Feel My Faith

The Summer Was Dark. (What In the World Wednesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 02:51:32 +0000

Instead of talking about what’s going on in the world, I’d like to take this Wednesday to share what’s been going on in me.

The summer was dark.

I’m not talking about outside. I’m talking about inside. Inside of me. In my mind.

This is not the first time. I’ve been pretty open about my battles with discouragement with my family and my church. But this was definitely the worst time.

Life has been good. Church is going really well. But I have found it difficult of late to enjoy anything.

I had a few people pick up on it and ask, “Are you OK?”

Not really.

What’s going on?

I don’t really know.

I’m not here to tell you why we have these seasons. All I can say definitively is that I do. Maybe you do too.

I’m not here to tell you how to fix it. All I can share with you is what I did.

I kept walking. Mentally, I felt like crap, but I still got outside and logged over 200 miles in shoes. I climbed a mountain twice. The dark cloud in my mind didn’t go away, but there was something about those walks, those hikes, those climbs that made me forget about it for a few minutes.

I kept up with my quiet times. There were some mornings when I wanted to throw my Bible across the room, but I kept meeting with God, sitting in the silence, scribbling a few notes, and praying that God would make it go away.

But He didn’t.

And then one morning I used AI on my Logos Bible study app and put together a list of verses to deep dive when discouraged or depressed. One of the passages I came to was Lamentations 3.

Obviously, my context is much different than the destruction of Jerusalem. But if these truths revealed God to them, perhaps they can also help me. Here is what I gleaned.

Verse 2 – “He has driven and brought me into darkness without any light.” Many years ago I was invited to a pastor/leadership retreat. One of the activities involved following a Green Beret a mile into the woods in the middle of the night. It was dark. I had only one choice. Trust the driver. I did not know where I was or how to get back to where I needed to be, but I trusted the man who led me there. He was highly qualified and capable to go deep into enemy territory undetected, survive, complete his mission, and return. I felt confident he could handle a group of pastors in a North Carolina forest. All I had to do is listen to his voice. If I could trust that Green Beret to lead me through the darkness, how much more can I trust the God who knows where I am, even when I don't understand why I'm there, to bring me back? I chose to listen.

Verse 8 – “Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.” That sounds awful. And it is. But it is a theme that appears often in the Bible. I pray and it’s like a kid asking if he can get up from time out yet. And momma says, “Nope, you still have a ways to go.” So, I resolved, this may last longer than I want it to. And it did.

Verse 15 – “He has filled me with bitterness; he has sated me with wormwood.” I don’t know anyone who claims Lamentations 3:15 as their life verse. But there are plenty of places where the Bible says, “this is going to hurt.” And it did. Though it did not solve the situation, somehow just knowing it was going to hurt helped. I knew what to expect.

Verse 21 – “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” What comes next is worth reading. Look it up! Hope doesn’t come because I understand what I’m thinking. Hope doesn’t come when I understand why I’m going through what I’m going through. Hope finds a crack to shine through when I realize what I’m thinking isn’t right and it isn’t true, and I recall from God’s Word what is right and true. And it is there that you have a little hope and you find a little mercy. The Lord is faithful. Nothing in my mind changes that. I didn’t know why I was thinking what I was thinking, but I knew that what I was thinking wasn’t good or right.

Verse 26 – “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” I didn’t do great with this part – staying silent – not complaining – not letting my attitude hurt others – but I think I at least got a C+. Verse 25 says that the “Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” I just went for a C+ in sitting before the Lord and staying silent. I wasn’t great at it, but the Lord is good.

Verse 37 – “Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?” The verses that precede this truth pretty much say that God may have me in a hard place but He won’t leave me in a hard place. And it isn’t up to me how long this lasts. But when he commands it, the dark cloud in me will obey Him. The storm will be still. I just waited knowing it wouldn’t last forever.

Lamentation 3 goes on to say, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.”

As bad as my attitude was this summer an even worse attitude to take would be the attitude that I don’t deserve this. That attitude makes everything worse.

Was God using this season to discipline me? I believe He was. I’m not suggesting that every instance of depression or discouragement is God’s discipline. Again, I’m speaking of my own experience and what I sensed God was doing in me.

But it gave me a lot of time to think about what I think about. It caused me to examine my ways, my unrealistic expectations, my triggers, my blind spots, and my temptations—and return to the Lord.

Today I’m in a better place. Will the dark cloud return? Probably. Will I hate it again? Even more.

But I trust the driver. I realize it may last awhile and that it will hurt. I will think about what I think about. I will strive to at least raise my grade to a B- in silence and sitting before the Lord.

And while there is a lot I’m not sure of concerning the when, what, and why of the next dark cloud, this I know. Great is God’s faithfulness.

Everything Jesus. Is It Really That Simple? (Sermon of the Week)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:56:44 +0000

We live in a complicated world filled with competing voices, conflicting opinions, and endless debates about religion, spirituality, theology, and culture. With so much information coming at us, is it possible that we're making something complicated that God has made remarkably simple? Can the answer really be Jesus? In Acts 13, we see how spiritual confusion, theological distractions, and cultural opposition can turn people away from the clear message of the gospel. Sometimes the greatest danger isn't that we reject Jesus outright, but that we become so distracted by everything else that we lose sight of Him.

In this message from the Acts: Plan A series that I'm preaching at Liberty, we discover how the gospel cuts through the confusion and points us straight to Christ. Whether we're searching for spiritual truth, studying Scripture, or navigating an increasingly hostile culture, the answer is the same: Seek Jesus. See Jesus. Share Jesus. The world will give us a thousand reasons to look elsewhere, but God has given us one Savior to look to: Jesus.

America Isn't In the Bible. Israel Is. (What I Didn't Say on Sunday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 01:11:01 +0000

On Sunday, I talked about how easily we complicate what God has made simple. The world is complicated. History is complicated. But God's plan of redemption is remarkably simple. Everything points to Jesus.

I also challenged the congregation to stop merely watching the news and wondering what in the world is going on. Instead, I encouraged them to ask, “What is God doing in salvation history?”

The Bible doesn’t explain the complexities of every geopolitical situation, but it does reveal God’s overarching plan to reconcile all things through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:9-10, Col. 1:20).

And when we understand that, we can be disheartened by what's happening in the world without being surprised by it.

But what does that mean for America? What does that mean for Israel?

That’s what I didn’t say on Sunday.

America in Salvation History

America isn’t in the Bible.

But I see some troubling similarities between modern America and “Babylon the Great” as mentioned in Revelation 17-18. I’m not suggesting that America IS that Babylon. But our godless rebellion, infatuation with prosperity, and hypersexualized culture are disturbingly similar.

And that is disheartening.

Nations don’t drift towards democracy. History tells the story that humans have long been willing to trade liberty for the promise of security and prosperity government offers. And due to corruption, governments historically overpromise and underdeliver.

We see this in 1 Samuel 8. Israel wanted a king. But God warned them that a king would cost them liberty. They wanted a king who would prosper them and protect them; God warned them that a king would burden them. But they demanded a king anyway.

This story is repeated with various forms of government throughout history often with the same conclusion. The government gains more power and the people hand over more liberty. In many cases, what liberty remains is stripped away by those in power. And the justification from the government is that they are doing so for the good of the people.

I see that happening in my country and it breaks my heart. In this de-evolution of our democracy, we have lost the home and used the power of the government to normalize sexual sin. Under the guise of prosperity for all we penalize production under government regulation. And for the sake of security, we have surrendered vast amounts of privacy. Increasingly our transactions, our interactions, and our travel are monitored. Very Babylonian.

We have democracy, but can we keep it? John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

We paid an immense price for our democracy, but my opinion is that, as a society, we do not possess the moral excellence required to keep it. And we are on track to lose it. That’s my take on what’s happening. That’s my opinion. That’s how I feel. And that’s disheartening.

But in salvation history, the Bible doesn’t end with a democracy.

So what’s happening may be disheartening, but as someone with a biblical worldview – none of this should be surprising.

Godlessness. Moral decay. Government control. A growing hatred for all things Christ . . . disheartening . . . not surprising.

Government is ordained by God (Romans 13:1-4). But the problem is that in our current form under the curse of sin, sinful humans rule sinful humans. And so, human governments have flaws and eventually fail. Why? Because when sinners rule over sinners, no government is fit to redeem its people, and no people are fit to redeem their government. Sin is always part of the equation.

Yet God is working, and we have hope. The biblical narrative, this cycle of the rise and fall of godless governments and kings establishes that we need a righteous King – the King to end all kings, the Lord of lords . . . Jesus the Christ . . . and the government shall be upon His shoulders. That is our hope. It’s that simple. We should crave this King!

America isn't in the Bible . . . so do I still vote? Yes. Do I disengage from the culture? No. Do I fight for rights like religious freedom? Absolutely. I live here. I like a certain way of life. And for the sake of freedom and the dignity of humanity, it's worth it.

I may see where this is going, but God has still called me to seek the welfare of my city (Jeremiah 29:7), to pray that we may live quiet and peaceful lives (1 Timothy 2:1–2), and to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16).

