Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Freezing Out Temptation August 1, 2022 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. ~ James 1:14 NLT ~ "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away." (James 1:14 NLT) The humungous concrete trough begged us to place our parched toes in its tantalizing coolness. ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Misdirected Energy July 30, 2023 ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles... ~ Hebrews 12:1 NIV ~ "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1 N ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR A Pastor to the Mountain People July 28, 2023 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: ...when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? ~ Isaiah 58:6-7 NIV Life in the Blue Ridge mountains in pioneer days was far from easy. The first European immigrants to North American began arriving ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Waking Up at Night July 26, 2023 ...but even then my faithful love for you will remain... ~  Isaiah 54:10 NLT ~ "For the mountains may move     and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain.     My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET Rescued From the Rot By: Kari Vo --------------------------------- July 25, 2023 /"I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here I am, here I am,' to a nation that was not called by My Name. I spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR A Sad Misrepresentation of Time July 24, 2023 /Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath./ ~ Psalms 39:4-5 NRSV ~ "Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me kn ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Aiming for Gold July 23, 2023 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalms 119:105 ESV ~ "And Jesus cried out and said, 'Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.'" (John 12:44-46 ESV ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Pants July 21, 2023 For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness ~ Isaiah 61:10 NIV ~ "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,  and as ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Is It Time Yet? July 19, 2023 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted. ~ Eccl 3:2 ESV ~ "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1 N ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Be Happy July 17, 2023 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. ~  Ecclesiastes 8:15a NLT ~ "So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life." (Ecclesiastes 8:15a NLT) My great-gr ...Continue Reading