“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15 As the first day of class approaches, I always think about how to introduce myself to my students effectively. I have taken several approaches over the years, and the […]
Jesus has all authority and he has commissioned us to engage in the disciple-making process. The commission given in Matthew 28 is straightforward, “…Go and make disciples…”. As a faculty member for over 35 years, it is clear that Christian faculty are in a unique position to make disciples globally without ever leaving our university. […]
Recently, while thinking through the account of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler, the phrase, “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” (Mark 10:21a, ESV) kept running through my mind. Each August, with the quickly approaching academic year, I begin to “feel the nerves” of another fresh group of students entering our program—joining those […]
Sadly, I have not been very open about my faith in my academic setting. Even though I want to, by the time I think about people’s reactions and what they would think of me, the zeal to say anything is gone. This began to change when I joined a Faculty Commons book discussion of “SENT” […]
Sadly, I have not been very open about my faith in my academic setting. Even though I want to, by the time I think about people’s reactions and what they would think of me, the zeal to say anything is gone. This began to change when I joined a Faculty Commons book discussion of “SENT” […]
Like most professors, I work in an environment that is not always conducive to sharing the gospel. So, I’ve often thought, does it really matter if other professors and students know I am a Christian? How much influence can I really have when I teach 120 students a semester? In the middle of a global […]
It’s hard to admit, but I make assumptions about my students… about what they know or don’t know, about the reasons for their behavior, and selfishly, about their potential for contributing to the overall “wellness” and unity of the class. I know that assumptive teaching is wrong for many reasons, but I’m in a hurry. […]
Scantily clad, she rose from her seat and interrupted my lecture mid-sentence asking where the restroom was. Stifling incredulity, I directed her down the hall to the left. All eyes upon her, I assumed her behavior was an attention-seeking tactic. However, praying for her later, it struck me she just wants to know she matters, […]
In the years since my retirement I have been shocked several times to see in the mirror an old man blocking my view of my younger self. But it must be me whom I see, since the mirror does not lie. But the specter of the old prof in the looking glass got me to […]
Bill’s video connection to class was intermittent with audio that sounded like he was talking underwater. During the COVID19 pandemic, with all teaching online, everyone’s connection to class was video, but Bill’s was troubled by a poor internet connection in his home. If a global pandemic was not dystopian enough, having jumpy and unreliable audio/video […]