In the meantime, I am biblically informed and aim the trajectory of my life, ministry, and family with texts like Revelation 2:10, Matthew 24:12-13, 2 Peter 3:14, James 1:27 that I would keep myself unstained from the Babylonian culture and remain faithful until the end no matter the personal cost.

I see where we are in salvation history. And, in the end, as Babylon rises (whether physically or culturally or both) it’s simple – my relationship with Jesus is what matters most. Sharing the gospel with you so that you may be saved and faithful to the end – that’s what matters most.

And that is something I said on Sunday.

Israel in Salvation History

Israel is in the Bible.

There is no nation on earth, past, present, or future that the Bible has more to say about than Israel.

In salvation past – God used Israel as the nation through whom He brought the Messiah, Jesus Christ, into the world and through whom He promised to “bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47).

In salvation present – Israel, as a nation, has largely rejected Jesus Christ as Messiah. Paul goes so far as to call them enemies of the gospel (Romans 11:28) yet beloved as regards election. No matter how one might view modern-day Israel, that is complicated and somewhat disheartening – but again, not surprising. The Bible explains that there is a remnant who believes (Romans 11:5), but also that a partial hardening has come upon Israel (Romans 11:25). For the most part, they reject Jesus, but their rejection has not stopped God’s plan of bringing salvation to the ends of the earth.

In salvation future – God is not finished with Israel. Their present condition isn’t permanent. Again, Romans 11:25-26 explains, “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved . . .”

Do I understand exactly what Paul means when he says, “And in this way all Israel will be saved”? Gosh no.

But I do believe that God will keep His promises and accomplish His plan. Remarkably. Graciously. He will bring them to Jesus. That’s hopeful. And it’s that simple.

So when it comes to modern Israel, I can be disheartened by the actions of its government. I can disagree with how America relates to Israel. I can be critical of those in power. The prophets were.

But what is surprising is when Christians lose humility in salvation history. There is a simple warning in Romans 11:18, “Do not be arrogant toward the branches (Israel). If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” And the text goes on to instruct in Romans 11:20c - 22, “So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.”

How God is going to do that seems complicated. But how the Bible instructs my posture and attitude to be in this era of salvation history – be humble – be grateful – have hope for Israel – it’s that simple.

Conclusion:

I am troubled by what I see happening in America. I am troubled by Israel's rejection of Christ. Disheartening.

But neither situation catches God by surprise, and neither threatens His redemptive plan.

So I shouldn't be surprised either. I should be biblically informed, faithful to Christ, and actively sharing the gospel in this moment of salvation history God has given me.

The world is complicated. God's plan of redemption is not.

Everything Jesus.

It's that simple.

And the Winner Is . . . (From the Files Friday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 01:14:34 +0000

When I kicked the blog back up, I announced that my subscribers would be entered into a drawing each month to win one of my books (Pulse or The Walk). You win, your choice!

And so . . . the winner is . . . of the first ever FeelMyFaith.com drawing . . . the OG CK . . . Carl Koneman! Congrats!

We gained 29 subscribers in our first month! What do you get when you subscribe? You get the FeelMyFaith Digest in your inbox.

Each week, the FeelMyFaith Digest delivers biblical insight on faith, life, and what's happening in the world. One email each week to help you think biblically and live faithfully.

If you haven’t subscribed, by all means . . . follow the link and join the rest of the cool kids in the FeelMyFaith community. You’ll also be entered in the December drawing. All you have to do is subscribe and stay subscribed for an entry each month.

Already subscribed? Stay subscribed and you’re in the December drawing as well! And I'd love for you to share FeelMyFaith.com with a friend.

Of course, you don’t have to wait until December to get one of my books. They are always available on Amazon and they make great Christmas gifts (hint, hint).

Thanks for being a part of FeelMyFaith.com. More great content headed your way next week!

Tired of going faster but getting nowhere? #TheWalk challenges you to slow down, eliminate distractions, and discover how to go farther in life by walking daily with God. Purchase on Amazon.

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When the Election Doesn't Go My Way (What in the World Wednesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 01:55:30 +0000

I am theologically conservative. I am politically conservative. I am socially conservative.

But I do like medium salsa.

I’m mindful of the time and place for political conversations but I don’t hide who I am or what I believe.

So I, along with many others of similar political persuasion, went to bed wondering what in the world is going on?

If my ballot were an NFL team, I was the 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars who went 1-15.

I think my candidate won one race. I think. I hope.

So what in the world do you do on a Wednesday when it seems like nothing politically went your way?

Let’s take a lesson from a man who knew something about politics, power, and disappointment. King David. Psalm 131.

Check Your Heart Before You Point Your Finger (Psalm 131:1-2)

Last night was hard to watch. What’s wrong with people? What’s this country coming to?

Were those some of your thoughts?

When you can’t grasp what’s happening on the outside Scripture has a way of refocusing our attention on what’s happening on the inside.

David first wants to check his pride and make sure he’s staying humble.

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. Psalm 131:1

Pride says you deserve to say it. Pride points the finger of blame and wags it at your opponent. Pride makes you think that what you say on social media will fix the world. Pride says everything outside of me has to check with me and make sure that it’s right by me.

Humility says there are some things I can’t understand and very few things I can control. So instead of trying to fix the world, I’m going to draw near to God. David says it like this:

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2

A weaned child no longer draws milk from its mother, but still wants to stay near.

I see this right now with my grandchildren. My daughter now has two UNDER two! Her daughter is just a few days old and so when she wants to nurse, it’s obvious. She let’s everyone know. She cries out.

But her brother has moved on and matured. He no longer needs to nurse. He’s been weaned. But he still wants his mother.

So today – do you want to cry out and let everyone know what you think – or do you just want to draw near to God?

Is it about what God did or didn't do for you . . . is it just about wanting to be near to God?

You may find it hard to understand what’s going on with the world around you, but the focus of Scripture is to ask what’s going on inside of you?

Look Beyond the Ballot (Psalm 131:3)

We can’t know for sure the personal context of Psalm 131 but David has a deep well of personal experience from which to draw. As I read verse 3, in my mind’s eye, I can see David taking someone who is stressed or disappointed, raising their chin and helping them to look up.

“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!” (Psalm 131:3)

Think about this. The King is encouraging his people to look beyond his throne. David understood that if the people’s hope were in him that it was a false hope.

Who is your hope in? The President? A political party being in power?

If that’s your hope it’s a false hope.

And whatever the circumstance, David made it a worshipful moment in encouraging them to look beyond the moment. He wanted them to hope in the Lord now, tomorrow, next month, from this time forth and forevermore.

Was all of your hope in a mid-term election? Is all of your hope going to be in the next election?

David would encourage you to look beyond the ballot to the true throne today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

Elections determine who holds an office for a season. The sovereignty of God isn’t up for a vote – not now – not ever. Look beyond the ballot.

Conclusion:

The rise and fall of kings, nations, powers and people is more than just a record of history. It makes a theological point.

People (including politicians) are not saviors. They are necessary but temporary.

The Bible points us to one in Isaiah 9:6-7 who is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. And the government will be upon his shoulder.

There is only one who fits that job description. Jesus Christ.

Draw near to Him.

Let Him work on what is inside of you.

Look beyond the ballot now and forevermore.

Examining the Evidence (Sermon of the Week)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 21:46:09 +0000

Calling yourself a Christian doesn't necessarily mean you are one. So how can you tell the difference?

In Acts 11, the disciples in Antioch were first called Christians because they were identified with Jesus Christ. But would others recognize Christ in your life? In this message, Examining the Evidence, we explore three revealing questions: HEAR: Do others hear you talk about Jesus? SEE: Can others see that you've turned to follow Jesus? SENSE: Can others sense the influence of the Holy Spirit in your life? If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? The evidence doesn't make you a Christian. It reveals that you belong to Christ.

Can I have assurance of salvation? (What I Didn't Say on Sunday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 02:08:45 +0000

On Sunday I held up a bottle labeled honey. But the substance inside the bottle looked like ketchup. It smelled like ketchup. And it tasted like ketchup.

We may call it a bottle of honey based on the label on the outside, but the evidence of everything on the inside says that it is just a mislabeled bottle of ketchup.

In Acts 11:26 we have the first group of people labeled “Christian.” They didn’t label themselves. The Bible doesn’t explicitly say why, but there must have been something about them that reminded others of Christ.

Many people claim the label Christian. But when the evidence is examined, what's on the inside doesn't always match the label on the outside.

That’s what I said on Sunday.

So, let’s talk about something today that I didn’t have much time to say on Sunday. Can you have assurance of salvation?

Maybe you were at Liberty on Sunday and left unsettled. You left wondering, “Am I really saved?” Perhaps you are reading this post for the first time, but you have doubts and lack assurance. Can anyone truly know they have eternal life?

The answer: yes and no.

Allow me to explain.

To do so I’d like to pull four principles from 1 John.

If I could summarize the message of 1 John it would be that John doesn't want obedient Christians doubting their salvation, and he doesn't want unrepentant people presuming upon it.

