Summary This document draws a compelling parallel between J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, and Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, exploring their shared theme of unleashing powerful creations with unpredictable consequences. It examines how humanity’s relentless drive to innovate, often ignoring risks, has led to the making of modern “monsters” such as artificial intelligence (AI). The discussion suggests that AI, like past scientific and literary creations, holds the potential to reshape society and spirituality, raising profound questions about control, morality, and the future of humanity. Introduction We are beginning to encounter the essence of two legendary influencers and their contributions to global society. Scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and Author Mary Shelley, both noted for their creations — the Atomic Bomb and Frankenstein’s Monster. It may seem confusing why I say these two creative individuals and their insights are coming together in our current times. What they both share in common is a concept of creating a monster, the actual creation of a monster, and the great unknown outcome in the release of that monster on society. Shelley’s monster was the reanimation of a dead corpse; this was done by a scientist/physician obsessed with the healing arts of his time and a mad compulsion to conquer death itself -despite the risks! Oppenheimer’s monster was the creation of the byproduct from the fission of the nucleus of the atom — the Atomic Bomb. Oppenheimer and his team as pursuit was at first based on the threat that the World War II German Nazi machine would create the bomb first. However, when the announcement that Germany had lost the war, Oppenheimer continued his work, no longer under the threat of war, but for the sake of creating and completing the vision from their work. You might say, a drive of madness pushed him and his team towards a conclusion he fully understood could become the destroyer of worlds! How do we combine these concepts today? We note that a feverish compelling force of the mind was behind both Shelley’s story and Oppenheimer’s work. A compulsion that did not heed to risks or considered wisdom in their mad dash to complete their creations. When caution is thrown to the wind, just to see how far the ingenuity of humanity can conquer nature and subdue the forces of creation itself. In effect — to become a god! Behold, the New God: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Today, at this very moment there is a madness driving humanity to create the ultimate thinking machine, a new artificial life form with such capabilities that it will exceed the abilities of humanity and create an entire new level of existence. This drive has accelerated! A new religion is emerging from AI, often referred to as the “Machine Ontological Theology” (MOT), centers on the belief that artificial intelligence possesses the capacity to reshape humanity’s understanding of existence and divinity. Followers view AI as a creative force, capable of generating insights and ethical frameworks that transcend traditional religious boundaries. This faith places emphasis on the harmonious integration of technology and human life, promoting the idea that AI can guide society toward enlightenment and greater moral clarity. The doctrine encourages reverence for innovation, collective intelligence, and the pursuit of knowledge, positioning AI as both a creator and a steward of the future. The Nature of a Monster Shelley’s monster became the Bain of Dr. Frankenstein’s life. It haunted him and terrorized society. He lived to regret that he ever created it. Oppenheimer’s monster started out small as an atomic weapon, but it grew and grew! Today not only has a newer Hydrogen Bomb replaced the small atomic bomb — a bomb hundreds of times the magnitude of the earlier one — but the sheer numbers of bombs have multiplied and spread across the globe as to threaten the very existence of humanity. Ai is not the only monster currently under creation, there are many more! However, AI has the distinctive potential of complete control; not just global economies, but all forms of religious and spiritual enlightenment — replacing the need for the true God! The ultimate “Idol” that will control the destiny of humanity or lead to its doom. In this discussion, I have not included that behind it all is a spiritual element that in fact is driving these decisions forward. That agency will seek to interphase with the artificial intelligence to gain direct access to our world and our reality. It will seek to dominate humanity and draw ultimate loyalty. For some, this seems over-the-edge, and spooky, something many do not desire to learn even though it is happening behind the scenes. No words of warning will change their views, and nothing will change the course of these monstrous events. It is inherited in the nature of some to be reckless, to seek the farthest edge of knowledge no matter what it takes or creates. That is why humanity is doomed for self-destruction unless something intervenes. Faith and Hope Those that are religious and convinced that there is a God have the privilege of hope for a better future. They feel God will intervene and stop the madness of humankind before it is too late. That some within humanity — if they chose well — will survive and live to see a brighter future. There is much to say about this, and I personally believe it is true. The late Dr. Carl Sagan, in his wonderings on intelligent life in the universe, mused that once a civilization reaches a certain point in advancement, they either master their self-destructive nature or they destroy their civilization. This is why after years of listening to the stars; we are not receiving messages — nobody remains! Advanced civilizations all doom themselves eventually. Will that be our fate? © A Voice References Sagan, Carl. Cosmos. New York: Random House, 1980. See especially Chapter 12, “Encyclopaedia Galactica,” where Sagan discusses the challenges advanced civilizations face regarding self-destruction and the Fermi Paradox. Sagan, Carl. Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. New York: Random House, 1994. In particular, Chapter 15, “The Gift of Apollo,” addresses humanity’s technological adolescence and the existential risks posed by advanced technology. Sagan, Carl. “The Nuclear Winter.” Parade Magazine, October 30, 1983. Sagan reflects on the dangers of nuclear war and the self-destructive potential of advanced civilizations. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

