July 19, 2026

How detailed does a statement need to be in order to be considered true? If I say I am wearing a shirt is that true? Do I need to specify the cut and fabric and colour? Most would say no of course simply stating that you’re wearing a shirt is enough. I would suggest that if truth is that which corresponds to reality. Then so long as a statement accurately describes the real world that is enough. This of course excludes lies by omission. If I am trying to eat healthy and I say “I had some milk and fruit,” but leave out that it was milk and fruit in the form of ice cream while that does correspond to reality it is purposefully intended to deceive. 

A favourite game of some philosophers is to question truth claims on the basis of accuracy. For instance if you say the sky is blue they may question you by pointing out that the sky really isn’t blue but rather you are seeing a reflection off of the atmosphere and if you go into space you’ll find that in fact it’s mostly black. Based on this they will go on to suggest that you really can’t claim that the sky is blue. 

This same principle when applied to Bible study is deeply manipulative, and unhelpful. Consider for example the statement “The church met on the first day of the week.” I would suggest that this is a true but not exhaustive statement. Someone may object; asking is that the only time they met? Did every member meet? Are you reckoning days based on Jewish or Roman custom? These questions are not completely inappropriate and may have relevance in certain discussions but none negate the truthfulness of the original claim. 

The detail required depends on what I am trying to do. I don’t need to know the exact speed and what forces will be generated by the impact of a vehicle to know that I shouldn’t step out in front of it. I will need that data and more if I am the engineer responsible for designing the crumple zones on a specific car. 

As Christians we are accountable to God to obey basic truths that he has revealed. Paul argued that God’s will is accessible and knowable Rom 1:20; 10:8 such that we can understand and respond. There may be more nuance to a subject that we have yet to learn or there may be a deeper understanding to be gained by examining related texts. These things don’t mean that we can know and do Gods will. They do call us to dedicated study and even more to dedicated surrender to Jesus.

To summarize, truth is simply that which corresponds to reality. This may be simply ascertained and expressed or it may be more exhaustively described. The level of detail does not determine truthfulness rather accuracy does. May God bless us in our effort to know his will in simplicity and in exactitude. 

~ Kevin Cleary

July 12, 2026

But I don’t have a combine

Most will be familiar with Jesus statement to his disciples in John 4:35. Jesus had spoken with the woman at the well in Samaria and she was going to bring others to him. The disciples were urging him to eat but Jesus sensing the immediate opportunity didn’t want to stop for food. 

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.

In a similar vein we are living in a time when people are dissatisfied. Many have a nagging feeling that the generally accepted narrative offered by secular institutions and the “experts” is seriously deficient. I would submit the popularity of Jordan Peterson calling people to be responsible and self-sacrificial is evidence of this. I have mentioned before and will say here again that young people are becoming increasingly interested in religion. There is a major resurgence of debate in the public square something that for most of my adult life was viewed as somewhat distasteful and kind of off putting. 

I strongly suspect that given the current trends many could be reached with truths that until recently they would not have given time or attention to. 

I pray that with some careful thought and targeted effort Christians can find great opportunity to share the good news with those who are especially hungry for it. The conditions however are slightly difficult. The large numbers on social media are much like a thousand-acre field filled with wheat. However much a person with a scythe wanted to harvest it the task would be overwhelming. He needs a combine along with the knowledge of how to run it. Similarly churches may need to gain some new skills to take advantage of opportunities. My strong suspicion is that a well presented social media presence backed up by a loving community dedicated to God’s grace and truth could yield good results. 

~ Kevin Cleary

July 5, 2026

If you are even remotely familiar with the bible or Christianity you have come across the notion of Baptism. Most have a general idea that it involves water of some kind and that it’s connected to becoming a Christian and or the forgiveness of sins. Most people can grasp the obvious symbolic link between water and cleansing. 

I have been very interested to notice that baptism has become a major subject of discussion on various social media outlets. What is especially noteworthy is that when social media personalities present discussions they are often interacting with non-specialists or laymen. In a number of recent interactions I have noticed something rather interesting. Members of the crowd invited to ask questions repeatedly ask the same thing. “Baptism is for forgiveness of sins right?” To which the video creator responds “no” to the clearly questioning faces of the original questioner and the crowd of onlookers. 