YES – God doesn’t leave us guessing about eternal life (1 John 5:11-13).

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:13

John is writing in the context of false teachers and doctrinal confusion. So, he wants to leave them with certainty that indeed, there is eternal life in Jesus Christ, and a person can know that they are saved.

Doubt can be spiritually crippling. Certainty of salvation leads to confidence in prayer (1 John 5:14). Our assurance of eternal life is not based on our performance but on God’s promise. He does not lie, nor does He offer eternal life only to later take it away. We can trust the Lord.

NO – Not if our direction doesn’t support our decision (1 John 2:3-6, 3:4-6)

Someone might point to a decision they made earlier in life to be saved. While salvation requires a decision, John would evaluate one’s past decision in light of present direction.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. – 1 John 3:4-6

There is no doubt that people decide that they want to be saved. People want eternal life. But Biblical salvation isn’t born of desire, but of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. A repentant decision should lead one in a different direction. Or as I said on Sunday, “A change of heart should lead to a change of direction.”

YES – Our failure doesn’t cancel God’s faithfulness (1 John 1:8-2:2)

So we have no chance at perfection? Good news! God has made provision. He knows we are going to sin. And to say we don’t is dishonest.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8-10

The issue isn’t whether we sin, but what we do when we sin. Do we struggle against it or surrender to it?

Read through 1 John 1 and 2. It will encourage you. Pay particular attention to the idea of walking in the light. We don’t walk before the Lord perfectly. We walk before the Lord honestly. He knows we will fall. But because He has provided us an advocate in Christ, we fall forward in forgiveness.

I refer to 1 John 1:9 as the Bronze Laver of the New Testament. The bronze laver was a basin of water in the Tabernacle, made from bronze mirrors (Exodus 38:8). The priests washed their hands and feet there before ministering before the Lord.”

We walk through a dirty world. We don’t need to be saved over and over again, but God has made provision for us to be cleansed constantly in Christ.

NO – Not if we abandon our faith (1 John 2:18-25)

So, what about a person who started well but hasn’t followed through? Or perhaps they have made the decision to abandon their faith. Have they lost their salvation? No. John’s answer is that they were never saved.

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” - 1 John 2:19

In my pastoral experience, I have witnessed many who wander away from the faith – and many return. Praise the Lord. That return is a testament to God’s faithfulness to finish what He started in them (Philippians 1:6).

But what about those who wander away and have not returned? Let us not be guilty of giving them an assurance the Bible never offers. They need to repent and return to Christ. If they don’t, we could say as we did previously. Perhaps their earlier decision possessed desire but it is apparent based on the direction of their life that it lacked repentance.

Conclusion:

I’m not the Bible, but I can offer an observation. There are people who hear a message like I preached on Sunday and it bothers them. Typically, I find it bothers them not because they lack evidence of salvation, but because in their minds the evidence isn’t as strong as they want it to be. They want to be further along than they are.

Lost people don't think like that.

So, here’s my observation. A person who is unrepentant typically doesn’t care that much about sermons like this.

I guess what I’m saying is, if it bothers you, that’s not necessarily a bad thing! It may be evidence that God is at work in your life.

Read through 1 John 1 and 2. Don't use your failures as an excuse to run from Christ. Let them drive you to Him. Confess your sin, trust His promise, and keep following Jesus.

The evidence of salvation isn't perfection. It's a life being transformed by the grace of God.

The Missing Man (From the File Friday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 23:58:41 +0000

From the File Friday for this week features a recent teaching series I put together for men. The Missing Man challenges men to be present for their wives. Hey men! If you are married, you can't go missing in your marriage.

Each of the 5 sessions takes a portion of Ephesians 5:25-33 and shows how a man is to be present in his marriage as:

Worshiper
Lover
Communicator
Nurturer
Builder

There is a link in the description of each video that provides questions for group discussion.

Check it out. It is powerful when a man is present and available for his wife. If there is any way I can help, please reach out. I'd love to hear from you.

Exercise Your Right to Vote, But Don’t Neglect These Biblical Responsibilities (What In the World Wednesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 20:54:42 +0000

Tuesday, November 3 is an election day in America. As a midterm election, there are lots of congressional seats up for grabs, gubernatorial races, and a litany of local matters on the ballot.

It also means you’ve been bombarded with text messages and political ads. My wife and I voted early, which brought an end to the text messages (but unfortunately not the mail). Now there’s a motivation to vote early!

While the text messages ended, the political grandstanding and debating on social media has not. And there is a fair amount of the content in my feed that comes from the Christian perspective.

Much of it involves biblical debates over political platforms and key issues. Certainly there is a time and place for those discussions, but my desire is to call attention to something simple no one seems to be saying.

Exercise your right to vote, but let’s not neglect our Biblical responsibilities as Christians to the state. Allow me to explain.

Exercise Your Right to Vote

Some people question whether Christians should vote. For me, there’s no question.

While the Bible doesn't command us to vote, neither does it prohibit political participation. In fact, Paul exercised the rights afforded him as a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25–29). Our system of government gives us the opportunity to participate in choosing our leaders and influencing public policy through peaceful elections.

So, in short, my take on it is that as Christians in America, we can vote so we should vote.

But what’s interesting is that the Bible was written in historical and political contexts in which people had limited rights and a limited voice in the political process. Most of the people to whom the New Testament was originally addressed had no meaningful opportunity to choose their rulers.

So, the Bible doesn’t refer specifically to our right to vote, but the Bible is clear about Christian responsibilities in relationship to the state. Again, exercise your right to vote, but don’t neglect these Biblical responsibilities.

The Responsibility of Home (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Ephesians 6:4)

God’s design is for the family to carry foundational responsibilities in society. Reform doesn’t begin in the White House. Reform begins at my house, your house, our neighbor’s house.

For the most part, rulers are a product of society. The person in the White House came out of someone’s home, shares our history, was shaped by our culture, and was influenced by our societal values.

We are paying attention to what’s happening in Washington. Are we paying attention to what’s happening at home?

The responsibility of raising children was never meant to be farmed out to the government. The most important lessons children learn should begin at home. That's where they learn to love God and others, respect authority, work, and contribute to something larger than themselves.

The Responsibility of Prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

I am grateful for our Bill of Rights, particularly the freedoms of speech and religion. It is well within our rights to have a voice in the public square and express our opinion. But it is our Christian responsibility to pray for all who are in authority.

You voted. Did you pray?

You expressed your opinion on social media. Did you pray?

I am going to vote for the people who I believe will give me the greatest opportunity to lead a peaceful and quiet life. But win or lose, it is my responsibility as a Christian to pray for whoever is in authority.

The Responsibility to Respect Authority (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17)

Knowing the historical context of Roman rule and imminent Christian persecution makes these passages even more astounding. The first readers of these passages were living a hard life and having to live out a hard truth.

As Christians, we don’t do what we do because of who “they” are. We say, act, and do what we do because of who Christ is. You may not like who’s in charge of our country, but as Christians we are always under the authority of Christ.

Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 remind us that governing authorities are accountable to God, and so are we. We are called to respect authority, even when we disagree with those exercising it. And if obedience to Christ brings us into conflict with government, our conduct should still reflect the character of Christ.

We may suffer evil from those who are in authority. We are never to be the source of it.

The Responsibility of Community (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

The context of Jeremiah 29:5-7 is Israel in Babylonian exile. They certainly didn’t like where they lived – but God told them to make a life. Establish homes, families, plant gardens and seek the welfare of the city.

We are not called to shelter in place but to be a blessing to our community. Non-Christians should be grateful for the presence of Christians. If a church closed down, the community ought to miss it because of the benefit it was to the community.

The Responsibility of the Gospel (Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8)

Ultimately, every Christian is in exile. This may be our country, but this is not home (1 Peter 2:11). We are acutely aware that this life is not all there is. We have to live, work, eat, and do business in our community. Elections have consequences, so we want to vote for the people we think will give our communities the greatest opportunity to flourish.

While elections change things, one thing should never change. We are here to share the gospel. The eternal difference isn’t made at the ballot box. An eternal difference is made when a person hears the truth of the gospel, repents of sin, and turns by faith to Jesus Christ for salvation. Souls matter!

CONCLUSION:

Next Tuesday, we have the privilege of voting. But when the election is over, our biblical responsibilities remain. Regardless of who wins, we are still called to pray, honor, serve, speak truthfully, and live as citizens of heaven.

Does God Need Me? (Sermon of the Week)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:46:06 +0000

Does God need us to accomplish His plan? The surprising answer is no. But that doesn't mean our lives don't matter!

In Acts 12, James is martyred, Peter is imprisoned, and Herod violently opposes the church. Yet God's Word continues to increase and multiply.

God's sovereignty doesn't make our participation meaningless; it makes the opportunity extraordinary. When life is inexplicable, be faithful.

When circumstances seem impossible, be prayerful. When the world becomes hostile, be humble. God doesn't need us to accomplish His plan, but He graciously invites us to participate. Don't forfeit that extraordinary opportunity

Does Prayer Matter? (What I Didn't Say on Sunday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:45:38 +0000

On Sunday, I said that God doesn’t need us. We could all quit and it will not stop God from doing what He’s going to do.

