Category Archives: On Faith

Apologetics, Theology, and Exposition

Just Following Jesus

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Mark

In the midst of church scandal, encounters with mean Christians, and political divisions in the church, we are often encouraged to “Just follow Jesus.” It has also become popular for many believers to escape the political associations of the label … Continue reading →

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Ari’s Gift

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Mark

Few gifts have been as precious as the one our grandson, Ari, gave us this Christmas. Teckla and I approached this Christmas with sadness. It is our first Christmas since Peter died, Ari’s first Christmas without a father or mother … Continue reading →

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Going God-blind

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Mark

For many years I have asked my composition students to write an essay explaining the concept “All men are created equal” within the context of the American experience. I include the original quotation from the “Declaration of Independence” and similar … Continue reading →

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A Sneaker Wave of Joy

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Mark

A couple weeks ago my brother, Larry, was knocked down by a sneaker wave. The beach by the Bandon lighthouse was wrapped in a golden/gray haze as the sun moved in and out of the clouds. Larry had wandered past … Continue reading →

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Flint

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Mark

Tremble, earth before the Lord Before the God of Jacob, Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of water. Psalm 114:17—18 Does it ever seem that God delivered you out of the frying … Continue reading →

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An Untrue Romance

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Mark

A true confession: I am guilty of romanticizing the early church—a lot, not a little. Long ago, during the Jesus Movement, I fell in love with the first five chapters of Acts. (My favorite band was even The 2nd Chapter … Continue reading →

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Mark Preaches

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Mark

I am an English teacher, so this last year I have been surprised by my many opportunities to preach. I have been preaching once a month at the little Presbyterian church for about a year and half. In the last … Continue reading →

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Collateral Damage

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Mark

There are not enough analogies to describe the death of a son, but in some ways, it is like a bomb. The grief is a crater out which one climbs, if able and lives, if not.  But within the blast … Continue reading →

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Cancer, Tolerance, and Love

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Mark

Teckla and I both battled cancer recently—a battle that resulted in the surgical removal of the cancer. In both of our cases, a lot of work was done to determine whether and where we had cancer. Teckla became something of … Continue reading →

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Russian Coffee, Opal, and Sticks

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Mark

I think most boys are pagans. I was, despite being a preacher’s kid. Although our family went to church twice on Sunday and to Wednesday “prayer meeting”, I could barely wait to get out of Sunday clothes and into my … Continue reading →

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