Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

God

March 17, 2026

Over fifty years ago, I had a problem with the church I attended. My problem was not with Yahweh. The people in this body of believers had fired another pastor. I was tired of them. I was not sure that I could believe anything that they had taught me for the previous ten years or so.

I asked Jehovah, the I Am, to reveal himself to me. He did, and He led me back to that congregation through the new pastor they called. Then I was called to full-time ministry and became a workplace minister. When I married my wife, I joined the church she was at.

Jesus has proceeded to show me that He is the Son of God and who He, the Father, and Holy Spirit truly are. We refer to them as a triune being, just as we are made of three different parts. This is what Moses meant in Genesis when he wrote that God made mankind in their own image.

I do not understand why I was never told this in any of the church classes I had growing up or any of the Bible classes I took in college. We were told that this was a trinity and not a triune being. As a writer, I am amazed that some of these ThDs did not take enough English classes to learn the difference between these two words.

It is more understandable that many pastors and evangelists, without even a bachelor’s degree, will argue with me when I try to correct their misuse. It’s like knowing proper English makes me a heretic. I am reminded of the Catholic Church officials who tried to excommunicate Galileo and others for showing that the Earth orbited the sun and not the other way.

God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, or, for the non-theologian like me, all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing. He did create everything in the universe, and before that miracle, nothing existed except the triune God. I do not have enough faith to believe in the Big Bang or any other theories that believe an accident caused the entire universe.

For me, I must acknowledge that Jehovah created the universe, including our and other occupied planets, by His intentional action. The books of the Bible include stories that confirm many aspects of this creation and development here and in near and far space.

Criticizing myself or Christian scientists by calling us ignorant and unscientific simply affects me as the kid on the playground did when he called me a sissy. I have grown up, but I am not so sure of the detractors who refuse to acknowledge scientific theory when it comes to the beginning.

I believe in one triune God and that He told Moses His name was I Am. I believe He sent His Son to teach and die for us. I also believe that their spirit has been sent as our comforter and educator. This is the God I believe in. Believe in your own or believe in none; that is your business.

What is Doulos?

March 16, 2026

For those of you who have read my columns, you may know the answer to this question. Most of you do not. Doulos is the word in Greek that the apostle Paul uses in Romans 1:1 when he says, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.” Some translations use the term slave.

I accepted the call to be a full-time minister of the gospel in March of 1974. That means I have been on that road for over fifty years. At first, I thought He wanted me to be a pastor. After two years at Southwest Baptist College, I earned a degree in religion and wanted God to show me what to do next. Cindy and I were married, and He did not want me to go to seminary, which is the normal path for a pastor.

I took a part-time job while still in school and later went full-time with that company. I preached when I could, taught small groups, and ultimately became a deacon in our church. Cindy and I have worked together in the cup of cold-water ministry at the Ozark Empire Fair under the Greene County Baptist Association, as well as in other ministries.

It took me a few years to understand that my calling was not to a pulpit at a church, but to business, and I realized I was a workplace minister. This is what many of you are. We are all ministers in some way. Teachers, businesspeople, and even students can be workplace ministers. When I wrote my memoir ten years ago, the title Jesus gave me was Doulos.

Douloi must serve others. They do this in their marriages, families, and work lives. Have you noticed that this website is Douloigroup.org? When I decided to purchase my own URL, I felt led to name it after my book. I have at least two other books in progress with a version of this word in their names.

Douloi Marriage and Douloi Families are my ideas of how the concept of Christian service in marriage and family life can be incorporated into our lives. I include these ideas in my columns as I know many of you have noticed over the years. These books have written themselves in my life as I just lived it in Christ.

What has Jesus asked you to incorporate into your life as service to him and others? I’ve spent years as a friend and listener to everyone I have worked with for over fifty years now. Both at the companies I worked for and those that I encountered on the job.

If you would like to read the entire story, I have included Doulos in my premium materials that you can read by subscribing for one month for a dollar or a year for ten. The other manuscripts I am working on are also posted there. This subscription will also add you to my e-mail list so I can advise you of any book releases or special offers.

Kentucky State Senator Brandon Smith

March 15, 2026

Are certain people exempt from the penalties of our legal system? There are many people who violate our laws every day. In Springfield, police officers run red lights, fail to follow traffic laws, and endanger innocent civilians for no valid reason. As Christians, forgiveness should be our creed. As law-abiding citizens, sometimes we are fed up with those who believe they are above the law.

