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
In 2013, Aerobatic Wing Walker Jane Wicker and her pilot Charlie Schwenker were killed when the plane crashed at a Dayton, OH airshow.
The second before the plane crashed, the Dayton Ohio air show announcer said as wing walker Jane Wicker positioned herself on the upside down wing: “Jane Wicker, on top of the world!” One second later, she was dead.
I often speak of the soon return of Jesus. Today is one day closer to His return than yesterday was. Paul used to speak of Jesus’ soon return often. As a matter of fact, every New Testament book except Philemon speaks of Christ’s coming. You need to be ready.
However, we are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Yes, Jesus could come, but death could come also.
James 4:14 says “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
I often wondered what Ms Wicker was thinking as she sat on the upside down wing. Nothing indicated that one second later she would be dead. Did she think she had loads of time left to ponder the deep mysteries of faith and salvation? Had she put it off until tomorrow, but tomorrow never came?
I hope she was saved by grace of Jesus.
So many people are abruptly taken out of this world to meet their eternity. Yet so many people put off for tomorrow what they should be reconciling today. I remember during a sermon one of my elders had said that as a teen they were evangelizing in a grocery store. One of the team gave the gospel to a man who was exiting. He said he did not need Jesus. He walked out of the sliding door to the sidewalk and fell down dead right then.
If you are not saved, then do not put off to tomorrow what should be done today. God has appointed you to a limited number of days in this lifetime. You do not know what that number is.
“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” (Psalm 39:4-5).
Taking care of business means coming to grips with a few things. First, this life is not all there is. We are given a limited number of days to dwell upon the earth, but this body and this life is only phase 1. After death, there is a phase 2. If you have repented of your sins and believed on the resurrected Jesus as Lord and Savior, you will go to heaven and be with Him. You will be given a glorified body that is impervious to death or sickness, has no sin nature, and can withstand the full blast of His glory and Holiness. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50; Philippians 3:21).
If you rejected Jesus in this life- and you don’t have to actively reject Him but passively fail to accept him (doing nothing is the same as rejecting) then you will go to hell after you die. This is a place of eternal separation from God and you will be given a body that can withstand the full blasts of the punishment that will be inflicted on you as eternal payment for your sins and crimes against Him. (Revelation 14:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9)
It is a lie that you will be annihilated, that there is nothing else after death. It is a lie that hell is only temporary. It is surely eternal, as your sins are eternal and as Jesus is eternal. (Matthew 25:46). That is why Christians can dwell with Him forever, (Matthew 28:20; John 14:3) because He is eternal and He paid the price for our sins eternally when He took God’s punishment on the cross. (Romans 3:23-24).
You say, “God is loving, He would never send people to hell for punishment.” Really? It pleased Him to crush His Son! (Isaiah 53:10). Jesus absorbed all of God’s punishment while He was on the cross. Is God loving who would do that? Yes, He was making a way for YOU, whom He also loves. Jesus did that voluntarily, because He loves His people. If you reject Jesus though, you reject the way to heaven. (John 14:6).
Eternity is real and it is permanent. You do not know what today will bring. Ms Wicker didn’t. I hope these few words from my heart makes you think of the afterlife. For the Christian, it is a joy to ponder the time we will be with Jesus. For the unsaved, there is dread and fear of the unknown. But you can know, your eternity could be secure- if you repent. (Mark 1:15).
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Further reading:
What is repentance?
the-end-time.org 