Family & Friends, The very first Friesen Fortnightly went out over ten years ago on March 15, 2000. My friend Alex and I concocted the idea of a book It would select some of the best of these blogs for a book. Soon the idea grew and included art work from Cliff, an Imago Dei [...]

Family & Friends, World Magazine’s “Special Year-End Issue” always includes, “Departures”. This is a euphemism for “Deaths”, but has precedent in Simeon’s “Now let your servant depart in peace” (Luke 2:29). For me, these were the ones of note. They reminded me of Paul’s words, “Follow me where I follow Christ.” Or “Don’t follow me, [...]

Family and Friends, This was first sent Dec. 29, 2007, but it is perfect for the Advent season. This is our church’s sixth time for “Advent Conspiracy” The radio announcer asked, “Do you remember what you got last Christmas?” His answer was a bigger more expensive gift this year. Our church answered “Buy a well [...]

Family & Friends, In our December graduation, Dr. Tom Kopp was selected for the prayer of dedication over the new graduates. Tom and Bonnie are leaving for the mission field after 20 years ministry at Multnomah. His prayer was to God, but we were listening in and I thought you might want to do the [...]

Family & Friends, The day after Thanksgiving is “Black Friday” and sales make a surge. For several years I’ve joined others to make a paradigm shift. We are trying to turn this “Black” Friday into “Praise” Friday. On this day we yearly have a Bible Marathon covering the whole book of Psalms. We used to [...]

Family & Friends, We are losing a man from Aslan’s How. That is the downside of graduation. Andrew Rowland is our Narnia production meister. The front porch Narnian woods and wardrobe are his creation (with my debit card). His blog tells his journey and I’ve named it “Narnia and the North”. Andrew says, “My life [...]

Family & Friends, Our last day of prayer started with a motivational bang. Four students shared their heart concerning prayer. Caitlin came with both barrels booming. I wish you could have heard her heart along with her words recorded below. Caitlin said, Prayer is war. It is a battle of desires. I desire so many [...]

Family & Friends, I’m teaching Pentateuch again and wrestling with God’s Old Testament anger issues. His roaring wrath comes down on Israel more than once. But that is only half of the story. J. Sidlow Baxter said, “When we sin, we not only break God’s law, we break His heart.” God is like that. He [...]

Family & Friends, I just returned from my alma mater, John Brown University, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. I spoke in chapel twice. In the Friday chapel I made an historic presentation. Relive it with me. “Mr. President, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and students, today I have an historical gift for the college. With apologies to John [...]

Dear Family & Friends, This was first sent out in 2001 about teaching. Now as a teacher, I still believe it. For a dozen years as dean of faculty, I have preached an educational philosophy. Since I’m now moving to the other side of the desk, I’ll preach them one last time. Here are my [...]