Go into the new year, and into each new day, courageously.
Rick Tryon
Your Life And What Comes After (15): The You Miracle, Part Two
Callum had grown up with the huge Christmas tree, tall enough to brush the ceiling and packed with ornaments he knew by heart. On Christmas Eve, he scanned the branches—and felt it instantly. Something was wrong. Between the silver bells and red ribbon, a space sat empty. The old brass lantern was missing.
He searched everywhere—under the couch, behind the curtains, in coat pockets. Finally, in the kitchen, he spotted a dull glint in the corner. The lantern lay there, dusty but safe. Callum carried it back and hung it where it belonged. The tree felt whole again.
Did the brass lantern ornament not matter much just because there were lot’s of other ornaments on the tree? No. To Callum they all mattered and each one was special.
You Are a Miracle
So if Callum knew each ornament and was aware of the place each one held on the tree, how much more does God know you personally and the place you hold in His creation and in His plan?
In this verse, Jesus points to sparrows—cheap, common birds, barely worth a coin—and says not one of them falls to the ground without the Father’s notice. Then He looks even closer: ‘the very hairs of your head are numbered.’
Matthew 10:29-30
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Your life is not a loose thread in the universe or a meaningless life among billions of others. You are seen, valued, and cared for by God Himself.
God knows about and pays attention to falling sparrows, and He numbers the hairs on our heads—easy to count in my case, since there are very few left.
You matter—more than you can see, and more than you can measure. You have a purpose and a life that only you can live, one whose full impact may reach farther than you ever see.
…We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
Marianne Williamson
Life is a miracle. You are a miracle. Tell yourself those two things every day and your life will become a brilliant light that can’t be dimmed.
Your Life And What Comes After (14): The You Miracle, Part One
Prince Philip’s character in Netflix’s The Crown (Season 3, Episode 7, “Moondust”) said this about his disappointment in what they found when American astronauts landed on the moon in 1968:
“The loneliness and emptiness and anticlimax of going all that way to the moon and finding nothing but haunting desolation, ghostly silence, gloom. That is what faithlessness is. As opposed to finding wonder, ecstasy, the miracle of divine creation, God’s design and purpose.”
Are We Alone?
The universe contains trillions of galaxies, each with billions of stars—more than we could count in a thousand lifetimes. Worlds beyond worlds are scattered across an ocean of space so vast it makes Earth seem like a speck of dust.
You’d think someone else would be out there by now. But so far, the cosmos has been… quiet.
No alien signals. No visitors. No confirmed microbes on Mars or the moons of Jupiter. Just an overwhelming stillness.
So no, I don’t believe in little green men or flying saucers zipping around our skies. I believe we are the only beings God created in His image—and that He made the Earth and the universe for us to share eternal life with Him.
God’s Focus Is On Us. On You.
What if life on this planet is incredibly special and rare—not because the universe is empty, but because we are the characters in God’s story?
What if Earth is not one of many planets where living, thinking beings exist, but the only place in His vast creation where God chose to create His family?
A vast universe does not make us insignificant. It makes God’s focus on us even more astonishing.
And that makes you a very, very special and important person in the universe. More on that coming up.
They Said It: Four Quotes On The Book Of Judges
Here are four interesting and insightful quotes about the seventh book of the Bible, Judges.
G. Campbell Morgan
“The book of Judges reveals the awful peril of forgetting God and the inevitable chaos that follows when there is no recognized authority under Him.”
Judges 21:25 (KJV):
“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
Barry G. Webb
“Judges is not a book of heroes so much as a book of failure—failure of leadership, failure of faith, and failure of the people to live as God’s covenant community.”
Judges 2:10–11 (KJV):
“And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim.”
Daniel I. Block
“The judges were not saviors in the full sense but instruments of divine mercy, raised up in a time of moral and spiritual collapse.”
Judges 2:16 (KJV):
“Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.”
Tremper Longman III
“The repeated refrain, ‘Everyone did what was right in his own eyes,’ is not a celebration of freedom but a diagnosis of Israel’s sickness.”