There are two things that seem significant about this. First, is that despite the pervasiveness of faith alone in the “Christian world” it seems many have not been fully indoctrinated with the “anything I do is a work of merit” reasoning. This is hopeful and should encourage those of us who believe in and promote a biblical understanding of the plan of salvation. 

The second phenomenon, this likely points to is somewhat less encouraging although not a total negative by any means. Using social media two groups have been experiencing a considerable bump in popularity. Both are surprising. There are a significant number of Catholic influencers. Long form content creators like Mat Walsh, Michael Knolls, Trent Horn and Pints with Aquinas to name a few, as well as a significant number producing short form content for TikTok. Similarly, another highly traditional group; the Eastern Orthodox are seeing a similar level of success. Both teach that baptism is necessary for salvation and speak to this in many short videos often with millions of views. I would suggest that this explains a greater awareness of baptism and more discussion of it in public forums. 

There is much more that could be said about the influence of social media some good and some bad. My question is this, in what way can we take advantage of this phenomena congregationally and individually? Paul often focused his efforts in places where the most people could be reached. Today that place is most especially social media which we all have access to and which in many ways is overshadowing mainstream media. 

I would challenge each of us to consider what we can do to better leverage our social media reach to point people to the gospel. Perhaps given the changing landscape we could find the fields white unto harvest if we just have the right implement. 

~ Kevin Cleary

June 28, 2026

Sharing your faith can feel daunting, especially in a world where beliefs and values are diverse and sometimes deeply personal. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to be lights in the world, gently guiding others toward truth and hope. Jesus instructed, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mat 28:19,), highlighting our responsibility to engage others in conversations about faith.

When discussing faith, it’s vital to approach others with humility, respect, and genuine love. The Apostle Peter advises, “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15). This means listening carefully and responding thoughtfully, rather than arguing or pressuring. It’s often more powerful to share your personal experience—how your faith has shaped your life—than to deliver a formal argument.

Prayer is critical in this effort. Pray not only for wisdom in your words, but also for the person’s heart to be open. James 1:5 reminds us to pray for wisdom. This applies to recognizing opportunities, knowing how to approach a given situation, and how to handle reluctance or rejection. 

Everyday moments often present the best and most natural opportunities, having a coffee, during an activity, or a simple helping hand. Remember, planting seeds is all that we are aiming for (Lk 8:11-15). Ask someone what they think of a current event, how their children are developing, how they would respond to a moral quandary, if they have heard of a key spiritual truth. You might just invite someone to a church event or worship service.

Talking about faith is a habit to be developed, we need to learn to do it naturally and continually. Not as a chore, or an item to check off of a to do list. Keep your heart open, let your words be seasoned with grace, and rely on the word to do its work. Through your willingness to share, you may help someone even in a small way to take a step toward God.

~ Kevin Cleary

June 21, 2026

A friend recently shared what I thought was a helpful article:

“People are often unreasonable and self-centred. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

Why do we do what we do?
Some people do certain things to stroke their ego, soothe a guilty conscience, earn the praise of men, or gain social acceptance. Others act not for public approval, applause, and acceptance, but from an internal conviction to live with integrity. The highest motive of all, however, is to please God. Only God’s appraisal matters. A life lived according to His will is lived before one audience that trumps all others, even the honorable audience of personal integrity.

The idea of living before an Audience of One is found throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul made it his highest aim to please God, writing, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). Paul later instructed Christian bondservants to serve as though they were serving the Lord: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, … for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24). Jesus Himself taught that our charitable deeds are not for human recognition, but for Him who sees in secret (Matt. 6:1-4).

Whether our motives are questioned, our efforts forgotten, or our work upended, we do what is right anyway. Why? Because our lives were never about living for the crowd, but for the Creator, to whom we owe all things (Rom. 14:7-8).

(author unknown)

I hope this is as encouraging to you as it was me

Kevin Cleary