Commentary

Until we know the answer, it’s the question that’ll always bother us: “Where was God?”

Yes, I’m sure that’s the question many folks down in the Texas hill country were asking ( and are still asking) after the sudden flooding of the Guadalupe River early on the morning of July 4. At the time of this writing, some 132 have died and 160+ are still missing.

It was a “once in 100 years” historic flood the authorities said.

But, that didn’t make it any less painful—particularly for those who lost loved ones or those whose loved ones’ bodies are still missing ( and may never be found).

And, that’s why the question “Where was God?” is both a painfully important question to ask and try to answer. Why is that? Because it’s rooted in the trial of our Faith and the struggle of our soul.

If there’s a God—and there is—we definitely need to know the answer.

Yes, if there’s truly one true-and-living God, Who’s truly omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent—Who’s Perfect, Holy and Just and MUST punish sin ( and there is)— then the column’s question is of paramount, eternal importance.

So, if God is the One we find in the Bible. . .not other religions’ holy books or beliefs. . . then there’s no doubt that He HATES sin. . .and if a person doesn’t come to Him the way He prescribes. . .it follows that that person’s sin is already under His Condemnation and Wrath. . . which means he/she are also under that because of their sin (John 3:18-21; Hebrews 9:27).

To all Americans, this stands for the colonists’ “Declaration of Independence” from Great Britain in 1776.

And, believe it or not, three other nations also celebrate that day: because of their connection to the United States in one way or the other ( Denmark, Norway and Ireland). The Philippines also celebrated on that day from 1946-61, when they moved the date to June 12 to celebrate their independence from Spain.

In all of these countries there’ll be parades, bands playing and fireworks: to celebrate freedom ( in one way or another). The Jews also have other times of celebration: when they remember how they were set free from oppression (e.g.,

Feasts of Purim, Yom Kippur, Passover, Hannukah).

And, then other religions have special times of celebration: Islam (Ramadan). . . Baha’i (Naw-Ruz). . . Hinduism, Jainism, Sikism and Buddhism (Diwali or “Festival of Lights”), etc.

Trump is Correct to Assist Israel in the Elimination of Iran’s Nuclear Threat

Presidential historians traditionally look for signal and defining moments in a presidential administration as a method by which to rank and place that president in history. President Trump has just had one.

What happened? In a secret operation that can only be described as outstanding, President Trump ordered Operation Midnight Hammer in which the U.S. Central Command conducted precision strikes in the middle of the night against three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, in order to destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear program. Transporting these enormous “bunker buster” bombs that were dropped was a large B-2 bomber strike package.

By all accounts, the result has been that the U.S. has, indeed, either completely obliterated or severely degraded the Iranian nuclear program.

A Spoonful of Summer: Peach Cobbler Jam There’s something about peaches that captures the heart of summer— juicy, golden, and just sweet enough to make you smile. And when you stir in warm spices and a splash of vanilla, you end up with more than jam—you get a spoonful of comfort that tastes like Grandma’s cobbler on a hot afternoon. This Peach Cobbler Jam is a perfect way to preserve the season’s bounty, and it makes a lovely gift... if you can part with it!

Peach Cobbler Jam Recipe Ingredients: 5 cups diced ripe peaches 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 cups sugar, divided 1 scant teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter, optional 1 (1.75-ounce) pouch liquid fruit pectin 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract In a large deep pot, combine the peaches with the lemon juice and 2 cups of the sugar; cover and let stand for 1 hour.

We are concerned parents that our town do not care about investing in our children. It is no wonder that the town of Winnfield is dying. If a town does not invest in their kids then this is what happens. If one has a child that is involved in the outside recreation sports then it is plain to see the town does not put much effort or time in the upkeep. Have you been out to the ball fields or taken your child to play on the equipment (or lack of) or walked the new walk path that an organization worked so hard to get for this community? The fields are barely mowed. There are holes in certain places with fire ants everywhere. The walk path is not cared for and the playground is not even mowed around. Not sure who is responsible in making sure who is running the program and making sure things are being done. Is it a buddy system? The person in charge sure hasn’t been out there to look or if they have they must be blind.

I don’t know that there has been a more significant trip to the Middle East by an American president. The Middle East, with its eternal hatreds, is a perpetual tinderbox from which conflict and war may, at any time, spring.

Yet, there President Trump was.

His speech in Riyadh at the Saudi U.S. Investment Forum highlighted a very promising and optimistic vision for a more stable Middle East. Trump stated that “before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos, where it exports technology, not terrorism, and where people of different nations, religions and creeds are building cities together, not bombing each other out of existence.”

In the grand hierarchy of oldworld skills, few hold the mystique of sourdough. It’s a bubbling, living tradition passed down from generation to generation. Unlike instant yeast, which is about as exciting as watching paint dry, sourdough starter has personality—it breathes, grows, and, if neglected too long, will stage an uprising in the back of your fridge.

“Trusting a God you don’t understand.”

Yes, Job’s Story is definitely an intriguing one: one that deals with “Sin, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God.” And, it was never about patience; it was all about trust.

One day everything’s going great and “coming up roses;” the next day everything’s falling apart and his wife is saying “Why do you hang onto your faith? Look at what’s happening to us, Job! Where is God in all of this? Why don’t you go ahead, curse God and die?!?” (Job 2:9).

Thankfully, Job didn’t do that: even though he got to the place where he wished he’d never been born and likened God to a celestial bully who seemingly delighted in tormenting him (Job 3:126; 16:6-14).

Instead, he demonstrated his Faith—which was being “tried by fire”—by making these declarations:

Jesus Christ is unique. He is one of a kind. Revelation 17:14 declares that Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings.” In Mathew 28:18 Jesus declares that, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

In John 14:6 Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Notice Jesus did not say “I am a way, a truth, and a life.” No, He said He was THE way, THE truth, and THE life.

There is no other way to God. Jesus is the way. No man can come to God except by Jesus. Jesus is the one unique way to God.

There are people all over the world claiming they have found another way to God. These are all liars and false prophets. Not one of them can bring you to God. Jesus is the only way to God.