Author Archives: jackpelham

No matter what kind of person you are,It’s going to be an ugly fact thatSome of your ancestors did Some pretty terrible thingsDuring their watch on this Earth.

This article is about the difficult-to-translate and difficult-to-accept wording of a single verse in the Bible. Let me cut to the chase and say that I don’t think the angels at Jesus’ birth declared peace to everyone on Earth, but … Continue reading →

Rich and exacting language is the interface by which intelligent and responsible humans communicate aptly, efficiently, and even artfully with one another. Sadly, though, some see little need for such, as they haven’t much to say or to ask. They … Continue reading →

What is greed if not the lust for more Than what is rightfully yours? And what is ambition if not the drive For power, success, fame, or wealth That is either gained unjustly, Or exercised beyond one’s rights?

I proved to him that the man had liedAnd then I sat right there and watchedAs he decided he was OK with believing the lie. And so he became a liar himself in thatLying-to-yourself way.And then I bid him farewell, … Continue reading →

Cutting to the chase: Not all the ancient Hebrews believed that the literal stars in the sky were literally gods. One really nasty habit some people have is that even as they hold the Bible to be inspired, they throw … Continue reading →

I think a lot about what kind of people we are, and about what tends to go wrong in our lives. It’s complicated business in one way, yet in another, it may be fairly simple. Our lives are set into … Continue reading →

When we tell ourselves that “God is in charge”, we would do well to process the question,“In charge of what?” I’m no expert, but while it may well be that God is somehow in charge of everything in some ultimate … Continue reading →

Though surely he could at any timeStop to reconsider how it wasOnly the “dry land” that God called “Earth”,He will neverEver do itEven if he should Live a thousand years,But will go to his grave beingCertain that the story simply … Continue reading →

Take note of that manWho longs for an audience Before he has a message to give. He is not in it for truth, but for show.And he will resort to flattery to fill the seats,Corrupting the very audience he claims … Continue reading →