Friends: American Christians caught a break last week with the correction of various Federal discriminations against Christian faith.  It is a welcome step in the right direction. Blessings, Bob

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Spirituality Column #1016

May 5, 2026

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

'… But Not of the World'

By Bob Walters

“I have given them your word and the world has hated them…” – Jesus, praying to God for the disciples shortly before his arrest. John 17:14

We are all familiar with the phrase that Christians are “in the world but not of the world.” While not precisely scriptural, it is sound doctrine and a worthy posture.

But it is “in the world” that we currently are, and with which we must contend.

American Christians caught a break this past week when the United States Department of Justice issued a 535-page report cataloguing and in many cases reversing or easing purported systematic discriminations against Christian faith.

On the one hand I hesitate to bring this up because two lines will immediately form, neither having to do with religious freedom, philosophy, or practice. The lines will have everything to do, pro or con, with one’s opinion of the current U.S. president.

On the other hand, Christians who recognize various and ongoing governmental inconsistencies and outright invasions of our faith can breathe a short sigh of relief. While the overall American political landscape remains a conflicted cesspool, traditional Christian belief is, for now, only at the mercy of the culture, not the U.S. government.

I say “short” breath because these freedoms – supposedly our divine rights – are sadly, today, a fleeting function of partisan politics at the mercy of who gets elected.

On that subject, elections, Paul in Romans 13:1-7, says – and I’m paraphrasing – we get the government we deserve, we should obey the government, civil government exists outside the church, and that government rightly provides order for society.

Islam is a theocracy, Judaism is too, though Israel is not. Christianity is not. God ordains government to serve the people’s interests, not to dictate a person’s faith.

The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution further establish the divine existence and supremacy of individual rights. James Madison presciently noted long ago that those rights will work only for a “moral and religious people.”

He meant it, and was absolutely not talking about “my truth” and “your truth.” Our founding documents were authored on the understanding of Christian ethic, human sin, and eternal judgment, and on the divine truth of God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible.

Freedom of religion? Sure. But not freedom from truth, which is our current and abiding political problem. God is more merciful than man, yet His truth and judgment are eternal; they are the same for everyone all the time whether one believes in God or not.

That, by the way, is how one can identify “real” truth: It is true all the time.

I’ve corralled a couple of – trigger warning – conservative resources (Here and Here) that flesh out what the Department of Justice came up with in its investigation over the past 14 months.  Yes, the report cites criticism (wokeness, DEI, abortion, etc.) of the last administration and does a predictable bit of cheerleading for the current one.

The Democrats say it is the end of democracy; the Republicans say it is about time. I’m on the side thankful for the disparities to be aired and, hopefully, cleaned up.

The Pharisees hated Jesus because He replaced their power, prestige, and, really, obviated their existence.  Unlike Jesus, Christians are merely sinners whose faith, properly lived and applied in the Word, point us to a world of love, not hate.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) qualifies for God’s grace only because he is a sinner.

Friends,  Here is Common Christianity #831 (10-18-22), “She’s No Angel.” Our dear friend Joyce Samples passed away last Saturday.  Her journey is complete, she is now among the angels … but God gives us so much more.  See the column below.  Blessings and Joy, Bob

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Spirituality Column #831

October 18, 2022

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

She’s No Angel

By Bob Walters

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” – Romans 8:17

“Our Joyce just went to heaven.”

The succinct text from dear friend and pastor John Samples arrived at 2:33 this past Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2022,

Through tears I say RIP and be with Jesus, Joyce Estes Samples.  Many are the voices of heaven welcoming another saint. 

And to Joyce, I hope no one thinks you’re an angel, because you are so much more.

Angels are servants of God, and humans who believe in and love Jesus Christ are heirs of God.  In Jesus we are divinely adopted into the Kingdom of God, where we live eternally as sons and daughters – heirs – of God Almighty in glory through the grace of Jesus Christ.

There … just wanted to get that said.  Joyce, created in the image of God, has fully joined the family of God and heaven is better off for it.  Her humanity is now perfected.

I loved Joyce Samples.  Everybody did.  She was mom to many of us, not just to her loving and protective sons John W. Samples, with whom she and John lived, and Dain Samples, who died too soon.  Joyce will always be a beautiful, loving, encouraging, and no-holds-barred lover of Jesus Christ and sister in the faith.  She is a friend in the Kingdom of God.

Our corporate, faith-family prayers deeply embrace her husband, John.  His strong, wise presence – in my opinion and others’ – as Senior Pastor Emeritus carried our East 91^st Street Christian Church through a difficult season of pastor-transition 12 years ago.  He’s the best.

Why do I think so much of the Samples?  Well, John married Pam and me, June 22, 2009 (after we asked him on June 21, 2009 – click CommonChristianity - 764 to see the column; it’s a great story).  In 2008 John and Joyce trusted me to drive their grandson Ehren to Civil Air Patrol camp up in Michigan.  Three years before that, John arranged the 2005 baptism of my son Eric by Russ Blowers (also a great friend and pastor) in an E91 Sunday service. 

Also in 2008, John and Joyce asked me to publicly share a family story (my actual working life was in journalism/public relations).  Of nine Estes siblings including Joyce, seven of them, all alive, were married for 50 or more years; one brother died after 48 years of a marriage delayed two years by his service in World War II (note: that would have been 50), and the ninth Estes sibling, a baby sister, died before age 2.  Read all about it at CommonChristianity - 275.

The Estes Golden Anniversary story went national on Associated Press and Jay Leno offered to fly them all to LA to appear on the Tonight Show.  The Estes clan declined because some family members refused to fly – anywhere – including L.A.  They just never had … flown.

John and Joyce’s 72^nd wedding anniversary would be this Oct. 28. Their 70^th anniversary during October Covid in 2020 was celebrated with hotdogs at Costco, their charming tradition.  The Castleton Costco manager set up the employee quarantine lunch area for them.  Awesome.

Yes … scripture says there are no marriages in heaven (Matthew 22:30, like the angels, who also are not married).  But Joyce was a presence who made folks on this side of the river sure there was a heavenly home awaiting.  Faith, love, joy and kindness were what Joyce sowed in the Kingdom every day.  I don’t know how it all works but I hope she’s rejoicing with Dain.  The rest of us will be along at some point. 

For now, with a big amen to a beautiful child of God, Joyce is home, safe, and loved. But she’s no angel.  She’s an heir in God’s image, and a beacon of light and love to the faithful.

Look at Joyce, and remember.  And celebrate.  And know … that’s how you do it.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) notes he’ll especially miss Joyce’s daily “Ponders” (CommonChristianity - 535). She was 89.  Her funeral is Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m., in The Hall at E91.  Visitation at noon.