Author: Kevin Corbin

  • Issue 1669 – Did She? – February 11, 2025

    Issue 1669 – Did She? – February 11, 2025

    Photo of cast member playing Mary on the Chosen

    Over coffee, the conversation turned to the New Testament book  of Jude. My friend asked, “Who was Jude?”

    When I replied that Jude was one of the brothers of Jesus, my friend got visibly upset. He was shocked and amazed that I would make such a claim. You see, my friend is a devout Roman Catholic, and their tradition holds to the belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity.

    Scripture does not even hint at the doctrine of Mary remaining a virgin. That concept was something that was added later. The Roman Catholic faith points to “Protoevangelium of James,” a document believed to be written in the first century as “proof”, but even they must acknowledge that this work is not Scripture. 

    Beginning in the fourth century (300 years later), the doctrine of perpetual virginity began to emerge, but even then, it was based on this same non-scriptural document.

    Yet the Scriptures seem to claim that Joseph and Mary were plainly intimate.

    When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25

    The Blue letter Bible and the KJV puts it this way: “and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

    You can read numerous translations and find the same thing … Joseph did not “know” her until after Jesus was born. The implication from a plain reading of the text is that he did “know her” afterwards.

    As to Jesus having siblings, we have to look no further than Matthew. His brothers doubted Him.

    When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” Matthew 13:53-57

    After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.  John 7:1-5

    Other verses identify Jesus as having brothers. See Matthew 12:46-48; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21. These verses all refer to Jesus’s mother and brothers.

    Is it not possible that all these “brothers” were only stepbrothers, being Joseph’s sons? Admittedly, that is possible; scripture seldom delineates between half and step siblings, although it does in some places. There are cases where various parents are involved, and we are told about it.

    Does any of this “prove” that Mary was not a virgin? Not completely. Yet a simple reading of the texts would undoubtedly suggest it. 

    Is it reasonable to assume that Mary remained a virgin? Given the culture of the times, probably not. Is there any prophecy that Mary would stay a virgin? No.

    Mary’s virginity at the time of Jesus’ conception is a foundational truth of the Christian faith. Catholics and Protestants would agree on that fact. Her perpetual virginity is at best suspect, if not entirely denied by a plain reading of the texts of the New Testament.

    Now I believe that Mary did not remain a virgin, but I cannot “prove it”. You may believe that Mary remained a virgin, but likewise, you too will fail to “prove it” and have to do some very fancy exegetical analysis avoiding plainly what Scripture says to make your point. 

    The preponderance of Scriptural evidence points to the fact that Mary did not remain a virgin. No Scriptural evidence even suggests that she did not. The issue serves as a warning to anyone who builds a theology on the non-biblical. You stand on shaky ground at best.

    Examine all doctrine in the light of the revealed truth of Scripture. Church tradition is not enough; we must go to the Word.

    Until next time, may you be grounded in the truth of God’s Word.

    Be blessed

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1668 – Old Pete – February 10, 2025

    Issue 1668 – Old Pete – February 10, 2025

    He was sitting at the bus stop when I arrived. He was an older  gentleman, and it was hard to tell precisely how old he was. He was dirty and smelled less than pleasant. It was only 11:00 a.m., and he smelled like he’d been drinking all day.

    I want to tell you I was super-spiritual, talked with him, and shared the gospel, but to my shame, I was tired from the morning classes I had just finished and stood behind him. That didn’t deter him; he turned around and began to talk.

    He told me his name, Pete, his life story, and more. I could hardly get a word in edgewise. Pete had a lot of words he wanted to share with anyone who would listen. 

    Then his bus arrived. He rose, smiled, and said, “Thanks for talking to me. Most people don’t.”

    Ouch! He had been blessed by just having someone listen to him. I had some serious repenting to do. God had been at work despite me.

    I wrote about it before, but loneliness is one of the biggest problems in our busy world. It’s hard to imagine that in a world with more than six billion people and instant connectivity anywhere on Earth, anyone could be lonely, but it’s true. Even in houses full of family, many people lie awake in the middle of the night, aching with loneliness and asking themselves questions like:

    Does anyone even care that I’m alive?

    Will anyone even miss me if I disappeared?

    Why is everyone else so happy when I feel so all alone?

    Is there any meaning to my life?

    Why doesn’t someone care?

    Why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?

    Am I invisible?

    The list goes on and on.

    For those of us who know Christ, we don’t ever need to ask those questions. If we know who we are in Him, we understand how much He loves us and will never leave us. We know that He has a purpose for our lives and will always be there for us.

