Tag: Jesus

Belief

January 23, 2026

We have gone through the Christmas season and celebrated the birth of the Savior of the world. We call Him Jesus. Do you know who this historical figure is? I am a writer. A craftsman who uses words to create meaning for you. I am a wordsmith.

Just as a blacksmith creates tools, knives, or horseshoes from black iron or steel, I make phrases and sentences that convey ideas to you. Either you agree with these two thoughts, or you refuse to accept them. I don’t mind if you don’t consider me an author. That hurts neither you nor me.

When you do not accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, it separates you from God. Why should I care? That is between you and your creator, whether you know it or not. I care because God cares.

This is what I believe. I know this is the truth. Acknowledge it or deny it. That is your freewill. He gave it to you just as He gave you life. He is not the one who is lying to you. We have an adversary that does not want us to recognize these facts.

Jehovah created the universe. That includes our world and all the objects we see in the sky. Today, we know some are planets. stars, or wandering bodies. I do not know if there is life on any other planet. We are too far from them to discern that. We’ve tried with the ones closest to us, and nothing is there.

 When They created all of this, we human beings were created. Men and women are made different from other creatures. We are in Their image or likeness. This is where my craftsmanship comes to bear. I need to explain what this means.

God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit are called a trinity. That word originally meant three divine beings that make up a godhead. A supreme ruling force in our universe. That is incorrect. They are a triune being. Do you see the difference in the words? Trinity combines three separate things into one.

Triune takes one and expresses it as three separate forms. Do you understand this? Let me put it this way. Take an egg. Just an ordinary chicken egg. Open the shell, and you have a yellow thing called a yoke, the shell you just broke, and the white or albumen. Those are three individual things with their own names and purposes. Get it? The shell protects the developing chick. The yoke becomes the chick. The egg white feeds the creature as it grows.

Three things, one individual being. That is us as well. Three things that are one person. Does it make sense to you? It does to me. You have a body. You are not a body. You also have a soul and a spirit that reside inside of you. If you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, your spirit is alive. If not, it is dead.

I will continue this more in-depth in future columns. I think this is enough for you to take in now. Please ask me questions in the comments, and I will answer them specifically in the next articles. Thank you for reading what I believe.

©Copyright 2026 by Charles Kensinger

Life Through the Valleys and Over the Mountain Tops.

January 9, 2026

A Bible Trekking experience.

INTRODUCTION

The preacher was not an ordained minister. He was the Vice-Principal of our local High School. He was at our church to thank members who assisted at the school and to encourage others to join them. His topic was mountains and valleys. He is the inspiration for this book.

In the mountains

Day One

“Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil: for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.”

Psalm 23: 4

In the summer of 1975, I spent ten weeks in Pennsylvania. I was working as a summer missionary with the pastor of the Bolivar Road Baptist church in Bradford. My main responsibility was to serve as student pastor for the Hill Top Baptist Chapel in Gifford. I do not remember how many lived in that small mountain community at that time. It was so small that we walked to the post office to pick up our mail.

I taught a youth Sunday School class, preached in the morning, and led an evening Bible study. On Wednesday evenings, I led the prayer meeting. We were amid the Allegheny mountains, and many times that summer, I would take a walk into the woods. Early on, I purchased a flashlight that I took with me in the evening in case the sun began to fade before I returned to the house. It got dark early in the forest, and often I would turn off the flashlight as I stepped out of the trees.

Studying the Bible had been my life for over a year. I entered Southwest Baptist College as a junior transferring from a state school where I had been a creative writing major. My plan was to transfer to a different university to study journalism. God’s plan was for me to study His Word.

This was a mountain top experience in more than one way. I have lived all my life in the Ozark Mountains. Nothing in my experience prepared me for the Alleghenies.

If you have never been to the Ozarks, you don’t know that this part of the country is just hills. There are no true mountains in the Ozarks. Some refer to it as the Ozarks Plateau.

The valley is often looked down on by those that live in the highlands. David knew a great deal about hills, valleys, and mountains. He fought the lion and the bear as he protected the sheep. He played for King Saul when he was depressed. He killed Goliath and helped route the entire Philistine army but had to run from the King to save himself because of jealousy.

