A Note to My Soul with Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric California State University, Sacramento Here is the first rule of predicting the future in this moment, by my lights: Almost always we tend to forget or to discount the darkness we carry inside. That means that many of our predictions are likely to assume that we possess that …
Devotional: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Devotionals on Communication Getting to the Heart of the Matter* Tim Muehlhoff, Ph.D., Biola University There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 16:25) Headline: “British doctors perform heart transplant against wishes of girl.” The Associated Press article tells of a fifteen-year-old girl in England who refused a life-saving …
Education in a time of Plague: Reflections from one Epicenter
Meaning-full Faith: Words, The Word, and a Life of Substance with Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric California State University, Sacramento I live in northern California, near one west coast epicenter of the 2020 pandemic—a once-in-every hundred-year-plague that we are all suffering through at the current moment. It knows no political, religious, or economic boundaries. The present moment is like …
“You Are God’s Garden”
In this podcast, Paul begins to offer an interlude of reflections during these challenging, uncertain times provoked by the threat of the coronavirus. His first is to emphasize the over-arching significance of biblically-informed metanarratives that help us understand our story, especially in the midst of struggle. What are the ways we understand our journey, stories worth repeating, regularly to remind …
New Year’s Resolutions in February
New Year’s Resolutions in February I generally do not make New Year’s Resolutions. I am just too tired and worn out after completing another semester with its plethora of grading and then throwing myself in to all the holiday preparations and celebrations. So, at the end of the year I have little energy to even consider resolutions. Therefore, I make …
Smurf-blue Pride and the Power of Forgiveness
Smurf-blue Pride and the Power of Forgiveness * Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. (Proverbs 14: 9-10) The 10 year-old boy visiting our home that day was bored so my wife let him play in the pool room. He was thrilled. His mother soon noticed him touching the cue stick tip and …
Walk Tall and Carry and Gentle Stick
Walk Tall and Carry a Gentle Stick * 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (Proverbs 15:1-2) In 2009, Republican Mark DeMoss and Democrat Lanny Davis founded the Civility Project. They asked national politicians to sign a …
The Light Shines in the Darkness
The Light Shines in the Darkness Annalee R. Ward, Ph.D. Guest Columnist Annalee Ward, Professor of Communication, currently serves as the Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque. This Initiative promotes excellent moral character and lives of purpose. Passionate about interweaving faith, life, and learning, Annalee is grateful for the work of the Christianity and Communication …
Words: 100 percent Natural Manufactured Fakes?
Words: 100% Natural Manufactured Fakes? Guest Columnist Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric California State University, Sacramento I recently bought some frosted toaster pastries that were boldly described as “ORGANIC!” on the box. The same store was selling organic chocolate flavored syrup. Organic frosted toaster pastries? Organic chocolate flavored syrup? I’m pretty sure this means civilization is winding down. Nothing wrong with that. It’s …
C.S. Lewis and the Rhetoric of Glory
C.S. Lewis and the Rhetoric of Glory Brandon Knight, Ph.D. Asst. Professor of Communication William Carey University Have you ever felt disconnected? With the presidential election looming in the not-so-distant future, politics often places feelings of discontent on display; many Americans place their hopes in nominees who will possibly bring to fruition the expectations and dreams of many. Yet the …