    At least, I hope that we know those truths.

    Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6 

    But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

    A believer is never alone. We need never suffer from loneliness.

    Sometimes, God’s people will let you down, like I would have done with Pete as he waited on the bus; after all, we’re only people, but God never will.

    Until next time, rejoice that you are loved and have value beyond measure.

    Be blessed

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Created and Being Shaped Into His Image

    Created and Being Shaped Into His Image

    Genni the wonder dog - a border collie basset hound cross

    My desk has a clear glass top. Under that, I keep various pictures of family and some of our pets over the years. Among them is this shot of Genni the Wonder Dog.

    Genni was a border collie, basset hound cross we got at eight weeks. It was an accidental breeding, and the owner was en route to the SPCA with them. Genni adopted me on the spot and lived with us for many years until she passed.

    They say (whoever the great “they” is) that dogs resemble their owners. I saw this image of Genni and realized that the saying has some truth. There is a lot of truth in that saying. She’s long in the body, short in the legs, and has big fat feet. We’re three for three there. Fortunately, I’m the taller of the two and walk on two legs so that people can tell us apart.

    The resemblances between us got me thinking about the fact that we’re created in the image of God.

    Then God said, “Let us make man[a] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27

    What does that mean? It doesn’t mean we look like Him, since we have physical bodies, we all look different and God doesn’t have a physical body. So it must refer to something else.

    We’re unlike all the other things or beings that God created. 

    We’re the only beings that Scripture describes as being created in His image (imago dei). We were made with a higher purpose, to rule over all the earth. Being created in His image is both an honor and a huge responsibility. When creation looks to people, it should see the image of God.

    What part of Him were we designed to reflect? His character and His personality. We were created to walk in holiness and righteousness. We were designed to walk in faithfulness and integrity. We were to have passion and compassion, loyalty and levity, love and light, and more. We were designed to be wise and selfless.

    Since the time of the Garden of Eden, we’ve been sinful people with sinful nature in a sin-filled world. We don’t reflect much of the image of God. Yet, for the believer, there are ways we can begin to resemble the one in whose image we were created.

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

    When we begin to exhibit the fruit of the spirit, we start in a small way to show the image of the Creator.

    That fruit comes with maturity (as indeed does all fruit). We mature in our walk through testing and trials, through worship, through giving, and through service. We mature when we spend time communing with Him in prayer, and in meditating on and studying the Word. The fruit doesn’t just happen; it must be nurtured.

    Until next time, rejoice in the fact that you were designed in His image and open your heart to being more like Him.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

  • Issue 1666 – Wealthy – February 6, 2025

    Issue 1666 – Wealthy – February 6, 2025

    South African Squatter's Village

    This morning’s image is a squatter’s village in South Africa. It isn’t a good photo; I took it from a moving vehicle while on a ministry trip almost 25 years ago. The contrast between rich and poor there is nearly too great to comprehend. I saw similar things some years later, doing missionary work in rural Southeast Asia.

    While there, I began to realize how wealthy I really am. I don’t have to miss meals; in fact, I could stand to skip a few. I have a solid, warm house over my head with heat, electricity, and running water. I’ve always thought my office was too small, but I saw a house where a dozen people lived that is even smaller than my office, and they were fortunate to have it.

    I can read and write. I can attend worship in safety. I can walk the streets in relative safety and get medical care if I need it.

    When I returned home and walked through our front entranceway, I saw more shoes than I could count. There were work shoes, casual shoes, athletic shoes, sandals, and winter boots. Most people in the African and Asian villages had at most one pair of sandals.

    I’m rich beyond belief by the standards of how most people in the world live. Almost anyone in North America is wealthy beyond measure. Even the homeless I’ve met have more to eat than the people in some of these villages. If you live in North America, you are rich.

    Scripture has something to say to those of us who are rich.

    As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.1 Timothy 6:17-19 

    These words aren’t designed to make us feel guilty. They are intended to point us in the direction of eternal rewards.

    I’m also rich in a more incredible way than money or things can ever buy. As a Christian, God’s grace is lavished on me.

    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight Ephesians 1:7-8

    I’m materially wealthy compared to 80% of the world and eternally wealthy because of God’s grace.

    Until next time, take time to reflect on how wealthy you are compared to most of the world. Give God thanks and consider how you might use your abundance to further His kingdom.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1665 Slip Sliding February 5, 2025

    Issue 1665 Slip Sliding February 5, 2025

    car sliding on snowy road

    Driving in the Lower Mainland can be challenging at the best of  times as the drivers tend to be very aggressive and the speeds well above the posted limits.

