Tag Archives: Faith

A Left and a Right

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Mark

During prayer today a lament erupted in my heart. I cried out, “God save the children. Send a revival of hope, joy, and love into the hearts of the young. Jesus, come.” I had been praying by name for my … Continue reading →

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Riptides

Posted on February 11, 2025 by Mark

I felt foolish and terrified. I had let my boys venture into the surf on boogie boards near the jetty at Bastendorf Beach. They had gone far enough out to catch some waves, but no matter how much they thrashed … Continue reading →

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Getting Ready

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Mark

In the midst of her dementia, the purity and simplicity of Teckla’s faith makes familiar truths as sharp as a newly forged sword. She has good and bad days. One morning this week she was troubled by a lot of … 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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“Can Jesus Carry Me?”

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Mark

While hiking on trails along the bluffs of the ocean, our grandson, Ari, lifted his arms and asked, “Will you carry me, Pa?” He is six and about sixty pounds and my knees are bad, so I said, “Sorry, you … Continue reading →

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The Grammar of Faith

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Mark

I am an English teacher, so I notice grammar even when reading the Scripture. I have found the  grammar of the Psalms especially encouraging when facing difficult times. A number of psalms possess a grammatical structure that expresses the essence … Continue reading →

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High Noon Atheist

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Mark

My spiritual crisis is usually a “bright day of the soul” rather than the “dark night of the soul” described so well by St. John of the Cross. It comes at noon in the dry days of August or early … Continue reading →

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Why Pray?

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Mark

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 This may seem like an odd question to ask, … Continue reading →

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My Functional Atheism

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Mark

I fear that regarding my health decisions, I am a functional atheist. By that I mean I make decisions no differently than a wise atheist would. For instance, I was told after a blood test for my PSA levels that … Continue reading →

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On Having Cancer

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Mark

This week a doctor told me I have prostate cancer. I will be having some scans to see whether there is cancer anywhere else. The doctor says it is most likely that the cancer is localized in the prostate, so … Continue reading →

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