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Category Archives: On Faith
Getting Ready
In the midst of her dementia, the purity and simplicity of Teckla’s faith makes familiar truths as sharp as a newly forged sword. She has good and bad days. One morning this week she was troubled by a lot of … Continue reading
Grim and Fell
I think all I have gone through has left me grim and (to use an archaic word) fell. This may be good. Experience and Scripture have left me realistic (grim) about walking faithfully with God. In the last ten years, … Continue reading
Haunted by the Widow
Even before I realized it was Halloween, I had this title stuck in my head. Teckla and I have been asking God to use us in Kansas. In the past, I have found the prayer, “God, please use me,” dangerous. … Continue reading
By Their Fruit
I am relearning the trees of eastern Kansas and western Missouri. It is a formidable task. There are about nineteen species of oak trees. Some like the willow and shingle oak have leaves that look nothing like an oak. There … Continue reading
Faith Keepers: A Manifesto
My son Dylan recently said to me, “Dad, I want you to finish strong.” His senior pastor, who was retiring, had preached a sermon on the importance of ending one’s life full of faith. Dylan was right to be worried. … Continue reading
Posted in Life, On Faith
Tagged fighting the good fight, keeping the faith, old farts
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Gollum and the Great Secrets of the Darkness
In The Lord of the Rings Tolkien offers a penetrating description of one of the principal lies the enemy uses to seduce us. In the second chapter of The Fellowship of Rings Gandalf explains to Frodo how Gollum came to … Continue reading
The Problem of Pain and Dementia
In his book The Problem of Pain C. S. Lewis tries to reconcile human suffering with the existence of a good, loving, and omnipotent God. Lewis addresses what causes suffering and how God uses suffering. Lewis argues that pain is … Continue reading
Posted in Life, On Faith
Tagged A Theology of Dementia, C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
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How Long?
“How long, O Lord” is all Teckla could get out before her tears made it impossible to read. She grabbed some Kleenex and started reading Psalm 13 again: How long O Lord? Wilt Thou forget me forever? How long will … Continue reading
When You Don’t Understand, Stand
Sometimes out of nowhere, it seems, a Bible verse strikes my heart like an arrow shot from God’s bow. This recently happened with a phrase from Ephesians 6:13: “and having done everything, to stand firm.” Often the cry of my … Continue reading
God’s Still, Small Voice
It has been a year since Peter died. No waves of grief swept over me on this melancholy anniversary, only mild surprise that a year had passed. Perhaps I am numb from all the other losses. When grief is piled … Continue reading
Posted in Fathers and Sons, On Faith
Tagged Death of Child, Friendship with God, hearing God's voice
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