Posts by Carlos Valenzuela
SOUND WORDS, APR. 5, 2026
A REFLECTION OF SELF Every spring we brace for it to happen again. A robin appears at the windows of our patio room and begins a relentless assault. From dawn until dusk he hurls himself against the glass . He puffs out his chest, chirps in agitation, and returns again and again to do battle. To him, an intruder has invaded his territory. A rival dares to challenge his domain and he will not tolerate it. But there is no…
SOUND WORDS, MAR. 29, 2026
ARE YOU WORTHY OF SALVATION? Are we worthy of salvation? There is a sense in which we are and a sense in which we are not. One is not worthy in the sense that he cannot earn his salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). In that sense, one will never be worthy. However, we are worthy in that God paid the price for our salvation. That price was the blood of His Son, and it was high, but God certainly thought that it…
SOUND WORDS, MARCH 22, 2026
SPIRITUAL NUTRITION If you’ve watched the news any time lately, you’ve probably been aware of the new “epidemic” in our country. This epidemic isn’t caused by a virus; it isn’t caused by a bacteria; it isn’t caused by any “disease” at all. The new epidemic in our country, say the experts, is obesity. We are being told that we have a fat problem and that our society needs to do something about it! Much of our problem, say the experts,…
SOUND WORDS, FEB. 1, 2026
RELIGION OF THE HEART Christianity is a religion of the heart. This does not mean that Christianity is without commands, laws, or divine expectations. What does it mean? It means that it is up to the individual to practice it personally. That is, no one, other than the individual, is going to enforce it. In Hebrews 8:10, we read, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I…
SOUND WORDS, JAN, 18, 2025
A LIVING, TRANSFORMING HOPE It is reported that several years ago researchers did a study to determine the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water from which they could not escape unaided. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour the exhausted rats all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. These animals swam for…
SOUND WORDS, JAN. 4, 2026
PERSONAL DISCIPLINE In view of the corruption that was in the city of Corinth, Paul instructs Christians to discipline their lives (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Personal discipline is one of life’s most difficult problems—it is one of my difficult problems, and it is one that also belongs to you. Yet, it is essential if we are to please the Lord and save our souls. To do so, Paul selects the metaphor of running a race, similar to our Olympic races. According…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 28, 2025
DO YOU HAVE A SECRET LIFE HIDDEN FROM OTHERS? Isn’t it remarkable how the use of smart phones has changed news reporting? It seems that whenever there is a crisis, someone takes their phone and starts videoing. When it is placed on social media, it can almost immediately go viral. Secrets are revealed which just a few years ago would be hidden. The same is true of those times when microphones of politicians are accidently left open, and we hear…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 21, 2025
BUILDING AN ETERNAL HOME Just as a man might build a house in which he and his family can live, so too, each one of us is building a life. In fact, the Bible uses the analogy of a house in order to help each one of us better understand how we might build a life that we can be proud of, and one which will weather storms of trial and even the eternal judgment. Jesus famously used the analogy…