by Pastor Andrew Isker Introduction 2 Samuel 23 is the second part of the center of the appendix section of the Book of Samuel. It gives us the central theme of the entire book. Like David’s psalm in chapter 23, it gives us the theology to meditate upon to understand…
On the hunt for the higher things by John Heers, First Things Foundation Let’s take a look at truth. What is true, what is fake? How might these ideas be related to things sacred and things profane? How should we understand these terms as war rages on and human beings…
by Elijah Shoesmith Jesus expected His students to become disciples. Messengers of His truth once He left to prepare our mansions. He didn’t want lifelong learners who refused to leave the classroom. And He still doesn’t. Influenced by people we follow online, it’s time for us “regular joes” to step…
The Medium is the Weapon by The Prudentialist Since February 2022, Western minds have been exposed to a deluge of information, more data than any average individual can comprehend, let alone make sense of. Without taking serious time and processing efforts to draw a coherent narrative or to make sense…
by Jacob Brown Why does our Lord tell us to pray to God as Father? When asked by his disciples to teach them to pray, the Lord Jesus Christ taught them to pray by addressing the Almighty God of all creation as Father. He just as easily could have taught…
from Plain Values THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: How do you practice forgiveness in your community? Jerry: In any close-knit community, forgiveness is the elixir that cures disease. It cleans the cancer from the joints and makes things pliable again. The spiritual WD-40 that lessens the creaking and groaning. Forgiveness is counter-cultural. It…
by Shawn and Beth Dougherty, Plain Values July Fourth is an important day in our village. We always say Hinton has the best fireworks display in the valley, and people come from all over to watch. The park is full of strangers as well as neighbors, and the lines in front…
by Pastor Andrew Isker Something is coming. That is the general sense that I get from everyone I talk to who is even the least bit politically and culturally aware. “Something is coming.” “Something is going to happen soon.” For at least the last five years, everything has become increasingly…
by Joel Salatin, Plain Values Last month I introduced two unorthodox concepts regarding water. The first is the difference between surface runoff and the inventory of the commons (like streams, springs, and aquifers). The second is the notion that we as caretakers can greatly enhance the commons by storing surface runoff rather…
Is There a Standard for Being a Jerk by John Heers, First Things Foundation Toxic men are in the news again. Again. In fact, it is clear that they will always be in the news, because men are so often doing things men shouldn’t do. But still, this term toxic…
By Marlin Miller, Publisher of Plain Values On a recent trip, we spent a few evenings with a wonderful family who lost a young child only a few years ago. We quickly became fast friends as we connected on a deep level, sharing the good and the hard as our kids…
The concept of the Parallel Economy has gained significant traction in recent years largely thanks to Gab’s multi-year effort to mainstream the concept. A Parallel Economy is a network of businesses and consumers who prioritize values, ethics, and principles over sheer commercial interests. People are no longer content with merely…
by Pastor Andrew Isker Introduction Far too many Christians have been told “The Bible doesn’t have anything to say about politics, so you shouldn’t care about it so much.” But that is simply not true, the Bible shows us God dealing with men who have political power all the time.…
by Rory Feek, Plain Values Last night, Indiana and I spent the evening in the garden weeding, watering the many rows of vegetables, and checking on how the seeds we’ve sowed this spring are doing. The broccoli and cabbage that were abundant a month ago are almost gone, and Brussels sprouts will…
This week a comprehensive article in progressive magazine The New Republic delved into the emergence of the parallel economy with a particular emphasis on Gab’s role in spearheading it.