I also said that if we quit, the consequence is that we will not be there when God does what He has purposed to do.

But here’s what I didn’t say (or at least say very much about). If God is going to do what He’s going to do, why pray? Does prayer matter?

Let’s answer a question with a question. Would you pray to God if He were not sovereign?

When you experience a problem with a product or service, invariably you ask for the manager. Some companies have wised up to this request and their response is to just make everyone a manager – I digress.

But the point is that you want to talk to someone who has the power to make a decision and change the situation.

So again, let’s consider the question: if God is sovereign and going to do what He’s going to do, why pray? Does prayer matter?

So if God were not sovereign and had no real power to change the situation – would it make prayer matter more? Of course not. If God were not sovereign, prayer would be pointless.

Only in the sovereignty of God does prayer matter!

So now let’s take it a step further. Prayer matters and we pray because the sovereign God has commanded us to pray.

There are numerous passages in the Bible that command us to pray. One of the most direct on the matter is the final sentence of James 4:2, “You do not have, because you do not ask.”

The sovereign God has ordained that we ask for what we need and receive it from Him in prayer.

Perhaps the reason we question if prayer matters is because we fall short in understanding what prayer is.

Prayer is not informing God.

Prayer is not persuading God that our will or our way is superior to His.

Prayer is not asking God to consider alternative ideas.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:8 that our Father knows what we need before we ask him.

Prayer is about aligning us to God’s will. Prayer is the crucifixion of selfish desire (James 4:1-4). Prayer puts us in the place God wants us most, desperately, repentantly, seeking Him (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Sure, God provides “things” through prayer. Sometimes God heals in answer to prayer. But we need to also receive what the Bible says about how might guide, or give wisdom, strengthen, and/or encourages our hearts in answer to prayer.

In Acts 4 the church suffers the initial blow of persecution. Being informed by God’s Word, they realize that persecution is part of God’s sovereign plan for His people (Acts 4, Psalm 2). They didn’t ask God to change His plan. They asked God to give them boldness. In doing so, they demonstrated that they understood what prayer is and why it matters.

Why ask for boldness if God isn’t sovereign? Furthermore, they didn’t ask for boldness because God didn’t know what they were facing – but they asked for boldness because God knew. And they wanted a boldness only a sovereign God could give.

God’s sovereignty doesn’t make prayer meaningless. The sovereignty of God is why prayer matters!

Lainey Lou, Jesus Was a Litterbug, The Pastor Needs a Nap (From the File Friday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:51:40 +0000

Welcome Lainey Lou

We are happy to announce the birth of Laine Louise Hawkins (7lbs 4ozs). She is our second grandchild and the daughter of our eldest daughter, Morgan and her husband Kameron. She is doing great and our grandson Evan is excited to be a big brother! Evan was 9lbs+ at birth. Momma was glad for a little Lainey Lou!

Laine's birth is definitely one of those nods God gives you. She was born on Shannon's mother's birthday. Shannon misses her mom so much. What a wonderful, Fatherly gift from God.

Louise is a nod to my grandmother, who everyone knew as Lou Branam, or Lou Truelove after my grandfather died. She was a godly woman who prayed for a preacher "in all her generations." I'm the only preacher of her 6 generations. A lot of the way I read the Bible and preach comes from the simple, yet profound faith of my mamaw.

So now we have another Lou. Look out!

Jesus Was a Litterbug

One of my favorite books was given to me by Randy while I served as his pastor in Birmingham, AL. The book, written in 1934, is entitled Religion in Shoes. It’s the biography of James Alexander Bryan, affectionately known as Brother Bryan, who served as pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, from 1889 – 1941.

Throughout the week, Brother Bryan would go into his study early each morning to pray and work on his Sunday sermon. Later in the day, he would travel throughout the city, visiting and ministering to people. As he did, Brother Bryan would try out the portion of the sermon he prepared that morning in casual conversations. He would talk it out with someone in a streetcar, or as a devotion at the fire hall. As he would share, he would modify his message, adding experiences, stories, and responses that came from the people to whom he ministered.

I had one of those sermon prep moments this week.

On Monday morning I began working on a message from Acts 12. That afternoon I headed to Atlanta to visit a man in our church who has spent far more time in the hospital than he has at home over the past 6 weeks.

This man is suffering but he is witnessing. Every time I talk to him, he points to the providence of God and he often says, “Man, when all of this is over, I’m going to have a story to tell.” He’s an inspiring man and God is using him.

He’s also one of those guys that as you get to know him you wonder, what does he NOT do? He has lots of skills and loads of stories.

While visiting him on Monday he shared with me a song he wrote several years ago entitled Jesus Was a Litterbug. And, like many people he’s pitched it to, I laughed at the title; but I was intrigued.

The song pulls together various healing stories from The Gospels. It imagines then the debris of bandages, crutches, and beds left behind.

He entered his lyrics into AI and let it come up with music and a video – I was entertained! And inspired. Apparently, the AI interpretation of the song is that Jesus left quite a mess. I love it!

Maybe someone will pick it up. I think this song would be a hit in Southern Gospel circles. It reminds me of My Name is Lazarus by Greater Vision – a #1 for them back in the day.

I’m going to mention my visit with Sandy as a sermon illustration on Sunday, but I won’t have time to show the video. So here it is.

Help Our Pastor Not to Be So Tired

On Wednesday night our DOCK kids brought me in to pray for me and to present me with a special gift. So, they gathered in close and our wonderful children’s ministry leader, Jodi, called on a few of the kids to pray.

First of all, if God answers those prayers – there will be a lot of people healed! Amen to that! Those kids pray for the sick and it was sweet to hear.

I can’t remember where we were in the sequence, but after praying for all the sick to be healed, one of the children started praying for me. And in the course of the prayer she said, “Dear God, help our pastor not to be so tired. . . .”

I loved it, but I almost lost it – laughing. I guess I look tired LOL.

But I did sleep well Wednesday night! Healed!

Thanks crew!

ICE in Church (What in the World Wednesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:02:05 +0000

This week’s What in the World Wednesday came from a couple of conversations, social media interactions, and a news story circulating in the religion section. My wife says that sometimes God speaks in themes. This issue keeps coming up and it impacts people I know and love. So, I’m listening. Let’s talk about it.

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court ruled that a coalition of Christian and Jewish organizations could proceed with a lawsuit that challenges a policy change that would allow for greater ICE enforcement at places of worship. You can read the article here: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/bid-to-block-ice-arrests-at-churches-revived-by-appeals-court?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Rather than taking sides, let’s take a step back and see how Scripture would inform our thinking on the issues of immigration and enforcement in places of worship.

The church should reflect God’s heart for the foreigner (Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 22:37-40, Matthew 25:31-46).

Compassion is not an option for the church. We are to feed, clothe, and love people regardless of immigration status. We are called to minister, not to investigate. When it comes to the government, a person may be legal or illegal, documented or undocumented, but when it comes to the gospel everyone carries the neighbor card.

I love my church in this regard in that we have helped a lot of “neighbors” over the years by supplying food, beds, rides, funds, a place to recover and a place to worship.

Government has a God-given responsibility to make laws and protect its citizens (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-20).

Compassion does not enable disorder. A nation that has no border is no nation. Open borders endanger everyone; immigrant and citizen alike.

When a nation does not secure its border, the conflict comes to my door, your door, and the church door. This lawsuit is not the problem. It’s a symptom of the problem. Because these issues have not been resolved in the hallways of Congress and enforced at the border, they are now issues we are dealing with in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and churches.

If we don’t want ICE in our service, then we need to enable ICE to secure the border and give people a clear, affordable, and reasonable pathway to citizenship.

The church should be a refuge from the world, but not a shelter from the law. I’m not trying to paint the plaintiffs in the case with a wide brush, but some of the accounts that I have read of confrontations between ICE and congregations come from places where churches seem to be more motivated by political activism than gospel outreach. And some of the churches that are being “cased” as the sources describe seem to be trying to prove a point rather than provide a place of worship. Worship does not displace decency, order, lawfulness, and accountability.

There is a place where the people of God are warranted to obey God rather than man. But I haven’t heard of ICE shutting down any services because someone is preaching the gospel.

My wife and I (and others in our church) have helped to pay legal fees, written letters, and have been willing to be character witnesses in court proceedings to help people navigate the system. We do not help people dodge the law.

The problem with our nation is apparent. First, citizenship has become a business, not a privilege. People who want to contribute to the country have a hard time becoming citizens because the laws are arbitrary and the pathways are filled with attorneys looking for payment.

Second, neither political party has fixed the problem despite ample opportunity. They’ve had 30+ years to do it, yet both Republicans and Democrats see immigrants as political pawns instead of people. They point the finger at the other party for the sake of being elected but once they sit in office they seem to go deaf, blind, and mute to the issues facing immigrants who want a better life. Instead of emotionally pitting people against one another for the sake of winning elections, why don’t elected officials do something for the good of “We the people?”

