RICH DUBOSE

It’s one thing to be thankful, but to be extravagantly so may seem like overkill—unless you’re the one being hyper-grateful.

If you were guilty of a crime abd sentenced to life in prison, how much gratitude would be appropriate if one day the governor of your state pardoned you? For how long would you be grateful?

Germany Kent says, “It's a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”

In the morning when I rise…

by Rich DuBose

As we journey through life, we evolve from who we were into who we are. More often than not, it happens without intentionality. Our bodies change, we gradually accumulate pounds and alter our routines. As we age, changes occur within us, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Some of us move to different parts of the country or world—with exposure to new jobs and neighbors. And before we know it, our lives have morphed into situations and circumstances we never dreamed of finding ourselves…

by Rich DuBose

The word “rich” has more than one definition. A painting may be painted with rich colors, or an evening sunset may be rich with the warm values of orange, red, and yellow.

Certain foods like pecan pie are known for their “rich” flavor and content—so much so that I can't eat very much of it at one time.

Another definition for “rich” has to do with the amount of money or material wealth one has. Someone who has more than they need is often thought of as rich or wealthy. However, how society views…

by Rich DuBose

To the destroying angels in the end-time, God says, “Do not harm the earth nor the sea nor the trees until we seal (mark) the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3, AMP). In other words, don’t let the earth spiral into total chaos until my people have been “sealed” or settled into their intentions to follow me.

Revelation speaks of a mark that will identifiy those who are opposed to God (who embrace hate, division, and selfishness). It is called the “mark of the beast,”…

by Rich DuBose

Any good writer knows that you’re not supposed to start an essay with your final point as the opening line. But when your final point is your only point, and it comes across as something that is extremely negative or unpopular to say, just get it over with! Say it and move on.

So, here goes. Life will break you. Eventually life breaks us all. Something will take the wind out of our sails. Marriage. Divorce. Catastrophic illness. Financial ruin. There is no shortage of things that can take us…

by Rich DuBose 

What do people mean when they say something is, or is not, a “cakewalk?” According to the website CrossIdiomas,“The idiom ‘cake walk’ is a well-known expression that has been used in English language for many years. It is often used to describe an easy task or a situation that is easily accomplished. However, the origins and historical context of this idiom are not widely known.” *

It has been suggested that the etymology of the phrase can be traced to an activity that slaves sometimes…

by Rich DuBose

In the final judgement people's destinies will not be determined by church policy. In fact, it won't even be determined by who has a right understanding of doctrine. When Jesus separates the sheep from the goats it will be all about how they've treated others (See Matthew 25:31-46). 

This thought concurs with the message of Matthew 7:12, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the ESSENCE of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."

Let's be careful not to take a…

by Rich DuBose

“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” (Romans 12:16, NLT).

We live in a world that values the extraordinary over the ordinary. Nobody wants to be plain or simple. Because of this we are held captive by discontent and believe we are surrounded by ho-hum people and things. Media creates a hunger within us for bigger, better, unique, unusual, and extraordinary friends, jobs, vacations, careers, art, and…

by Rich DuBose 

In America's culture today, it is easy to see how we may think everything should revolve around us. Social media, selfies, and mega influencers light up our screens 24/7 with airbrushed faces and a boatload of expressed whims, dislikes, and likes. Across all media platforms, many are focused on “me, myself, and I.”

We fixate upon individual rights—to the point that rugged individualism has morphed into entitlement, nationalism and a version of tribalism that associates prosperity with…

by Rich DuBose 

I’m an exile from my homeland
A vagabond of mercy 
Slowly making my way to the grave.
I'm traveling through the badlands,
Through places of oppression,
To heaven’s heights of glory, 
I’m on my way. I’m on my way.  

(Chorus)
I’m on my way to hallelujah,
Where goodness fills the air.
Where justice and mercy come to bear.
Where the colors of forgiveness are painted everywhere,
Theres no better place to be than hallelujah. Oh hallelujah.

I’ve made my reservation,
On a chariot that swings low,
That is coming to…

by Rich DuBose 

”Christ died and rose again for this very purpose to be Lord both of the living and of the dead”(Romans 14:9 NLT).

It is comforting to know that people who die are not suddenly forgotten or left out of Gods plans. Their interests are remembered and archived by the divine community (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The triune God is actively engaged in preserving their identities because he is the Lord of all —the living and the dead. 

It is an observable reality that most people alive today…

by Rich DuBose 

There was a time when, for me, hearing the latest news headlines was like cocaine to a drug addict. I craved to know what was happening in the world and would tune into the news at the top of every hour.

Thankfully I’ve gotten the victory over that. I still care about what’s happening, but hearing it is no longer the high it used to be. My focus has shifted to something of far greater significance than what the news has to say. Now, if I hear the news it’s usually deflating and frustrating…