Exhortations for The Soul

What would you say is the definition of an idol? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, an idol is an image worshipped as a (small g) god.   Every generation has its idols…especially people. In ancient times, they looked like golden calves, carved statues, and pagan altars.   But in today’s world, idols are much more subtle—and in many ways, more dangerous. They’re not always carved from stone; they’re often crafted through ambition, curated on social media, and fed by endless comparison. They’re not sitting in temples—they’re sitting in our pockets, our bank accounts, and even our relationships.   The question is no longer just “Do you worship?” but “What are you really worshiping?” Exodus 20:3 (NLT) says, “You must not have any other god but me.” That command was not just for the people at Sinai—it’s for us, right now. And while we may not kneel before a statue, we bow our hearts to things that were never meant to carry the weight of our devotion. Think about it. ...

Today we continue our series on how to live the real Christian Life. This week, we look at Kingdom Priorities – Values, Choices and Character: How to align our worldview with the Bible in an age of misinformation. Does anyone think that it’s loud out there? So many voices, on television, on the radio, on social media, from your family and friends, community and political leaders, in your head… It’s like the scroll never stops — swipe after swipe, story after story, reel after reel. Opinions are trending, lies are packaged so well it feels like truth is drowning in a digital sea of deception.   But as believers living in the age of algorithms, we’ve got to ask: What’s shaping our worldview — the sacred scroll or the social feed? What is shaping the way we live? What people say, what you watch on TikTok? God has always been speaking to us, His children. But in this digital age, in this day and age of technology, God is calling His people to reclaim truth — not the filtered truth of ...

When Christians hurt each other, the pain cuts deep because the place we expect safety becomes a source of sorrow.   Church wounds are some of the hardest to heal, not because God fails us, but because people—flawed and broken—often misrepresent Him.   In today’s world, “church” doesn’t only mean a building. It can mean a denomination, a fellowship, a ministry team, or even an online faith community. Wherever two or more are gathered in Christ’s name, there is a form of church.   And wherever people gather, hurt can happen. Sometimes it’s subtle—a dismissive word, a judgmental glance, a missed opportunity to care. Other times, it’s devastating—betrayal, exclusion, spiritual manipulation.   These wounds leave many disillusioned and disconnected, wondering how to reconcile their faith with their pain.   As Christians, we have to know that healing is not only possible—it’s God’s desire. The Bible doesn’t hide the reality of church hurt. Paul and Barnabas, once mini...