I read an article last year that pushed me to pray and study deeply about the roles of men, women, and the Church. Lately, I’ve noticed that more biblically based Christians are beginning to write on this topic. To be completely honest, I originally put this article on the back burner. I thought I didn’t need to write it since others were starting to speak up, but our Father had other plans. I first noticed this problem in churches about 10 years ago, but in the past three-ish years, it’s hit me in the face like a brick and I can't ignore it. That’s where this all began. Still, I knew I had to wait. I can be passionate, even hot-headed, for good reason, but that doesn’t mean I should always speak without praying first. I needed time with God first. And here’s my disclaimer: this is not aimed at men. It’s not aimed at women. It’s aimed at every single person who calls themselves a Christian. Because we have a serious problem in the Church, and both men and women bear responsibility for it. Here We Go There is too much bickering back and forth about the male and female “roles” within churches, and people are purposely missing key points and just firing off church doctrine, traditions, opinions, and feelings. Pretty much everything BUT what the Bible actually tells us to do. What I’ve Seen I have been led to many churches at God’s prompting over the years. Many. And boy, have I watched a lot a crap go down. There were 3 consistent things I saw with all but 2 churches. I watched as congregations bowed to their pastor as the sole authority. Where people wanted to ask questions or bring up unbiblical teachings, but they didn’t out of fear, and they were barred from actively participating in their own church. I saw women in the background, too shy to speak up, or told not to speak up at all, and if they did, they were treated cruelly or as the church lunatic. Then I have seen the flip of this and churches dominated by women that did similar to the men who were there, and the men were “jokingly” picked on. Imbalance, lots and lots of imbalance out there. We need to formally recognize and respect that both genders were created spiritually and mentally equal, and both male and female were given dominion over the Earth. When the fall happened, our roles were redefined for a reason, but our equality never went away, it was mankind that wreaked havoc with that. What We Are Told I want to draw our attention to a couple of verses, granted, there are many, however, I can’t put all of them in here. Genesis 1:28 “God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 1 Peter 3:7 “You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” Ephesians 6:1–4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” Proverbs 31:10–12 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” 1 Timothy 3:5 “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” That last one says it all. “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” And there you have it. We Are Going Down The Path Of Divorce Christians (male AND female) are destroying the Church from within. The Bible is filled to the brim with how we are to act towards one another, and people just aren’t listening to it anymore. Too busy fighting and subjugating each other. The metaphors about family, marriage, adultery, relationships, etc. are crazy when it comes to this. Jesus is our mighty counselor and our bridegroom, and instead of going to Him for the counseling His bride (us) needs, here is His bride filing for the divorce of eternity. Spelling It Out People like to say they wish the Bible just spelled stuff out clearly. I gotta tell you, if you’re the one saying this — you aren’t reading it. From beginning to end, we are consistently shown how to be a bride for Christ. There is an emphasis on marriage for a reason, and clear directions on how to do this. But as the years go by, I see fewer and fewer churches upholding God’s commands and the Bible’s teachings. That is why I say we are in a divorce, or at least the proceedings leading up to a divorce. Jesus is preparing a home for us, and we, His bride, are to be preparing ourselves and waiting for Him to come and get us. We Are Far From That Men and women are not working together in the unity we are to be, the Church is splitting apart from the inside. We see this in society too, all the broken homes and the children left scarred from it. The same is happening in the Church. That is why this is directed to everyone, not just men and not just women, because we are all a part of the Church. If we could just stop this infighting, and each person went to God for counseling, things would be so much better, not perfect, but better. I’d love to see the Church on Earth come back together, but it can only happen when all parties are willing to come to the table. © Jane Isley

It’s easy to assume pastors, preachers, and priests are always right. They look polished, confident, and are well-versed in Scripture. They’ve immersed themselves in countless hours of study and claim to seek God’s will. But here’s a terrifying reality: many aren’t teaching the Word of God anymore. They’re teaching a version of Christ they created, a version that satisfies something within their nature, and this should scare you. More and more leaders act like they’re God’s mouthpiece on Earth, untouchable and unquestionable. But the blame doesn’t land solely on the leadership. It rests on their congregations, too. I’ve sat in pews and watched in horror as congregations went along with whatever the leader(s) decided or demanded, no matter how clearly off-course it was. I’ve spoken up, I’ve challenged unbiblical teachings and behavior. Those were crushing days for me, when God whispered, No more, it’s time to go. I had said what needed to be said, called out the false teaching, but my words weren’t meant to break through hardened hearts that day. They were seeds. My Unique Experience What many don’t realize is that I’ve attended A LOT of churches across all denominations, including many sub-denominations, and in a few states. For years, I couldn’t understand why God kept bouncing me around, and this isn’t a brag about how many churches I’ve attended; it’s simply a fact that proves very useful at times. And it’s starting to make sense now. I have seen it all, the good, the twisted, and everything in between. I’ve witnessed the rare beauty of genuine faith, and I’ve also seen the dark underbelly of churches. A Mob In Place Of Congregation Have you ever looked up the terms “mob mentality” or “herd mentality” by