Category Archives: On Faith

Apologetics, Theology, and Exposition

Glory

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Mark

Recently, I preached badly on the hope of glory. No matter how many analogies or metaphors I grabbed, none seemed to communicate the power and joy of sharing God’s glory. It felt like I was trying to kindle a fire … Continue reading →

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This Too is a Gift

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Mark

Sometimes, most times, I leave the place of prayer feeling empty. I leave having not felt the presence of God and having not heard his voice. For several reasons I am reluctant to say this out loud. First, such a … Continue reading →

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Kicking Job Out of Church

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Mark

I am convinced that anyone who speaks and acts like Job would be kicked out of most churches today—even those, perhaps especially those, that proclaim the Bible their authority. They might be right to do so. He certainly is someone … Continue reading →

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Ari and Dead People

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Mark

Ari has now been church enough to hear about the resurrection, but most of his questions come from visits to his Dad’s grave. Near Peter’s grave are the graves of my brother, Stanley, and my mother and father. Our hunt … Continue reading →

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A Believing Wife

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Mark

Teckla caught me writing this and said, “I am not worth writing about.” I will write about her anyway because there was a scene in the video series The Chosen that perfectly expressed why I love her so much and … Continue reading →

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Washing the Trailblazer with Ari

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Mark

Saturday the rain finally let up, and we had enough sun to wash the Trailblazer. Here in Myrtle Point if not washed regularly, your car will begin to grow lichen and moss, especially if parked under a myrtle tree. So … Continue reading →

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Kansas City Prophets and Global Warming

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Mark

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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Mowing with Ari

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Mark

Ari and I mowed the lawn yesterday. We have had weeks of rain and high humidity. The grass here near the coast of Oregon grows even in the winter. Our grass was tall and tangled, and even though it had … Continue reading →

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The Wounded Healer: Limping into 2024

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Mark

How do we help others heal when we are deeply wounded? Where do we find the strength and the heart to help others when our own wounds still cry out? I think the longer one has lived the more likely … Continue reading →

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Mere Church

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Mark

I believe in mere church. I have sojourned in denominational and nondenominational churches. I now attend a Church of the Nazarene but am not a member. Once a month I preach at the Presbyterian church. God’s people of every kind … Continue reading →

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