What causes you concern? Use His rod and staff to comfort yourself. His rod is what the shepherd uses to pull the lambs back from the edge of cliffs. The staff is the weapon that defends him and the flock from predators. We will continue to investigate the highs and the lows of following Christ.

The printer

January 6, 2026

This title could be a story about my friend Rick or my Uncle George. Both were printers by trade. Rick worked for the Springfield Newspaper for thirty or forty years, and George did the same at the Kansas City Star. Some day I may regale you with stories of these fine men, but that is not tonight.

God woke me up tonight to write as He does sometimes. When I walked into the living room, I noticed a light in our dining room. I went to see what I had left glowing when we went to bed and found our printer was lit up with an error message. In the dark, it is very bright.

During the day, you do not notice these messages, and that screen is often dark when we have not used it for a while. Tonight, in the dark house, it was apparent from the next room. You are probably asking yourself, “Where is he going with this thought?”

One of my categories is Tangents. That is what this is. These are wild, stray thoughts that come to my mind. As I sit at my laptop, I am reminded of Jesus’ words, “You are the light of the world.” I’m going to offer a non-theological commentary on this idea.

Light is a common thing in our world. During the day, sunshine illuminates most of the outdoors. If you are fortunate enough to have windows in your home, you can raise the blinds and move around inside without needing your electric lights. My wife, Cindy, likes to do this. My eyes are not as good as hers anymore, and sometimes I must flip a switch for the artificial light.

Jesus was referring to His followers as being a source of light in our dark world. This is a reflected light. That has been my ministry for over fifty years. I call myself a workplace minister because I’ve never pastored a church. My congregation was the people I encountered on a daily basis as I performed my different jobs.

I am a light in the darkness. I tell you about my Jesus and what He means to me. I share with you how He touches my life and speaks truth into it. That may seem strange to you, and that is fine. My Christian readers understand what I am saying. We are lights in a world that is full of darkness, as this room was tonight. A small shine from a printer control screen got my attention. This is our job. Shine a little brightness in the gloom and guide someone to Jesus.

You are not to be a glaring beacon from a spotlight. Just be a candle in the darkness. I’ve had some say that they knew I was a man of God or a religious person. They saw His reflected light in me. I don’t draw attention to myself intentionally.

Others notice something coming from us, and they go like Moses did when he saw a bush burning in the desert. It should have burned out quickly. It did not. Do not be a flash that no one can find when they need questions answered, be that light that brightens the darkness of their distress. Let them come to you and tell them what He has done for you. It is that simple.

©Copyright 2026 by Charles Kensinger

Time of the year

December 19, 2025

The song you just watched says “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” I agree that the Christmas season can be a great period for some of us. For others, it is not that enjoyable. You may have lost someone, and the holidays are a reminder of that loss. If you are not watchful, you can be taken in by scams and fraud even more at this time.

That is what I want to talk to you about. Those people who use the most wonderful time of the year for not-so-fantastic experiences for others. I am not just addressing the criminals. Let’s talk about Christians. Some of my readers are like me and have been disappointed and given up on Church People.

First, I think we need to qualify what I mean by a Christian. If you mark the box that says Christian on a questionnaire, that does not make you a follower of Christ. Christian means Little Christ. Jesus, who is called the Chris,t died for everyone in the world. He did this because He loves us. When we do not love others, we cannot truly call ourselves by His name.

A follower of Christ can be broken down into two categories. The first is those who have accepted Him as their savior. I call this having fire insurance. Many have had a salvation experience, but may not have made the extra commitment that we call making Jesus our Lord.

When I was eighteen, I decided that while I had been a Christian since I was eleven, I needed to make the choice for Jesus to be my Lord and my Savior. Since then, I have been learning as much as I can about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

Describing Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year is not something that I normally do. Gathering with family and friends from Thanksgiving through the New Year is often a good time for us. I can make an argument that other holidays that bring us together are just as joyful.

For those of us who are born-again believers, all year is a blessed time. This was one promise He made to His followers. “I am with you always, even to the end of the Earth.” (Matthew 28:20) He also gives us joy throughout the year. (John 17:13, Galatians 5:22) Having this joy in our lives does much for us.