    With the recent snowfall, it would be comedic if it wasn’t so dangerous. Vancouverites (and surrounding communities) always seem surprised when there is snow and forget how to drive on it. 

    Coupled with the fact that most vehicles have summer tires, this leads to a lot of slip sliding and many accidents, both fender benders and more severe kinds. You take your life into your own hands when you drive here.

    Even with the main roads plowed, I have lost track of the number of stuck and out-of-control sliding vehicles I have seen in the past two days.

    I can only surmise that people aren’t prepared for winter, even when they know it’s coming. Winter happens every year, and the rare snowfalls that actually stay on the ground are usually well-announced by weather forecasters.

    We can also find ourselves slip sliding away in our faith walk if we’re not careful. We can’t lose our salvation, but we can certainly find ourselves deep in the drifts and in trouble with very little effort or warning.

    We need to stay vigilant at all times.

    The apostle Peter reminds us,

    Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11

    As I read those words, my mind flashed to a scene from an old television police drama, Hill Street Blues. Often, at the end of roll call, the sergeant on duty would caution his troops, “Hey, let’s be careful out there.”

    It’s a sentiment I think Peter would agree with.

    Let’s be on our guard and keep our eyes on the Christ.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1664 – Dazzling – February 4, 2025

    Issue 1664 – Dazzling – February 4, 2025

    backyard with the bright sunshine on snow.

    My phone’s camera cannot do justice to this backyard shot. The sun bouncing off the snow beneath the cedars is dazzlingly bright white beyond what my words can describe. It’s the sort of white that could cause snow blindness in very short order.

    Snow blindness, or more technically Photokeratitis, is akin to severe sunburn of the eye. One source describes it as”a painful eye condition caused by exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from either natural (e.g., intense direct or reflected sunlight) or artificial (e.g., the electric arc during welding) sources.”

    I’ve never had it to the point of temporary blindness, but I have had it to the point where I had severe headaches and very tender eyes for days after exposure.

    It’s the sort of white that I image when I read of the transfiguration of Jesus.

    And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:1-13

    What a blessing to have been on that mountaintop with Jesus that day. They glimpsed more of who Jesus was, learned of fulfilled prophecy, and had a teeny, tiny taste of the glorified Christ.

    There will come a day when you and I will see the resurrected glorified Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Like the snow in my yard, we won’t have the words to describe it. 

    Would you have words to tell of the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan and His Son?

    At times, we don’t have the words to describe Him in this life, let alone what will be revealed.

    Still, we are called to speak to others of Him and His love for them. We’re called to testify to His work in our lives. We’re called to proclaim the good news of the gospel.

    Take some time to think about it. What would you say of you were to share Jesus? Then, ask God for the opportunity to do so.

    May others hear of Him through you. May your words have an eternal impact.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1663 – Snow Day – February 3, 2025

    Issue 1663 – Snow Day – February 3, 2025

    bird tracks in snow at front door

    It’s a snow day for the schoolchildren in Abbotsford. At 4 or 5  inches, it’s not a lot of snow by the standards of places that get real winter. Many kids will be out taking advantage of the rare opportunity to go sledding on local hills.

    My friends from the interior of BC or Alberta would have no problem driving in this snowfall, but they have winter tires and driving experience. Here in the Lower Mainland, it’s enough to bring most things to a halt and cause events to be canceled.

    It’s enough snow to bring the birds to our door to tell us that the feeder is empty and what’s on the ground is buried under a white carpet.

    Sometimes, the sight of snow reminds me of one of the lesser-known Bible characters and his contemporaries. 2 Samuel 23 lists them. They are quite a group.

    And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men. He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23:20-23

    Stories like those are great for introducing the Bible to upper elementary school children. At that age, schools introduce them to the gods and heroes of ancient mythology. They are fascinated by tales of dragons, knights, and Hobbits on quests. Why not introduce some real-life heroes from Bible history?

    It’s an opportunity to draw them into the wonder and truth of the story of God incarnate. 

    There is so much more to the Scriptures than the relatively few passages that most of us read regularly or hear preached on. The depths are virtually unplumbable, and there is something to catch the attention of every age group.

    May the Scriptures come to life for you and draw you into an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus and a love for His Word.