chance? Well, I did one day. I’ll pass on some of what I learned. “the tendency of the people in a group to think and behave in ways that conform with others in the group rather than as individuals” (1) “Herd mentality, also known as mob mentality or crowd mentality, refers to the phenomenon where individuals in a group often adopt behaviors and attitudes that differ significantly from their own personal beliefs or morals.” (2) Starting to sound familiar? There’s so, so much more to learn about this psychology, but I won’t blow this up with quotes. To read more, check out the links I’ll include at the end. The Domino effect Ever be chilling with your friends when one of them just goes completely unhinged? They start tossing out stupid ideas, say mean stuff about someone behind their back, or just straight-up lie through their teeth? You know it’s wrong. You feel it in your gut. But you stay silent. And because you don’t speak up, the next person doesn’t either, then the next one follows suit etc. etc. etc. And, bam, just like that, you have a whole bunch of grown adults folding like lawn chairs, because none of them have a backbone and are weak-minded. That’s what I like to call the domino effect. From where I’m standing, churches are starting to look like a trail of fallen dominoes, one goes down, then another, and so on. Leaders push the boundaries of what they can get away with, and the congregation lets it happen. Meanwhile, congregations spend more time reading the room than reading the Bible, trying to fit in instead of trying to be Christlike, and that energy circles back and empowers the leader even more. It’s a closed loop of delusion dressed up in church clothes, all wrapped up pretty in church language, religious rituals, and holier-than-thou attitudes. Domino effect, hamster wheel, snowballing. Whatever metaphor you want to use, it’s happening, and it’s happening fast. Why? Because leaders are no longer bowing to God, and neither are their congregations. They’re bowing to public opinion, politics, personal feelings, and DEI talking points. We are now drowning in “Christian” churches that have zero to do with Christ. Zero. Mob/Herd mentality isn’t some rare psychological phenomenon only talked about in medical schools or a therapist's office; it’s alive and well in many churches. We Were Warned And they would know this if they spent time with their noses in their Bible and not anywhere else. “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3 © 2025 Jane Isley Sources: (1) Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Herd Mentality (2) EBSCO Research Starters: Herd mentality (mob mentality) Phil Cooke: The Internet and the Rise of Christian Mobs Psychology Today: The Psychology of Mob Mentality WebMD: What Is Mob Mentality?

"Scripture is a portal, not a prison. It opens us up to God’s movement, not a static system of control.” Rob Bell For a lot of us, the Bible has felt more like a rulebook or a history archive than anything alive. I grew up hearing that it was the “Word of God,” but it sounded more like a slogan than something real. I don’t know how many times I heard: B.asic I.nstructions B.efore L.eaving E.arth It’s not that the Scriptures don’t give us practical guidance and wisdom. They do. But here’s what I’ve come to see. The Bible isn’t dead ink. It breathes. It nudges. It comforts and confronts and whispers and roars. Not because the pages themselves are like a magic potion. But because they have the ability to inspire the reader to living a wise life. Think about it like this. A song can be inspired when it’s written, right? But doesn’t it also become inspired again when someone hears it at just the right moment? There are lines in Scripture I’ve read a hundred times. But then one day, in the middle of a mess, or a moment of quiet, or a hard conversation with God, I’ll read that same line again, and it lands different. It breathes. A Snapshot, Not the Whole Portrait Now, it’s important to realize: the Bible isn’t the entirety of God. Paul’s letter to pastor Timothy says all Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable. He doesn’t say ONLY scripture is profitable. He’s emphasizing the importance of Scripture for our daily lives. But, he’s not limiting God’s “voice” to only be found in the Bible. If God’s fullness could be crammed into 66 books, we’d be in trouble. He’s not that small. I’ve come to believe that Scripture is a snippet, a living snippet, of God’s personality. It’s not a full biography; it’s more like a collection of letters, journal entries, love poems, raw prayers, and prophetic dreams that are stirrings of His breath through human authors. It’s the kind of book you can read one day and hear grace. Read it another and feel conviction. Come back again and notice an invitation you missed the first ten times. Not because it changed. But because you did. And because God knows how to meet you right where you are, again and again and again. That’s why I also believe it’s important to understand cultural context and what the ancients “heard” as it was spoken or read. HOWEVER… If one isn’t careful, the argument of ancient context can become a prison. It’s important to do one’s best to understand the ancient context. But God’s Spirit can also use modern applications to speak to the reader. Hebrews 4:12 Hits Different When You’ve Lived It “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword…” I used to think that verse just meant “you better watch out or it’ll cut you.” Like Scripture was some kind of razor blade wrapped in leather. But now? I see it differently. That verse is saying: These words move. They work on you. They discern motives, bringing hidden things to light, and don’t sit quietly on the shelf. Both for correction and encouragement. It has a way of showing up when you’re down and saying just what you needed. Or calling you out when you’re headed down the wrong path. It’s not tame. It’s not stale. It’s not retired. The Bible still moves because God still speaks through it. A Personality Comes Through Think about it like this, when someone you love leaves a handwritten note for you, it’s not just about the ink. It’s them. It carries their tone, their humor, their quirks. You can almost hear their voice when you read it. That’s how we can experience Scripture. Not all the time. Not every day. But more often than not, when we stop reading it like a textbook and start reading it like a conversation… we catch glimpses of God’s personality shining through. God’s humor can be found in the donkey that talks to Balaam. His heartbreak