Category Archives: On Faith

Apologetics, Theology, and Exposition

If Only

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Mark

A couple weeks ago Teckla and I decided to take Ari on a hike along the bluffs north of Shore Acres. The trail meanders through shore pine, Sitka spruce, and Douglas fir. It looks out at the distant horizon where … Continue reading →

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“Can Jesus Carry Me?”

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Mark

While hiking on trails along the bluffs of the ocean, our grandson, Ari, lifted his arms and asked, “Will you carry me, Pa?” He is six and about sixty pounds and my knees are bad, so I said, “Sorry, you … Continue reading →

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Climb, Climb, Up Sunshine Mountain

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Mark

The blessings of God are fresh every morning, but these days so is the grief. Teckla and I are sorting out stuff and hauling things to the dump, so every day we come across things that belonged to Peter: clothes, … Continue reading →

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Can We Dig Him Up?

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Mark

Ari asked this as we stood at the edge of his Daddy’s grave. Peter’s gravestone had not yet been placed, but I knew he had been buried right next to my brother, Stanley. This was the second time Ari had … Continue reading →

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Failing Peter

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Mark

In my last post I said Teckla and I had failed Peter in many ways. A couple of people kindly insisted we hadn’t, so I think I should clarify. Some may think this sense of failure is the guilt parents … Continue reading →

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Deep Waters

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Mark

The older I get, the more I love (and perhaps need) this story about fishing (Luke 5:3—8). Peter, James, and John had been fishing all night with no luck. They had taken their nets out of the boats and spread … Continue reading →

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Heaven and High School

Posted on March 4, 2023 by Mark

As we age, I think we not only go through a second childhood, we also experience a second high-school. I suppose I am thinking mainly about those who found high school difficult and depressing. My four years of high school … Continue reading →

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The Nazarene Thing and Melted Butter

Posted on January 28, 2023 by Mark

I didn’t know my grandfather well. As the youngest of my three brothers, I got to know grandpa mostly while a college student at NNC. He and Grandma Jewel live on Ivy street—a short walk from the campus. Even so, … Continue reading →

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Humble Pie

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Mark

I have scratched humility off the list of virtues I need. Growing old is humbling enough. I, of course, have many other areas that need attention. But aging is doing a fine job of keeping me humble. Earlier this school … Continue reading →

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The Grammar of Faith

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Mark

I am an English teacher, so I notice grammar even when reading the Scripture. I have found the  grammar of the Psalms especially encouraging when facing difficult times. A number of psalms possess a grammatical structure that expresses the essence … Continue reading →

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