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Category Archives: On Faith
Sighs to Songs
My Dad was a wood carver and had an assortment of knifes and chisels—even a few carving knives he made out of old straight razors. He also had a good collection of sharpening stones, his favorites being the Arkansas stones. … Continue reading
I Forgive You, Mrs. Ferguson
“Who knows this word?” asked Mrs. Ferguson as she looked at the faces of kids in reading group one. I was in reading group two and was not supposed to be paying attention to the word she had written on … Continue reading
Love Walks With
Teckla and I walk a lot. It used to be on the beaches of Oregon. Here it is usually on suburban sidewalks, occasionally on the park trails through scraps of woodland and prairie. In town we walk hand in hand, … Continue reading
Through Why to What
Although I am by no means an intellectual, I do question everything and think deeply about my beliefs. By temperament, I am skeptical, which is both a blessing and a curse. But in my relationship with God, I have found … Continue reading
And Proven Character, Hope
For years I have been puzzled by the logic of this sequence in Romans 5:3. Here Paul lists what a right response to tribulations will bring: And not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings … Continue reading
In the Land of the Living
Because of multiple tragedies barging into my life and stumbling over each other, I have clung to the promises of God like a drowning man after a shipwreck. In the process, I have recognized that most of God’s promises, certainly … Continue reading
The First Church of Unmet Expectations
The other day my pastor declared that unmet expectations are part of the Christian life. I muttered, “You’re not akiddin.” I saw a lot of gray-haired folks nodding to the pastor’s declaration. The longer you live, the bigger your pile … Continue reading
Teckla’s Holy Puttering
These days Teckla is unable to do much. Reading has become impossible because she can’t keep her place on the page—and increasingly she simply doesn’t remember what the words represent. Conversations have disappeared, even though I still chatter away. Most … Continue reading
Stratification and Scarification
Last fall I gathered some seeds of white wild indigo (Baptisia bracteate). I live in the suburbs with beautiful trees and acres of lawn—but with almost no native plants. The HOA doesn’t allow anything but lawn but does all the … Continue reading
And the Things of Earth Will Grow Strangely Bright
All the church brats will know that my title is not how the hymn goes. Helen Lemmel, the author, actually wrote: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus/Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim/In … Continue reading