As an art professor at a university, my research is practice-based; I make art and investigate theories and theologies of it. Important in my dissertation had been Heidegger’s essay, “The Origin of the Work of Art,” where he describes art as a happening of truth, aletheia – an unconcealing. This concept continues to find significance for me. […]
My heart sank. As the minutes ticked away, it became obvious I would be the only one on the Cru Bible study Zoom call. Discouraged, I ended the call and began to pray. “What do you want me to do, Lord? Do you want me to find another colleague to be the sponsor of our […]
As I started my academic career as a young assistant professor, I wanted to make an impact. I was not, however, very open about my faith in academic settings due to fear of what people would think of me. All this changed when a colleague invited me to attend A Common Call virtual conference on October 17, […]
Years ago, I traveled with students to Europe for a semester-long study abroad program. Having led many short-term and longer-term study abroad programs over the years, I’ve seen my share of behavioral and emotional issues faced by students when they’re far from home. In this case, as the weeks progressed, one student’s attitude began to […]
Throughout my life, I have struggled with wanting to be in control. One of the verses I regularly held on to was Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a […]
Recently I stumbled upon Max Lucado’s enchanting children’s story, “You Are Mine.” It’s a tale of little wooden people who obsess over collecting the biggest empty boxes and balls, and the madness that ensues. One wooden person, however, finds solace and identity in the embrace of his wood-maker. I recall the early days of my […]
Let me start by admitting that I was once that lost student, pursuing all the worldliness of college life and running from true freedom and joy found in Christ. I doubt my professors then would have guessed that their sleepy, always-forgetting-something student would be in their position one day. I was an adjunct lecturer teaching […]
My husband and I have completely different careers—he crunches numbers and I punch out prose—I’m an English professor. The demands of our careers and our family sometimes get the best of us, and we end up offering each other our worst—our depleted selves sans empathy, sans affection, sans patience. We’ve been married long enough to know that those difficult times […]
I hate to admit it, but I have often been like many apologists: too quick to give answers and too slow to ask questions. Solomon calls that the approach of a fool: “A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.” (Proverbs 18:2) Anxious to win arguments Like many […]
For several years, God has burdened my heart to use my platform as a professor to share the love of Christ with the academic community of Latin America. I am so blessed and thankful for the wonderful opportunity God provided to be part of the Faculty Commons outreach to Quito, Ecuador in the summers of […]
