By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Burning Man, an annual event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, showcases a temporary city of self-expression and artistic endeavor, rooted in principles of radical participation and self-reliance. However, it also reveals deep spiritual emptiness, with many attendees searching for meaning and purpose, unaware of their need for spiritual fulfillment through Christ.
Continue reading “The Grief and Reality Behind Burning Man’s Celebration”By Elizabeth Prata
Chip and Joanna Gaines are producing another television show, another reality show. This is the popular Texas couple formerly of Fixer Upper, a home renovation tv show, currently of Magnolia Silos/Bakery/Realty/Journal/Furniture etc. & etc.
They recently were involved in a controversy this past June. Their current TV show on television now is called ‘Back to the Frontier,’ a reality show that tests modern families to live like 1880s homesteaders. It features a homosexual couple with their adopted twin boys obtained from a surrogate woman. This is not a family according to the Bible, and many people told the Gaines this. Chip Gaines replied on social media with all the usual talking points from clueless liberals, such as “love one another”, “stop the hate”, “don’t be judgmental,” and so on.
Vanity Fair-
This time with the new TV show, the situation is worse, because it proves the inclusion of the homosexual couple on Back to the Frontier was not an accident or an oversight. It is a purposeful furthering of the perversion agenda that has successfully made inroads into evangelicalism. The Gaines claim to be Christians, and attend an evangelical church, or, they did.
In this next iteration of their ever-expanding empire, the Gaines’ are producing a show featuring a “queer activist” host, “crossdressing judge,” and an “all-LGBTQ skate team”. More here.
@megbasham opined on Twitter, “Another show that @chipgaines
and Joanna Gaines are producing. This blows apart Chip’s pretense that they are merely trying to be kind and understanding to individuals who identify as LGBTQ. They are clearly using their positions and influence to promote disordered sexuality and gender behavior.“
It is very sad to see people claim Jesus but conform to the world. Romans 12:2 says,
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Chip and Joanna Gaines obviously do not know the will of God.
The wise person’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I know that one and the same fate happens to both of them. (Ecclesiastes 2:14)
That same fate: death. Death apart from Christ is folly. Death in Christ is glory. Gaineses- Repent today and be saved!
I’m excited to hear the next edition of DB Harrison and Virgil Walker’s podcast, Just Thinking, because they will tackle “AI and the Gospel.” If all goes well, it is supposed to be released at the end of August, as stated on August 9th. You can listen to previous episodes such as the most recent one, called “A Biblical Theology of the Social Media”. I listened to it and it’s excellent. I am both fascinated and repelled by the advance of AI, or Artificial Intelligence. I personally increasingly see how it will be uses & abused during the coming Great Tribulation. I need a Gospel centering on this subject, as my mind is all over the map on it. The Just Thinking Podcast will help me in this.
Fred Butler is the Manager of the GTY (Grace To You) volunteers. This is the media arm of John MacArthur’s ministry. GTY volunteers are the ones who package the written material and send it out to the subscriber list, they record, edit, and maintain the broadcasts of MacArthur’s sermons, and so on. Fred wrote this week,
So today marks the end of a significant ministry at GTY and for me. For the last 25-plus years or more, I have had the privilege of helping record the Sunday morning sermons of John MacArthur. Today [Sunday, August 24] is the last day GTY will be officially recording the Sunday messages.
The messages from the Grace Community Church pulpit WILL be recorded, it’s just the end of the era for GTY doing that task. Why? Fred explains,
“The church media team will [record the services], but not GTY. We were exclusively the keepers of John’s voice.”
As I received a book from this month’s GTY mailing and put it on my MacArthur shelf, I realized this is the last book. The man is no longer on this earth to write new material, and I will no longer hear his voice preaching new sermons. It gives a jolt as you continually realize someone you’re used to or rely on has passed away.
Virgil Walker at his Sola Veritas substack, wrote an essay on Women, Emotions, and the Call to Kindness: A Christian Perspective. In these feminist days, now a generation (or two) having grown up under the second wave of feminism rushing through the culture, women are repeatedly told to be bold, daring, loud, unafraid to offer opinions, to brashly sit at the ‘same table as men, and the like.