Judges 17:6 (KJV):
“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
Your Life And What Comes After (13): The Body Miracle
In the early 1950s, biologist Rosalind Franklin was studying DNA at King’s College in London. In 1952, she captured an image—later known as Photo 51—that revealed a striking X-shaped pattern. Franklin carefully analyzed the data, and saw that it that showed DNA was made of two strands wound together, with the genetic codes protected inside.
Her data later led to the correct model of DNA in 1953. The discovery showed how the human body stores, copies, and passes on life’s instructions with amazing detail. What had been invisible inside every cell suddenly became understandable—uncovering the molecular language that is the basis of the immune system, inheritance, and life itself.
Three Ways Your Body Declares You Were Designed on Purpose
Modern culture tells us we’re just globs of cells waiting to die and decay in a universe that doesn’t care. But your body tells a different story. It doesn’t whisper, “You’re just an accident”—it shouts, “What an awesome miracle you are!”
Here are three miracles in your physical body that quietly—but powerfully—rebel against the idea that you don’t matter.
Your Immune System Remembers What Tried to Kill You
Your immune system doesn’t just fight—it remembers. Once it meets a threat, it records the encounter and sets up a faster, stronger response the next time. Sometimes that memory lasts a lifetime.
Your body was built not just to survive the present, but to prepare for the future. That’s wisdom at the cellular level, not an accident.
“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.”
—Psalm 121:7
You Are Constantly Changing—Yet You Remain You
Your body replaces billions of cells every day. Skin renews. Blood refreshes. Bones rebuild. And still, you remain. Your memories, identity, and sense of self don’t dissolve with each cellular swap.
If you were just a glob of skin and bones walking around, you’d be a different person every few years. Instead, you remain you. Scripture calls this being “fearfully and wonderfully made”. Biology agrees: something holds you together beyond chemistry.
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
—Psalm 139:14
Your Heart Beats Without Asking Permission
Your heart doesn’t wait for instructions from your brain. It has its own built-in electrical system, firing over 100,000 times a day without you thinking once about it. Even removed from the body and supplied with oxygen, a heart can continue beating.
That’s not an accident. That’s by design.
The Bible says God “gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). Your heartbeat is a daily reminder of that.
“In him we live, and move, and have our being.”
—Acts 17:28
So What?
Your body is not an accident trying to survive in a meaningless universe. It is a living system fine-tuned by God’s own hand for a glorious purpose.
Believing you’re just a clump of cells makes life cheap.
Believing you were designed on purpose—and for a purpose—is rebellion against darkness.
Well done, fellow rebel.
Your Life And What Comes After (12): The Existence Miracle, Part Two
So What?
What difference does it make in daily life that something exists instead of nothing? Isn’t that just a mind-bending, philosophical question without real meaning?
No.
Here’s why: If everything exists because God willed it, then your life is not an accident drifting through a meaningless universe. You are not just background noise in a cold, accidental existence. You exist because our Creator wanted a creation where relationship, meaning, and purpose were real.
Believing nothing matters is easy and leads to a “who cares?” take on life. Not good.
Believing God created you on purpose and for a purpose—that’s rebellion against darkness and a defiant shout that says, “I matter!”
The Source Matters
When Scripture says,
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.”
—Romans 11:36 (KJV)
it’s making a claim about reality itself. Everything starts with God, is held by God, and always points back to God—including you.
So when the question comes up—Why is there something instead of nothing?—the Bible’s answer is simple:
There is something because God chose creation over emptiness.
God is the reason everything exists, and when you look closely, you see Him everywhere. And that’s not nothing.
Your Life And What Comes After (11): The Existence Miracle, Part One
“Why is the sky blue?” a student asked the teacher one day. “And how can the moon cover the sun during a solar eclipse if the sun is way bigger?”
The teacher nodded. “Ah, good questions—they sound simple, but they point to how amazing our world is.”