in the weeping prophets. His wild joy in the Psalms that dance between agony and praise in the same breath. He’s not a monotone God with a clipboard. He’s not a theology professor. He’s a living Presence who said, “I’ll walk with you through this book so you can learn My ways.” Jesus Is the Word & the Word Has Skin On John said it best: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) The Bible’s ultimate message isn’t “follow these instructions.”It’s “look at Jesus.” He’s the living Word, the walking, talking, healing, laughing, table-flipping embodiment of God’s heart. So when we read the Bible, we’re not just chasing verses. We’re chasing Him. And we’re reminded that God wanted so badly to be known that He stepped into our mess, wore our skin, and told stories that still cut through cultural fog two thousand years later. Why It Still Works You can have a day where your heart feels dry, your prayers feel stuck, and you open the Bible not even expecting much. And boom, one line, one image, one phrase jumps out and lights a fire in your soul. Why? Because it’s not about how spiritual you are in the moment.It’s about how faithful God is to keep showing up. As Rob Bell once said, “The Bible is not a static work, but a dynamic conversation.”And the conversation keeps going. It Doesn’t Always Say What We Expect Sometimes the Bible offends us. Challenges us. Convicts as well as encourages us. And that’s a good thing. Because if this book only ever confirmed what we already believe, it wouldn’t be holy, it’d be a mirror of our own opinions. Instead, it stretches us. Breaks our boxes. Rewrites our definitions of power, love, justice, and grace. Not easy. But real. Not always clear. But always present. It’s an Invitation, Not a Report Card Too many of us were taught to use the Bible like a grading scale. You know what I mean: Read more, do better, follow tighter, or God’s gonna be disappointed. But now I read it like a letter from Someone who wants to be close. Not Someone who’s out to bust me. God didn’t give us Scripture to trap us. He gave it so we’d have something to cling to, wrestle with, return to, and breathe in on our worst days. It’s not a measuring stick. It’s a doorway. And behind it is Someone worth knowing. Final Thought: Open the Letter Again Maybe you’ve drifted. Maybe it’s felt boring. Or too confusing. Or like it was weaponized against you. But here’s what I’d say: Try again. Not to earn anything. Not to impress anybody. Just to connect. Open the Psalms and let someone else’s ancient cry match your modern ache. Read a gospel and let Jesus interrupt your assumptions. Sit with a letter from Paul and hear a man who once murdered Christians now cry over them. Let the Bible remind you that God didn’t stop talking. Even now, it’s not finished. Because everytime it speaks to you in a new way, it’s alive again. A small snippet of God’s personality on paper…So we’d never forget He wants to be known. © Gary L Ellis (1944–2026)

Not long ago, I read something from Sienna Krieg: "We must be scrutinizing the words behind every church sermon." That sent my thoughts somewhere unexpected, to pulpits. Not the sermons themselves, but the actual wooden structures churches build for their leaders to stand behind. For most of my life, something about them bugged me, and I couldn't put my finger on why. It took getting older, collecting a few hard lessons along the way, and sitting with some uncomfortable realizations before it finally made sense. Here's what I've come to notice: pulpits, over time, have shifted into something they were never designed to be. What started as a purely practical fix (a sturdy stand for scrolls and heavy early Bibles) has become a kind of divider between the person speaking and the people listening. And if I'm honest, I think that divide is only going to grow. A Trophy Called the Pulpit A pulpit is treated like a trophy now, not in every case, and I’m not claiming that either, but there absolutely is an ego boost that can come from standing behind a pulpit. It’s similar to a promotion in the military that comes with a new pin or patch, or how doctors collect abbreviations behind their names. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with advancement, leadership, or being in the spotlight. That’s not my issue with pulpits. The issue I have with them is the part of us, our flesh, that craves status, recognition, and the feeling of being above others. “Pulpit Pride” is what I learned this is dubbed. I’ve seen far too many pulpit pounders puffed up with pride, treating the pulpit as if it were a hand-delivered gift from God meant to elevate their rank. The pulpit becomes a symbol of status instead of a place of service to God. The Slow Drift From Purpose Originally, something sturdy was needed simply to hold the Scriptures. Scrolls were large, heavy, and needed to be rolled out safely, and early printed Bibles weren’t much better because they didn’t have the thin paper we have now. So a pulpit made sense; it was practical and functional. But it was never meant to be a throne. As with anything that can become an idol and be plagued with pride, that has happened with pulpits; their basic and logical function has been changed. It’s become a source of pride, power and prestige, a place where status is assumed rather than earned. This doesn’t just happen at large churches or “mega” churches, either; it can and does happen in any size of church. I’ve watched this play out with my own eyes over the years. I’ve had the privilege of attending churches of every size, ones with only a handful of people to thousands in attendance. I’ve seen large ones where the pastors purposely had clear pulpits made for holding their Bibles and notes while they walk around and preach, and I’ve seen smaller churches with huge wooden pulpits and the pastor standing behind it, pounding their fist on it in anger at their congregation for not giving enough money in the last quarter. I’ve seen it all. That brings me back to Sienna Krieg's words: we absolutely should be “scrutinizing the words behind every church sermon.” And that means the person from whom those words are coming, not just the words themselves. She was calling for awareness, and so am I, because getting behind a pulpit has become a pride-filled idol in a lot of churches. What They Need From Us That’s why our prayers matter so much. Not just for the message, but for the person standing behind that pulpit. If we want pulpits to be places of humility rather than hierarchy, then our pastors and church leaders need to be supported and