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Reveration Blog

2/1/2026 1 Comment

Bumper Stickers

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 I was walking through a Walmart parking lot and couldn’t help but notice different bumper stickers on the back windows of cars and trucks. 
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The words “Raising Arrows” sat underneath three arrows pointed north. I thought what a great statement, a parent who no doubt is reflecting Psalm 127:4,5:

"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.”
​ Another read, “I Support Single Moms,” accompanied a picture of a woman wrapped around a pole. Proverbs 19:3 came to mind, “A man’s own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.”
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Many vehicles displayed the University of Georgia’s Bulldog logo, featuring a G surrounded by red. 

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One logo was so nasty that it would be inappropriate to share. The prophet Isaiah wrote, 
“Woe to those who drag  wickedness with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes” (Isaiah 5:18).         
 
Meditation 
Psalm 34:3--Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together.
71:17--God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works.
 
Bumper stickers are works of proclamation. They tell people what is important or not important to us. They provide a way to convey humor. They suggest values, loyalties, how we think or don’t think. They state who or what we like or dislike. They reveal safety protocols or recklessness.  They show places we have been and the right to free expression. 
           
In a way, our lives are bumper stickers. Just as we ought to be thoughtful and purposeful about what we proclaim on our vehicles, so we ought to be attentive and wise about what we broadcast in the way we live. I am reminded of the story of the woman who lost her temper, honked at, and berated the driver in front of her for stopping at a crosswalk, causing her to miss the green light ahead. The policeman who was behind her pulled her over. He asked for her license and insurance, and she demanded to know what she had done wrong. After checking her information, the policeman returned and said, I’m sorry, ma’am. I pulled you over because the car’s bumper stickers read “What would Jesus do?” and featured a fish emblem. I assumed the car must have been stolen.
 
Inspiration
“In our behavior, in the words we write and speak, we can become ambassadors of God's inspiration. Whenever we strive to lift up others in ways that are good and noble we are serving as radiating centers for God's inspiration.”—Wilferd Peterson
 
©2026 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.”  (Holman CSB)

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1 Comment

11/30/2025 1 Comment

Great Grandpa York

PictureCaswell and Margaret York, parents of Henry Clay York
​Meditation
Romans 12:12--Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.


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8/18/2025 1 Comment

Ignorance on Fire

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Pastor Brett Williams
Pastor Brett Williams made a statement that caught my attention while teaching at Agape Church on Sunday morning. “Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice.” Now that is an arresting statement that deserves scrutiny.

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8/5/2025 1 Comment

Rescuers

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I was reading in my quiet time Jeremiah 22, and I was struck by how David’s message praising God’s actions in Psalm 146 was like what God, through His prophet Jeremiah, called the king of Judah, his officials, and the people to do.

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5/20/2025 0 Comments

Wounded Tiger

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T. Martin Bennett writes a remarkable nonfiction book, Wounded Tiger.[1] It narrates the true story of Mitsuo Fuchida, Jake DeShazer, and the Covell family, showcasing the intersection of their lives during World War II and its aftermath. I highly recommend this book for its profound depiction of God’s redemptive hand at work.

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5/16/2025 1 Comment

To Be Entrusted

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Padel Code
Beth* walked off the court before our game started, sat down by the chain-link fence, and sobbed.  Then she grabbed her gear and left the pickleball courts. Candace caught up with her and tried to comfort her.  While that was going on, Jimmy (who was going to be her partner) came over and explained what had transpired.  He commented to her that he did not enjoy playing with her in a previous game because she was too loud and excitable. Beth was already aware that her behavior might be too much for people, so Jimmy’s words increased her insecurity and hurt her feelings.

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4/17/2025 0 Comments

He Loved Them to the End

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Leonardo da Vinci famously portrayed the Last Supper. At West Point, I was part of a group that reenacted this iconic scene. It was a sobering key event during Holy Week, preceding Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. During that final meal with His followers, Jesus demonstrated His immense love for them through His actions and message.

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1/21/2025 0 Comments

The Lips of a Priest

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​Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was arrested and thrown in a Romanian prison for fourteen years.[1]  For two of those years, they placed him in solitary confinement. A political prisoner in an adjoining room taught him Morse Code. Using this knowledge, Richard was able to share Bible verses and proclaim Christ to other prisoners. One day, a neighbor tapped that it was Good Friday. Richard found a nail in the lavatory and inscribed “Jesus” on his cell wall, hoping it might comfort someone later assigned to the same room.  A guard caught him and angrily placed him in a carcer for two days.

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1/14/2025 0 Comments

Reframing

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​West Point classmate Paul Mango shared about an address delivered by the Israeli Prime Minister to a group of McKinsey partners. “Leadership is NOT about being on top; it’s about being out in front.” This observation reframed the audience’s perspective on leading. Paul went on to note:
This metaphor unlocks a leader’s thinking in that it absolves him of the burden of having either all the answers or having to always know more than his team. Instead, the leader “out in front” ensures his team has the resources, information, and support needed to develop breakthrough ideas with guidance and input from the leader. Giving the team the combination of resources and accountability energizes and liberates the team and leads to superior outcomes.

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12/17/2024 1 Comment

Miracles: We Have Never Seen Anything Like This!