Those who live in America, citizen or not, should seek the welfare of the nation (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

Everyone loves to quote Jeremiah 29:11 as their life verse on senior night. I always chuckle when I hear it because very few people who quote it have checked the context.

The context isn’t that God has a prosperous amazing plan for your life. The context is God telling His people, Israel, (and I paraphrase) you rebelled so you’ve been hauled off into exile. Get used to it because you’re going to be in Babylon for a while.

Jeremiah 29:11 means that God has not forgotten His promises and the nation will one day return. But for now, park it and learn to like it!

But before Jeremiah 29:11 comes Jeremiah 29:5, which tells the exiles build a house, plant a garden, make a life, contribute and “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

That’s wise!

Somewhere along the way our immigration policy moved away from inviting the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to be free to come to America for a better life. Instead we enable them to be their country in our country.

It’s not working. If you live here – citizen or not – contribute. We can appreciate culture, but if people come here because it is a better opportunity then why don’t we continue together to make this nation an even better country?

Immigration is a gospel opportunity (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 17:26-27)

I end with a story.

A man came to me several years ago because his immigration status was in danger of being revoked. He was one traffic stop from being deported, losing his family, and his business. He had built a life here and contributed to our community. But he had made some mistakes before redemption that cost him a chance at citizenship.

I love this man. I didn’t like what he was saying. I did not want to lose him as a friend, a brother, or as a member of our church. I was willing to do whatever it took to find mercy in the eyes of the judge and keep my friend here.

But he told me his story about how Jesus has changed his life and how he had grown in discipleship during his time in our church. And with tears in his eyes, he said, “If I get deported, I will just take that as God wanting me to preach the gospel there instead of here.”

His confidence was not in an immigration ruling. It was in the sovereignty of God and the mission of Jesus Christ. He understood clearly that he was called to be a witness wherever he lived.

God is sovereign over the nations. We can’t get so distracted by politics that we forget the gospel opportunity of immigration.

Our church has a campus in a forgotten pocket of our community that I call “a mission trip without an airplane.” The nations are there – and so are we.

For some reason we have come to a place of political polarity where we think one thing comes at the exclusion of another.

I can have compassion and not be careless with the law.

I care about my country and also see our immigration issues as a Great Commission opportunity – a mission trip in my backyard.

I can love my neighbor and respect the responsibility of those tasked with enforcing our laws.

I don’t want people afraid to come to church, nor do I want my church to become a place where people come to evade the law.

I don’t want people to be afraid to come to our country and I don’t want those who live here to live in fear.

I want the church to be faithful to the mission of spreading the gospel.

I want the state to be faithful to the mission of making and enforcing just laws that protect people.

What Makes Grace Not So Amazing? (Sermon of the Week)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:42:44 +0000

Amazing Grace is a familiar song. But are you still amazed by grace?

When was the last time you were overwhelmed that God would save even you?

It’s like a beautiful mountain someone sees, and they are so overwhelmed with its beauty that they build a home with a view.

But after living there for a few years, they drive past the mountain and hardly notice it anymore. The mountain is still amazing, but the person sees it so much they are no longer amazed.

Is grace still amazing? Yes!

Without repentance and faith in Christ people still go to Hell. The gospel still saves. The blood of Christ still cleanses us from sin. God’s mercy is new every morning.

So what changed? Grace is no less amazing but we are no longer amazed.

In this message we explore Acts 10 and encounter three attitudes that creep into our hearts that make grace appear to be not so amazing.

The Mormons are Winning (What I Didn't Say on Sunday)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:46:49 +0000

On Sunday, I preached a message entitled: What’s Not So Amazing About Grace? In the message I contended for the idea that grace will always be amazing, but because of self-righteousness, entitlement, and pride that we are no longer amazed.

In the message I said that one of the ways entitlement manifests itself in the church is when people say that they want to “go deep” but their spiritual disciplines have them standing in the kiddie pool. We want great things from God but our Scripture meditation, fervency in prayer, and willingness to seek God in fasting are in the shallows.

Here’s what I didn’t say.

The Mormons are winning.

BYU took down Notre Dame in an epic football game on Saturday night. But Mormons aren’t just winning football games. They are serious about their faith.

This summer I spent two weeks in Utah and Idaho. Did you know that across from many of the public schools I saw is a Mormon seminary? And that children are allowed by law to be released from school, for certain approved periods, for religious instruction?

Did you know that Mormon students (on average, at 18 yrs old) go on mission, typically, for two years? And they are ready!

My wife and I met two of them outside the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. They approached us and asked if we had any questions. And while we didn’t engage them much, I knew who I was talking to. These were not novices.

I walked away wondering if the students in our church . . . or their parents . . . or people that have been in any Baptist church for 30 years had been as diligent in preparing for “mission” as they?

I don’t think so.

The Mormons are winning.

I believe that Mormon theology is heresy. According to the Bible they propagate “another gospel” that is a deceitful lie. I also understand that within Mormon circles there are cracks and caveats we could explore. Technically – they are not winning and in the end they lose.

But they are committed. Perhaps that’s a post for another day.

But for now, I’d rather talk about where I see our church LOSING.

We started a discipleship emphasis 9 weeks ago in which people signed up to meet with a mentor for 35 weeks. We would teach the foundational principles of the Christian faith while also challenging our people to memorize 2 verses every 5 weeks and do 3 quiet times per week.

Week 9 . . . and people are dropping like flies. I don’t know everyone’s reason. Maybe it’s work. Maybe something has come up that prevents them from completion, but I got a text from one of our leaders last week that said, “We aren’t meeting tonight and I’m trying my best to hold our group together. It broke my heart.

We started with over 100. We are down by almost 40% . . . in 9 weeks.

4 weeks ago we had 68 men. Last week we had 38.

The Mormons are winning.

We say we want to go deep but we are standing in the kiddie pool.

But here’s the problem. While guilt will help you feel the pain, guilt will not motivate long term change.

Grace will always keep you in the game? Why? Gratitude!

Grace is motivating – it keeps you in the game! Titus 2:11-14 articulates the point that we are trained and motivated by grace:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

When I have gratitude that God would save even me, is it really a stretch to do 3 quiet times a week?

When we remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus for my sin, is it too much to ask to memorize 2 verses in a little over a month? Is memorization too hard?

35 weeks is quite a commitment. Maybe that’s why every Baptist study is 8-12 weeks . . . because we can’t hardly make it nine.

Grace is amazing . . . but are we not amazed . . . for more than just a couple of weeks?

At 18 years old Mormon students go on mission for 2 years . . . not 35 weeks . . . not nine weeks.

I am working to get some things together to be on mission in one of the least-reached counties in America, located in Idaho. There are plenty of Mormons there. It will be hard to reach a people who are ready for us (in our theology, doctrine, and gospel presentation) if we are not ready for them.

But BY GOD’S AMAZING GRACE we can be like Ezra. I love what the Bible say about him (which ironically is one of our quiet time passages this week).

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Ezra 7:10

By God’s grace let’s set our hearts to study God’s Word, do what it says, and master it in such a way that we can teach it to others.

We should not be losing! By God’s grace, in Jesus Christ, we have won!

From the File Friday: Is My Baby Still There?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:13:21 +0000

From the File Friday will offer some quick hits from books, experiences, past content, new information, or a reader’s question. Who knows what you might get on a Friday. Before moving on. I know, AI images are overdone, but they are quick and keep you from getting flagged for copyright infringement.

Atlas on Fear

One of the books I’m currently reading is Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (1957). I rarely read fiction, but when I do it’s typically a proven classic that has contributed to culture. I’m often amazed at how old books still hold relevance as if they were written last week.

There is a scene in the third chapter in which one of the protagonists in the story, Dagny Taggart, is leaving a building and stops to talk to the old man who runs the corner newsstand. The man shares an observation about how he has noticed the change in people.

“I don’t know. But I’ve watched them here for twenty years and I’ve seen the change. They used to rush through here, and it was wonderful to watch, it was the hurry of men who knew where they were going and were eager to get there. Now they’re hurrying because they are afraid. It’s not purpose that drives them, it’s fear. They’re not going anywhere, they’re escaping. And I don’t think they know what it is that they want to escape. They don’t look at each one another. They jerk when brushed against. They smile too much, but it’s an ugly kind of smiling: it’s not joy, it’s pleading. I don’t know what it is that’s happening to the world.” He shrugged. “Oh well, who is John Galt?”

This statement feels recent. We are no longer driven to produce and achieve only to avoid. We want comments and clicks on computers but avoid conversations. We are more about influence than innovation. We are so afraid to fail that we no longer try.

And who is John Galt? At this point in the book it’s a seemingly pointless question that gets repeated – unanswerable, unanchored in reality. It calls attention to the frivolous, tautological pursuits of our time on social media.

Tales of a First Grade Atheist

Since I’m bringing the blog “back,” though it never technically went away, I want to recall the first article I ever posted. June of next year will mark 20 years of Feel My Faith. Perhaps we need to plan a party!