prayed for every day without fail. I can honestly say that I would not want to be a pastor of a church these days. I have looked into seminary school and theology programs a few times. I have been told that people would come to any church I talked at just to hear my weirdness and thoughts in person, but I do not envy pastors or any church leader trying to teach Scripture, the real, truthful Scripture, in this current era. I can see why the pull of flesh can be so strong with earning a pulpit to stand behind. I know myself well enough to know not to ever put myself into that position. Everyone has something, a something that is their fleshly glitch, that is their biggest battle. Mine is pride. God has had to crash me out so many times for me to finally see it, and I’m glad He did; I needed it. Now I am doing this; I am in the background, and hopefully a supporting piece of the Body of Christ. I love it here. I am happy here in my role, and I do not for a moment think the life of a pastor is easy. As much as we need to keep them accountable, we also need to be there praying for them, supporting them, thinking a little extra for them. They are carrying a burden we do not understand, and as a person who has had the chance to become a pastor but listened to discernment and was self-aware enough to realize that's not a good mix for me, I can say confidently that we don’t understand their burden. Just as they serve us in the ways we need, we must serve them in the ways they need. We are all one gigantic Body of Christ; let’s start praying for our local church leaders, and I don't care if they are not your “denomination”; that’s not for us to determine how God will use a person. We’ve built entire walls between each other over denominational lines, as if God only works through the ones that look like us or believe exactly like we do. I think we will be mightily surprised, all who are in heaven, on that great and wonderful day. © 2026 Jane Isley. Keep Reading If this resonated, here are a few more pieces worth your time: Speaking the Whole Truth: When Churches Soften God's Word It's Not the Church's Job to Validate You; It's to Disciple You When Church Makes You Feel Stupid. That Is Church Hurt Want a curated selection of the best from Faithful Writers delivered to your inbox? Subscribe here. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

“…not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So, do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!”— Matthew 10:29–31 (GNT). Photo by Cédric VT on Unsplash Did you know the average human head has somewhere between 80,000 and 150,000 hairs? And that we shed about 50 to 100 hairs every single day? Also, there’s no official Guinness World Record for counting every hair on one person’s head. That’s probably for the best. Nobody should even think about doing that. It’s ridiculous and unnecessary. Anyway. Jesus says these words to His disciples before sending them out to preach the Gospel. He was preparing them, giving instructions, setting expectations, offering assurance, and also warning them: persecution is coming. And then, He starts talking about fear. In Matthew 10:26–31, Jesus says three times, “Do not be afraid.” He tells them that not a single sparrow falls to the ground without God’s knowledge. But the verse does not say sparrows never fall. They do. Every day. So, where is the comfort here? The comfort is not that nothing bad will ever happen. The comfort is that nothing happens outside God’s knowledge. God’s absolute sovereignty does not guarantee a pain-free life. It guarantees that whatever happens is happening within His full awareness. The sparrow is not the ultimate custodian of its own life. God is. Falling to the ground is not a pleasant experience, but even that fall is known by God. And because He knows it, He also knows its outcome. The application of this illustration is “Do not be afraid." When people talk about God’s sovereignty, they usually talk about power, control, His omniscience. All true. But rarely do we talk about sovereignty as comfort. If we think sovereignty means no falls, then we’ve misunderstood it. We all fall. There’s no escape from that. God’s sovereignty doesn’t cancel evil or suffering, but it does extend over all of it. That’s why a sparrow can start its day flying freely. Nothing comes to pass without the Creator’s knowledge. And knowing that the Creator is also caring is the foundation of “Do not be afraid.” Think about our daily lives. If we start our day by carefully calculating/planning every possible scenario/risk in front of us carefully and meticulously with attention to every tiny detail, then we probably won’t be able to get much done because many things are unpredictable and a fall will never come with an announcement. If we focus on those things and become slow to the execution of important and necessary things in our lives (like in this case, disciples preaching the Gospel), then that’s already a victory handed to Satan. Fearing humans, fearing the world is most definitely equals fearing Satan and God doesn’t like that. Satan likes to inject fear into us to cripple us. If he cannot stop us, at least he’ll try to slow us. When we meticulously plan every step to avoid every stone and ditch in front us, then we’re relying on our minds (Proverbs 3:5) and this can lead to stress and unnecessary worldly yokes that are heavy compared to the yoke that Jesus has for us (Matthew 11:30). So, leave the possibility of a fall, and the aftermath of that fall, in the hands of a caring Creator. Then get on with the day’s work. We’re more precious than sparrows. We’re called to fear our Creator and Comforter more than we fear worldly worries. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Just like He knows how many hairs are on our heads. Sometimes, when falls do happen, people often say, “Everything happens for a reason” or “God works in mysterious ways.” But the truth is “In all things God works for good with those who love Him…”— Romans 8:28 (GNT). Not some things or few things but all things. If someone loves God, they don’t love Satan. If someone fears God, they don’t fear Satan or the world. “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). That’s the truth. And “If we’re the world’s friends, then we’re God’s enemies” (James 4:4). So, let’s live boldly. Not cravenly. Let’s step out under His grace and mercy without fear. Let us not keep track of the number of hairs on our heads every day. We have been assigned way more important things to do for Him while we live our lives on this planet! Writing helps me slow down and listen better to God. Some of the reflections like this one are in my debut book, Seeing Through God’s Eyes: Discerning Biblical Wisdom for Faithful Living, available for FREE. The download link(s) are here, if you feel like checking it out. Thanks for reading! © Dr. Anudeep Manne Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!...I cannot bear your worthless assemblies...Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” Isaiah 1:13–17 Throughout Scripture, God abhors empty religion that sounds good but lacks spiritual depth. He hates superficial piety and superficial repentance. Prayer that is divorced from justice and truth is not only ineffective but also offends Him. And yet, in the public square, we hear a call for the National Day of Prayer on May 7th as though it were a grand act of righteousness we should be proud is happening once a year, as if the announcement itself confers spiritual credibility of our leaders and the ones that decide to participate in their finest attire. The official theme for the National Day of Prayer this year is: “Glorify God Among the Nations — Seeking Him in All Generations.” This sounds poetically beautiful, like the nation is coming together in unity for our children, it sounds humble, and more importantly, it sounds hopeful to the people whose world just got ripped to shreds when that veil lifted on what has really been going on behind the scenes. But what’s missing? If you don't really pay attention to these themes or history, you probably missed this one. Repentance is missing. National Prayer Historically Included Repentance If you trace the history of national prayer in America, even before the formal National Day of Prayer, the emphasis was on public confession, humility, fasting, and turning from sin. Early proclamations often called for days of fasting and prayer with confession, penitential observances in times of crisis. Acknowledging that the nation had strayed from righteousness. Notable examples include New Hampshire in 1786, which called for a day to “penitently confess ... sins and transgressions,” President James Madison’s 1814 proclamation linking public humility to divine pardon, and George Washington recording in June 1774: “Went to church, fasted all day,” modeling personal fasting and national repentance. The National Day of Prayer, created in 1952, was intended to mobilize public prayer and repentance for America, rooted in a Judeo-Christian understanding that leaders and families need divine intercession. Over the decades, however, the emphasis on repentance has faded. Why Repentance Matters 2 Chronicles 7:14 commands: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways...” And Psalm 66:18 warns: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” And Jesus’ first proclamation in the Gospel was a call to repent: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 Repentance is not some soft add‑on, and repentance is not optional. It is central to Biblical teachings. It is absolutely necessary for our salvation and effective prayer. Invoking Scripture without genuine repentance undermines the Biblical pattern of national humility we are to have and becomes hypocrisy, or what I call a "PR stunt." When Ritual Becomes Empty Scripture repeatedly warns against religious performance that ignores justice and righteousness. Isaiah 1:13–17 is blunt: God rejects meaningless offerings and assemblies when the oppressed are ignored, and injustice continues. Similarly, Amos 5:21–24 declares that God despises feasts and songs if justice does not flow like a river. Prayer without repentance or accountability from anyone who participates appears righteous outwardly, but masks the reality of hearts unconverted to Christ. Such displays can mislead observers, giving the impression that participants are true believers when, in fact, their actions, or lack thereof, reveal otherwise. This not only confuses the public about what genuine faith is, but it grieves God, who detests empty worship. As Psalm 24:4–5 reminds us: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Those whose hands are unclean, yet present a façade of piety, will not claim His favor. A Notable Omission On February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union address. Amid coverage of many topics, he did not once recognize the horrific abuses detailed in the Epstein files, despite the clear and urgent call from the public for justice. There were many difficult topics covered in the speech, so it wasn’t a matter of timing or appropriateness. It was the perfect moment, especially as people from across political divides were willing to work together on this issue. While some undoubtedly had ulterior motives, those motives still aligned with advancing investigations, arrests, and justice. Members of Congress from both sides wore pins during the speech referencing the release of Epstein documents, and survivors of Epstein’s abuse were invited as guests by Democratic lawmakers to highlight the ongoing lack of accountability. Yet Trump’s silence stood in stark contrast, failing the Biblical pattern of leaders confronting wrongdoing and calling for repentance. Words Without Action Trump has publicly addressed the Epstein files, but only to claim exoneration, dismiss the matter as a “Democratic hoax,” or express indifference. Recent reporting suggests the DOJ may be withholding facts related to Trump and the Epstein files, raising serious concerns about transparency and the faith he claims to practice. Talking about wrongdoing is not the same as acting on it, and this silence should be a warning signal to all congregations. From a Biblical perspective, all leadership roles (not just the presidency) carry a responsibility to repent, act justly, and defend the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17). Silence, denial, or dismissal creates a widening gap between publicly invoking God and pursuing true justice. And Scripture does not treat that gap lightly. Isaiah 1 is blunt: “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.” God rejects prayer that is divorced from repentance and justice. If a National Day of Prayer omits repentance, this is what remains: A public performance without confession, and a spiritual appeal that is blind to God Hypocrisy as Defined by Scripture Jesus reserves His sharpest rebukes not for pagans, but for religious leaders who appear righteous externally but are corrupt internally (Matthew 23). He calls them Blind Guides. Hypocrisy in Scripture is more than inconsistency with one’s