Either a series on a topic, or general essays/posts.
Note: This is the first in a series of posts on the topic of pursuing godliness in 2025. Christmas break is a wonderful time for a professor. That is, as long as the grading is done, the syllabuses for next semester are completed, and the online course components are ready! In between attending to those … Continue reading Pursuing Godliness in 2025
“Don’t mess with Texas” reads the bumper sticker on the large pickup truck with the gun rack in the back window. The state motto for Texas is “friendship” and was chosen in 1830. The meaning comes from a local Indian word for “allies” or “friends.” But today the slogan that seems more popular at times … Continue reading The God Who is Like Texas
The day after Thanksgiving – the one-year anniversary of Robyn’s death – Melissa shared something with me. It was a reflection she had penned on life as we presently know it. She thought about what she would say to Robyn if she had the opportunity to chat with her for a few minutes. As I … Continue reading To Bless the Lord: A Guest Post by Melissa Stearns
Highland Memory Gardens Two weeks ago, I rolled into a parking lot for the first time in almost a year. The oak trees stood resolutely in their places, unchanged by a lap around the sun. I sat for a moment in my car with the engine off. But then, it was time. I got out … Continue reading One Year After Goodbye
Recently I have been teaching through Baptist beliefs in Sunday School. Last week we discussed the idea of individual freedom in regards to belief and church membership. One of the key aspects of a Baptist church is the idea of voluntary association. In some church models, for example the Catholic church, membership is often involuntary. … Continue reading Can a Speeding Ticket Change Your Heart?
Note: This article was originally published in February of 2024. Somehow it became a draft again and I haven’t been able to restore it without republishing. If this feels like déjà vu when you read it, you’re not crazy! The valley is so dark sometimes. I have written about this a little in a previous … Continue reading God Doesn’t Owe Me Kindness
All your friends sit in your living room, having just dined sumptuously at your table, and now take up residence on your furniture. Tea and coffee have been served all around and a lively conversation keeps on going. In a bit, you will break out a game of Settlers of Catan or maybe something more relaxed, like Carcassonne. Much … Continue reading Better Than a Party
Wormwood, My worst demon, how are you doing? I’ve heard you’ve moved into aesthetics with your human. Yes, yes, nakedness is a great play with most humans. But have you considered the shame factor? Of course the human is aware that nudity is sin. Alluring? Yes. Damning? Almost certainly. But remember that a sin like porneia gets … Continue reading Screwtape’s Favorite Song
The finished cake ended up turning out pretty well for a first attempt on my own. As I write this post, my late wife Robyn is having her first birthday in Heaven. Shortly after she died, we decided that we would hold our very own holiday each year on her birthday. “Cake day” would be … Continue reading “Cake Day” and Birthdays in Heaven
It was the tenth box of clothes. Or was it the eleventh? I wasn’t really keeping track of how many boxes I moved from the storage room in the basement of my home. But I was almost to the bottom of the large stack. And that’s where I thought the infant clothes would be located. … Continue reading Packing Up Boxes is Easier Than Packing Away Memories
Thoughts Worth Thinking 