Tag Archives: discernment

Quick Thought – Saturday, September 26, 2026: Judging by Appearances–God Looks at the Heart

Posted on September 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

We live in a world shaped by images, appearances and carefully crafted impressions. But 1 Samuel 16 reminds us that while people look at the outside, God looks at the heart. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Sunday, September 13, 2026: Chocolate Chip-Raspberry Royale—When Preference Meets Truth

Posted on September 13, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Chocolate chip, raspberry royale or vanilla? That’s preference. But when it comes to God’s truth, what we prefer does not determine what is right. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: When Expectations Change the Pour

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A label, price tag or reputation can shape a bourbon before we ever taste it. Expectations can do the same thing in faith, relationships and life. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Sunday Pour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Friday, August 21, 2026: Who Has Your Ear? Listening to the Spirit in a Noisy World

Posted on August 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Advertising, friends and culture constantly compete for our attention. Paul reminds us that believers have received the Spirit of God so we can recognize what the world can’t give us—and what God has already freely provided. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Wednesday, August 19, 2026: Subjective Truth

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Everyone seems to have their own version of truth. But when facts, opinions and perspectives compete for our attention, Jesus gives us something solid: He doesn’t merely teach the truth. He says, “I am the truth.” Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: The Unlabeled Bottle

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

An unlabeled bottle strips away reputation, price, and expectation. Blind tasting reveals what is really there—and so does careful discernment when we look beyond the labels people wear. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Sunday Pour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Saturday, August 1, 2026: Hatred for Evil—Learning to Recognize What God Hates

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Anne Frank’s story shows what happens when pride, lies, violence and hatred are allowed to flourish. Proverbs 6 helps us recognize those evils—and reminds us that Christians must hate evil without hating people. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Monday, June 29, 2026: What’s in Your Brownies?

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The world rarely asks us to abandon our standards all at once. More often, it asks us to accept just a little impurity until we forget what purity was supposed to taste like. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Friday, June 5, 2026: Don’t Swim in a Meat Suit

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Peter warns us to be sober-minded and watchful because the enemy is always looking for prey. Wisdom means staying close to God — and refusing to make ourselves easy bait. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Beware of Yellow Alligators

Posted on June 3, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Isaiah warns against calling evil good and good evil. A painted alligator may look different, but it is still an alligator — and sin does not become harmless just because we rename it. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment