Dwight Houweling

I woke up early to pray one morning and saw the silhouette of a praying mantis against the morning sky. I took a picture and posted it on Instagram with the caption "Early in the morning is a great time to pray". A few people responded positively a few took it as a joke. Later I thought to myself that I might have just as easily written "Early in the morning is a great time to prey". After all, to a scientific, reductionist mind the most obvious observation is that this creature is taking advantage of the morning light to prey. What audacity, naivety or delusion, depending on your point of view, to conclude that the mantis was praying. And yet I was. The Psalmist writes that the "Heavens declare the glory of God!" We can similarly ask whether the Psalmist was expressing audacity, naivety or delusion. A scientific reductionist would rightly conclude that the heavens, by which we can agree means the night's sky, declares something different, somethin...

The role of prayer has changed for me over the years. At different points I recall it alternatively being genuine desire to know God, leaning on God to relieve stress, something I did out of a sense of obligation but not desire, and now primarily as a means to find direction and "take me to the mountaintop". The thoughts below describe the necessity of prayer to provide vision for my life. Without this I inevitably seek alternatives, television being the most obvious. I think I have been psychologically addicted to TV at different points in my life. Couldn't go to sleep without at least watching something. I think a lot of people suffer from this. I wonder whether prayer as a means to "take me to the mountaintop" is consistent with the Biblical view? I think of what Paul said to the Philippians about knowing Christ being the most excellent thing. I think how the Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name". No desire fo...

I have long kept a journal of thoughts and it has served me well over the years, allowed me to review how my attitudes, aspiration and faith has evolved, dreams have been fulfilled or abandoned, as is the case. Why put it online? I guess its natural to want to share. Also, for the challenge to see whether I have anything worthwhile to share, anything that is true, anything that will resonate with others and hopefully encourage them. Or if not, perhaps holding up my thoughts to the inspection of others may reveal the fault in them, a fault from which I can be corrected. After all, I'd rather suffer the embarrassment of correction now to the eternal consequences of living in error.