“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…
“So what’s your New Year’s resolution,” asked Ellen, looking at Mac. “I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Come to think of it, I don’t do resolutions at all. I figure I am who I am.” “Let your yea be yea and your nay, nay,” intoned Jerry. “Trying to make me into a Christian, Jerry?” asked…
*“You know what I think is wrong here?” The question startled Ward. He was sitting on the porch of his house looking out at a beautiful view from the top of a hill. He and his visitor both had glasses of iced tea. They had just finished a wonderful meal. He had enjoyed showing his…
*“You’re pregnant, and you’re going to have a baby boy.” Dee Anne looked up from her burger, fries, and coke and saw a woman of ordinary size with long, black hair, and piercing dark eyes. Her hair was braided, and her clothes looked just a bit out of date. She didn’t look entirely crazy, though…
