“You’re a great disappointment to me.” Jay’s father’s words hit him harder than when his boss fired him, or when he’d been expelled from his high school. He was still a teenager, and already he was practically unemployable. It wasn’t that he was stupid. He simply had a serious problem with the truth. This is…
(See also A Fresh Perspective I) The church council didn’t know what to do. Well, that isn’t precisely true. Individually they did know what to do, but they didn’t all know the same thing, and no one plan of action was acceptable to all the members. This is a work of fiction. All persons, places,…
He stood looking at the hole in the ground. He could feel his hand trembling. He knew he was terrified and was embarrassed, even though there was nobody there to see. A stairway going down. That phrase was loaded with all the psychological freight of his own claustrophobia, heightened by his choice in literature, which…
“I don’t know why it isn’t working.” The old man looked over at the young pastor. He saw a well-dressed young man, with an earnest but very troubled expression. “So that’s what you wanted to talk to me about? It isn’t working?” he asked. “Right. It just isn’t working, and I don’t know why. I’ve…
“I’m wondering why Justin has quit attending Bible study regularly,” said the youth pastor, after he’d settled in at the table with a cup of coffee. Wendy Schermer, Justin’s mother was sitting across from him. “Attending Bible study has always been voluntary. I know he hasn’t been attending much recently. He doesn’t seem to be…
“Our church is shrinking,” said the head elder, “and it’s your fault.” Zeb didn’t respond immediately. He’d been summoned to the church board meeting, though when he’d used the word “summoned” the head elder had objected. “We just want to talk to you,” he had said. But it felt like a summons, and this felt…
“So I guess I won’t be seeing you any more after tonight,” said Bob Norman, looking at Jerry. “And why would you say that?” asked Jerry, though his expression and tone indicated he wasn’t surprised. “May 21,” said Mac. “I expect May 21 will pass as many other May 21s have passed before,” said Jerry….
“OK, Grandpa, why the h … heck are we here again?” The words were polite enough as the 17-year-old addressed his grandfather. The tone wasn’t. “Because you enjoy driving other people around in your car, and I’m paying for your gas.” The grandfather’s words were equally sharp and direct. It was how their relationship worked,…
“You know why I wanted to talk to you today?” said Jim. His intonation indicated a question, but Emily Wall, Rev. Emily Wall, knew she was expected to know. “Yes, sir,” she said. Jim Evans, district superintendent looked across at the young lady on the other side of his desk. She had no right to…
“Hey guys, I have this quote from Albert Mohler about evolution,” said Bob. “So let’s hear it,” said Mac. Bob quoted: As I have stated repeatedly, I accept without hesitation the fact that the world indeed looks old. Armed with naturalistic assumptions, I would almost assuredly come to the same conclusions as BioLogos and the…