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Roberta was Stacy’s laundry mat owner and insurance agent in Mexico City.  Needing to renew her insurance policy, Stacy scheduled a meeting with Roberta and was prompted by the Holy Spirit that she was to share the gospel with the result that Roberta would be saved.  When they met, Roberta confessed, “Sometimes I sit at a stoplight and wonder, God, how can I know You?” That gave Stacy an opening to share the gospel. Roberta responded, “You’re telling me I can walk out of here forgiven for everything I’ve ever done?”  Stacy answered, “Yes—everything.”  Roberta reacted incredulously, “Even an abortion?”
“Yes, even an abortion.” 
“I want that because I’ve gone to a church for 18 years, and the leaders told me that was not possible.” Roberta then prayed and asked for forgiveness for her sins and for Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of her life.

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10/10/2024 0 Comments

Mickey Mantle

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Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931—August 13, 1995) was a Hall of Fame Center Field player for the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1968. [1]  During his illustrious career, he was a 3x Most Valuable Player (MVP), Gold Glove winner, Batting and Triple Crown (batting average, home runs, and runs batted in) winner, and Major League Player of the Year. Mantle played in the All-Star game 16 times.  He was part of seven World Series-winning teams. He is considered one of Baseball’s best players and sluggers. He is the only player to hit 150 home runs as a left and right-handed batter.[2]

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5/18/2024 1 Comment

Not Shrinking Back

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What is the purpose of your life? 

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1/31/2024 1 Comment

God Will Speak

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​Stac saw an older man in Kroger with an Army Vietnam Veteran cap, so she thanked him for his service. They talked for a while, swapping stories, and just before she left, he asked if he could share one more story with her.  Mike said that while serving in Vietnam, he was in his Quonset hut one night, lying on his cot all alone, when a voice told him to get up and move away from it. He thought that was strange and ignored the message and tried to sleep.  But again, he heard a voice telling him to move.  He did nothing and fell asleep, only to be shaken awake and ordered by a clear voice a third time to get up and move outside the hut. Finally, he listened and went outside.  Almost immediately, a mortar round crashed through his hut, destroying his cot. Had he not gotten up and moved, he would have been killed. With tears in his eyes, he smiled and said God is so good. Stac answered, “He certainly is.” Mike hugged her, and they parted with Stac, saying if we don’t see each other again, we’ll see each other in heaven.

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1 Comment

10/28/2023 4 Comments

A Wonderful Aroma

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​Meditation
2 Corinthians 2:14-16—But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

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4 Comments

6/12/2023 2 Comments

Ordained

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 Klaus Schwab, a German engineer, founded the World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 24, 1971.[1] About 1000 companies fund this international non-governmental lobbying organization. They are somewhat famous for their annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Switzerland. It is a dangerous organization committed to an ideology that the globalized world should be managed by a “self-selected coalition of multinational corporations, governments and civil society organizations (CSOs)” through initiatives like the “Great Reset” or the “Global Redesign.” They are not transparent with their finances. Nor are they shy about advocating pandemic lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and a strong collectivist ideology that scorns individual sovereignty and advocates eliminating many citizen rights to enforce their enlightened views.[2] Schwab and his cronies are openly hostile towards Christianity and are not shy about espousing a utopian, depopulated earth where they rule and control in godlike fashion.[3]


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2 Comments

5/28/2023 1 Comment

Listening When We Don't Want To

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Mike and Robbie boarded the light rail on their way to a Seattle Mariners game. A few feet from their seats sat a dirty, smelly man suffering from an addiction, mental health challenge, or both. Mike was repulsed and cautious toward this man conversing with an imaginary person. Mike noted, “He rearranged his clothing and belongings continuously and removed and replaced a fake mustache.” Mike prayed that he would not attack them or be a problem.  The Holy Spirit had another plan.  He whispered in Mike’s ear that this was a man with a name, a man loved by Him, and that Mike should approach and talk to him.  But that was not something Mike wanted to do, and for most of the train ride, he resisted listening to persistent promptings.

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1 Comment

5/17/2023 0 Comments

Put the Spotlight on Me!

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Loren and Ralph Erickson
​On Saturday, family and friends gathered to honor and remember Ralph Erickson.  Ralph lived a whole life of 90 years, serving as an Army Chaplain, a Clinical Pastor, and a Grief Counselor.  Married twice (both of his wives, Joanna and Darlene, passed away), Ralph was a man who loved Jesus and who cared deeply about his family and people.  He served as an Army Chaplain for 24 years, with two tours in Vietnam.  He received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Air Medal (a medal for aviators awarded him for the incredible number of hours he spent on helicopters to minister to troops). ​

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4/13/2023 0 Comments

Completely Open

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Meditation
2 Corinthians 5:11--Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well.
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3/17/2023 1 Comment

Pickleball

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Last week I decided to learn how to play the fastest-growing sport in the nation—pickleball.  So far, I have played five times in three locations and met over forty people. The game is described as a marriage between ping pong and badminton, or as I like to say, ping pong on steroids. It is a ton of fun, and I’m amazed at how friendly and welcoming the community is.  ​

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1 Comment

12/6/2022 2 Comments

The Best Message Never Preached

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Dan with Ralph Holland
Ralph was invited to preach by pastors who had seen his television program broadcast throughout Latin America. Two pastors met him at the airport and took him to the venue—an auditorium full of worshipers. As the service progressed, the host pastor asked Ralph to be finished preaching by 9:00 p.m. so people who required public transportation could make the last bus. Two groups provided music and even played some of the same songs.  An offering was taken, and the person facilitating it decided to preach a short message and then had one of the bands come up and play yet another song.  By the time Ralph was introduced to speak it was 8:55!  ​

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