Archive -

a collection of my writings sorted by genre and topic

Faith Like a Rock

• I'm Agnostic Now? (Part II)

  True agnosticism is impossible, and our actions always require faith.

• I'm Agnostic Now?

  God cannot be proven. But then again, nothing in our lives can be proven. 100% percent certainty is not a requirement for action.

• Lost Sheep

  The 'Lost Sheep' parable in Luke 15 must be interpreted differently. Christians are not the 99.

• Temple

  Our body is a temple. Treat it as such. Keep it holy and undefiled.

• Please, Stop

  People-pleasing is a betrayal of one's self, one's values, and one's faith. Here is how to overcome it.

• Humility

  This is perhaps one of the more difficult virtues to embody, but it is essential in our relationship with God and each other.

• Encourage This

  Actions that are good, virtuous, and God-honoring must be encouraged.

• Three Things

  Take time to do this in the evening: Reflect, remember, pray.

• Blind

  Spiritual warfare is hidden. There are whispers instead of battlecries. We can easily grow blind to this.

• A Poems Curse

  The Song of Moses and many Psalms are misunderstood. The curse of poetry is the reason for this.

• Until Death Takes Me

  Sometimes, we swear false allegiance, and we must break a promise. Where does our loyalty then lie? Never honor your deal with the Devil.

• Rest

  The trap of money, greed, and fear, and its potential impact on faith.

• Antidote

  This contemplation is an in-depth analysis of fear and discusses how fear can be overcome through faith.

• Anchored at Shore

  Faith is setting sail and taking up the cross of Jesus. Nothing - no loyalty, faith, virtue, or values can be proven when times are easy.
  

• Without Seeing

  The story of doubting Thomas does not promote blind faith but observing evidence provided.

• Move over, Dwayne Johnson

  Faith is a combination of confidence and courage.

• Accept it

  Relying on others for support helps us become more Christ-like and keeps us from stumbling.

• Abe outsmarted me?

  Strengthen your weaknesses and nurture your talents to serve God better.

• Like Farmers

  Be open to new ideas, be contemplating valuable things, be observing yourself to become more excellent.

• Epictetus is Wrong?

  An introduction to who Jesus is.

• Just Send It

  This is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.

• Unanswered Prayers

  Prayers that seem to go unanswered are simply in answered in ways I see as unfit.

• Seventy Times Seven

  This one is about understanding and experiencing forgiveness.

• Of Achilles and Kephas

  Our minds are like file cabinets filled with images. What images should be evoked by the Greek word for 'moral excellence'?

• Tiger

  It's important to distinguish between fear that is founded in reality and fear that is imagined.

• Music, Poetry, and Philosophy

  The different uses of Genre

• Mithras, Saturn, and Jesus

  How Christian is Christmas really?

A Purposeful Life

• Sisyphus

  Life is so much more than daily tasks. We need to grow every day.

• Inheritance

  The true value of our life lies not in the material possessions we pass on but in the way we conducted ourselves and raised the next generation.

• A Fool's Secret Weapon

  Being wrong is more likely than being right. Lies spread faster than the Truth. The Truth is inherently valuable.

• Distraction and Escape III

  Taking responsibility for the things within one's control is essential for living a purposeful life.

• The Busyness Epidemic

  We prefer staying busy so that we cannot tend to the things that actually matter. This is driven by fear.

• Distraction and Escape II

  If we ask no questions, we cannot find any answers. Questions form the bedrock of growth and purpose.

• Start with Failure

  Growth requires failure. Embrace it. Love it.

• Distraction and Escape

  Modern vices rob us of purpose and growth. They sedate us much like ancient gladiatorial combat was meant to keep the masses happy.

• Be Real

  Authenticity is the key that allows truly connecting with people. It has a cost, though.

• Start 2025 with Action

  There is no substitute for a hardy soul and a heart of courage.

• Three Things

  Take time to do this in the evening: Reflect, remember, pray.

• Sleepwalking

  It is not only about what you do but the manner in which you do it. Life is more than a to-do list.

• A Thought is like Air...

  Ten life-changing things I have learned through thinking and writing.

• Intentionality

  It is the engine of action. However, there are several requirements that must be met in order for intentionality to be fruitful.

• Bring Back the Renaissance Man!

  We allow modern life to sedate us. We must take action and discover.

• Carved out of Oak

  There is tremendous value to be found in strong character. Do not allow yourself to be deceived by those who lack it.

• Meditations

  Here are 26 things worth thinking about.

• Atlas

  We carry burdens that we could actually set down... lies we have told, excess material belongings, wasted time, etc., weigh us down.

• Prisons and Pastures

  Our decisions shape our future. We must be aware of the reason we make each decision.

• Sacrifice

  Decisions always require a sacrifice. This is why priorities are important.

• Paper Airplanes and Hammocks

  Here's a little idea I have on how to remember each day better.

• Walking through a Forest

  We have to recognize the road signs on our journey through life.

• Deeper than the Bone

  Confidence is something that is earned through aligning actions and values.