“For the sky,” she said, turning to the window, “sunlight looks white, but it’s actually made of many colors. When that light enters Earth’s atmosphere, the tiny gas molecules scatter the shorter blue wavelengths more than the others. Blue light gets spread all across the sky, reaching your eyes from every direction, so the sky looks blue.” She paused. “At sunrise and sunset, the light has to pass through more atmosphere, the blues scatter away, and you see reds and oranges instead.”
“As for our second question, the sun is much bigger—about 400 times bigger than the moon,” she said. “But it’s also about 400 times farther away, which makes them appear almost exactly the same size in the sky. So when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, it can cover it perfectly.”
A Different Question
Science can answer lots of questions—except maybe the most important one:
Why is there something instead of nothing?
Most people don’t stop to ask why reality exists at all. We just look at what’s in front of us without stopping to ask why there’s anything there to look at in the first place.
“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.”
—Hans Christian Andersen
A Solid Answer
The Bible doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to the answer. It opens with it.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
—Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
Something exists because Someone already did. That Someone is God the Creator, and everything we see and experience exists because He meant it to exist and brought it into being for a purpose.
Nothing Doesn’t Create
Nothing has no power, no will, no potential. If nothing were the true starting point, nothing would still be all there is. The universe didn’t reason itself into existence. Life didn’t organize itself by wishful thinking.
If you train yourself to see everything and everyone around you—in every moment of your day—as part of the incredible miracle of existence, your life will change in amazing ways. Trust me.
Merry Christmas From Bible Rebel
Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Your Life And What Comes After (10): Coming Miracles
Below is a great quote from Dan Kent that summarizes how we can plug into God’s plan and how each of us can discover our individual purpose and talents in the process.
“Don’t stand around waiting for God to act, or for God to win your battles for you: don’t stand around watching for what God might do: rather, show God what you can do. Gain wisdom, gather knowledge, develop skills, give the Lord something to use as he rumbles through the earth unfolding his glorious will.”
Dan Kent – thatdankent.com
The Next Leg of Our Journey
As we go forward in this journey and you look to better understand ‘Your Life and What Comes After’ we’re going to be discussing three exciting topics:
- The Existence Miracle
- The Human Miracle
- The You Miracle
Before we dive in, ask yourself this question: Do you need to see the person who built the beautiful grandfather clock in order to know that someone built it?
Stay tuned.
Watchdog Alert: What Is The ‘West Bank’?
Israel Approves 19 New Settlements in the West Bank
Israel’s government officially approved 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including 11 newly established ones and recognition of previously unauthorized outposts. This move significantly expands settlement territory and draws criticism from Palestinian advocates and international observers for further complicating peace efforts.
From France 24
But what is the ‘West Bank’ historically and why does it matter today?
Biblical History
The West Bank corresponds largely to the biblical regions of Judea and Samaria. It was inhabited by ancient Israelites and is central to the narratives of Abraham, David, Solomon, and the prophets. Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, Shiloh, and Shechem are all located in or adjacent to the area.
Control passed through many empires: Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman. After Jewish revolts against Rome (66–73 AD, 132–135 AD), many Jews were exiled, though a continuous Jewish presence remained.
Modern History
- During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jordan captured and later annexed the West Bank.
- The name “West Bank” comes from its location west of the Jordan River.
- Jordan’s annexation was recognized by only a few countries.
- Jews were expelled from areas such as East Jerusalem and Hebron, and Jewish holy sites were restricted.
- Palestinians in the West Bank were granted Jordanian citizenship.
Israeli Control (1967–Present)
- In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan.
- Israel has controlled the territory since then, though it did not formally annex most of it.
- Jewish settlements were established, beginning in the late 1960s.
- Palestinians sought self-determination, leading to uprisings (Intifadas) in 1987 and 2000.
Why it Matters
The West Bank is disputed territory under international law. Palestinians seek it as the heartland of a future Palestinian state. Israel cites historical ties, security needs, and unresolved borders.
The region remains fragmented politically and geographically. Tensions continue over settlements, security, governance, and final borders.