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WRITER’S ANNIVERSARY ARTICLE


This article marks the one hundredth anniversary of my posting articles at Faith Writers. It consists of two time periods, the first being much more abbreviated—ranging from December, 2009 to October, 2010. Then upon returning from posting elsewhere to continue from October, 2013 to the present. I have appreciated this opportunity and the relationship with persons on staff.
My first article was entitled The Potential of Pain. In this regard, “I taught Christian apologetics for an extended period of time. When asked which were the most difficult topics to manage, I identified suffering and world religions. The former came closest to home.”
In greater detail, “My father was raised to attend church, but took his leave as an adolescent. While this is not uncommon, many find their way back during their early or mid-twenties.” When asked why he left church, Dad cited hypocrites as a decisive factor. However, the death of his youthful wife likely was a critical feature.
In context, I called attention to my then recently published book Pain As a Means of Grace (Wipf & Stock). “It serves as a companion volume to C. S. Lewis’ classic text The Problem of Pain. As such, it argues that the capacity for pleasure is commensurate with that of pain.” For instance, a story is told of a group of devout Jews anguishing over the destruction of their beloved temple. One, however, seemed to relish the experience. When asked concerning this, he replied: “If the destruction of our sanctuary can induce such pain, just imagine the rejoicing when it is rebuilt.”
It remained for the inquiry A Jealous God? to solicit the most interest. A “certain young man recently faulted God for being jealous, reading into the term negative nuances. It goes without saying that this was not the intent of biblical writers. What, then, are we to make of this criticism? Initially, it should be noted that God-talk is metaphorical.”
Having explored the topic more fully, “God’s jealously can thus be said to consist of his quest for excellence from those he mentors. He is, in this regard, not unlike the teacher who does not want his or her students to settle for something less than can be achieved. Accordingly, divine jealously appears in context of hard love.” As for the latter, because God loves us, he strives to make us lovable.
“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?” the Lord incredulously inquires (Job 40:1). How presumptive! As such, not unlike the instance mentioned above. (You are welcome to visit my publication website: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/p/publications).
Upon returning to Faith Writers, my first article was I Share That Dream. “Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech was recently celebrated and widely publicized. He said on that occasion, ‘I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.’ I share that dream, which led me to conclude:
It is not the color of one’s skin,
But what comes from within,
That earns our applause,
And strengthens our cause.”
“I studied the plantation system with great attention to the subtle conditioning of the slaves,” C. Mason Weaver allows. “There was always an attempt to redirect the slave’s attention from freedom from the plantation to relief in the plantation. Master was always the center of attention and always the source of power. Today we are still looking for the master to solve our problems and accept responsibility over us” (Its OK To Leave The Plantation, p. 52).
“I have a passionate desire to help my community,” Mason continues. “America changed and I wanted to participate and not be passed over. It takes courage to fight for one’s freedom; it takes more than courage to take the advantage of that freedom” (Ibid., p. 161).
However, it was An Apologetic For Prayer that has received most attention among my more recent articles. “Lord teach us to pray,” Jesus’ disciples requested of him (Luke 11:1). They apparently did not have to be convinced of its importance. While others seem less persuaded. It is with the latter in mind that I commented in brief:
(1) Prayer appears to be a human disposition. One which becomes more evident when we face adversity. So that its lack may be attributed not only to impiety but inhumanity.
(2) Prayer is assuredly a healthy exercise. Countless studies have reached this conclusion. As when persons given to prayer recover more quickly from surgery.
(3) Prayer improves our experience with life. For instance, our daughter Lois will count her blessings at the outset of the day, while I am more inclined to do so toward day’s end.
(4) It is said that more is accomplished by prayer than we realize. Perhaps as when I feel prompted to pray for someone, and then on occasion to learn that the person was encountering some difficulty at the time.
(5) Jesus prayed with regularity, and especially at critical points in his public ministry. The latter leads to the surprising observation that one can be too busy not to pray.
(6) Jesus also advocated prayer for his disciples. And he is known for his good counsel, not only among Christians but a variety of other persons.
(7) Since prayer is so widely exercised, it would seem desirable. One study reported that 84% of American adults claimed to have prayed during the previous week.
(8) Prayer enables one to endure adverse circumstances. As in the case of the apostle Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 12:8-9).
(9) Prayer seems calculated to clarify our thinking. So that we choose a preferable option or discover a new alternative. Sometimes with the impression of being guided in this regard.
(10) Prayer stimulates service. We feel deeply impressed to minister to the needs of others. It recalls Abraham Maslow’s heirachy of needs, ranging from survival to that of self-realization.
This admittedly constitutes a short list. Nor does it touch on the problems associated with prayer. Do I always feel inclined to pray? No, not always. What then? I often pray in any case. More often than not, this proves to be a blessing.

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