Tax Season

In the US, April 15 is when annual income taxes are due. For the last several weeks, I have been seeing advertising for tax prep and filing services from various providers. Of course, most people do anything they can to avoid paying taxes, or at least as little as possible.

Taxes are not anything new and have been in place for over 2,000 years. Jesus was asked if it was appropriate to pay tax to Caesar and responded in Mark 12 and Luke 20. Paul also wrote in Romans 13:6-7 "For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."

Christians, following Jesus' teaching, should pay what is due. Taxes are what pay for the majority of government services we receive. Roads, police, Medicaid, Medicare, armed forces, and many more. However, there can be a limit for what people are willing to pay and provide.

Last fall, New York City elected a new mayor who openly campaigned to run the city in a communist fashion. Citizens would receive free housing, child care, bus transportation, and other services through taxing the wealthy. Despite many warnings from around the country, he was elected.

As taxes quickly increased, many of the higher income brackets left the city. The income threshold for "wealthy" was lowered dramatically making it very difficult for law abiding residents to meet basic needs. The promised free services are also very behind on budget and unable to operate. Just as predicted, over taxation does not work and only makes living conditions worse.

I'm not sure what all was covered by taxes in Jesus time on earth, but I believe Roman soldiers were part of it. Since they often oppressed Jews and many others, I'm guessing paying taxes was similar to paying to help persecution. Unlike New Yorkers though, those living in Israel could not as easily pack up and move somewhere with better political leaders.

For the first time in over 20 years, I also paid taxes from 2025. I had conflicting information from different accountants, but it was decided I owed some to the government. On April 14, the final day before everything was due, I signed multiple documents and got everything in the mail.

As another week, and tax season, begins, let us remember what was said in Romans. Give custom, fear, honor, and even tax, to whom it is due. This is God's command and how we should live each day. 

First Visit in 54 Years

In 1972, Apollo 17 was the last manned mission to the moon. The goal to beat the Russians to the moon had been achieved and interest, and funding, dwindled. Since then, human space travel has been limited to low earth orbit and the international space station.

My interest in space is mild compared to some, but I do like the science related to space exploration and how the "heavens declare the glory of God." On April 1, 2026, the Artemis II spacecraft launched with four crew members aboard. The goal of the 9.5 day mission was to go around the far side of the moon and test the various systems of the rocket and capsule. In the process, the astronauts would also travel further from earth than any previous mission.

During the mission, I have been catching various live coverage as well as highlight videos as the four neared the moon. One of the new systems aboard the spacecraft was a bathroom with a more regular toilet. It had a few problems and became one of the top stories about the entire mission. A local plumbing and heating company posted a message saying they were ready to answer the repair call.

Monday, April 6, was the day the craft flew behind the moon. Both astronauts and commentators were running out of words to describe the beauty and sights they were seeing. The views of earth, moon, and solar eclipse were all unique experiences that very few people have seen and the world hasn't done for over half a century. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures that were sent back and finally watching the splashdown live Friday evening during supper.

Since the last moon missions, a group of conspiracy theorists have claimed the earth is actually flat, we've never been to the moon, and anyone claiming the earth is a globe or we've been in space is lying. I saw some comments from them trying to say how videos were fake, just in a studio somewhere, and various other such denials. Many in this group also say the Bible supports their theory, while citing passages out of context. It is sad that they miss out on part of God's glory.

Traveling 252,756 miles from earth is a long distance, but it's nothing when compared to the vastness of space. The sun is about 93 million miles from earth with light taking eight minutes to travel the distance. The nearest stars and galaxies are trillions of miles from earth requiring a distance measurement of a light year, the distance light can travel in a year.

In Scripture we read that God created the stars and knows them all by name. We now know their are billions of galaxies that include billions of stars each. Trying to wrap our mind around such vastness is nearly impossible, but it all points to the awesome power of God who has made all this, but still calls us His sons and daughters.

Some question the reason for space travel and if it's worth the effort and expense. Some new technologies have developed from it that help in different aspects. However, I keep in mind the command given to explore creation and subdue it. The more we see, the more awe we can contribute to God and the abilities He has given us. That is what I choose to do and why I keep at least partial interest in space. I hope you will do the same. 

Do We Recall History

A few days ago, I read Judges 11 as part of my morning reading. In part of the chapter Jephthah debates with a king who was fighting against Israel. He detailed Israel's history of conquering the land in question and even recounted dialogue that took place 300 years earlier.

This year celebrates America's 250th year as an independent country. Can any of my readers recall history from from the 50 years prior to this country's independence? I'm certain that such history is available and some people can likely recount some of it, but it is not common.

We are also living in a time when history is being questioned by many and if it can be trusted. Looking at everyday life, it's easy to find one-sided reporting from news media that spins current event in a particular viewpoint. After a few years, or decades, have passed from some milestone and memories begin to fade, biased reporting can have a lasting impact. This is heard particularly when citing even older history, like 2,000 years ago.

Today is Easter Sunday, it is when millions of Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event is one that separates Christianity from the other religions of the world. Islam, Buddhism, and other great religious faiths have leaders that have died and never went further. Jesus' death and resurrection paid the fine for our sins so that we may have eternal life with Him if we repent from sin and trust in Christ alone.

However, many today so you cannot trust the Bible and the history it records. Skeptic argue it was written by men well after the events occurred and negates any prophecy. Looking at the four gospels, some also try to say they copied each other in parts and give conflicting information to events that are irreconcilable.

Well, let's look at a few pieces of evidence. First, many of the eyewitnesses were alive when the first books the New Testament were written. Therefore, they could easily correct any errors in the records and refute false information. We also see a great change in Jewish lifestyle.

Centuries of animal sacrifice suddenly stopped and the new religion of Christianity quickly spread despite severe persecution. All but one of the apostles were martyred for their faith and never gave up their testimony. Would that many people be killed for following a known lie?

Testimonies outside of Scripture, such as from Josephus, Tacitus, and Plimy the Younger, recount the happenings around Easter. It is such a well documented event from different sources, that few try to say it didn't happen.

Through recorded resources, eyewitness testimonies, and more, we can be certain of the death and resurrection of Christ. As we go forward from this day, let us remember Scripture's reliability and use it to spread the good news of forgiveness.