But the little girl in this article is now 26 and next week she will give us grandbaby number 2!

Looking back on this article, I’m proud of both of my girls and the godly women they have become. They are different people who have travelled different paths. Both have had their challenges and crisis of faith moments, but they both love the Lord and walk in faith.

Here’s the link: Tales of a First Grade Atheist

Is My Baby Still There?

I round out the week by sharing a story that I’m sure will become a sermon illustration at some point. It’s still so shocking, I’m not sure what the application is – other than to make sure you shut your car door.

But I was leaving the barber shop and opening the door of my truck when I noticed an approaching car. As the car approached the back passenger door swung open and I saw a baby in a car seat.

I started to run after the car and yell, hoping to get the driver’s attention, but fortunately she slowed down and pulled into a parking space near me.

I hurried over to her car. I noticed the baby was fine, secure in her car seat. Oblivious to the danger of the whole situation.

I then went over to the driver, got her attention and said, “Ma’am, did you know that your car door came open as you were driving?”

Frantically, she got out of the car and asked, “Is my baby still there?”

Everyone was fine but she was frantic. Maybe it goes back to what the newsstand owner said in Atlas Shrugged chapter 3. Maybe she was running from fear. Maybe she was escaping. Maybe she was just in a hurry to nothing. I don’t know. She seemed like she wanted to get her baby and move on from me, so I let her go with very little conversation.

But she either didn’t shut the door or didn’t shut it well. And as she was driving she didn’t notice that her car door was swinging wildly as she traveled down the street. And then her question . . . “Is my baby still there?”

That’s the part of all of this I can’t get out of my head. Fear. Terror. Has my life taken a tragic turn?

That’s sort of where I was with my first-grade atheist. And it is a place you’re often in as a parent whether it be your child’s faith or other choices they might make. What did I do wrong? Is she still there? Did I get in a hurry carelessly leave something unlatched? Am I just running from fear?

That part of her story ended well, but it made me wonder: is she well? Is her life going well? Is my baby still there?

Who is John Galt?

What in the World Wednesday: News Sources, Apocalyptic Horses, and Chihuahua Special Forces

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:35:27 +0000

You ever take in the news and wonder, what in the world is going on? Yeah. Me too. So grab a Bible and join me for a What in the World Wednesday. This week:

• What are some reliable news sources I use?

• Should we be apocalyptically afraid of what’s going on in the Middle East?

• And a chihuahua commando has joined the Mexican national guard.

Sources

In this inaugural post of the Wednesday series, I want to point you to two sources I use to digest news, 1440 and The Pour Over.

1440

It is hard to know what to believe from mainstream media. You might scroll Fox News for a conservative/right perspective and then click over to CNN.com for the progressive/left perspective.

I wanted to find some sources that just report the news. No one is unbiased, but I wanted as much of “just the facts” as I could find.

In my search I came across the 1440 Newsletter. It is an email newsletter that basically presents a stripped down (non-editorial), fact-based version of the news.

1440? That’s the year the printing press was invented and it is also the number of minutes you have in a day (that’s cool)! Follow the link and read about the method and purpose of 1440.

The Pour Over

I was at a college football game telling my friend about 1440 when he in turn recommended to me The Pour Over. The Pour Over, like 1440, is a facts-based news presentation with an addition. The Pour Over shares the facts of the story and then offers a Scripture for a Biblical perspective.

Theologian Karl Barth implored Christians to have a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Given that we now have a generation who’s never seen a newspaper, The Pour Over helps you fulfill the principle of giving you a Bible in one hand with an email in the other. My guess is that Barth would have subscribed to The Pour Over. Again, follow the link and read more about The Pour Over.

Apocalyptic Horses

And speaking of needing a Bible in one hand and the news in the other, let's talk about what's happening in the Middle East.

Tensions are high in the Middle East and there are plenty of videos on social media telling you how to reconcile what you see with Scripture.

Are you afraid?

You shouldn’t be . . . if you respond biblically.

I graduated high school in 1991. That was yet another escalation of tensions in the Middle East through an American military incursion known as Desert Storm. I thought my senior trip was going to be to Iraq.

There were rumors about reinstituting the draft. Prophecy preachers were speculating that American military hardware wouldn’t work in the sandy desert and that we would resort to fighting on horseback . . . which would fulfill prophecy . . . which would mean Jesus is coming back.

I just wanted to graduate. And I was afraid.

I graduated high school. I know several men and women who served nobly in Desert Storm. I went to college. Jesus still hasn’t come back.

But I did learn to read what’s in the Bible rather than just listen to what people say about what’s in the Bible.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:6 that in the last days there will be wars and rumors of wars. In Revelation 6, four horsemen enter the world scene bringing conquest, war, famine/pestilence, and death.

Frightening. But there is no reason to live in fear. . . if you are born again.

The Book of Revelation is addressed to the church. The audience of Matthew 24 was the apostles. And Jesus didn’t share this information to help us decide whether to be A, Pre, or Post-Mill. He didn’t preach so we would make prophecy charts.

Jesus begins the entire conversation of Matthew 24 by NOT answering the apostles ONLY question – WHEN?

The point of prophecy for those who are born again is:

1) Be ready – turn to Jesus and obey Him.

2) Be wise – evil will not prevail and the world as it is will not last. The Book of Revelation wasn’t written to give us an ulcer, but to give us hope!

3) Be faithful – don’t falter in the end.

When there is a dust-up in the Middle East – YEAH – pay attention but don’t be surprised and don’t be distracted by every social media take on what’s going on.

Jesus doesn’t want us to be afraid – but His main point was that we not be deceived.

Don’t pay more attention to TikTok videos than you do to what Jesus said about these times:

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:4-14

Chihuahua Special Forces

I’ll most likely end these What in the World Wednesday posts with something light-hearted. Biblical insight? Probably not.

But according to ABC News the Mexican National Guard has recruited a tiny commando – a Chihuahua to be exact. You have to see the pic. The dog is actually wearing tactical gear and what looks like night vision goggles. All I can hear in my mind is a Rambo voice saying, “Yo quiero taco bell.”

Check it out here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-30/mexico-national-guard-debuts-tiny-chihuahua-recruit/107210882

Thanks for reading What in the World Wednesday. If you have a story you’d like me to cover, comment, or send it my way Brian@feelmyfaith.com.

Sermon of the Week: What is God Doing When My Plans Fall Apart?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:18:07 +0000

Your plans failed. The dream died. A sweet season of life comes to an abrupt end.

Frustrating!

Confusing!

What is God doing?

Your frustration may not be because God isn't working, but because God is working in a way you didn't think He would.

Acts 8 offers perspective that our plans may change but God's purposes never fail.

What I Didn't Say: About the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 23:41:09 +0000

On Sunday I stated that I do not believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second act of grace but that it happens simultaneously with salvation. And while I didn’t have time to expound on this topic in my sermon, I have friends who are sincere followers of Christ who would disagree. You probably do as well.

So, let all good Baptists, Charismatics, Protestants, and Pentecostals pull up a chair. Let’s take a Monday and flesh it out.

What I Said on Sunday (In Review):

It is hard to establish the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a second act of grace based on the Book of Acts because the sequence is not Luke’s concern.

• Acts 2:38 – repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (water), and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

• Acts 8 – people respond to the gospel, are baptized, and later receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when Peter and John lay hands on them.

• Acts 9 – Saul is saved. Ananias lays hands on him, Saul receives his sight and is filled with the Holy Spirit, and then he is baptized (water).

Luke’s concern is to establish that as the gospel spreads from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and into the uttermost part of the earth the same Holy Spirit that saved souls and established the church at Pentecost is at work in Jew and Gentile alike.

What I Didn’t Say on Sunday (In Resolution)

In the sermon I stated only that I don’t believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second act of grace based on later NT passages. Let’s resolve that thought.

• While Acts 19:1-6 isn’t technically “later” in the NT it speaks to an event much later in the Acts 1:8 progression of the gospel. And while the Ephesians had not yet received the Spirit, Paul’s question is telling. Why would you ask, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” if that hadn’t been occurring simultaneously on a more regular basis in other places? My take: While Luke isn't concerned with establishing a universal sequence in Acts, Paul's question suggests that receiving the Spirit was expected in connection with genuine faith in Christ.

• Ephesians 1:13-14 – The context of Acts 19 sheds light on what Paul says later to the Ephesians in his letter to them. If Acts 19 was the initial experience as the gospel moves into Ephesus and the Gentiles there are also confirmed as part of the church through Spirit baptism, then Ephesians 1:13-14 seems to describe what became the normative experience. “In him you also, WHEN you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in him, WERE sealed with the promised Holy Spirit . . .”

• 1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body . . .” My argument here would come not just from what the later NT says, but what it doesn’t say. There is no language to suggest that some regenerate people have received Spirit baptism while others should continue to seek it. Ephesians 5:18 case in point. He tells the Ephesian Christians to “be filled with the Spirit” but never does the later NT command believers to be baptized by the Spirit as if this is a continuing concern.