    Read the Word. Read the Word. Read the Word.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1662 Dee-Dee-Dee February 1, 2025

    Issue 1662 Dee-Dee-Dee February 1, 2025

    chicks dee on a branch
    Chestnut-backed chickadee

    Walking along the path, we were greeted by the dee…dee…dee of a  chickadee. Chickadees are usually curious and pretty tame. This one stayed with us as we tromped around much of the park, giving us our own private serenade the whole time.

    There is something about the song of a chickadee that always encourages me. Even when they are upset, it is still a pleasant sound. Contrast that to the sound of a crow. Even the sound of a happy crow grates on the ears. Their tone is harsh and nagging.

    What a lesson we can learn from the birds about the tone of our voice. A word of criticism in a gentle tone is sometimes more pleasant than a word of encouragement given in a shrill, nagging tone. Now, I know that none of us has total control of the voice that God has given us. Yet, we can be responsible for our tone when speaking.

    We all know people whose hurts and bitterness come through in their tone, even when trying to be positive. We have all been guilty of this. It may be time for a tone check. Is our tone angry or nagging even when we are not angry or nagging? 

    The words “I love you” do not carry much weight if they sound like they are spat with venom.

    We know the Scripture calls us to watch our words.

    For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:7-12

    Control of the tongue means more than just changing our words. It also means that we watch our tones as well.

    Until next time, may you be more of an encouraging chickadee than a squawking crow.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1661 High in the Trees January 31, 2025

    Issue 1661 High in the Trees January 31, 2025

    Yesterday, Kathy and I strolled along a stretch of the Vedder  Rotary Trail in Chilliwack. We arrived and departed via the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. It isn’t Heron breeding season so there were none in sight there, although we did see some at various other places in our travels.

    All the dark spots high in the crowns of the trees are heron nests. They were far from us, and my phone’s camera doesn’t zoom well. When it’s breeding season, those trees and nests are full of birds, and the sky sounds like dinosaurs screaming. What seems like buckets of excrement drop out of the sky onto the ground below.

    Bald eagles often nest near the herons; even though it’s off-season, we saw two eagles sitting in the trees. Herons and eagles have a strange symbiotic relationship. The eagles are territorial, so only one will nest near the heronry. The eagles will eat heron young, but by limiting the number of eagles, the number of baby herons lost to predation is lessened.

    Some people would wonder at the marvels of “nature.” I understand the feeling of wonder, but it isn’t “Nature” that we see. It’s the incredible creativity of our omnipotent creator God.

    The world is full of people who worship the natural order. Their worship isn’t only short-sighted, as the world extends far beyond the so-called natural order of things. It’s also idolatry, as their worship isn’t of the one true God.

    God didn’t give us the beauty of “nature”  to worship. It was given as a signpost to point us to Him.

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:18-26

    I love to be outside and enjoy the marvels of what God has created. It can stir me to the core of my soul, but if it doesn’t point me to our Lord, it misleads, and I have no excuse.

    Enjoy the creation and praise the creator.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

  • Issue 1560 Mismatched January 30, 2025

    Issue 1560 Mismatched January 30, 2025

    piles of mismatched socks

    As I was folding laundry and trying to pair up socks, I thought  about mismatches.

    The world seems filled with people who self-identify as something other than their outward appearance. This phenomenon is far from new, but it seems to be more open and publicly accessible. 

    It isn’t without its critics and causes many issues. What are the causes? How should we handle the situation? Even within the church, you may have encountered it for years without ever realizing it.

    Now, I’m not speaking of what you are thinking.

    The church is filled with people who claim to be Christians but don’t act as if they are and others who claim the name but have never been born again.

    Now, all Christians are redeemed sinners who are works in progress. We all stumble and fall and need to live more Christ-like lives.

    This is something beyond that.

    Many so-called Christians intentionally hide their Christianity during the week and strive to live a godless life in front of friends and coworkers. To the world, they appear to be huge hypocrites (as indeed they are) and can turn people’s hearts from the message of the gospel.

    Those who claim Christianity without knowing Jesus are self-deluded and harm themselves. They strive for godliness without the power of the Holy Spirit, and their efforts are in vain. In the end, they enter into destruction.

    How are we to respond? Firstly, we need to recognize that changing these people isn’t within our power. Only God can change their hearts.

    We can pray for and love them.

    “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

    We can be discerning without judgment and concentrate on our faith walk.

    Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

    Let us strive to be the best Christians we can be with God’s help and guidance. God will smooth out our rough edges and deal with the mismatches.

    May we be known as people who, although imperfect, also love Jesus and others.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word

    Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

    Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

    __________________________________________ 

    Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

    Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

    For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

    © 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.