noticed, there is also a pattern to people. Just observe each individual taking the path of least resistance when walking through an airport or in a store and then compare it to the overall movements of the crowd. A clear pattern emerges and in no time you begin to see it. 

Music and the sounds we hear everyday are another place distinctive patterns emerge. Rhythms and beats in the music we listen to bring a familiar feeling that helps us to associate with what we enjoy on a deeper level. 

Nature teams with patterns. The songs birds sing, the symmetry found in butterfly wings, the order of a honey bee colony, patterns are everywhere. We simply need to look and we will begin to see how the world around us follows an order that brings structure and predictability.

For us, seeing and understanding patterns helps us in problem solving and logically predicting what will most likely happen next. Math, reading, science and critical thinking are all based on established patterns. Even though we may not think about patterns very often, they are always there, guiding us along, helping us navigate and bringing a cyclic process to our day, week and year.

For the born again believer, the patterns we find in Scripture start to become more apparent the more time we spend reading and studying our Bibles. We know that the Bible is the living word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to us for our benefit. From 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 we understand the importance of Scripture for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  

However, what we may not know is that the patterns established are a component of how the Bible is made alive to us as well as how it teaches, reproofs, corrects and trains us in righteousness. The more we read the more we can relate to the people, the situations and the struggles we see in both the Old and New Testament. 

If knowledge comes through reading the Bible, wisdom comes from applying what we read to our life personally. Each situation will obviously have differences, but the spiritual patterns are there. Everything from blessings to the results of sin, from standing against fear or giving into temptation results from a predictable pattern.

The time Jesus spent here on earth was the most important establishment of patterns. From His actions to His teachings, Jesus showed us the life we as believers are to follow and mimic. Paul further encourages us when he says, Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. In other words, follow the pattern that has been set before you.

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

– Philippians 4:8

Our bodies are amazing in their complexity. Despite those who believe we are nothing more than random mutations perpetually evolving, the reality of a Creator is undeniable. There are just too many processes in our bodies that all work together to keep us going. For example, just the metabolic operation is pretty remarkable. From just a nutrition perspective, something that is nutrient dense is high in those things that are necessary and beneficial to our bodies and the metabolic process. From healing to hair growth, cognitive functions to our circulatory system, proper nutrition is one of the main determining factors for our health.

Because our bodies need nutrient dense foods in order to maintain itself, we have natural cravings for those nutrients our body needs. It is a way our mind and stomach alert us to the immediate requirements our body is longing for. The more nutrient dense the food, the more beneficial it is to the necessary biochemical processes in our body.

Junk food is the opposite of nutrient dense food. That’s where the name came from. We associate the word junk to describe something that is useless or worthless. From a nutritional standpoint, junk food is low in the overall quality of macronutrients as well as vitamins and minerals. Junk food generally contains more calories with less benefit than other healthier choices. That’s why they are called empty calories or junk food.

Our physical bodies are a reflection of our spiritual existence in many ways. The old adage, you are what you eat easily applies to both. What we choose to put into our bodies determines our overall health and how we feel on a daily basis. Just as it is important to choose what we put into our bodies, it is even more important to choose with care what we put into our mind because this is what determines our overall spiritual wellbeing.

The world is a giant buffet offering us all sorts of choices. Unfortunately many of those choices are low in what we need and high in what damages us. In other words, junk. We can stuff our face with what the world has to offer and yet we remain empty, unhealthy, sick and lost.

On the other hand, Jesus in Matthew 4:4 firmly states, Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. This is the best nutritional advice there is when it comes to our faith and our spiritual wellbeing. Not only does God’s word bring life, it also brings healing, patience, joy and the ability to face each day with the confidant hope that only comes from the Lord. 

From a physical standpoint, good nutrition matters mainly because God has given us our bodies in order to glorify Him. This is not something we should get hung up on, but we should be aware of it. However, what is most important is filling our life with God’s truth and the Gospel message. 

We eat everyday in order for our metabolism to give us the energy needed to get through the day. Scripture is what helps us get through the day, stand against the chaos of the world, fight the attacks of the enemy and to stay focused on Christ. Everyday we go without ingesting God’s Word cause us to be more and more malnourished. 

Isn’t it time to get your spirit into shape? It starts with the nutrient dense food of the Bible.

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”

    says the Teacher.

“Utterly meaningless!

    Everything is meaningless.”

-Ecclesiastes 1:2

For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

-Colossians 2:9-10

Hollow is the sound that something empty makes. The official definition of hollow is this: having an empty space or cavity inside instead of being solid. In other words it’s a void. Here is where this word gets interesting, hollowness applies to different aspects of what we see, feel and experience. 