In the last year, several of my friends have gone home to be with our Lord. For their families and friends, I want to encourage them that they will miss them during these celebrations, but keep in mind that we are all together in the presence of our Lord with them. We just do not have a visual confirmation of that with our earthly eyes. (1 Corinthians 13:12, Hebrews 11:1)

If you have lost someone and do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please contact me or someone that you know is a believer. We can lead you to a saving knowledge of this person we call Jesus, and when your earthly life ends, you will join us.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger

Christmas means Santa

December 6, 2025

I have been researching the mythology of Christmas for years. When we had our first child, I told my wife that I did not want to perpetuate the falsehoods about Saint Nicholas. My thinking was that if we intentionally told them lies, they would not believe in God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. She disagreed with me, and guess what? We did it her way.

We repeat the stories that we have heard. Nicholas made and delivered toys to the local children in his village. His parents’ wealth enabled him to do this. Often, he left the gifts outside the doors of their homes. The British have Father Christmas, that is the personification of love. He was more focused on adults than children when the legends began.

When the story of Santa Claus came to the United States, Father Christmas was changed. The name came from the Dutch Sinterklaas, and in Pennsylvania, we got the name Kris Kringle in the 1800s. Because of the melting pot of our culture, we have a varied tradition of celebrations this time of year.

You may have Hanukkah, Kwanza, Saturnalia, or other holy days that are part of your traditions. That is what freedom of religion in our Constitution guarantees. As Burger King says, have it your way.

Christmas music and movies are things I have discussed in previous columns. I don’t care what holidays you want to celebrate. The way you serve others on your high holy days is your business. Human sacrifices and property destruction are some of the areas where I think the line needs to be drawn.

Years ago, one of my seventh and eighth boys told me that he and a friend had bashed pumpkins on Halloween. I asked how he would have felt if young men like him had destroyed his decorations when he was younger. He looked like he understood what I meant.

Another student showed me the hood ornament that he had broken off a car the day before. I asked him if he knew how much it would cost to replace it. Of course, he did not know. I informed him of what I had been told by a friend that it cost him to replace one, and he seemed surprised. My point to him was that it was a joke. He would not want to cause that expense for his parents.

We make fun of how others worship, play, sing, or do just about anything. Not everyone who does these things intends to hurt others. They may just not think it through thoroughly. The historical St. Nicholas attempted to improve the lives of children and their families.

I hope that you try to be a good Saint Nick all year round. Finding ways to serve others is appropriate at any time of the year. He is not a mythical figure. He was a real man who tried to make a difference. Let us all see if we can be more like he was.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger

See ya’ later, Calvin

November 16, 2025

Our long-time pastor and friend, Calvin Maberry, is now home with Jesus. He left his earth suit and went home on Friday morning. If you do not know this man of God, let me tell you about him.

I met him the first time I went to Hamlin Church with Cindy. She was raised in that congregation, and he and his wife, Arlene, had worked with the youth and became their pastor a few years before. I instantly liked Calvin and Arlene, even if she told me I better not hurt my new girlfriend.

Their family lived outside of Willard, MO, and their three kids were Cindy’s friends. My future wife was a fifteen-year-old, and Arlene was her Sunday School teacher. This may be the reason that I was given the warning. I was a junior in college at the time.

Calvin became a mentor to me as I negotiated my way through college as a ministerial student. They were at our wedding and supported us for the last fifty-plus years as we attended many classes that they were part of.

My first opportunity to officiate at a wedding took place while we were living in Joplin, MO. Calvin advised me on common ceremonies and problems I might have. The pastor of the bride was not someone I knew, and I felt more comfortable with Brother Maberry than our pastor in Joplin.

Years later, when I was asked to officiate at my first funeral, Pastor Calvin was there for me as well. He gave me some sage advice that I have heard from him often. Follow what you believe the Lord wants you to do, and follow what the family asks you to do. Other ministers I knew told me before other funerals what were different opinions of what should be done.

When Calvin decided to announce his retirement as our pastor, we spoke about it before it was announced to the church. I was the Chairman of the Deacon body and would be responsible for helping that group lead the congregation through the transition period.

I was the one who asked him to allow the church to bestow the title of Pastor Emeritus on him when we celebrated his term as our under shepherd. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle to convince him to accept that honor. Life at the church changed a great deal after that.