Another politician has been accused of driving under the influence. Apparently, he is not going to fight the charge that he was intoxicated. His defense is a 100-year-old law that protects legislators during a session. He did not apologize for betraying his constituents’ trust. He did not admit that he was intoxicated when he was stopped. He did not deny that he was intoxicated.

Forgiveness of those who are trying to straighten their lives out might be a good procedure for individuals. It is not for the government. Law enforcement should do that, enforce the laws. Whether someone is a politician, a celebrity, a friend of the police to police themselves, they should face the full force of the law.

Until no one is given special rights, there will be no equal rights for anyone. When equal rights are mentioned, it is usually in response to racial situations. Our officials need to grow up and realize that the privileges they believe they deserve undermine their authority. The voters need to take responsibility away from these lawbreakers. They should force them out of their cushy jobs and require them to work for a living.

Some legislators seem to believe that when they are elected, they become superior to the electorate. The only way to stop this is to remove everyone who shows this type of arrogant attitude. Voters often believe that their legislators should be forgiven, while those from other areas should be removed from their offices. No wonder our country is in the condition it is in.

You all know that our current President still says that he won the election in 2020. He claims it has been proven to be true. The main one who believes this is himself. He cannot admit that he lost. His claim of this injustice brought him back to the eye of the voters, who believe the other lies he tells. He has had to take a step back from his Gestapo tactics against illegal aliens and fire someone to be the scapegoat.

In November of this year, you will have the opportunity, again, to positively affect our political system. Look at everything that you can find about candidates. Keep in mind that both Republicrats and Demicans have caused our government to be shut down twice. None of them has lost a dime of pay.

Love languages

March 14, 2026

Have you been hearing all the things about love languages lately? There is a cereal commercial where a lady states that her love language is Portuguese when they say that this cereal is someone else’s love language. Then another guy is talking about insurance, and a woman says he is speaking her love language.

Let’s talk about what is meant by a love language. Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a book called “The Five Love Languages in 1992.” The five things that he refers to as love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.

It has become so popular that not only are they making fun of it, they are also mentioning it on talk shows, situation comedies, and I even saw an episode of “Blue Bloods” where they discussed it seriously. There have even been magazine articles that discussed the book.

I’ve read one of the many knockoffs that have been published to try to profit from an idea in a book that was just written to help couples. Dr. Chapman is a Christian counselor who is not motivated by money. As an author, I understand how the publishing industry works. One best sellers generates thousands of copycats hoping to score some bucks.

Look at the racks in any store. Which authors or topics are available where you shop? How many are alike? Have you watched when new movies and TV shows premiered? Does it occur to you that when someone has an idea that makes a lot of money, others try to catch their coattails?

Let’s talk about the real love languages Gary shows us. Words of affirmation are just speaking positively to the people you care about. Do not criticize them or call them names. Don’t do this to those you do not like, and not to someone you love.

Time is fleeting, and we all only have twenty-four hours in a day. When we were dating, I wanted as much time with Cindy as I could have. When I was away from her for ten weeks that first summer, I decided never to do that again, and I didn’t.

Receiving gifts does not have to be a new car or jewelry like the commercials tell you. Dr. Chapman explains that a single flower, or a note on the mirror, the pillow, or in the lunch bag, will say “I love you.”

If you’ve read my memoir, Doulos, you know that I am into being a servant. This is not my love language, but it is my ministry. In the book I am writing, “Douloi Marriage,” I give examples of why and how husbands and wives can and should be servants.

One thing I did when my wife was a stay-at-home mom was to cook on the weekends. Now I am the chief cook and bottle washer full-time and have been, since I retired and Cindy was still employed.

This last one can be a little tricky for some couples. We men often want to take the least touch from our wives, or that she will allow us to give to her as an invitation for sex. This is not what is meant by physical touch. It can be important to the person whose love language is touch, or it may not be.

A kiss, a hug, holding hands, an arm around them when you are sitting together, your head in their lap, or their head on your shoulder can be enough to express your love. Discover their love language and speak it often. Or use all five and see which they respond to the most.

Fostering or adoption

March 13, 2026

Have you considered either of these options? This morning on the radio, the announcer was speaking of a podcast where the guest was encouraging others to promote fostering in their church congregations. Some of our friends over the years have adopted children or been foster parents.

I remember a single mom that I knew from church when I was a teenager. She had three daughters, and her youngest was a boy. Another friend and his wife had three daughters. The first lady died, and the father did not want his children. The three girls had places to go with the family, but no one wanted the boy.

