by John Roy. August 2026 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." — 2 Corinthians 4:7 On Tuesday, we learned of the passing of Dolly Parton. So I decided to write a little something. At the time, there was no plan, just a bit of catharsis for me, but I kept writing, and I ended up with something that looks and sounds like a sermon. I call this The Gospel According to Dolly — or possibly High Heels and Rhinest

By John Roy There is a moment—sometimes so small we almost miss it—when a decision begins to take shape within us. It is not yet action. It is not yet even language. It is a stirring, a hesitation, a leaning. Perhaps it comes when we read a message and wonder how to respond, or when we feel the impulse to speak and hold back instead. And in that moment, something quiet but profound is revealed: our lives do not happen to us. We are, with our choices, participants. Scripture d

By John Roy It’s the year of our Lord, 2026 The timeless impulse is to control. From wars to families, the desire to control appears nearly universal. A person develops a vision, and rarely is it confined to their own life — it extends to others as well. Self-mastery is not enough; the project becomes shaping those around them. While scripture promotes “self-control” most people read scripture with someone other than themselves in mind. They use scripture to control---you! Ye