For a few years, we saw him and Arlene occasionally at church, but bumped into them at many other places. They always asked how we were getting along and how the girls were. They were always the adoptive grandparents to the kids at Hamlin.

When Arlene was fighting the Illness that ultimately took her life, Calvin was scheduled for bypass surgery. I had just gone through that operation and tried to encourage him that it was difficult, but the Lord would see him through it. I remember that he told me that if it were not for Arlene needing him, he would not have had the surgery. He was ready to go home.

Now that he is there with her, his savior and Lord, and all those that still call him pastor Calvin and friend, I am continuing to look forward to the day that Christ says welcome home to me as well. I know that we are there together, even though some do not realize it, yet.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger

Nobody

November 4, 2025

Once again, Jesus brought this Casting Crowns song to my attention. He does this often. When I am down and need something to bring me back to what my ministry is, He sends His personal message to me. It is never a verbal word from Him. If I stop and listen, I know what He has done. Let me tell you about this time.

It starts out with the question of why God chose me. Do you ever ask yourself why you felt a desire to accept Christ when others easily refuse? I accepted Him when I was a kid. In college, I rejected the Church I attended, not God. He then asked me to accept a call to His ministry. I still do not understand that.

I never thought of myself as one of the not-quites or worthless individuals, as some do. I knew what I wanted to do. I once thought I might be a good candidate for President of the US. I thought that after a few years as a reporter, I might want to try my hand at politics.

Like the writer of this song, I can relate to Moses’ apprehension at being a leader and how David felt when he stepped up and accepted the call to fight Goliath. He was young and already believed that he could do anything he was asked to do. It took me a few more years to get there, but I think I may be close.

David did, in fact, take rocks to a sword fight. Yes, I said rocks. Reread the story, and you will see that after he shed Saul’s armor and sword, he took up his shepherd’s pouch, staff, and sling. He stopped and selected five stones that he placed in the bag. Some wonder why others have said that his opponent had four brothers. Only one was a brother. The other three were cousins. He was prepared.

I am beginning to see who He wants me to be. I minister to those I worked with and around for over forty years. I’ve worked with multiple groups in churches and other ministries. Now you are my congregation. I hope I can come across as loving and understanding as Jesus did.

That’s what He tried to teach His followers. He showed love to everyone, even those who opposed Him. He did not stop there. He died for all of us. Even those who wanted Him dead forced the Romans to execute Him.

I know I will not go down in history. All I can ask for is what the chorus of this song says. I just want to tell you what I know about my Lord and Savior. I am not important in any way other than as a witness to what a life of service can mean. I hope that you want to be a nobody like I am.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger

Who made you a disciple?

October 22, 2025

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells His disciples to go into all the world and make disciples and teach those converts everything they have been taught by Him. Someone led you to Jesus. It may have been your parents, grandparents, pastor, friends, or others. A pastor friend of mine accepted Christ after watching a Billy Graham sermon on TV.

After this salvation experience, he was discipled by friends and family. When I met him, we were both in college as ministerial students. Others encouraged both of us to accept our calls to the ministry. After graduation, we went our separate ways. I cannot remember his name, but I know he has discipled many others as I have.

Consider your story. Identify the important people who have led your walk. My father was a licensed minister before I was born. We were raised in church and encouraged to accept Christ at an early age. My brothers and I remained at our home church after our parents and sisters began going to another.

This body was instrumental in my accepting my call to full-time gospel ministry. Sunday School teachers, pastors, friends, and family all discipled me for the next ten years until I graduated from college.

I worked with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board as a summer missionary while still in college and learned a great deal from that experience and the people I worked with for ten weeks. I have used many of the things I picked up that summer throughout my life.

The point I want to make in this column is that we all need help learning how to follow our Lord. Your job as a believer is to assist your brothers and sisters in Christ. Others are there for you. That is the idea of service that Jesus taught His disciples.

We all should think of the folks that we are familiar with and how we can guide them into a deeper relationship with our savior. Prayer, Bible study, and fellowship are all methods that can be utilized.

Jesus said, “As you go, make disciples, teaching them everything you know, immersing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Educate them in what Holy Spirit teaches you. I hope this column is a small help to you as you grow.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger