This question comes up frequently, but is a little difficult to answer. Not due to a lack of Biblical data, but because I don’t believe the modern church is operating in the same way as the early church. When you’re “comparing apples to oranges” it is hard to talk about how that fruit is used. I also […]
Top Five Guitar Solos for the Air Guitar
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated my blog. To break back into it, I thought I’d do something completely different from my normal posting. During my younger years I played bass guitar in a number of bands. Although my taste for some music styles has changed since then, there are still a few songs that […]
The Philosophy of Hiking
I have a tendency to over-think things. At times this has caused me a lot of grief. When a problem comes my way, or I’m offered some type of challenge, I tend to amplify that situation by excessive thinking. I can over-analyze something to death. In-depth analysis, however, has not always been burdensome. Sometimes it […]
Applying Permetherin to My Hiking Clothes
Here in Pennsylvania, as well as many other Appalachian states, ticks are a major concern for the outdoorsman. Ticks are tiny, parasitic arachnids that attach themselves to a host and then gorge themselves on the host’s blood. They are especially troublesome because they can spread a number of diseases. Lyme Disease is probably the most […]
Why Are You You and Not Someone Else?
I’ve had this thought many times. Most recently, it occurred to me as I was in the check-out line at The Dollar Store. The clerk was a slightly overweight, 20-ish female with multiple body piercings and purple highlighted hair. As we briefly chatted, those oft-repeated questions bubbled to the surface of my mind again. Why […]
Why Does the Bible Condone Smashing Babies Against Rocks?
I was asked this question recently and thought it might be a good one to write about. It focuses on the final verse of Psalm 137, and might well be one of the most difficult passages in the Bible to reconcile. It’s a hard verse. You won’t find it on a greeting card and grandma won’t be needlepointing […]
What If There Were No God?
Although I suspect that most people believe that there is “something” out there, I recognize that many are convinced that there is nothing beyond this world. Generally speaking, these arenaturalists, who believe that the universe has anatural explanation, and that there is nothing outside of the material world. For the sake of argument, let me agree with […]
Anniversary Of My First Hiking Journal
It was 17 years ago today that I “published” my first hiking journal. I had accompanied two friends, “Dream Weaver” and “Week Knees” to hike the AT in Connecticut. We were spending our first night there in a church basement, getting ready for the next day, when one of them joked that I should “write […]
What To Do When You’re Lost In The Woods
It’s happened to me on more than just a few occasions. I’ve been hiking along a well-marked trail just enjoying my time in the woods when I suddenly notice that I haven’t seen a blaze in awhile. Dang. I’m not on the trail. At some point I’ve wandered off and now I’m lost. LOST! It’s pretty […]
Stop Claiming Jesus Is Returning Soon
If you look closely you’ll notice that the Church has a black eye. She’s had it for a long time. And, just when it seems like it’s going to heal, along comes another blow that brightens the bruise. The bruise that threatens to mar the reputation of the Church is the often-cited claim that Jesus […]