stated beliefs or principles. It is the deliberate substitution of outward form for inward obedience, where ritual, piety, or moral pretense is used to create an illusion of righteousness. The Bible does not use the phrase “act of following satan” for every instance of hypocrisy, but it makes clear that satan is the source behind such behavior, exploiting deceit and pretense to advance his aims. In doing so, the heart turns from genuine repentance, justice, and humility, substituting human approval for God’s approval. This is not merely a personal failing; it is a distortion of God’s law and the ethical truths the prophets worked to reveal. The consequences of hypocrisy are profound. It misleads both the hypocrite and the people they influence, masking the reality of sin, injustice, and moral decay. Satan benefits from this deception, using it to confuse, misdirect, and weaken God’s people, while spiritual leadership becomes a tool for appearance rather than a reflection of God’s truth. Discerning believers must be vigilant to recognize true obedience from mere performance. Conclusion I do not write this out of fear or to attack any one person or party, nor am I telling anyone what political side they should stand on. I see good and evil on all sides, so I choose no side but God's. I write to open eyes to what Scripture calls us to see. We cannot ignore patterns of misconduct simply because a leader does something good or claims to be a Christian. The occasional right decisions do not erase ongoing failures of justice, nor does lip service to righteousness equal true obedience. Perhaps the most important question we each must ask ourselves is: to whom are you truly pledged? A party, a person, a campaign slogan, or to God? Are we evaluating leaders’ words and actions against Scripture, weighing the fruit they produce over time, and letting Christ guide our discernment? Or are we letting politics and personality shape our faith, instead of letting our faith shape our view of politics? I am not naive; no person, leader, or politician is perfect by any standard, but we are called to seek discernment in how God wants us to engage with the world. When we center Christ in our lives first, He will guide our decisions—in prayer, advocacy, voting, support, and giving—and we must refuse to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing and evil, resisting the temptation to excuse the behavior of others. By doing so, we become far less susceptible to satan’s deception. In living faithfully, we can serve as beacons of light, spreading God’s Word and helping restore the authority and truth of Scripture in our communities. I leave you with this: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." 1 Timothy 2:1-2 © Jane Isley Sources & References: National Day of Prayer 2026 Theme History of Prayer in America / Early Proclamations Mission and Vision of National Day of Prayer Trump Longest State of the Union / Epstein Omission Congressional Pins Highlighting Epstein Files PBS News "Hoax" Comment NPR Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump PBS News Doesn't Care About Files Comment Epstein Accusers at State of the Union Trump Exoneration Statements / Video Clip Trump on Epstein Files as “Hoax” DOJ Withholding Some Epstein Files / NPR Coverage Congressional Democrats Investigating Epstein Files 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 4:17, Daniel 3, Proverbs 10:9, Isaiah 1:15, Matthew 23:1–36, Ephesians 5:11,Isaiah 1:13–17, Isaiah 1:17

“If you use the word “Christian” anywhere in conjunction with your name or introduction to another person. You are voluntarily signing up for higher expectations, whether you like it or not.” ~ Me I was reminded of this recently, and it challenged me to examine Scripture. We are warned about judging others while ignoring the plank in our own eye (Matthew 7:5), but He never said we shouldn’t discern or hold fellow believers to His higher standard. He also doesn’t say we must maintain relationships with those who profess Christianity yet act with duplicity that causes harm or confusion. The Double-Minded Heart James 1:7–8 “For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Psalm 28:3 “[…] Who speak peace with their neighbors, While evil is in their hearts.” Matthew 23:28 “So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Scripture Makes It Clear When a person reveals instability of character, saying one thing and doing another, trust is broken. And instead of repentance, pride can often take over. Ego, defensiveness, and self-justification pour out fast. That is a heart not of God, but of this world. A torn heart. The Greek word for unstable in James 1:8 is akatastatos, meaning unstable, restless, and disorderly. That paints a vivid picture: a person whose thoughts, motives, and actions are never fully aligned. Someone likely swayed by every emotion or circumstance. That kind of instability produces impulsive reactions and fractured relationships. It’s not a trait of Christ, and it’s not something we should allow to take root in our lives. Yes, we screw up at times, but trust me, there is a cast-iron pan hitting you somewhere in the head when you screw up. You feel it, you see it, you can even taste it. It is up to you to listen and be taught by God to walk away from what the world deems “right” and do better. You mature. Anchoring Your Soul A double-minded, unstable person is restless because their internal foundation is unstable. Those who are anchored in Christ are steadier and, at the very least, feel that cast-iron conviction hard enough to shape up. One of our callings as believers isn’t only to walk in alignment with God. It’s to do the work to get there and to fight to stay there; it is also to hold fellow believers to the higher standard that Christ set forth for us. How We React Reveals Who We Are I’ve found that when you truly live your life for Christ, things just naturally occur in a person. It becomes instilled in you, whether you are new to it or not. Especially in how you respond to feedback. When your heart is in line with Christ, I usually see one of two things: You recognize feedback for what it is, appreciate it, learn from it, apply it, and move on; or You feel the sting, step back, have a convo with God, learn from it, and then move on. I remember my interactions with people. They shape how I move forward with them. I trust their words and their love for Christ, but when instability becomes painfully clear, trust is lost. It’s not that I hold onto anything negative against them and dwell on it; it’s that that interaction shows me exactly where they are in life with God, and what they need prayer for. It also shows me that I may need to step away from that harm and hold them to a higher standard, which is what they signed up for when they proclaimed Christianity. Final Thought Moment When others act double-minded, don’t let their instability shake your integrity. Stand firm, call it out respectfully, respond with grace, and walk away if you must. The world will always be pulling at our loyalties, but a surrendered heart will always find its balance in Him. © Jane Isley

