Removing Stains
In a sermon delivered by the late, great Haddon Robinson, he spoke about the stain of sin and its remedy. While the exact text is not currently available, the following is inspired by various accounts of Robinson’s sermon entitled The Stain of Sin::
Consumer Reports magazine once published a booklet with an intriguing title: How to Clean Practically Anything. The book offered advice on which solvents work best for removing all kinds of stains. Since my clothes often get stained, I really appreciated that book.
Did you know that glycerin can remove ballpoint ink stains? Boiling water can take out berry stains. Parents with young children should keep a gallon of vinegar handy for crayon marks. Bleach works well on mildew. Lemon juice is effective for rust.
I haven’t tried all of these remedies myself, but I figure the experts tested them first.
What you won’t find in that book, however, is how to deal with the worst stains of all—the stains in your life caused by sin. These are the deep, ugly marks left by hostile words and shameful actions. Tears cannot wash them away. Determination cannot erase them. Sometimes we convince ourselves that as life goes on, our sins will simply fade away. Yet unexpectedly, those stains seep back into our lives.
Robinson concludes,
The Bible tells us what we truly need: 'And the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin' (1 John 1:7). That is the only powerful remedy.
Just as every stain requires the right solvent, every sin requires the only effective remedy—Jesus’ blood. We may try to “scrub” our lives with good works, willpower, or time, but none of those can remove the guilt and shame that sin leaves behind. Only Christ can wash us clean.
So when we feel weighed down by past mistakes or ongoing struggles, the application is simple but powerful: bring your stains to Him. Confess honestly, receive His forgiveness, and walk in the freedom of a cleansed heart.
Every day is an opportunity to live in that freedom—no longer defined by old stains, but by the purity and grace that Christ gives.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:1-2, NIV).
Step Out of Line
PEOPLE Magazine relays the details of the Emmy Award acceptance speech of actress Alex Borstein in 2019 as she paid homage to her grandmother "who barely survived the Holocaust.":
Alex Borstein took home the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series ... Borstein paid respect to her grandmother, who barely survived the Holocaust. "I want to dedicate this to the strength of a woman ... She was in line to be shot into a pit and she said, 'What happens if I step out of line?' .... And he said, 'I don't have the heart to shoot you but somebody will.' ... And she stepped out of line." ... Because of her grandmother's decision, she is here and her children are here, she said. "So, step out of line, ladies," she said. "Step out of line."
For video of the speech, click here and navigate to minute 2:10.
While the emphasis of her speech was decidedly to encourage women, specifically, to be brave, to be bold, the story is universal in its application.
There will be times in life when our backs are up against the wall (or our feet are at the edge of a pit with a gun pressed to our back). In those moments, don't let the world and its values (or lack thereof) run roughshod over you. Don't cower before those who persecute, abuse, or bully you.
Be bold. Be brave. Dare to "step out of line."
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, ESV).
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Corinthians 1:7, ESV).
What Do You Want To Be Remembered For?
On September 10, 2025, a prominent voice in the American conservative movement was silenced by an assasin's bullet. Charlie Kirk was the founder and driving voice behind TPUSA (Turning Point, USA), a nonprofit organization that promotes conservative values like free markets, limited government, traditional family, and love of God and country on high school and college campuses.
This wasn't the first time Kirk faced the threat of death, but it was ultimately the last (both literally and spiritually).
He had spoken to massive audiences on the world stage. He had become a friend and a confidante of some of the most powerful people in the US and around the world. He had grown a grassroots movement from a partnership with a handful of high school buddies to an international ministry with thousands of chapters on campuses both here and abroad. He is credited with having made the single greatest contribution for drawing young people into the conservative movement in modern history. He was a political powerhouse, a minister of the Gospel, a highly successful entrepeneur, a husband, and a father. And he accomplished it all before he even celebrated his 32nd birthday. He was, if nothing else, a classic over-achiever.
Yet when asked what he would most want to be remembered for, Kirk simply said ...
"I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing; [the] most important thing is my faith."
Whether you agree with some, all, or none of his talking points, we can all agree that it takes courage to speak what we believe and to stand on and for our conviictions.
You may not have a platform like Charlie Kirk's. You may not even like Charlie Kirk. But it's well worth asking yourself, "What do you most want to be remembered for?"
Do you share his heart to be remembered for the courage to boldly live and share your faith?
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you (John 15:18, ESV). "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV). "But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, ESV).
Speak boldly Christian! Cower not!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10, ESV).