Category Archives: On Faith

Apologetics, Theology, and Exposition

The Sweet Spot

My father played tennis well. I don’t, but I do remember him teaching me to hit the ball in the racquet’s sweet spot—that place in the center of the racquet where the vertical and horizontal strings cross. I think that … Continue reading

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Four Ways to Be an Edgy Christian

Critics often call avant-garde movies and books “edgy”. Unfortunately, this usually means they are obscene or morally offensive, but “edgy” can mean cutting-edge and innovative. In this latter sense, it is good to be an edgy Christian. I must admit, … Continue reading

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You’re It

One of the marks of Christian maturity is figuring out when we are waiting for God and when God is waiting for us. In playing tag or hide-and-go-seek, we need to know who is “it.” Sometimes I have gotten powerfully … Continue reading

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Chasing God Part Three: Escape from Nazareth

I have raised a ladder against the wall of unbelief that surrounds my spiritual and cultural Nazareth–a place Jesus can do little because of my unbelief. Here is my escape plan, one rung at a time. Reading God’s Word with … Continue reading

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What God Said During My Fast

I hate fasting and do it badly. I would like to report that fasting opens my ears to hear God, but that hasn’t been my experience. Nor do the affections of my heart turn more to God. Mainly, I just … Continue reading

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Chasing God Part Two: Living in Nazareth

Spiritually and intellectually I am a life-long citizen of Nazareth, but I desperately want out. Nazareth is, of course, the place Jesus grew up. They all knew him and his family. During his ministry Jesus made a stop in his … Continue reading

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Chasing God (Part One)

I dislike public confession and repentance. Whenever people draw attention to their repentance, it’s like saying, “Hey, look at how humble I am!” Crazy, right? But I think my repentance of this particular arrogance and error may be instructive. And … Continue reading

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Poured Out

Again this morning, I walked my Mom across the street to the church for the pre-service prayer meeting. It isn’t far, but these days she is afraid to walk it without an arm. She is wobbly. And forgetful. But once … Continue reading

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Will You Not Come Down

These are Gandalf’s words to Saruman in Tolkien’s The Two Towers. Saruman, once Saruman the White, had allowed a lust for power and greatness to corrupt him. But in this scene he stands in the window of his tower surrounded … Continue reading

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Trump, Gilgamesh, and the Prophetic

Gilgamesh was a bully. Although the hero of the great Babylonian epic, he was badly behaved. His story opens with an account of picking fights with the young men of Uruk and bedding every young woman in town. In answer … Continue reading

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