Monthly Archives: April 2013

Nostalgia

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

I’m told that there is this thing called nostalgia; it is an emotion of longing for the past, of remembering happier times before today, when all seemed right with the world, when the future was bright and endless. It is … Continue reading →

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Queries

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

Before I got published, I only knew one meaning for queries: a one page letter that a writer sends to a book publisher or agent, describing a book and asking if the publisher or agent might be interested. That sort … Continue reading →

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Israel

Posted on April 8, 2013 by

I always find it odd when I read about how “aggressive” the state of Israel is. Let’s see: Israel is a country that is barely the size of New Jersey, surrounded by much larger nations who constantly condemn it and … Continue reading →

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Random Ramblings on Hermeneutics: On Cultural Differences Between the Bible and Modern America

Posted on April 7, 2013 by

Emphasis on rambling. Also, these are simply preliminary thoughts. Stuff to consider when thinking about biblical interpretation. Some examples of cultural differences between the Bible and Modern America: 1. Monarchy 2. Cities of Refuge for those guilty of killing someone … Continue reading →

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How to Write a Novel

Posted on April 6, 2013 by

The first thing to understand about novel writing is that autobiography does not sell. Unless you’re an ex-president or otherwise famous, people beyond your family and friends are unlikely to be all that interested in your story, no matter how … Continue reading →

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Hobbies

Posted on April 5, 2013 by

As I grew up I collected several hobbies. Some involved actual collecting. I collected rocks and fossils. Later, I came to be interested in collecting coins and stamps, and then I started playing with model trains and rockets. I love … Continue reading →

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God: Harsh Disciplinarian or Permissive Parent?

Posted on April 4, 2013 by

For the second time in as many years, I was tasked with preaching this year’s Palm Sunday service. I chose as my sermon title “God: Harsh Disciplinarian or Permissive Parent?” I suggested that mercy matters more to God than judgment, … Continue reading →

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Life’s Choices

Posted on April 3, 2013 by

Life is what happens while you’re trying to figure out what to do with it. After completing my graduate work in Semitic languages at UCLA I took a teaching position at the small private institution where I had done my … Continue reading →

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The Equality of Women

Posted on April 2, 2013 by

Pastor Ralph Drollinger, who used to be a minister associated with Grace Community Church in Southern California, was quoted in 2004 as writing that a woman is scripturally and specifically “prohibited from leadership in the institutions of marriage, family and … Continue reading →

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Intelligent Design

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

I’ve disliked the Intelligent Design concept since I first heard about it several years ago. From the theological standpoint, I believe that the theory is deeply flawed. It is simply a new version of a very old error: the God … Continue reading →

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