Endless Hope or Hopeless End?  By: Zach Collins The last words of an individual are a foretaste of what they foresee in their future and a realization of what they remember from their past. These words often provide us with a glimpse into the heart of an individual through the lens of frailty. Some enter eternity without speaking, while others utter sentiments that disclose values, priorities, regrets, and innermost thoughts that speak to the character of the individual.  Perhaps you are familiar with the last words of Peter, probably written shortly before his death by persecution, in 2 Peter 3:18, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  Or, the words of Stephen the Martyr, as he stared death by stones in the face at the hands of stiff-necked Jews, in Acts 7:60, “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”  For a few moments, let us examine the final words of some famous people, as recorded by history, and investigate how it relates to the meaning of life. What is real life?   Real life is not found in unbelief. Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote before he died, “I wish I had never been born.”  Real life is not found in pleasure. If anyone ever lived a life of pleasure, it was Lord Byron. Yet, he said before he died, “The …

Jesus, The Comforting Candidate By: Zach Collins Election Day is only a few days away and we find ourselves surrounded by heated and divisive political rhetoric which is, somehow, meant to empower and embolden voters to head to the polls. Each television channel airs different political ads, of opposing candidates on the ballot, where each politician accuses the other of the same heinous and thoughtless offenses. Our mailboxes are full of election mail that seek to percolate the political rhetoric into our homes and hearts. Every day, it seems as if the realm of politics connects less and less to the problems that constituents must combat, especially to those challenges of a spiritual nature.   In this atmosphere, I need to be reminded of a greater hope than any politician or platform could offer in this temporal existence. For a moment, I want to share with you the words of God that help me find peace amid political pandemonium. After all, He is much more qualified to speak on this subject than myself.  1.      “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.” (Isaiah 40:15)  2.      “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1) 3.      “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” …