My friend and his wife applied to be foster parents with the intent of eventually adopting this little guy. This was what happened, and as with many families, the son eventually rebelled against his adopted family, and it was years before he returned to them after he grew up enough to realize we all need someone.

I have shared another story of adoption before. One of the young men in my class at church asked me one morning after class if his mother loved him. I knew what he was talking about because he had been adopted as a baby. He wanted to know why his birth mother had given him up.

I asked what year he was born, and when he told me, I responded that she did love him. The question in his eyes told me I needed to explain. I informed him that abortion had been legalized in the U.S. with the Roe Vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1972. His birth was after that.

If she had not cared about him, she could have simply aborted the pregnancy, and he would never have been born. Many women have fallen prey to the lies that these are not human beings and are called fetuses or blobs of tissue. I know that the Bible teaches that we are alive from conception.

I explained this to him and told him that his birth mother knew he was important and needed a family that could provide for him. To me, that was the ultimate act of love: allowing others to raise him after she gave birth. He seemed to understand this answer and went to church.

A short time later, his adoptive mother asked me what I had said to him. I told her exactly what I had said. She told me that he had been asking her and his dad this question, and they were unable to say anything that satisfied him. When he stopped asking, she questioned why, and he told her that I had convinced him that she did love him. That’s why she asked me what I had said.

Adoption and fostering are both admirable things to do. Do it to help the children, not to fulfill a desire in your life or to make money from the support that may be given to foster parents. My wife and I love our daughters. We were like many characters in the Bible. We knew each other, and she became pregnant. It was easy for us.

When it is more difficult, consider helping a child who needs a family. One family in our church fosters newborns until they can be placed permanently. At times, these children return to them when the new family doesn’t work out. Mostly, they love the babies for a few weeks, and then they take in the next child.

One boy returned to them and stayed. He’s in high school now. He is one of the finest young men I know. He is well-behaved and highly intelligent and, if he makes good decisions, will go far. I have seen the opposite happen. An adopted child sometimes makes poor choices and makes their lives more difficult, just like our naturally born children can.

That is up to the kids. As parents, we raise them the best we can, make mistakes, apologize and ask forgiveness, and continue the process. This is true whether they are born to us, adopted, or with us for a short period. As parents, that is what we do for our children.

Chicken Man, he’s everywhere

March 12, 2026

As the story was being told this morning at a Springfield business, it was reminiscent of the old radio program that was broadcast on KICK radio on 1340 on the AM dial here. It had a Christian twist to it.

The story takes place in a local long-term care facility. A friend’s wife is there for recuperation after surgery. As most patients do, she was craving outside food. Her husband, obligingly, delivered carryout chicken to her room one evening. A neighbor down the hall smelled the fried chicken and came to the room to ask to purchase a couple of pieces of the delightfully fragrant food. Hospital food smells, but not like that.

My friend continued to add extra chicken or other goodies to be sure there was extra for this lady. She gave him the name of Chicken Man. I asked if he was familiar with the radio program by that title. He was not originally from Springfield and had never heard of the show. I gave a brief description of it.

The point I want to make is that we can be kind and gracious to others in many ways. It does not take much to be a special person in the lives of folks that we encounter every day. They may need no more than a smile or a kind word.

Is this not what servanthood means? We are all told by Jesus to serve our neighbors. That’s what my friend did for the lady in the nursing home who was his wife’s friend. You should look around and see a need that you can supply. Be careful, though.

I read a story of a boy whose father was called to school for his bad behavior. This was unusual for this father. When he got there, he found out that his son had given half of the pizza he had bought for lunch to a friend who did not want the cheese sandwich he was offered. When he was caught doing this, his pizza was taken from him, and both were thrown away, and he was sent to the office.

Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? I think so, too. We should be teaching children to be helpful to each other, especially in our schools. There is no good reason for an adult disposing of a generous child’s lunch as punishment. This was posted on Facebook as a true story. Hopefully, that is some of the false news our President tells us about.

The story ended with the father paying the delinquent lunch account of the other student and encouraging others to do the same for those who might be having this type of problem at their schools. I know others who work in schools or have kids there who do the same thing when they hear of a situation where they can assist.

Why not become this kind of Chicken Man in one of the small ways that you can? The thing I remember most about this radio show was that they always said, “Chicken man, he’s everywhere, he’s everywhere.” I think we should all strive to be like my friend Chicken Man so that this slogan is once again true.

