But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [2 Timothy 3:14–15]

Read these words to a young spiritual leader who had a grandmother and mother to thank for imparting a faith in Christ in his life. Now that faith is potentially multiplied in many others as Timothy “continues in what he has learned and firmly believed.” That’s the beautiful message of the Bible. The Scriptures are our primary means of knowing who God is, who we are, and what our prevailing problem is. And even from the words of the Old Testament we learn not only about Christ and his redemptive work for our sin-problem but also how we need to respond.

And then it is the Scriptures that instruct us how to live out that new life in faith. The words to Timothy continue:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (vv.16–17).

This purposeful life is initiated by a hearing of the Scriptures. God’s Holy Spirit uses the Bible to communicate the message and hope of salvation to every listening ear. And it’s the instructions and overarching biblical story that we need to live well.

George Mueller was an English evangelist and founder of Ashley Down Orphanage that cared for over 10,000 orphans in England. His life and ministry was a living advertisement for the importance of knowing and enjoying God. His words are vital and timeless:

“But in what way shall we attain to this settled happiness of soul? How shall we learn to enjoy God? How shall we obtain such an all-sufficient soul-satisfying portion in him as shall enable us to let go the things of this world as vain and worthless in comparison? I answer, this happiness is to be obtained through the study of the Holy Scriptures. God has therein revealed Himself unto us in the face of Jesus Christ.”

The Beatles…again (?)
The Beatles’ Anthology 4 will be released this fall. This is the latest offering of the band’s songs, studio outtakes, videos, and documentary footage that have been remastered and packaged. The documentary story will stream on Disney+ beginning November 26. The entire project was accomplished and produced by those with close connections to the four Beatles then and/or now. The reverence with which they labor on this project is almost like medieval monks protecting and restoring ancient sacred texts.

Does the world need more “new” Beatles material 55 years after the band broke up?

The skeptics will say it’s just another money grab. The diehard fans will say it’s great that new technology is being used to scrub up dated recordings (some previously unheard) without changing the music or original performances.

I am glad for these as well because it keeps their music relevent and pleasurable so that the younger generations like my granddaughter can still enjoy the music of the Fab Four.

“Christian” = church attendance (maybe not?)
A recent survey of the American Bible Society found that 45% of American Christians did not attend church in the past six months. From this 2025 study we learn that 64% of Americans say they are Christian, but of those, only 55% attend church.

Not surprisingly, for Christians who attend church, higher church engagement led to higher human flourishing. “People’s lives improve when they engage with their church—not just attending, but using their gifts, developing relationships, and taking advantage of opportunities to grow spiritually,” said John Plake, ABS Chief Innovation Officer and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series.

James Dobson passes away
As young parents, Sue and I read the popular James Dobson books Dare to Discipline and The Strong-Willed Child (not that we had one 😊 ). Dobson, an Evangelical psychologist, founded “Focus on the Family” in 1977. His organization provided many resources for Christian parents and marriages. A primary outlet for Dobson’s voice and teachings was Focus’ radio ministry. In 2005 The New York Times described Dr. Dobson as “the nation’s most influential evangelical leader.” This was particularly in reference to his growing involvement in the political realm, eventually even endorsing then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Dobson was 89.

Really??
There were betting lines on the Little League World Series?? C’mon! Are there no boundaries to this vice in sporting events? Not even when children are involved??

A library book has been returned to the San Antonio Public Library nearly 82 years after it was checked out! A note accompanied it, saying, “Grandma won’t be able to pay for it anymore.” That must have been one hefty overdue fine!

The Aalborg Zoo in Denmark is asking for donations of small pets as food for its predators. The zoo posted on Facebook that “if you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us.” I know some dog owners who at times might be tempted. Let the frustration pass. 😊

Two scientists from England wanted to know if yogurt smeared on the windows of a home help it to stay cooler. “We’ve started to look at shading solutions, stopping sun getting into your house during the day,” said Ben Roberts. The temperature in the yogurt house was up to 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler than the non-yogurt home. Roberts said the yogurt stinks for “30 minutes while drying but the smell dissipates.” One wonders if they’d ever heard of blinds or shades.

Show us your ways, Lord,
teach us your paths.
Guide us in your truth and teach us,
for you are God our Savior,
and our hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of our youth
and our rebellious ways;
according to your love remember us,
for you, Lord, are good.
Since you are our rock and our fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide us. . .
Our times are in your hands. Our future in is your hands.
May you, the God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in you, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is our prayer: that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

[Adapted from Psalms 25:4–7; 31:3, 15; Romans 15:13; and Philippians 1:9–11]