Religious Freedom: Perspectives from New York

Last updated on: August 19, 2025 at 10:26 pm By Dennis McIntyre

Does the New York State law protecting religious freedom truly protect that right? A recent article in the Christian Post raises the question of religious freedom in New York. Let’s take a look. How Did We Get Here? A popular tradition in High Schools across the United States is to allow seniors to “personalize” their parking spaces. High School Seniors express themselves through their designs. School administrators require students to meet specific criteria before they allow them: Students use water-based... Read more

Division: Understanding Jesus’ Message of Truth

Last updated on: August 12, 2025 at 2:06 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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This Sunday, August 17, is the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. The gospel reading focuses on Jesus’ truth, which brings division. This gospel is challenging to read, but it has a tremendous message. Let’s take a look. Gospel Text Luke 12:49-53: “Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until... Read more

Gerrymandering: Deepening the Divide in the U.S.

Last updated on: August 10, 2025 at 5:38 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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Battle lines are being fortified in the latest political battle in the U.S.: gerrymandering. Texas Democrats abandoned the state to prevent Republicans from redistricting. What will the impact be as states rewrite electoral maps to strengthen their positions? Let’s take a look. How Did We Get Here? Texas is the latest state in this continuing battle. The oddity with this effort is that historically, the redistricting occurs after a census. Republicans have raised many concerns with the 2020 census as... Read more

Vigilant: The Call to Be Prepared Always

Last updated on: August 6, 2025 at 4:01 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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This Sunday, August 10, is the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The theme of the readings is “Be vigilant!” Jesus teaches us to be like servants awaiting their master’s return from a wedding. Let’s take a look. Gospel Text Luke 12:35-40 (Short Version): “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants... Read more

Submarines Positioned Near Russia: What It Means

Last updated on: August 3, 2025 at 12:52 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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On August 1, President Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be repositioned near Russia in response to escalating rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. This repositioning may well escalate tensions even further. Let’s take a look. How Did We Get Here? The latest war of words concerns Trump’s attempt to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine. On the campaign trail, Trump boasted about ending the Ukrainian War on Day 1 of his Presidency. It is clear he... Read more

Persistence: Sunday Reflection

Last updated on: July 25, 2025 at 4:31 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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This Sunday, July 27, is the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary time. The theme for the readings is persistence. The gospel is from the book of Luke 11:1-13. Let’s take a look. Gospel Text Please click the link for the full Gospel Text (Luke 11:1-13): “Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you... Read more

Unity in a Divided World: A Spiritual Guide

Last updated on: July 30, 2025 at 8:09 am By Dennis McIntyre

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We live in a divided world. We are divided by race, gender, sexual preference, religion, or politics. There is only one way to bring unity in every situation: to follow the model Jesus gave us. Let’s take a look. Jesus the Uniter Jesus repeatedly spoke about unity. He did not focus on simply agreeing, but talked of unity regarding a divine relationship and spiritual purpose. Jesus links the unity of His disciples to the unity of the Trinity, preaching... Read more

Spiritual Priorities: Insights from the Gospel

Last updated on: July 19, 2025 at 8:41 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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This Sunday, July 20, is the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The gospel reading is a significant story about spiritual priorities. This is a story about Mary and Martha and their visit with Jesus. Let’s take a look. Gospel Text Luke 10:38-42: “Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came... Read more

IRS Decision Impacting Church Endorsements

Last updated on: July 16, 2025 at 3:36 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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The IRS recently declared that it would not prohibit churches and pastors from endorsing candidates. For many years, churches have refrained from endorsing political candidates. Instead, they provided guidance on how their members should choose their candidates. Do you think churches and pastors endorsing candidates is the right thing to do? Let’s take a look. IRS History with Churches The IRS declaration on July 7 is a seismic shift from previous legislation related to 501(c)(3) organizations. Previously, churches were... Read more

The Harvest: Embracing the Call for Laborers

Last updated on: July 5, 2025 at 12:32 pm By Dennis McIntyre

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In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus sends his disciples “two-by-two” before Him to find “laborers for the harvest.” This is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Let’s take a look. Gospel Text (Luke 10:1-9) At that time, the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to... Read more

Who played instruments in Temple?