From the Jonah story, Sonny Conatser teaches important truths that relate to our own repentance and calling for us to pray for everyone we do not agree with.

The grandson of Al Capone’s barber and a former Benedictine Monk, Pastor Smarto has pastored several congregations and was a college professor for years; as well as working professionally with prisoners and ex-offenders for over three decades. He is known nationally as a keynote conference speaker, speaking about restorative justice, prisoner aftercare, and the educational methods most effective with prisoners. He was honored to speak at the Prisoner Reentry White House Conference in November of ‘07. Don’s research has led to meetings with judges and wardens in other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, France, Belgium, England, Italy, Russia, Kenya, Canada, and Mexico. He was NGO Delegate to the United Nations Conference on the Treatment of Offenders in Milan, Italy in ‘85 and had meetings with President Ronald Reagan, Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger and Attorney General Edwin Meese. As a nationwide consultant, Don Smarto has played a key role in the development of ex-offender programs. He is the Chairman of prison ministry collaborations in Texas and Pennsylvania, and has been a consultant to the State of Florida Juvenile Justice System in the area of mentoring. a Quoted in the New York Times, Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, L. A. Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Orlando Sentinel, Dallas Morning News, Denver Post, and the Washington Post about gangs, school shootings, prison conditions, and prison reform, Don Smarto has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows. His professional experiences have included: Juvenile and Adult Probation Officer, Assistant Superintendent of a Maximum Security Facility, Director of an Adolescent Offender Drug Treatment Program (featured nationally on NBC News), and Director of an Ex-Offender Transition Program (which included mentoring/counseling/education). Don trained probation officers for four years at Sangamon State University (Illinois), and taught criminal justice courses at Wheaton College and Trinity University (Illinois) for twelve years. He has authored 16 books. Three of which are about restorative justice that became college text books. Smarto has also authored national magazine articles and contributed to several reference works in psychology and sociology. As member of the American Correctional Association (ACA) for twenty-seven years, Don frequently presents conference workshops. He is a past member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and has received numerous awards. Don Smarto also ministered for years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and served on Illinois Governor Edgar's Gang Task Force, Attorney General Ryan's Council on Child Abuse, and the DuPage County Board's Blue Ribbon Commission on Jail Overcrowding (author of the final report). As a leader, this man of God has been the President of three national organizations including the Institute of Prison Ministries, where he led a research team of sociologists studying programs affecting recidivism. He has visited over 1200 prisons in 12 countries and has ministered with Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship. Don Smarto has also hosted a daily Dallas radio show called Parenting Today's Youth with 29,000 listeners each day. For more information, go find some of his articles at youthdirect.org and check out his multiple books on Amazon.

Learn interesting Biblical parallels with John's vision of a woman, her child, and a red dragon; in light of the gospel, as well as well how to overcome the accuser of our brethren, (and sisteren too)..

The glory of God's Kingdom reign over all earthly kingdoms is declared with the seventh trumpet sounding. From the verses in this interesting passage, six observations are made; which are followed by three strong applications for our lives today..

Through the ministry of Michael Sadovsky and Roman Ignatenko - from Living Israel - discover interesting parallels between Ruth's story and the present nation of Israel; which like Naomi, who was served by a gentile; so Israel is often served by gentile believers also. -

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

After making observations about a "mighty angel" who swears an oath; while holding a sweet little (but bitter) book/scroll in his hand; strong applications are made concerning how we are living right now in real time.

While we are living in between the now and not yet, Elder Greg Harrell declares the truth about how to live Biblically and always honor The Lord in times like our.

While this Revelation passage has generated varied interpretations by many scholars, like so many others, the fact remains that God's judgments are sure as He is gathers in those who are hearing and heeding His call to repentance and faith.

With God's serious judgements following each sounding of the first four trumpets, one wonders what follows each of the next three trumpets; also being sounded by angels. Find out by joining us on our journey through this intriguing book known as The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

After making some simple observations from John's recording of the seventh seal's opening, Pastor Alan declares important truth concerning the need - and our opportunity - to pray really big prayers that relate with God's will being done on earth; as it is in Heaven.

Chapter 6 closes with an important question about being able to stand; which Chapter 7 can help provide some answers for.

Current and eternal truths are declared from Revelation Chapter 6; which includes the meaning of the Lamb's opening of the seals on the scroll He received from the hand of God in the previous chapter; which involves es the "4 horsemen" of the apocalypse.

The One who is worthy of opening the scroll in Revelation 5 is also worthy of our praise and worship. Known as the risen Lamb who was slain and the promised Lion of Judah, He has redeemed us from all the nations and it is our honor to glorify Him with all of His creation.

JESUS IS A LAMB AND A LION As a lamb, Christ was our sin offering. As a lamb, He was born in a place where lambs were born. As a lamb, he was laid in a stone feeding trough, where sheep ate. And as a lamb, He visited by shepherds who were in the fields watching sheep who would one day be offered as sacrifices. As a lamb, He depended on His parents who were His assigned shepherds, but like a lion, the lamb boldly reasoned with theologians at 12 years of age. As a lamb, He was tempted in the wilderness but like a lion, God’s lamb overcame the tempter with His voice, “Get behind me satan!” As a lamb, He was sleeping during a storm but like a lion the lamb of God stood up and said, “Peace be still.” As a lamb, He was beaten with a whip, but like a lion he made a whip and used it to cleanse the temple. As a lamb, He died as our sacrifice but like a lion, He conquered death. As a lamb, He wept at Lazarus’ tomb but like a lion He roared, “Come forth!” As a lamb, He allowed people to touch Him, but like a lion He boldly cast out demons. As a lamb, He was led to the slaughter for us but like a lion, the lamb of God arose from the dead. He came as a lamb, slain from the world’s foundation, but He’s coming back as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Those messianic promises that were not yet fulfilled, He will fulfill as the Lion of Judah. Sam Storms says, “The Lion in whom we find unimpeachable authority is also the Lamb who embodies humility and meekness in the highest degree.” He continues, “The Lion who wields power and strength that none can resist is also the Lamb who walked the earth in weakness and suffering, resisting none.” The same Jesus! He who laid down all His rights, has now received all authority. This lion-like Lamb is also the lamb-like Lion, most worthy of our best praise and selfless worship, undying devotion and sacrificial service. Jesus is a Lamb and a Lion. Alan Latta August 17, 2025

Discover truth about holy God-centered worship in the Throne Room of Heaven and how our culture as believers should reflect such practice as one of our most important priorities.

Learn more about and rediscover the benefits of hearing God, the ways He speaks and the kinds of hearers we can either be or should not be.

Be motivated to be zealous to repent - if necessary - by the teaching ministry of Gregg Madden, as he declares the truth from Jesus' letter to a lukewarm congregation.

Be encouraged by the ministry of Elder Greg Harrell as he teaches the truth from Christ's letter to a congregation's leadership in Philadelphia of Asia Minor.

Elder James Neale proclaims important points about overcoming coming spiritual deadness.