Category Archives: On Faith

Apologetics, Theology, and Exposition

Deep Waters

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

Posted in Fathers and Sons, On Faith | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Heaven and High School

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

Posted in On Faith | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Nazarene Thing and Melted Butter

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

Posted in Fathers and Sons, On Faith | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Humble Pie

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

Posted in Culture, On Faith | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Grammar of Faith

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

Posted in On Faith | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why Pray? (Part Two)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication  with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,  shall guard your hearts and your mind. Philippians 4:6 In … Continue reading

Posted in On Faith | Tagged , | Leave a comment

High Noon Atheist

My spiritual crisis is usually a “bright day of the soul” rather than the “dark night of the soul” described so well by St. John of the Cross. It comes at noon in the dry days of August or early … Continue reading

Posted in On Faith | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Why Pray?

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 This may seem like an odd question to ask, … Continue reading

Posted in On Faith | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My Functional Atheism

I fear that regarding my health decisions, I am a functional atheist. By that I mean I make decisions no differently than a wise atheist would. For instance, I was told after a blood test for my PSA levels that … Continue reading

Posted in On Faith | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

On Having Cancer

This week a doctor told me I have prostate cancer. I will be having some scans to see whether there is cancer anywhere else. The doctor says it is most likely that the cancer is localized in the prostate, so … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, On Faith | Tagged , | Leave a comment