Category Archives: On Faith

Apologetics, Theology, and Exposition

Growing Elven

After their encounter with elves on the road, Frodo asks Sam what he thinks of elves now that he has seen them up close. He says, “They are quite different from what I expected—so old and young, and so gay … Continue reading

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What You Asked For

The beginning of The Hobbit is a joy. It is more of a delight now than when I first read it fifty years ago. I may not have a snug hobbit hole, but today I am comfortable. I have lived … Continue reading

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The King’s Fool

I was surprised and delighted to discover that in Chrétien des Troyes’ tale of Perceval, King Arthur’s fool is also a prophet. Immediately, this felt important. The fool is a prophet? Or perhaps prophets are fools? I tried speaking briefly … Continue reading

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Here! Here!

Sometimes a phrase from the Bible chases me down the street like a meth-house pit bull. This week I can’t get away from the last words of Isaiah 40:9 “Say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” Aren’t … Continue reading

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Side-to-Side Pastors

The other evening the emcee for the National Dog Show commented that the herding dogs needed not only the ability to run quickly in a straight line, but also side to side. I immediately thought about how pastors need both … Continue reading

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Ahhh

So I love this paradox about following Jesus: the more we become like Him, the more we are ourselves. This means Jesus is a refuge for our individuality, uniqueness, and identity. And honestly, Jesus is a refuge against the pressures … Continue reading

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Tearing Off the Roof

One of my favorite stories in the gospels is about the guys that tore the roof off the house and lowered their paralytic friend into the presence of Jesus. It has moved my heart since my days in Sunday school … Continue reading

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Sword Polishing

“I’m sick of Bible studies,” I thought. I went to the Sunday night Bible study anyway. But I was feeling cranky. I fully realize the silliness of my feelings. After all, I have led Bible studies for years. I love … Continue reading

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Kansas City Prophets and Global Warming

During my years living in Olathe and Kansas City, I had a bird’s eye view of the prophetic movement in Kansas City. I got to see the good, the bad, and the merely confusing. As one deeply concerned about our … Continue reading

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For Crying Out Loud

Just as weddings aren’t about what grooms want, funerals, I suppose, aren’t about what the dead want. Okay, that could be a bad comparison. I get that my funeral isn’t really for me. Nonetheless, here’s what I don’t want: a … Continue reading

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