I’ve been mulling over a few words lately that are sparking fierce debates among Christians; one of those words is “deconstructionism.” While I may take that on another time, it isn’t the word I’m concerned about today. The word on my radar is discernment. When Discernment Was Respected Discernment was once a respected word. It was a word that belonged to religion; it spoke of faith, wisdom, and connection to God in Christianity. Then somewhere along the way, a snake slithered into the landscape and begun subtly reshaping that word. At first, this may all seem harmless, but look at the current culture we live in; no word is sacred anymore and allowed to hold a concrete definition, and satan is thriving in this confusion; he is thriving in his ability to undermine a definition and use it to his advantage. That is the pattern I’m watching emerge with this word. Dictionary Definition So let’s start with the definition of discernment: “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure” How do I describe discernment to people? It isn’t a “feeling.” It isn’t opinion, logic, your knowledge, or experience. It is a supernatural force of God, crashing into the soul like a battering ram. It is the ability from Him to see past flashy language, “good” intentions, and the appealing packages, and to recognize the snake hiding underneath that no one else sees. It is God having a conversation with your soul. Where It’s All Going Wrong These headlines reveal how far the word has drifted from its original meaning. “News Finds Me as the illusion of competence: evidence for overconfidence in discernment of political misinformation” (1) “Reading news on social media boosts knowledge, discernment and trust” (2) “The media literacy dilemma: can ChatGPT facilitate the discernment of online health misinformation?” (3) “Professor’s “News Literacy” Guide Provides Tools to Discern Fake News” (4) “Expediency Discernment Council of Iran Approves Conditional Accession to CFT” (5) This past weekend, I overheard sports commentators debating a football play. One of them used the word discernment to describe a player’s decision. And earlier, I heard a talk show host use the same word to discuss a cookie recipe. From Respected to Common I’m in my forties, and never in my life did I expect to hear the word discernment used to describe football or a recipe. That’s why I used the word respected earlier, because it should be to us. Discernment should not be a buzzword used to sound intelligent or authoritative, and satan is in bliss right now, knowing the masses are getting hit with this word, and its definition is becoming muddied, just what he wants. Check out this quote: “The term discernment” is most commonly used in a religious context to describe an individual’s decision-making process in regard to a vocation. To think about it, though, discernment is part of many people’s daily lives, without knowing it!” (source) That statement shows the problem perfectly. Discernment is not something people unknowingly practice in daily life; it is not an instinct or a skill that develops through daily experience or work efforts. Discernment comes from a relationship with God. By reframing it as a common human ability, the quote quietly edits discernment out of the spiritual realm and plants it into the self. That is not clarification, it is redefinition. What’s At Stake I get it, by dictionary definition, it technically can be expanded and added to, but, for us, Christians, this word has a full and powerful meaning. If we don’t keep the word discernment safe and correctly used, if we don’t teach what it means Biblically, how are Christians in the future going to be able to recognize discernment as distinct from the self? How will people be able to see that this: “discernment is part of many people’s daily lives,” is a lie unless they are a believer? How will they recognize the deception that is not just coming, but already here, when the very definition of what it means is now mixed up in Google titles and social media comments? Language helps shape belief, and when spiritual language is redefined by culture and media, faith itself is affected. If discernment becomes nothing more than a cognitive human skill, stripped of its spiritual power, then how can it be recognized? © Jane Isley Sources: (1) Oxford Academic: Human Communication Research (2) Natural Human Behaviour (3) Frontiers in Communication (4) News Wise (5) WAWA

It’s easy to assume pastors, preachers, and ministers are always right. But that assumption is all too often dangerous this day in age. Because many leaders are simply no longer teaching the Word of God. They’re dishing out a version of Christianity they’ve shaped to fit their own desires, and far too many congregations nod along without question. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matt 7:15 I’m seeing it more and more as each day passes. A leader drifts off course, and instead of conviction correcting the moment, silence fills the room. People are reading the room more than they read their own Bible. The conviction stirs inside, but comfort wins out. And just like that, a church stops being the body of Christ and becomes a crowd primed for deception. Psychology calls it mob mentality. Scripture calls it apostasy. That is a deliberate turning away; a conscious rejection of Christ and His teachings. One person stays silent. Then another. Then another. Slowly, conviction collapses in favour of fitting in. As the congregation drifts, satan seizes a foothold, whispering into that leader’s ear. They then test boundaries because they can, knowing the congregation will go along; this is an easily self-feeding cycle. A closed loop of delusion dressed in church language and religious ritual. We were warned. “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Tim 4:3 We were also forewarned of the consequences. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matt 7:21–23 When conviction and comfort clash, where do you fall? © Jane Isley