Don’t believe me? Jen Wilkin struts around a stage telling pastors “what they need to know about women“. Beth Moore calls herself (rightly) obnoxious and publicly complains about brothers in an elevator who fail to pay proper homage to her acknowledge her. These are leading women and younger women see their poor example and copy it.
Mouthiness in women is oft-putting. I know someone from 40 years ago who had a girlfriend and her friends, when they got together, were loud and obnoxious. He used to call this gal group the Deci-Belles.
Here is Virgil Walker’s guest writer Nedelka Medina with some advice for women who are led by their emotions:
In today’s culture, some women interpret rudeness, sharp criticism, or overt assertiveness as signs of empowerment or strength. Social media, pop culture, and certain feminist narratives often celebrate those who speak harshly or dominate conversations as “confident” or “independent.” From a Christian perspective, this is a distorted view of strength. True empowerment is not in asserting dominance or lashing out but in exercising self-control, humility, and love.
Read more at Virgil’s substack here.
Well that wraps it up for today. I hope you find any of these essays or thoughts God-glorifying, edifying, or just plain helpful.
By Elizabeth Prata
The memorial service for John MacArthur, held on August 23, 2025, celebrated his impactful 56-year ministry at Grace Community Church. Attendees honored his dedication to preaching and discipleship, reflecting on his friendship, encouragement, and unwavering focus on God. MacArthur’s legacy as a faithful servant will inspire future generations.
Continue reading ““A foretaste of glory divine”… Thoughts and reflections on the John MacArthur Memorial service”By Elizabeth Prata
Today is a great day to thank the Lord for His Gospel.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
In Thyatira, a woman identified as a false prophetess, referred to as “Jezebel,” was leading the church into sin and idolatry, which Jesus condemned. Despite the church’s loving deeds, it tolerated her harmful teachings, risking its spiritual purity. This ultimately contributed to the church’s decline by the second century, and gives us in this century lessons to learn.
Continue reading “The Risk of Tolerating False Prophets in the Church”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
I discuss the importance of discernment for Christians and the need for training to distinguish between good and evil. I reflect on instances of well-known figures like Billy Graham and Aimee Byrd, who initially appeared sound but later showed false teachings. I emphasize the necessity for ongoing vigilance in spiritual matters.
Continue reading “Spotting False Teachers and Scrubbing Old Blogs”By Elizabeth Prata
I visited heaven last Sunday.
Am I going to write a book about it? No. A book has already been written about what I saw there. It’s called the Bible.
I’m fascinated with glimpses of heaven. I love to read the visions Ezekiel had, and Isaiah, and John. (Ezekiel 1, Isaiah 6, Revelation 1, 4, etc). Interestingly, the details all three men recorded are consistent with each other. None of the details that other alleged visitors to heaven who allegedly visited there are consistent with each other nor with the Bible.
I read and re-read those glimpses because that is our home! It is where we believers are headed and will dwell for eternity. Be heavenly minded. It’s more than OK.
Though I’ve read through Exodus before, I had not previously ‘seen’ this little nugget nestled in Exodus 24:9-11.
Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, And they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.
WOW!
Well how beautiful, another glimpse of His holy habitation! Jamieson Fausset Commentary says,
“sapphire—one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems—of a sky-blue or light azure color and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God.”
Let’s compare that scene with Ezekiel’s in chapter 1:26,
And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.
Barnes notes says of the Exodus scene, “The pure blue of the heaven above them lent its influence to help the inner sense to realize the vision which no mortal eye could behold.“
When I read these and get to the jewels part it’s hard to visualize (how did he know it as sapphire when it’s clear?) but I envision sparkle, brightness, and purity. With the world becoming more and more wretched, I delight to ponder the purity that awaits.
One final thought, Nadab and Abihu saw, supped, and were blessed to behold. Yet that was not enough! They still failed to do as the LORD commanded and they offered strange fire in worship. They got lazy and would not worship as He had commanded. Perhaps they took their eyes away from the LORD, though it’s so hard to believe, since they had seen Him, or at least, His majestic abode.
Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. (Leviticus 10:1-2).
How easy is it for us to do the same, we who have not seen? O, keep your eyes on the Lord! Behold Him always. And when you need a pick-me-up, read of the visions of heaven as recorded in the Bible. What a wonderful day awaits us believers!
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The essay discusses the concept of redemption through Jesus Christ, emphasizing that many underestimate the seriousness of sin by comparing themselves to others rather than to Jesus. True redemption, signified by Christ’s sacrifice, frees individuals from the power of sin and bondage, enabling them to live in holiness under God’s grace.
Continue reading “Understanding Redemption Through Christ’s Sacrifice”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Discipleship requires careful selection of mentors grounded in Scripture, as highlighted in some people’s experiences with misguiding figures. Recognizing the importance of discernment, both new and mature believers must avoid false teachings and seek genuine, faithful Christian guidance. Much of one’s spiritual growth flows with the quality of chosen disciplers and spiritual models.
Continue reading “The Importance of Discernment in Discipleship”By Elizabeth Prata
We are warned, commanded, and urged in 26 of the 27 New Testament books to watch out for false teachers and false religious movements (example- Judaizers, Nicolaitans). Heresies have popped up like wildfires in every century since Jesus ascended to heaven. The church as diligently battled them when they arose.
But too often the word ‘heretic’ and ‘heresy’ are watered down from overuse. They have lost meaning from people who misunderstand its import. We cannot fling the word around and aim it at people when they are not in fact heretics. A heretic is bound for hell. It’s serious. So what does heresy actually mean?
In a previous Word of the Week, I’d posted about Orthodoxy. In the religious context, Orthodoxy means conforming to correctly interpreted, established doctrine, especially in religion. Heresy is a teaching or belief that stands in opposition to the orthodox teaching, so much so that to believe it, one essentially declares himself not a Christian. Here is Matt Slick at Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry to explain.
Heresy, by Matt Slick
Heresy is a false teaching. It is a belief or idea that is in contradiction to orthodoxy. In the context of Christianity, heresy is that which deviates from standard biblical teaching. Examples of heresy would be polytheism [more than one god], a denial of the resurrection of Christ, salvation is obtained by works, etc. The Christian church has experienced many attacks by heretics throughout the centuries, but it has fought them successfully – even though many persist. There are modern-day heresies. For example, Mormonism which teaches God is an exalted man from another planet and that we can become gods. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity, deny the deity of Christ, and deny salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Roman Catholicism teaches this also, teaches works to salvation, and promotes Mary worship.
Thus, even though Mormons, Catholics, and Jehovah’s Witnesses claim a religion, and claim to know God, they are heretics because they deny the foundational aspects of Christianity. They do not know God.
“Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in on attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced (ridiculous as the expression may seem) more true than truth itself,” (Irenaeus Against Heresies 1.2).
The word “heresy” comes from the Greek ‘hairesis’ which means “choosing” or “faction.” At first, the term heresy did not carry the negative meaning it does now. But, as the early church grew in its scope and influence throughout the Mediterranean area, various teachers proposed controversial ideas about Christ, God, salvation, and other biblical themes.
It became necessary for the church to determine what was and was not true according to the Bible. For example, Arius of Alexander (A.D. 320) taught that Jesus was a creation. Was this true? Was this important? Other errors arose. The Docetists taught that Jesus wasn’t human. The Modalists denied the Trinity. The Gnostics denied the incarnation of Christ. Out of necessity, the church was forced to deal with these heresies by proclaiming orthodoxy; and in so doing, condemnation upon these heresies and the heretics became a reality.
Heretics after death will be cast into hell. Heresy is serious. So we do not cast around that word unless we have mindfully studied and are sure the person or movement we are commenting on is indeed meeting the qualifications of heretic or heresy.
“Hell at last, Yawning, received them whole”, Gustave Dore illustrator, Paradise Lost by Milton.
the-end-time.org 