LightGrams
September 17, 2026
Volume 30, Number 33
Suppose you were offered a job with the Geology Team at Yellowstone National Park. That sounds fun! Yellowstone has so many breathtaking geological features, and the geysers and thermal pools are intriguing. But read the job description first; one of the jobs of the Geology Team is to collect the trash visitors leave behind, whether done intentionally or not.
In a September 14, 2026 news release, officials from Yellowstone report that more than 20,100 pieces of trash have been collected just this year. The items range from hats (more than 280 of them), sunglasses, pacifiers, toys of various kinds, coins, jewelry, 5 Airpods, and camera lens caps. Some of these, like the caps and sunglasses, were likely caught by gusts of wind and removed from their wearers. Other items, like the coins, seem to have been deliberately tossed into the “wells”.
The Geology Team has to be meticulous for unnatural objects that end up in natural places can injure the ecosystem that tourists travel long distances to see. An example was given of Morning Glory Pool which, years ago, changed color because of the introduction of chemicals and sediment. The report notes, “Foreign material of any kind can damage or permanently alter a hydrothermal feature.” Does being on the Geology Team still sound exciting?
Think about “sin” as described in the Bible. Many see the various forms of sin as harmless, fun, pleasurable, etc. But consider God’s view of sin through the pen of the apostle Paul. He discussed the role of the Law of Moses in opening the people’s eyes to right and wrong, and then stated, “For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me” (Romans 7:11). In the previous chapter he wrote, “For the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23).
Sin, according to the Bible, is spiritual trash, and if allowed to remain in our lives will do great damage leading to spiritual death. This lines up with the nature of Satan, our adversary; he is called “the tempter” (Matthew 4:1-3), and his ultimate objective is to tempt us to sin (to produce spiritual trash) and die (James 1:14,15). The accumulation of this trash is gradual and subtle, but also very real.
Thankfully, God has provided the means of doing what we could never do ourselves. John the Baptist made this announcement upon seeing Jesus approaching: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29). After Jesus was sacrificed as the Lamb of God, Peter reflected: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
Sin trashes our lives and will lead to death. Jesus, the Son of God, came to remove the trash. The specific process for doing that is found in Acts 22:12-16. It’s our trash; Jesus wants to remove it.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.