From the Home Place

August 20, 2026

Good morning. At 4:30 a.m. the temp is 51 degrees, moving on up to 92 for a high today. So much for no more 90’s this year. We have at least 3 more days of 90+ temps. Maybe a little moisture near the end of next week, hopefully the weather man is incorrect on that prediction, and we will continue the moisture pattern we were blessed with earlier this week.

The photo with this article was taken after Miss Deb and I spent an evening in a motel as we traveled across the great state of Wyoming. This article is about the influence of all three of the objects within said picture; I call it “Kingdoms in Conflict.” For you see, all three of these kingdoms quite likely have influence within our lives on a regular basis.

Let’s start with the object on the far left of the picture: This book represents an organization claiming to be a spiritually minded group, yet their immense wealth would suggest otherwise. Reported to be the “richest” religion in the world, this group knows that money is power. Power for influence and control. This group denies the deity of Jesus Christ and instead promotes a single person as the voice of God. It greatly concerns me that this group is the fastest growing religion in Wyoming.

Please take a moment to chew on these words found in Ephesians 4:14, “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;” This group present themselves as being completely “family oriented,” while participants are held to a very strict financial obligation.

The second object in the photo is one that we are all very familiar with. This organization also is quite deceptive, offering “entertainment,” while adhering to a very well-planned process of influence. Television is also an empire built upon wealth. For without the sizable, financial contributions of individuals and businesses this organization would not be able to operate.

Each week this group operates by using millions of dollars to purchase influence. Just sit and watch your television for a couple of hours and record all of the influences you are subjected to; such as spending your money on products, to live a certain lifestyle, to agree with social and political agendas promoted on a consistent basis and to see life through their very ungodly perspective.

Friends, it would appear that this second group has used time and money to build an empire of great influence. An empire with a very well-planned agenda that literally lulls a person asleep, leaving lasting images and words of influences imprinted upon brains. For you see, this empire also uses the last part of Ephesians 4:14 as their primary tool: “by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.”

The third object, the one to the far right, is also an object of influence. Why people’s entire lives have been known to be completely altered by the words written within this book. Written by many different authors, this book claims to be the authoritative “word of God.” This book brings comfort and joy to its readers, while also exposing them to truth, humility, courage and love.

This book is based upon the first part of Ephesians 4:14, “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.” As one reads this book you will soon realize that this book stands in opposition to the other two objects within the photo. As crafty and scheming as the first two objects appear to be, the third object, “the Holy Bible,” simply presents truth and then allows each person to decide to accept or to reject the contents, and the persons, within.

May I encourage you to grab a copy of the book on the right and read the verses before and after Ephesians 1:14. Read down to 4:24 where we find these words, “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” May I suggest that each of us spend more time being under the influence of the book on the right, less time under the control of the object in the middle, and that we be aware of the “deceitful scheming” of the book on the left.

As for me and my household, we would rather be right than left. You see, if a person spends adequate time reading the book on the right, you will not be left when Jesus returns for His bride.

Placing complete faith in the “right” book with you, Neal