Something can be physically hollow. In many ways this can be beneficial. Hollow structures can provide strength with minimal weight. The wings of a bird are hollow allowing them to take to the air. A hollow space also has value when it comes to insulation. When it comes to instruments, a hollow area creates a warmer tone, increases natural volume and makes the instrument lighter to hold. 

However, hollowness doesn’t just apply to physical things. There can be a hollowness in a person’s emotions. Unlike with the physical features displayed in hollow things, emotional hollowness holds no positive attributes. Hollowness in an emotional sense involves an inner state of detachment that causes numbness, depression, apathy and a distinct and evident psychological void. It can be caused by numerous reasons including traumatic events, abandonment issues, deep hurts or neglect, many times stemming from childhood events. Emotional hollowness is the response of our brain shielding us from our feelings running wild and causing us to fall into an overwhelmed state. But this protective mechanism comes at a high cost. Without the ability to properly process emotions, a hollow or empty approach to life takes the place of healthy relationships, attitudes and outlook. 

The most dangerous condition of hollowness we can experience in our life is spiritual hollowness. What makes it so serious is that people can go through life unaware of the void that is within them. We live in a prosperous nation and with that comes the luxury of distraction. The danger comes when the hollowness emanating from our very soul is muted to a large degree with the pleasures, entertainment, recreation and preoccupation with ourselves. 

The knock that exposes our spiritual hollowness comes by way of the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Once the emptiness of our lives begins to become unmistakable, the things of the world really do become meaningless. As the fullness of Christ in our life begins to take hold and grow within us, we notice the hollowness in the conversations around us. It is then that we really begin to see that many people talk about a lot of things without actually saying much. 

When our thoughts revolve around the Lord and our conversations lead to the beauty and truth of Christ, others are naturally drawn in. Not all will agree, some may even be offended, but there is an undeniable substance invading the void of this world. It is in these times we come to the conclusion that if our life, if our day and our mindset does not involve Christ, the hollowness echoing through the world can never and will never fill it. 

As born again believers we are called to be salt and light bringing the essence and significance of Christ to the conventions we are involved in.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

But you were unwilling, and you said,

“No! We will flee upon horses”;

    therefore you shall flee away;

and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”;

    therefore your pursuers shall be swift.

– Isaiah 30:15

Technology is a great thing. Few can argue the point that technology helps us save time, allows us to do things that seemed impossible a few decades ago and when used correctly brings the world closer. The smart phone has allowed us to condense many different things into one convent package. A camera, a calculator, a calendar, a computer, a way to check our email and let’s not forget a phone complete with our personal phone book. The convenience cannot be denied, as long as you keep it charged, updated, protected and on your person.

But then there are those times. Those times when our technology slows down. Our phone begins to act a little sluggish like a constipated elephant. Too much this or that running, too many pictures, too many open apps. Bloated information that we probably don’t need. Maybe our phone is just too old to keep up with all the updates. Whatever the reason, in a world that expects instant gratification, we want what we want and we want it right now. When our phone or any other piece of technology isn’t working correctly an overwhelming frustration drives the most patient person to contemplate finding the nearest hammer.

So we ask an expert or call tech support or run to google, if we have another working device available that is. The answers and advice seem to always be the same. Turn it off, unplug it, restart the operating system. That should always be the first step because it’s the easiest and it often solves the problem. 

That break in the normal process, a simple disconnect works wonders. So often in our busy, activity packed, stressful lives, we too need a reset. Taking time to simply unplug from the world is most likely something we all know we need to do, but how often do we actually do it?

The world never relents. It is in constant motion grinding on us, wearing us down, forever taking from us and never giving back. With every year, the machine only gets bigger and the noise, the activity, the pull from every direction on us only increases. 

When the world is pulling on us, dragging us down into what seems like a bottomless pit, the best thing we can do is to step away from the struggle. By breaking the resistance, the tension is released. The hardest lesson for many to learn is to simply let go by unplugging for an hour or a day or even a week. That’s what vacations are meant to accomplish. However, far too many times we find ourselves more tired, more stressed and potentially in a worse off place because instead of taking a break, we packed way too much into that time away.   

When we intentionally take time and dedicate it to the Lord, a refreshing cascades over us. Nothing else can accomplish this because there is nothing else that compares to quietly sitting with the Holy Spirit. Matthew 11:28 is an important verse we need to be keeping front and center. Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  

Is it time to unplug, to reset yourself in the Lord, to take a break from the normal course of the world?