Preacher's Blog

Our preacher, Mark Stinnett, publishes articles for the church bulletin each week. These articles are designed to teach, encourage and challenge the members of our congregation. His latest articles can be found below with the most recent at the beginning of the list. Mark has archived all of his articles on his personal blog 'MicroMarks' which can be accessed at: micromarks.blogspot.com.

  • Deception: The Subtle Lie

    It came as a cautionary warning and at the same time simple instruction. I had learned from my school friends that the aluminum foil on a gum wrapper could be separated from its wax paper backing and then pressed over a penny to make it look like a shiny dime.


    I showed this neat trick to my mom and told her that a person could make a lot of money using the aluminum covered pennies as dimes. That's when mom's warning came, "You know, that is deceitful."


    I was 11 years old and asked the meaning of this new vocabulary word.


    Mom instructed, "It's a lie even though you didn't use words." She described the aluminum covered penny as a fake or counterfeit. (I knew those words.)

    My disappointment was short-lived. After all, I realized that only a naïve person would be fooled. Fake, counterfeit, lie, deception; an unforgettable lesson.


    People cleverly use a variety of words and phrases to mask the reality of their lie. At a very young age we all learned what it meant to tell a lie. We learned that lying is morally wrong and generally destructive. Nobody wants to be told a lie, and nobody wants to be labeled a liar. So, it is natural to try to mask a lie.


    Many people think that 'white lies' are acceptable. Many people justify lying if it is for a good reason. It is not uncommon to hear people explain (rationalize) how their lie was not really a lie, it just wasn't the whole truth (deception).


    Deceit might be the worst kind of lie because it is not as easy to evaluate as a 'boldfaced lie.' Deceit is most often subtle. As in my illustration above, deceit might not use words. Where words are used, cleverly crafted communication may obscure the full truth. Deceit often involves trickery. In whatever way it is described, however, deceit is always a lie.


    Numerous passages in the Psalms and Proverbs describe a companion to deceit: destruction. Deceit is destructive because it violates trust. When trust is lost family relationships are broken, friendships are destroyed, work relationships are strained. Broken trust is difficult to repair.


    It is no surprise, then, that Solomon issues a clear and strong warning:

    Put away from you a deceitful mouth

       And put devious speech far from you.

    —Proverbs 4:24


    Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

       But counselors of peace have joy.

    —Proverbs 12:20


    Those who use deception in life carry a ‘toolbox’ full of techniques to shade the truth and manipulate the perceptions of people.  Sadly, most deceivers have manipulated their perception of themselves: self-deception.


    Whenever you are tempted to deceive someone, you should remember:

    • God hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:17). It has no part in His kingdom.
    • One of the most common strategies of the devil is deception. After all, he is the father of lies. (John 8:44) Do you really want to be like the devil?!

    Be wise. No lies.



    Mark Stinnett

    February 8, 2026

  • Who Draws Your Attention?

    What a struggle we humans must overcome.

    Think about the ways we sometimes think. Imagine passing by a neighborhood just up the road. Thoughts wander…


    I wish we could afford that kind of property. I’d like to get to know those people. Maybe they could provide some good contacts for my business. I’ll bet we could get our kids on their ball team, one of the best in the area.


    I would never live in a house of that size with only two kids. They are no better than my family, they don’t even live a godly lifestyle.


    They should rename their address ‘Easy Street.’ They take lavish vacations. I wish they would invite me along just to take care of their dog. It must be nice to take off and travel whenever and wherever you want.


    How easy it is to ‘size up’ other folks. Everyone has a different scenario, but we (humans) often look at those around us and wish we had what they had: possessions, position, lifestyle, etc. Many people wish to ‘rub elbows’ with those who are perceived to be important people. Yet, to what end?


       Do not be envious of evil men, 

          Nor desire to be with them;

       For their minds devise violence,

          And their lips talk of trouble.

       --Proverbs 24:1-2


    It is easy to rationalize this proverb backward. In other words, we can easily evaluate whether a person is ‘evil’ on the basis of whether they obviously ‘devise violence’ or their ‘lips talk of trouble.’


    However, the proverb was not written to define evil people, but rather to illuminate the way of evil people. Proverbs 2 describes the ‘evil’ man as one who leaves the paths of uprightness. So, the reality is that a person who has left the path of uprightness will ‘devise violence’ and ‘talk of trouble.’ That is their nature.


    Now, it would be wrong to assume that all those who have money, or possessions, or position, or power, or a certain lifestyle, etc. are evil. That is not what is being said. Rather, there are many people that have left the path of uprightness and yet have acquired money, possessions, position, power, etc. The question we must ask ourselves is whether those desirable things justify our natural human desire to be like them or be with them.

    Consider God’s view of the evil man:


       For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD; 

       But He is intimate with the upright.

       --Proverbs 3:32


    Before glancing toward those with riches, possessions, power, position, a desirable lifestyle, etc. we should recognize that those things do not define goodness. Those things do not define godliness. Those things do not make a person a friend of God. Many evil people have acquired desirable things.


    Whenever a person envies the evil man and desires to be with him, he declares a desire to align himself with one who is detestable to God. It is better to be drawn, not to riches, power, position, etc. but to be drawn to goodness, righteousness, purity, and the things of God.


    Train your eyes to desire to be like those who are beautiful to God.

    Be wise.



    Mark Stinnett

    February 1, 2026

  • Brother to Destruction

    There are people who are busy. There are busybodies. And then there are people who work.


    Work is good. Work is generally productive. Work is most often tiring.


    Many people naturally equate ‘work’ with physical effort, maybe some grunting and huffing and puffing, and weary muscles at the end of the day. Of course, not all work wears a person out physically. Some work is mentally exhausting. ‘Work’ is a broad term that describes human effort to accomplish things. Sometimes, our ‘play’ involves work.


    We all have our opinions about ‘my’ work, ‘their’ work, and all the things that people call work that aren’t work at all. Set your opinions aside for a moment and listen to Solomon. He wrote something quite practical.


    He also who is slack in his work

    Is brother to him who destroys.

    —Proverbs 18:9


    I think the proverb speaks for itself, but if not, re-read the proverb and then pause...think of the results.

    ¨ What is the result of the one who is slack in his work?

    ¨ What is the result of the one who destroys?


    Solomon presents us with a fact about work. He approaches the fact from a negative standpoint but makes no judgment, offers no admonition, and gives no advice. He just leaves it out there for you and me to consider.


    I suppose someone might want to contest Solomon’s conclusion. Someone else might want to issue a personal declaration justifying their work or lack of it. Surely someone will quip in agreement, “Well, isn't that the truth!”


    Solomon doesn’t target anyone in particular. Again, he just leaves this truth out there for us to consider.


    I immediately thought about a few lingering projects at my house. I pictured the ‘unfinished’ work and then recognized that while it is unfinished, it looks similar to destruction. I can rationalize that it is a ‘work in progress.’ But to be honest, I’ve been ‘slack in my work’ on those projects.


    Now I have a choice.


    As with other proverbs, do you see how this proverb works?


    Solomon did not tell his reader what to do. He simply helps his reader face a truth in life. For this proverb, it doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or a criminal. You must decide what you will do with the truth presented.


    It is the kind of proverb that motivates me to do better. And it also reminds me of some other teachings about work in the Bible. Consider…


    If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 

    (The full passage in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 is quite interesting.)


    Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.  

    --1 Thessalonians 4:11-12


    He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.

    --Ephesians 4:28


    God expects His people to work so that they are not a burden on others but rather, so they can help others. 

    So, don’t be a slacker. 

    Be wise.



    Mark Stinnett

    January 18, 2026