This page collects my Christian essays and reflections on Scripture, reading, culture, and everyday life. Some are personal, some are practical, but all were written with my readers in mind.
I’ve organized these essays into the following sections:
- Bible Study and Biblical Reflection
- Books and Reading from a Christian Perspective
- Christian Living and Everyday Faith
- Missions, Culture and Global Christianity
- Music Lists and Reflections
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Bible Study & Biblical Reflection
I’ve long been a Bible teacher, but I’ve only sparingly turned my lessons into articles. I guess I’m saving all my other sermons Bible-study series for a rainy day! Which
The Gospel of Mark
- Mark 1:1-8, “The Beginning”
- Mark 1:9-15, “How To Fight Temptation”
- Mark 1:16-20, “Follow Me”
- Mark 1:21-34, “A Day in the Life of Jesus”
- Mark 1:35-45, “A Time for Prayer and Healing”
- Mark 2:1-12, “Through the Roof”
- Mark 2:3-17, “The Sinner’s Friend”
- Mark 2:18-22, “Inside and Out”
Acts
- “An Introduction to the Book of Acts” – This essay looks deeply into the context of Acts, focusing specifically on Luke’s purpose for writing it.
Ephesians
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 01: The Whole Armor of God
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 02 – The Belt of Truth
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 03: The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 04: The Shoes of Peace
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 05: The Shield of Faith
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 06: Helmet of Salvation
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 07: The Sword of the Spirit
- The Vulnerable Soldier, 08: Praying At All Times
Books & Reading from a Christian Perspective
On Reading
- “Will AI Conform to Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics?” (20240929) – My deep reading of Isaac Asimov constantly made me wonder this, so I finally broke down and asked ChatGPT.
- “How to Wake Up Your Kids (without Losing Your Mind)” (2023.09.12) – An article on the benefits of reading to your kids, even in the mornings.
On Reviewing
- “How Do I Choose My Books?” (2025.09.19) – Reflections on how desire, necessity, and obligation drive my very eclectic reading habits.
Book Lists
- “Elliot’s Top Reads from 2025” (2026.01.19) – Of the 100 books I read in 2025, there were my favs.
- “5 More Influential Books – Secular Edition” (2025.12.29) – I had to complete the list of twenty of the most influential books I’ve ever read.
- “5 More Influential Books – Christian Edition” (2025.12.29) – I couldn’t stop with just five!
- “5 Influential Books – Secular Edition” (2025.10.06) – I also found five secular works that affected me greatly in high school and college.
- “5 Influential Books – Christian Edition” (2025.09.29) – In reviewing my many posts, I discovered five Christian books (apart from the Bible) that helped make me who I am today.
- “20 Youth Fantasy Series Worth Exploring” (2024.12.11) – I search for fantasy series high on story and humor, yet low on paganism and agendas and came up with twenty worth checking out.
- “Newberry Award Winners and Honor Books” (2023.12.15) I always have to Google this list, but now I’ve got my own.
Christian Living & Everyday Faith
On Family and Parenting
- “Lost” (2026.03.07) – You know what it’s like to lose your kids in a crowd? I share my own experience here, and it’s not good!
- “Here We Go!” Thoughts on Moving and Contentment (2025.12.01) – As my family moves to the Big City, we know that one or nation or another can never be our source of contentment.
- “Social-Media Gatekeeper” (2025.10.20) – How can you wash your mind with Scripture before you get entangled in addictive apps? This article also calls for app-building skills. Can you help?
- “Homeschool Struggles: My Kids Are Total Opposites!” (2025.08.26) – One kid’s a perfectionist and the other’s more careless. How ever will we survive?
- “How to Wake Up Your Kids (without Losing Your Mind)” (2023.09.12) – An article on the benefits of reading to your kids, even in the mornings.
On Personal Struggles and Growth
- “A.I. Dependence” (2026.05.20) – While A.I. models can be fantastic tools, those tools can easily be turned into weapons against your responsibilities, ethics, and relationships.
- “The River” (2026.03.21) – When I was 17 years old, I nearly drowned in a swollen river. I wrote this account then, and it still gives me goosebumps today.
- “Abiding in Christ: Pastoral Encouragement” (2025.12.15) – I shared this message with discouraged pastors, but it’s a message for all believers: be in Christ as He is in you.
- “Distractions: What Keeps You from Living a Full Life?” (2025.05.15) – Four recommendations towards more fulfilling days.
- “Hindered Prayers” (2023.12.01) – What did David mean when he said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me”?
- “He Gives More Grace” (2022.03.23) – Why don’t I feel more guilt when I sin before my holy God?
- “Information Hoarding” (2022.02.24) – I needed a swift kick in the seat of my pants, and this study helped.
- “The Invitation” (2018.08.02) – What’s God’s will for your life? Finding out might be easier than you thought.
Missions, Culture & Global Christianity
On Missions and Being a Foreigner
- “Missionary Deputation – Notes for Pastors” (2018.08.17) – This article is filled with advice for pastors/missions teams on how to work with visiting missionaries. Updated versions can be found at Rooted Thinking.
- “50 Great Songs about Missions” (2024.10.26) – Music can be both edifying and motivating, and I hope this lists does both for your heart.
- “Pickled Goose Intestines: A Cultural Tale” (2025.01.28) – Sometimes we need to keep our mouths closed and our minds open about the weird things we find in other cultures.
On the Goods and Evils of Culture
- “Evil, Vengeance, and the Love of God” (2026.01.13) – My gut-rection to the Left’s lawlessness is un-Christian. Thankfully, God’s Word still convicts!
- “Charlie Kirk, Martyr” (2025.09.11) – What God was teaching me in my devotions the day following Kirk’s assassination.
- “Unprecedented” (2021.01.26) – Things like COVID make us think we’re living in unprecedented times. Perhaps it’s time peek at the oldest book in the Bible, Job.
Music Lists and Reflections
- “The Worst Song of Christmas” (2023.12.13) – The secret code hidden inside “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Access the YouTube playlist here.
- “50 Great Songs about Missions” (2024.10.26) – Music can be both edifying and motivating, and I hope this lists does both for your heart. Access the YouTube playlist here.
- “20 Great Songs about Home” (2025.01.16) – I’m a collector of touching songs, and this list covers the topics of sentimentality, relationships, Christianity, and Heaven. Access the YouTube playlist here.
- “20 Great Songs about Light” (2025.10.13) – Jesus called Himself “the Light of the World” before telling us we’re the light of the world. Let the songs sink in! Access the YouTube playlist here.
- “15 Adult Lullabies for Sleepless Nights” (2026.04.20) – This is mostly Christian list that that focuses on light music with meaningful lyrics to help lay aside burdens and rest in God.
©2026 E.T.
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