• Other NT passages to consider (Romans 8:9, Galatians 3:27, Titus 3:5-6, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 John 3:24 and 4:13) but they seem to only further confirm the above arguments so I won’t belabor it.

What I Want to Chew With You on Monday (In Response)

On Sunday I said that when it comes to things like this that we should seek to state most simply what the Bible says most plainly. If I didn’t say it quite like that – that’s pretty good – so that’s what I meant to say :). So here it goes:

There is no New Testament version of a Christian who does not have the Holy Spirit.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9

So to the Baptists (of which I am one), Protestants, and the like:

• We have grown content with bestowing a false sense of salvation on the person who professes Christ, who has even prayed for salvation, who yet shows no fruits of repentance or any evidence that they have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.

• We cannot blame spiritual immaturity solely on a lack of discipleship. We can discuss ad nauseum what discipleship is and isn’t, but if the baby does not breathe and does not eat, the baby is not alive. Jesus said it clearly, “You must be born again.” Sometimes the problem isn’t the lack of disciple makers. Sometimes it is simply a lack of spiritual life.

• So we should not ask the spiritually immature who insists on sin if they prayed, if they were baptized, or if they have joined the church. We should ask them if they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Or ask the same question another way, “Is the Holy Spirit in you?” A local church membership roll is not the guarantee – the Spirit is (2 Cor 1:22, 2 Cor. 5:5, Eph. 1:13-14).

To the charismatics and Pentecostals:

• My sermon was based on Acts 8 which contains not only the Samaritans receiving the baptism of the Spirit but also the warning to Simon. I have many Pentecostal and charismatic friends who I love and who love Jesus. They see the Holy Spirit in everything – and I love that! And if you received the Holy Spirit later – after your salvation – and maybe even after water baptism – I can argue semantics (I would say you were already baptized by the Spirit but not filled) but I cannot argue your experience and I do not want to be a stumbling block to anyone’s faith. Rock on for Jesus my brothers and sisters! The Holy Spirit is sovereign. He can do what He wants to do (which I also said in the sermon).

• But I do see a Simon sort of abuse that takes place amongst people with strong personalities and giftings who insist on a sort of “giving” the Holy Spirit. It’s like they have a power you need to become a complete Christian. And I see in that “doctrine” room for that Simon-type magician manipulation of which Peter sternly rebukes. For those who are in this camp I would concur with Peter, “your heart is not right before God. “Repent, therefore of this wickedness of yours . . . “

I love where Acts begins, waiting on God in prayer and Pentecost. And at Pentecost, in the Spirit, Peter proclaims that we are living in the last days promised in Joel 2 in which God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17a).

When it comes to the Holy Spirit:

- Let’s not dismiss Him.

- Let’s not manipulate Him.

- Let’s surrender to Him.

Versify - Scripture Memorization Tool

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:26:30 +0000

Memorizing Scripture is important but not easy. That is especially true if you’re not given to working on memorization – which is the case for most adults.

I have a daughter who was a theatre major. She did 2-3 shows a semester. She could memorize the script in a couple of weeks.

I prepare sermons and preach weekly. I do devotions daily. Memorizing Scripture . . . not easy for me.

What’s the difference? Why can she memorize a full-length script in a couple of weeks while I struggle with a few verses? Memorization is like muscle. You have to train it and if you don’t use it you’ll lose it.

So, I need a tool. Something to help me train. And I found it!

It’s an app called Versify. It is free to download and use. I did discover a donate option buried in my profile options. Versify has been such a helpful tool I donated to the developers. Our church has an app, so I understand the cost of even making something free available.

Our church is in a discipleship process called Foundations. Part of the process is memorizing 2 verses every five weeks. As far as my Bible memory muscle goes, I feel like the guy who’s going back to the gym after it’s been a while.

So, I train my brain on the various options the app offers for practice in memorizing verses. You simply enter the verses you want to memorize and set a goal for the timeframe of having them memorized. Then, as you open the app and review the verses you have various options to train your brain:

Read – reveals the verse or passage bit by bit. This helps you get the verse in your mind a phrase at a time.
Blank – this module gives you the options of Easy, Medium, or Hard. Easy gives you a large percentage of the words in the passage and you try to fill in what’s missing with multiple choice options. Medium gives you about half of the passage with blanks while Hard mode gives you all blanks. I use this module a lot.
There are two Beta modules – speak and listen. One reads to you while the other you speak to it.
Type and Test – allows you to free type the verse and Versify grades you on your accuracy of completion.

Versify is helping me memorize Scripture and hide God’s Word in my heart. I highly recommend it.

And no, I'm not being paid for this endorsement nor do I receive a free Bible or something of the sort for referrals. Just trying to point people to a tool that's been helpful to me.

Evangelical Mute

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:24:41 +0000

In an area with a sizeable homeless population, I first came upon a man waiting with a cardboard sign at the top of the interstate exit. I see men begging at this intersection so often that I no longer see them.

But the guy behind me saw him. He rolled down the window of his truck and the beggar came over. Sheepishly the beggar took some folded bills from the man’s hand and nodded in gratitude before sauntering back to his corner.

I saw that exchange and it made me wonder. Should I have given him some money? It’s not like I’ve never done so. I’ve given money, bought burgers, and even given a few guys who looked needy and lost a ride.

And then I remembered. I don’t have any cash. So, I had nothing to give.

About an hour later came a second opportunity. Pulling up to another intersection I saw a woman limping along the side of the road. She looked haggard. Disturbed. Her eyes fixed dead ahead as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. She sipped on one of those gigantic drinks you get from a fast-food restaurant.

I stared at her. She never looked at me.

It didn’t matter. I had nothing to give her.

I slowly rolled on.

Did she see me?

When a song gets stuck in your head they call it an earworm. What is it called when you replay your decisions over and over again? Because for the next 45 minutes of my drive I heard no songs despite the radio being on. All I could think about were my decisions.

I saw two people in need, but I had nothing to give so I just let them go.

In Acts 3 Peter and John encounter a beggar at one of the gates to the Temple. This man was at this gate daily. The man in the Bible is lame, but he’s like the man I saw at the corner and the woman limping along the road. It’s an area of town and they are always there.

But the Bible says of Peter and John that they directed their gaze at him (Acts 3:4). They saw him. And they spoke, “Look at us.”

“And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them (Acts 3:5).”

He saw them.

“And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.”

He’s the beggar sheepishly approaching the truck behind me.

But Peter and John are in the same situation as me. They have no change. No cash. No money.

“But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you (Acts 3:6).’”

Then in the name of Jesus Peter commands the man to rise up and walk. Miraculously the beggar is healed.

Giving is complicated and the ugly side of benevolence is captured well in the book, When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. Our church opened a mission point in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in our community. I had our team read the book and discuss it as we considered how to be helpful, not hurtful in a place of overwhelming need.

You don’t have to read the book to know that helping can hurt. Our attitudes. Our methods. Having resources with no understanding of the mechanisms of poverty . . . often leads to help that hurts.

But I often use what’s complicated to justify my blindness to what’s simple.

I can see but I don’t look. If I turn the other way, do you still see me? Maybe that’s why the woman never glanced at me. She’s been ignored numerous times by guys like me . . . experts on giving . . . people with resources well-aware of the complications of charity.

Disturbing.

Even when I don’t have cash, I stay silent.

But why is it that when I don’t have anything to give, I also think I don’t have anything to say?

A pastor.

A preacher.

An evangelical mute.

So here’s what’s stuck in my head now. What if I had just pulled over and said something? Share the gospel. Share the Bible verse I read that morning. Ask how she’s doing?

I don’t know. She might have thought I was disturbed. She might have just kept limping along as if I were not there.

But what if I had shared Christ and like the man in Acts 3, she was healed. Whatever made her limp . . . whatever it was in her mind that made her look so hardened to the world around her . . . what if he had risen up to walk in the power of Jesus’ name?

I was short on cash but what about:

Attention?

Compassion?

Encouragement?

Conversation?

The Gospel?

What might it have done in her to know that someone was paying attention.

She doesn’t care about the books I read on poverty.

She doesn’t care about my experiences as a pastor with the complications of charity.

At least I don’t think she cares, but how would I know?

I have no idea what she cares about because I didn’t give her the one thing I had – a few moments – the hope of Christ – the gospel.

I wasn’t empty handed but I just drove away.

I can’t get that out of my mind.

Why I Could Not Continue Watching Netflix's Death of a Pastor's Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 01:58:23 +0000

Did I watch the Netflix documentary Death of The Pastor’s Wife?

Yes. 2 of the 3 episodes, but I didn’t finish it. It made me angry and I turned it off.

Is the pastor a fraud? Absolutely. And while he made me angry that’s not why I turned it off.

Was it the victimization and manipulation of Mica Miller that made me mad?

It’s hard to watch. She’s a case study on how choosing sin will lead you into the lair of the thief who wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Her joy was stolen. Her marriage was murdered. Her life and the testimony of service she so longed for before the Lord was destroyed.

Seeing her destroyed grieved me. It angered me. But that’s not why I turned it off.