Who gets the money?

March 11, 2026

I’ve written before, warning you to check out organizations that you give money to. Let me add some further insights into these discussions. I have people come to my door asking for help for themselves or groups they are working with. This sounds perfectly legitimate, but how do you make sure?

Ask for the name they are representing. Use your smartphone to find this company. Are they not for profit? Some of these businesses are just businesses. They take your money and put it into their coffers. They may or may not donate some to charity.

This is important when neighborhood kids are earning money for their schools or churches. You’ve been asked to buy candy, cookies, popcorn, or other items from them. A one-dollar purchase may net them only ten percent or less. Ask how much their cut is. If you trust the kid, give the amount asked for and let them keep the product.

This is the best way to deal with the catalogs that are often used to finance school projects. Many of the items are five dollars or more. Donate the money, and the entire amount can go to the child’s school. Buy something, and they receive a much smaller amount. The businesses providing this service get most of the proceeds.

If you do not know the person, keep your money and politely tell them you have already donated to this group. If you do not recognize who they are supporting, tell them you donate to your church or another not-for-profit that you help. Don’t lie to them and don’t continue the conversation. Close the door and go on with your day.

Do you want to help certain groups but don’t know how? I live in Springfield, Missouri, which is home to Convoy of Hope and Wounded Warriors. We also have a Habitat for Humanity Renew Center. They are all nationally known groups that always need additional funds for all the things they do for others.

Is there a group that has helped someone in your family or that you know? These would be excellent places to donate your money. Do not send money to any online group that you do not know personally. If you receive an email or social media post, verify that the money will go to whom they say it will receive your donations. I prefer to donate privately rather than online.

As I have mentioned before, be aware of to whom and what you give your money. A man I used to work with attended a church that was from a denomination I did not know. I asked questions about the church and found that his fiancé’s father was the pastor, and he owned the church property.

In later years, I heard of many such congregations that found out that their worship centers were not actual not for profit organizations. Donations made to them were taxed, and if the owners or pastors kept the books straight, they were legal. Ask the question before you give, “Who gets the money?”

Spiritual fruit

March 10, 2026

Can I tell you that I do not mind being called fruity, if you are referring to the fruit of the spirit? These are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As a Christian, this is how we should measure ourselves. Don’t fall into the trap of being judgmental. It is easy to do.

Galatians 5:22 begins with love. It is interesting that Paul also includes patience as the first attribute of love in First Corinthians 13 when he defines Agape’ for us. Kindness is also included in that list. I think he is trying to tell me something. Patience and kindness are important. We should not ignore the other parts of love. No envying, rudeness, selfishness, irritability, or resentment are also part of how God loves us.

Joy and peace are two words to look at more closely. Happiness is fleeting. Joy is also temporary if we let it be. Fruitful joy is hard to accomplish without Holy Spirit. Joy does not mean that you never have a bad day. When things are not going your way, joy lets you realize that things will become better. We let our minds betray us into thinking that our life is bad when it is just life.

Peace also can elude those who work without Him. It is not the absence of conflict. It is the presence of love and joy. Do you accept what the Lord has given you? Paul tells us to give thanks in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) He also states in Philippians 4:11 that he has learned to be content. Notice the use of the word learned. Contentment is something we must also train ourselves to have.

Patience is the most difficult thing for me. “Lord, give me patience and give it to me now, it is what I usually pray. That prayer may miss the mark. Be careful about asking for it. His answer will continually test you. Patience is hard because we live in an instant society. We have our phones with us and can call, text, or check the internet thousands of times a day. I grew up at a time when we did not even have a home phone.

We all know how to be kind, good, and gentle. These may need to be tweaked by the Spirit. Follow His guidance, and you will arrive quicker. Again, these need to be intentional. We know what to do; we just need to be reminded to do it all day long. Practice it, and it will become as automatic as breathing or your heartbeat.

Self-control is another tough one. Notice that the word control follows self, indicating who should be in control. For Christians, we can hand this job over to Holy Spirit, if we will let Him take leadership of our lives. That becomes easier the more you do it.

I desire that you all become fruitier as I try to do the same. I mentioned judgment earlier. Let’s avoid that and try for discernment. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) This is one of the gifts of the Spirit. You cannot have these gifts if your spirit is still dead. A relationship with Jesus is needed for the rebirth of your spirit. (John 3:1-21) After you start that relationship, the fruits will appear if you cultivate them.