• Embracing Discipline

  Discipline is necessary for action, but it is worthless without a worthy purpose.

Pondering Death

• Inheritance

  The value of our life lies not in the material possessions we pass on but in the way we conduct ourselves and raise the next generation.

• In Our Time

  We are no different from people in the past. Our time is fleeting and will pass soon.

• Memento Mori

  Contemplate your death; it is one of the few things in life that is certain. Death gives life an urgency.

Courage of a Lion

• The Busyness Epidemic

  We prefer staying busy so that we cannot tend to the things that actually matter. This is driven by fear.

• Start 2025 with Action

  There is no substitute for a hardy soul and a heart of courage.

• Be Intrepidacious

  Break free from the chains of fear. Be bold in every aspect of life.

• Intentionality

  It is the engine of action. However, there are several requirements that must be met in order for intentionality to be fruitful.

• Antidote

  This contemplation is an in-depth analysis of fear and discusses how fear can be overcome through faith.

• Just Send It

  This is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.

• Beware the Coward

  Cowards are slaves of those they fear most. This makes them unpredictable and untrustworthy.

In Pursuit of Truth

• A Fool's Secret Weapon

  Being wrong is more likely than being right. Lies spread faster than the Truth. The Truth is inherently valuable.

• Distraction and Escape II

  If we ask no questions, we cannot find any answers. Questions form the bedrock of growth and purpose.

• The Quests of Heroes

  Asking questions will lead you on an adventure that will change you.

• Capture and Release

  Language is our connection to each other and to reality. Master it and touch lives.

• Faster Horses

  Be a poet and philosopher. Don't let the world pull you away from searching for purpose and Truth.

• It Starts with a Lie

  Is lying always wrong, or are there times when it is the right thing?

• Why the Truth Matters

  The objective truth has an inherent value and is inescapable.

A Stoic Mind

• Calm the Storm

  People weaponize their anger to get their way. But this rage renders them weak. The closer a mind is to calmness, the stronger it is.

• Please, Stop

  People-pleasing is a betrayal of one's self, one's values, and one's faith. Here is how to overcome it.

• This Great Adventure

  Change is inevitable. We should not only accept it but embrace and love it - or else we will hate life.

• Carved out of Oak

  There is tremendous value to be found in strong character. Do not allow yourself to be deceived by those who lack it.

• Strength

  Society applauds weakness. It seems we now want to be weak. We must not forget the value of strength, virtue, and responsibility.

• Destined to Fail?

  Our expectations set the stage for our responses. False expectations raise the chances of failure.

• Humility

  This is perhaps one of the more difficult virtues to embody, but it is essential in our relationship with God and each other.

• 'Missio'

  The secret to embracing one's fate lies in decisions that strongly adhere to one's convictions.

• Time Petrified

  All we have is now. How are we using this very moment?

• 39 Lashes

  This is how hardship can be endured - Paul and Seneca share their thoughts.

• Eight Seconds

  When we are challenged, we are different. The comfort zone is a dangerous place to stay. What happens when we lose something?

• Are We Weak?

  The value of a strong mind and body was recognized and encouraged by the Ancients.

Contemplations

observations, thoughts, and studies

Against the Current

• Faster Horses

  Be a poet and philosopher. Don't let the world pull you away from searching for purpose and Truth.

• Distraction and Escape

  Modern vices rob us of purpose and growth. They sedate us much like ancient gladiatorial combat was meant to keep the masses happy.

• Adding Fuel to the Fire

  Any topic relating to politics can be inflammatory because one can complain without taking responsibility.

• Lowest

  Seeking status makes us slaves to the values of society and the wishes of others.

• Carry that Bull

  Struggle causes growth. Hardship breeds hardiness. Don't take the easy path; take the good one.

• Strength

  Society applauds weakness. It seems we now want to be weak. We must not forget the value of strength, virtue, and responsibility.

• Always Loaded

  We want to align our actions with our understanding of reality. We want our understanding to grow closer to reality. Is this always true?

• Suit of Armor

  Children need their parents to be blacksmiths, not stonemasons.

• Pornography

  A discussion of the evils of pornography and how to overcome its pull.

• Are We Weak?

  The value of a strong mind and body was recognized and encouraged by the Ancients.

• Mithras, Saturn, and Jesus

  How Christian is Christmas really?

• More than $6.99

  The true cost of entertainment is far beyond what we imagine.

For Men

• Accept it

  Relying on others for support helps us become more Christ-like and keeps us from stumbling.

• Die For This

  Achilles displayed the attributes of a bad leader. Leonidas led his troops well. This is what we can learn from them...

• Servant

  We need to be selfless, serving leaders if we wish to be good leaders.

• Suit of Armor

  Children need their parents to be blacksmiths, not stonemasons.

• Dragons Exist

  The world is a cruel place. One can not be protected from it, only prepared.

Deutsche Betrachtung

• Kaltblüter

  Ohne Disziplin gibt es keine Bewegung, aber wichtiger als der Weg ist wo er hinführt.