What made me so angry I could not continue was not just the death of the pastor’s wife but the death of ecclesiology. It was the willful ignorance of a Biblically illiterate congregation that pushed me over the edge. A congregation as culpable as their leader in the death of the pastor’s wife. They made me angry.

What is a Church?

What you are watching on Netflix is not the story of a church.

What is a church?

In his letter to Pastor Timothy, Paul makes a profound statement about the identity of the church. He says:

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15

In the documentary, JP Miller boasts that one of God’s blessings despite his trials is that Solid Rock was named Best of the Beach Church (Myrtle Beach, SC) for the 4th time.

Firstly, this “reader’s choice” award going to Solid Rock church shows the worth of an award given to a church by the world.

But secondly, Solid Rock should have been disqualified from winning the award because a church – it is not. The sheer disregard for Scriptural truth makes Solid Rock a cult at best, but hardly a Christian church.

The fact that a church “of the living God”, is a “pillar and buttress of the truth” the operative question asked of a congregation in the midst of scandal can’t be, “But what will this do to the reputation or momentum Solid Rock?” The question of a church in any given situation must be, what does the Bible say?

A church isn’t about the brand. The church is about the Bible.

When a congregation shelves the Bible for the sake of the brand it ceases to be a church and becomes a cult of personality.

Which brings me to my second point.

Who is qualified to be pastor?

The Bible states the qualities of a Pastor and/or Elder (both positions of which are mentioned in the docuseries) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

A lady who is interviewed often in each episode mentions “red flags.” Excellent. Let’s raise some red flags, shall we?

Let’s keep 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 before us, compare them to JP’s actions and see if anything makes its way up the flag pole of discernment. I will acknowledge that there are various angles of interpretation on these passages, but even the broadest of interpretations should see red flags when:

1) The pastor’s marriage is floundering because he’s having an affair – red flag.

2) He divorces his wife due to having an affair – red flag.

3) He divorces his wife due to having an affair with a woman on staff, whose husband is also on staff – red flag.

4) He begins dating the woman with which he had the affair – red flag.

5) While openly dating the woman with whom he had the affair, his other girlfriend comes walking into choir practice – red flag.

6) He marries the woman with which he had the affair – red flag.

7) He calls an elder to go to the airport and pick up a girl he’s going to meet up with – red flag.

8) While his second marriage is failing, most of the congregation knows he’s having an affair with a recently widowed woman (to whom he’s now apparently married) – red flag.

The pole if full of flags yet he remains your pastor? – red flag!

The docuseries mentions numerous accounts of sexual misconduct, manipulation, and grooming – of which numerous people were admittedly aware.

There is NO WAY a “church” that has a Bible, reads it, and applies it allows a monster like JP Miller to continue exercising authority over them. It is mentioned in the documentary that the church was setup to shield the pastor – again – red flag!

Even if that is the case, the church building should have been empty but from the scenes I saw – it was full in pretty much every shot. HEY - congregation – the by-laws may have shielded JP and the “yes men” he called elders may have protected him – buy it’s your butt that’s still in the seat!

If JP wanted to remain pastor, he could stand in an empty building and preach to himself. Shame on the sheep who continued to attend the cult and feed the wolf! You are as culpable as the man you followed as pastor.

What is Forgiveness and Restoration?

After the first moral failure of JP, some of the people interviewed defended their decision to continue to follow JP as pastor as an exercise of forgiveness and restoration.

Whatever your understanding of forgiveness and restoration may be, Biblical forgiveness and restoration does not require you to restore a pastor who has used spiritual authority to destroy marriages, groom young women, cover up his sexual perversion, and mentally abuse his wife.

Grace is not an enabler.

You can forgive. But he has forfeited his Biblical authority and opportunity to lead.

Shame on you Solid Rock church cult. You used a perverted understanding forgiveness to enable an and empower an abuser.

The documentary is not just the death of the pastor’s wife. It is the death of Biblical congregational polity. It is a documentary about the death of a church.

Takeaways

Our takeaway from the documentary has to be better than a post on social media that says JP Miller is full of poop emojis. It has to be more than pastors are full of poop emojis.

Hey, the Bible warns you that there would be lots of pastor poop emojis. Don’t think that Netflix has uncovered a scandal that the Bible didn’t warn you about. Netflix is 2000 years too late on that.

See Matthew 7:15, Romans 16:17, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Peter 2:1 and several others.

Our response needs to be Biblical discernment and congregational responsibility.

A “Best of the Best” award does not a church make.

A charismatic personality does not a pastor make.

Great music isn’t worship.

Open your Bible and read it. God’s Word will equip you to see past personalities and performances and see the wolves.

The Bible will help you discern deceit but it will also help you discover authenticity. The real thing does exist.

Pastors and elders worthy of honor who find the approval of God are out there (1 Tim. 5:17, 2 Tim. 2:15). They may not be the most captivating or have the biggest following, but they don’t plagiarize sermons, send inappropriate texts to women, groom staff wives, or level lawsuits. They just love their families, study the Word, and shepherd you as the flock of God.

The church of the living God that Paul describes to Timothy as the pillar and buttress of truth exists. In their local manifestations they may not win awards, have professional musicians, or offer the most quality Sunday experience . . . but the presence of God is in them. He is there.

At the end of the day, there are poop emoji pastors and poop emoji personality cults masquerading as churches. But unless you, the congregation, take responsibility to pick up a Bible and read it for yourself, poop emoji’s like JP Miller will become pastors and victimize people.

As long as you don’t read the Bible, cults masquerading as churches will create powerful toxic structures that shield influential personalities.

But most importantly, unless you pick up the Bible, read it, and do it . . . you’ll miss the real thing, the right thing, where the living God is at work and the beautiful buttress of Biblical truth rests upon a firm foundation.

Why Doesn't God Prevent My Problems?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:26:42 +0000

You may be disillusioned to turn to faith and find that it causes a whole new set of problems. Faith can cause problems in your family or at work. There are inexplicable problems that sometimes can only be chalked up to spiritual warfare.

And then there's the church. You joined the church to get away from all the drama only to find yourself centerstage in a whole new scene.

Why doesn't God prevent the problems?

This message from Acts 5 will help you get perspective on why God doesn't prevent some of your problems.

Braves Win, Diggers and Grandsons

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:13:07 +0000

I had a great weekend. The Braves win. The fireworks remind me of my dad. Lil' E and I discuss "diggers" after breakfast.

Some people visit the cemetery, stand by the markers, and remember their loved ones. I don't. My dad died in 2017 and I've only been by his grave once.

It's not just my dad. I've been that way about all of my loved ones who have passed away. For whatever reason I don't feel the same connection with friends and family that others do in cemeteries.

Maybe it's because of all of the funerals I've done in 30 years of ministry. I don't know. But a cemetery seems more like a marker to me than a memory. A marker is like a card catalog in a library - it's just the record, not the book.

I had rather drive by Mamaw's house. There my mind is flooded with memories. The grave of Ernie Carver means very little to me, but seeing an El Camino on the road, passing through Huntsville, or listening to Dawes makes me remember one of my favorite uncles.

I know where Roy is buried. But I had rather catch a bass and remember that time he set the hook so hard that he pulled a fish out of the water that I can still hear it slap against the side of the boat. I can smell those cigarette/cigar things he smoked and I can hear him laugh.

The cemetery does nothing for me. It's just lifeless stones. Catching a bass or passing through Crossville, TN makes me laugh . . . and remember.

That's what going to the Braves game has become for me. I enjoy the game but I remember my dad. It was especially true this weekend as the Friday night fireworks show erupted post-game.

Dad loved to take a trip to Fulton County Stadium on July 4 to see the Braves and watch the fireworks. We would stay at either my aunt JoAnn's apartment or at the HoJo down the street from the stadium. Either way, they had a pool and that was cool!

This weekend was August something, not July 4. But apparently now with the Braves fireworks is a Friday game thing. But nevertheless, it made me smile and think about my dad.

By the way dad . . . the Braves are pretty good this year.

That night we stayed with my daughter and her husband. They live about 20 miles from the stadium. So that meant breakfast with them and Lil' E, my grandson, the next morning.

They took us to a great place. The food was really good. But the best part was the heavy equipment working out front to widen the highway. Lil' E was mesmerized.

"Beep, beep, truck," he would say as he watched with awe.

He has plenty of trucks in his playroom, but to see the real thing amazed him.

He loved watching the trucks. And I loved watching him. Amazing. I am in awe of God's gift of a grandson.

I don't want to be remembered with a marker. I had rather it be something you hear in a sermon. My grandson seeing "diggers" and trucks beside the road or a Braves win. I had rather fireworks make you smile or there be something like a passing El Camino or a song on the radio remind you of me; much like those things remind me of Uncle Ernie or Roy.

It was a great weekend.

Session 6 - I'll Just Do It Myself

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Branam) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:58:00 +0000

People are complicated. People are frustrating. So men take on the mentality, "I'll just do it myself." While doing it yourself may make life more simple, it is an unrealistic expectation that will take a man to a place where the Bible says no man needs to be. Alone!

Discussion Guide