Five who will not listen to you

March 5, 2026

Let me tell you who these are. Your cat. Any cat, really. Cats do not listen except to their name or a door opening or maybe a can opener. They have very sensitive ears. They simply do not understand words. They comprehend petting and playing. They know who feeds them and is supposed to clean their litter box. Don’t do this and they will remind you.

Do you ever complain that your children don’t listen? Again, this is not just yours. Youngsters in general have difficulty following instructions. They are people after all. Once again, they respond to love and play. Speak the language they understand and they will comprehend. Yell at them or criticize them and they will not.

They also do not respond to being ignored. If you have ever had a child ask a question that you did not know the answer to or want to respond to at that moment, they will continue to press you. Just like a hungry cat. Give them what they want, and they will leave you alone, momentarily.

Bosses are others that will not listen unless you are saying what they want to hear. When they ask what you think, they do not necessarily want that answer. Some are not sure that their employees can think. Thinking is what they are paid for, and many are overpaid.

When they ask what you think of the concept they have just given to you, they may only want agreement. Give it to them. “Is this a good idea?” Do not say no. Say that it is and immediately add whatever your suggestion to improve on it is. Say it slowly and clearly. Then shut up.

If they want comments, they will accept what you say. If not, avoid confrontation and wait a while. Soon their thoughts may alter. I have often made suggestions, been told they were bad ideas, and left the discussion there. Later the concepts I expressed became the boss’s new directives and were implemented.

Do not try to take credit for their own brainstorms, you’ll get washed away. It is now their idea no matter how much you try to reason them out of it. Take the win. What needed to be done got done. When you become the boss, remember what they did and do not repeat their error.

Both husbands and wives are accused of not listening. That is correct. We all have selective deafness. We are only grownup children after all. The truth is that this malady is not limited to a sex or age group. We really should not limit this to just these five groups.

Politicians are the last of the five. The reason I say this is because I have listened to interviews with them for over fifty years. Most of the time their answers to questions do not answer those inquiries. They may have to deal with the topic but seldom provide an adequate response.

Work on your listening skills. Practice stopping what you are doing when your spouse or kids are trying to get your attention. We all need to concentrate on our communication skills. Listening is an essential part of our relationships. Don’t be one of the sixth group, those who do not care.

Being

March 4, 2026

Moses was standing there in the wilderness talking to a bush. Imagine if you walked up on this scene. I know what I would think. This man has been in the sun too long. He has completely lost it. And yet, he was talking to the creator of the universe.

Hard to conceive of a bush being the presence of the almighty God. He tells us He is omnipresent. As they say of Chicken man, “He’s everywhere. He’s everywhere.” The bush should have been consumed by the fire that attracted his attention. He stood there and a voice came from the fire and said to take off his shoes because he was standing on sacred ground. The presence of Yahweh is holy.

Moses asked who he should tell people it was that had sent him. “I am that I am, has sent you.” He has always been, He is, and He will always be. Got it? Probably not. Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.” God just said that He was.

No explanation, just go and get my people out of slavery and tell them that the I Am sent you. He exists. God is not dead. God is not an imaginary concept of the human mind. Jehovah has always existed. Religion may be the opiate of the people and yet, there is a supreme creator God.

Yahweh is another way to say I Am. It is another Hebrew way of saying being. It is a simple way of stating that He was, is, and will always be. He cannot die, but He was born as a human being and was named Jesus by His Earthly mother.

Years ago, one of my nephews asked me, “If God made everything, who made God?” My answer was not an easy one. I had been warned by my brother that his son would be asking this question. I prayed and thought about what I could say. On that day, I still did not have an answer until I replied to him.

“God has always existed. That is what makes Him God.” That is how I responded. That is what I Am means. Until that moment when I answered the question, I did not get it. Now I do. When someone asks you about this, use that answer. God gave it to me, and I am giving it to you.

For those of you that do not believe that Jesus is God let me explain. The Christ said, “I and the Father are One.” (John 10:30) He also said, “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11) “I am the Door.” (John 10:7) “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35) And the reason He was crucified was because he told the Jewish leaders He was the Messiah. (Matthew 26:64) He said, “I Am.”

Think about this for a little while. Jehovah has always existed. He is. Read the Bible. I could give you many more examples than the ones I have included here. I will save those until another column. When I finish “Cosmic Flatulence” and “The Inedible Credible Egg” you can read them.

Walk With a Servant