Author Archives: morningstaracademywrites

Anna Carrington At my fifth birthday party, I demanded a particular piece of the cake my younger sister and I were sharing for our joint celebration. As I made this demand, I informed the guests—my friends—that they would all receive party favors and that they should therefore “Be grateful!” for whatever piece of cake theyContinue reading “When Pilgrims Eat Cake: Reflections on Psalm 145”

Joel Rohde Something that often scares me is how quickly I can begin living as if all that really matters is me.  I am quick to make resolving the littlest inconveniences central to my actions and sometimes I elevate those miniscule annoyances to a level of importance that must seem comical, if not completely narcissisticContinue reading “Disrupt My Tunnel Vision, Lord”

Rob Spykstra You’ve made the polite but inauthentic query at work. “How are you doing?” You are expecting the one word reply, “great” or “fine” only to be stopped in your tracks with, “terrible.” Brutal honesty, it can be refreshing.  This is why I value Psalm 44. The psalmist vividly expresses his perceived, angry realityContinue reading “Permission to Complain”

Kendra Thompson I know a couple that prays with their daughter every night and in their prayers, they invite the Holy Spirit to come and be with her. They sing a little song and ask the Holy Spirit to come into her room…her bed…be with her while she sleeps. Then, they let her add peopleContinue reading “Psalm 95 “O Come””

Wes Carrington In physics, resonance means that an object vibrates most strongly when subjected to impulses at a specific frequency that is closest to that object’s natural frequency – which depends on the size, shape, and composition of the object.  In this way, objects have their strongest natural reaction, or resonance, when hit with vibrationsContinue reading “Resonance”

Brenda Porter David Letterman’s Late Show was famous for its top ten lists. In keeping with that excellent tradition, I share my list. Here are the top three things I’ve learned from the pandemic. Number 3: God’s World Is Medicine for the Soul. I now look forward to my regular walks along the Mississippi River,Continue reading “The things I’m learning.”

Gregory Bradford “Then give it up, Crito, and let us follow this course, since God points out the way” (Crito 54 d-e). As I prepare to discuss the final section of Plato’s dialogue, Crito, I notice four hands shoot up into the air. All four students have the same exact question. “Was Socrates a Christian?”Continue reading “What Am I Learning? Expect More”

“Job Rebuked by his Friends”
digital production of William Blake’s original painting

John B. Thompson After much holiday feasting (including pears and asparagus), it’s fun to feast one’s mind on big questions, such as “what is human nature?” Carl R. Trueman, in his recent book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, expands on such questions. Are we creatures of a fallen world, sinful in ourContinue reading “Pears, or Asparagus?”

Rob Spykstra “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9 On this Christmas Day consider His riches. He made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heavenContinue reading “His Poverty, Our Riches”