“The greatest surprise in life to me is the brevity of life” #BillyGraham
In late May or early June of 1975, John H Starkey from the Indianapolis Star contacted me asking if I’d be interested in doing a one day photo shoot. He explained that it would be scheduled in June and that it was for a July Sunday Star Magazine story titled, “Summer Days and Daisies,” to which I agreed. I was 20 years old, working full time at Olson Electronics, and living in Indianapolis, my home town.
On the day of the shoot we actually didn’t find any daisies but did find plenty of Black-eyed Susans. Thus, the writer edited into the article the Black-eyed Susan connection, as it was originally planned to be an article about daisies. The article included my name, comments about the connection between Black-eyed Susans and daisies, and several stock photos of daisies. So yes, it was fun and no, I don’t remember the name of the young man in the background; he was just one of John Starkey’s friends.
In retrospect, improvising the use of Black-eyed Susans, and the writer having to re-write his story was a providential life lesson for me, although I didn’t recognize it at the time. That is, our lives don’t always fit a planned script, and many times things turn out differently than what we may have originally planned. In any case, and I what I came to learn few years later, when we make Jesus the Lord of our life, His plans are always perfect; in all things, in the joys of life, in the sorrows of life, and in our everyday life. God is sovereign over all.
Just as July 27, 1975, was on a Sunday years ago, so it is on July 27, 2025, a Sunday. Exactly 50 years have passed and yet in my mind, 1975 seems like just yesterday. It actually is hard to believe how fast time flies, but it most certainly has.
The Bible warns us that, “Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” Psalm 144:4
Yet, the good news is that, “The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? ” (John 11:25-26)
Chip and Joanna Gaines’ new television show, “Back to the Frontier” has caused quite a stir on social media this month, particularly among Christians. The show features three families who are temporarily living as 19th-century homesteaders, without modern conveniences, including electricity. The controversy is that one of the three families include a homosexual couple with adopted twin boys
While homosexuality has been around since biblical times, the amount of people who identify as homosexual, and the acceptance of homosexuality in our society has definitely increased in the past few years.
We’re living in a much different world today than when I was young. I’m old enough to remember when homosexuality was something that was often likened to something that was hid in a closet. People recognized that it was a sin and used to try to hide it. Fast forward to today where is not just out and in the open, it’s celebrated. It’s weaved into television shows, movies, advertising, etc., and is one of the favorite topics of the DEI, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda.
While I can somewhat understand the emotional connection that a homosexual might feel for their partner, from a purely companionship perspective, I do not understand the physical connection between two people of the same sex. It goes against God’s natural order and laws of attraction, and to put it simply, it doesn’t make sense. What does make sense to me is that non-Christians engaging in homosexual relationships do not see their relationship as sinful, simply because they’re not Christian. They see “love as love” and frankly, many of them are likable, friendly, sensitive, and caring individuals.
I think what I’m most disappointed in is the progressive “Christian” churches of today. Somewhere along the way they took a left turn; they left their first love and instead of defending the gospel, they defend social issues of the DEI agenda as if it were a part of the gospel. They teach that homosexuality isn’t a sin. They oppose the word of God and preach a false gospel. Jesus came to save us from our sins, not to condone them. The Bible clearly teaches that a person cannot be a practicing homosexual (or thief, or swindler, etc.) and enter the kingdom of heaven.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
The good news is that God loves and offers forgiveness to all those who will repent of their sins and trust Christ as their Savior.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
I was convicted to write about this topic after seeing several comments on social media about Chip and Joanna’s new show. One comment in particular stated that “apparently Joanna is a trans woman or a transvestite.” I do not believe that is in anyway true.
What I do believe is that she (and Chip) need to stop and consider their ways. Now is the time to seize this opportunity to cry out to the Lord, in repentance and faith in Christ alone, and make Him the Lord of their life if they have not yet done so.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
I also believe that instead of posting critical and/or false remarks, Christians should pray for Chip and Joanna’s repentance concerning the same sex couple, and also for their salvation if they’re false converts. Imagine what a witness they could be for Christ if they repented and trusted in Him now. Imagine if they actually halted the “Frontier” TV production or removed the homosexual “family” from it. Imagine if they declared that according to God’s word, homosexuality is a sin and that, marriage is between one man and one woman.
Actually, Chip and Joanna have a quote, in all caps, on the back cover of their book, The Magnolia Story, that they would do well to take to heart today:
“SOMETIMES THE MESSIEST STUFF AND THE BIGGEST MISTAKES CAN TAKE YOU SOMEPLACE WONDERFUL.”
I have that book, and actually I met Chip in 2017 at the Texas Motor Speedway. He signed the last page for me.
I was happy to meet him and have long felt that Chip and Joanna are talented, creative, hardworking, and very likable people. Chip’s humor combined with Joanna’s calm and loving demeanor toward him is heartwarming. However, they also have presented themselves for the past several years, on a very public platform, as a Christian couple. I believe it’s time for them to reflect on their worldly “Christian” beliefs and stop to consider their ways. They’ve acquired much fame and fortune for the houses that they’ve so beautifully renovated, redesigned, and redecorated, but they’re far and away from the house that God commanded to be rebuilt in the Book of Haggai.
The Book of Haggai talks about rebuilding a house for the Lord, a temple actually. Overall, it begs us to stop and consider our ways, to examine our priorities, and to submit to the Lord’s priorities, in His timing, and not necessarily ours.
Charles Spurgeon also reminds us to consider our ways:
“It does not matter whom we please if God is not pleased, or who gets honor from what we give, if God is not glorified as a result.”
Some questions for Christians to consider:
Are we only interested in doing our own thing or are we willing to instead do a work for Him?
What are we actually building here on earth; wood, hay, or stubble? Or, have we ever done a work or built something that rightfully brings Him pleasure and glory?
Do we fear doing a work for the Lord when we know it goes against the world and its popular agendas?
Are we willing to humble ourselves, admit our selfish desires are sinful, and that we need to prioritize God’s will in our lives?
Is our faith so shallow that we do not trust that He will be with us always and that He is in full control of our circumstances? Are we not willing to trust God, no matter what?
Do we not know that He will more than bless us when we actually step out of our comfort zone, in faith, to glorify and serve Him?
“Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.” Haggai 1:5-8
Treasure In Jars of Clay 