The NU Blog Page

Move Toward the Enemy: Fighting for Truth in Science! Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause. — Abraham Lincoln We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of…

“Delight in Him from whom you have received everything that delights you.”                                                               Augustine Today we are celebrating, at least in the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time for remembering what we have been blessed with: physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. A friend of mine recently approached this by focusing on…

Have you ever wondered about the halls of power? This evening my wife and I viewed Part 1 of a PBS special on the history of efforts to address climate change. It covered the period from the 1980s through the mid-1990s, long after we had left the energy business. Special attention was given to both the…

What is in the anatomy of a crisis? While crises come in all flavors, they share some common characteristics.  Typically, crises are sudden and unexpected; they are important to the one affected and produce significant consequences.  Usually, a crisis will also involve some form of loss.  Our lives are, quite simply, disrupted.  I suspect that…

In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in the Commonwealth of Virginia resides a small school with a unique history—the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). One distinctive aspect of the school is the enduring legacy left by a former faculty member. During cadets’ tenure at VMI, they frequently pass the former quarters of Matthew Fontaine Maury,…

Kathmandu When I knew that I was definitely going to Nepal, all I could think of was the old Bob Seger song, Katmandu. If you are familiar with it or never heard of it, I like this YouTube version, and you can check it out here. The video in the link shows what Kathmandu looked…

WHY JESUS? “…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (I Peter 3:15 NIV) Why have you chosen Jesus and the Christian “Way?” Perhaps it was the only option you were presented with as a child. “Jesus loves me this I…

What does suffering to glory mean? Why is there travail, sorrow, and ultimately death in this life? Why does God allow this to happen to His children? Per Romans 8:20, “for the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope.” In other words, because of the fall…

What is the role and realm of science? In society today, “science” often takes center stage as a significant influencer on policy decisions and public opinion. Climate change, pandemic response, and people’s conception of their “gender,” among other topics, have gripped society to varying degrees, and science is a significant stakeholder in these matters. Presently,…

There are no parachutes allowed when following Jesus. Who is my master? Since it is impossible to serve two masters, my life needs either to submit to God or to consciously reject divine control and aim at some specious “autonomy.” Either I look for self-transcendence based on faith, or I lock myself within my narrow…