My slightly chubby orange cat Jasper is sitting on the rug next to my desk, biting his nails. My new kitten, Haven, is locked in the guest room so that Jasper can unwind from her never-ending assaults. My sweet, first (animal) child no longer acts like a large, aloof kitten, but sits and stares at…
Tag: faith
Quail from Heaven
I love the Pentateuch. Not only is it fascinating to read the birth story of both the universe and the Jewish people, it offers a deep level of context to almost every other book of the Bible. In my studies of Matthew chapter six this week, I’ve been reminded of one of my favorite Bible…
Words and Weakness
“And I write,” I added to the nurse on the phone. So began a surprisingly rapid cascade of phone calls, tests, and appointments. I’ll back up a bit. A few days ago, I told my mom about a problem that’s been frustrating me for quite a while. I spend most of my days either reading…
Two Things
I got to say hi to P.W. last Sunday – the sky was clear, so her Meniere’s disease didn’t keep her bedbound. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so grateful and delighted to be at church on a Sunday morning. She’d love to linger with her church family all day, as our pastor had…
For Him
Which book of the Bible tells us the most about Jesus? All of the gospels speak extensively of his teaching, of course. Matthew traces his ancestry back to Abraham, while Luke narrates the familiar Christmas story. Mark begins his gospel with Isaiah’s words proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. In Acts and Revelation, we hear…
Circuit Breaker
Growing up, my brother used to call me Circuit Breaker. Since childhood, I’ve done everything either all-in or not at all – and this was before the bipolar disorder showed up. While this lack of moderation contributed to academic success and athletic medals, it also led to quite a bit of trouble. Yes, I have…
The Source
Why does man seek God? It’s really too deep of a question for a non-philosopher like me to answer. So, I’ll ask, why do I seek God? In my current life situation, I am blessed with the time to study the Bible in depth. I read, I translate, I watch lectures. But why? I have…
Emmanuel
I woke up at 4:15 this morning, and I am not a morning person. But, as I desperately tried to fall back asleep, my mind wouldn’t cooperate. Unusually for me, I left some Christmas errands until the last minute, and I spent too many hours yesterday trying to deep-breathe my way out of parking lot…
The Grace of a Humble Birth
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. -Philippians 2:8 Have you ever held a newborn during its first seconds of life? The most terrifying rotation I did in medical school was Obstetrics. Each of my classmates delivered probably three to…
An Inheritance of Gold and Glass
The Revelation of John. How many Christians are frightened of studying it? Controversial interpretations and the manipulation of numbers and symbols have discouraged too many from studying, or even reading, this book. Gruesome beasts and a lake of fire, a slain lamb with seven eyes – who wouldn’t be intimidated? Like any other book of…
Before the Fire 