Church and Sunday School are two different activities. Both can be valuable in one's Christian life, but they do not substitute for one another. Sunday School has generally been in decline over the last few years, but I think there's something even more important. Sunday School has too often been a light review of scriptures, taught in a general way and not an education that helps people grow in both faith and action.

My friend and Energion author Elgin Hushbeck and Larissa Munz (audiobook creator) recently spoke about the political spectrum and some of the difficulties with political labels in a two-part series on their podcast, Into the Desert. There are those who complain about labeling and wish to live in a world without labels. But communication requires labels. The problem comes in when labels are either vague and confusing or even intentionally used as weapons rather than as a means of communication.

There is virtue in remaining silent when you have insufficient evidence to be certain of your facts.

My mother used to quote: Boys flying kites haul in their white-winged birds,But you can't do that when you're flying words. The poem is titled "Gossip" and the author is Will Carleton Some kind caress—some little petting ways—Commenced a-staying in on rainy days(I did not see't so clear then, I'll allow;But I can trace it rather acc'rate now);

On Thursday I had the privilege of interviewing Rev. Geoffrey Lentz, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Pensacola, regarding characteristics Bible study in the Wesleyan tradition. Geoffrey and I have known one another for many years, and authored a book, Learning and Living Scripture, which was published, well, a long time ago. As Geoffrey pointed out in the interview, "Back then, Henry, even…

As my Sunday School class is studying Proverbs, I thought I'd provide them with a bit of an explanation of Hebrew poetry. If you're someone who reads Hebrew and has done any study of Hebrew poetry, this is not for you. Don't bother to tell me about all the things I'm leaving out. I already know. This actually started from my intention to explain a difference in translation, so let's start with the verse in question.

Some time ago I did seven interviews on theodicy, or the problem of evil. One of the people I interviewed was Elgin Hushbeck. He and Larissa Munz now produce the Into the Desert podcast. They just released a video titled Christianity's Biggest Problem, which I'll embed below. The key value for this video is the way in which it outlines the question and potential problems. Playlist of My Theodicy Interviews Includes one with Elgin Hushbeck.

“Economics is haunted by more fallacies than any other study known to man.” — Henry Hazlitt, Economics in One Lesson (https://bookshop.org/a/100660/9780517548233)

Just because someone announces calmly that a story or image has been refuted does not mean it actually has been, any more than the assertion it is true means it’s actually true.

A challenge to immediate debate is a frequent feature of discussions--perhaps arguments!--in religion and politics. But is it a reliable way to get to a better answer? There are certainly points of value in open debate: Hearing more than one side at the same time Airing out differences quickly Challenging alleged "facts" on each side by the other General brevity…

Beware of the implicit argument from confidence. When challenged on something you can’t remember quickly, check later when you have time. Don’t be bullied by the loud voices.

Wisdom is universally accessible but not always easy to attain. It requires active seeking and personal introspection, often confronting uncomfortable truths. While wisdom can be found in various forms, such as from experiences or knowledgeable individuals, the key lies in one's willingness to embrace change and recognize personal fallibility.

Generally, it’s people who can’t handle themselves in a serious discussion who invent insulting names for their opponents.

Statistics are important. If you learn to understand them, they help you distinguish what you imagine because of your reading habits from what is actually happening.

As a follow-up to my post on Dave Black and the Riffelhorn (https://henrysthreads.com/2025/08/dave-black-summits-the-riffelhorn/), here’s a link to his post on the whole story: http://blog.daveblackonline.com/2025/08/the-summit-that-almost-didnt-happen.html

Background As a former Seventh-day Adventist I often get interesting questions. These questions include how I could leave the one true church (from SDAs), or why would I publish books by SDAs (from those who consider Seventh-day Adventism a cult. From many on either side, I'm asked what were the reasons I left the Seventh-day Adventist church. Sounds complicated? Well, let's add that there is a common assumption that the seventh day Sabbath will be a key reason.

Wisdom cries aloud in the open air,and raises her voice in public places.21 She calls at the top of the bustling streets;at the approaches to the city gates she says:22 ‘How long will you simple fools be content with your simplicity? The Revised English Bible (Cambridge; New York; Melbourne; Madrid; Cape Town; Singapore; São Paulo; Delhi; Dubai; Tokyo: Cambridge University Press, 1996), Pr 1:20–22.

I've been texting a bit with my friend Dave Black (also an Energion author) who is in the Swiss Alps at the moment. Today he told me he summited the Riffelhorn. I won't say how old Dave is, but he is older than I am and has been providing an example for many of maintaining physical fitness. He continues to walk, run, and do some challenging physical activities.

So here he was, most of a rope length down the cliff, desperately trying to manage the rope and grab the sack that was lying on the ledge. Then through the partially loose mouth of the sack he identified the contents. Books! Each carefully wrapped in what looked like water resistant, oiled paper. This story is available on this site, Guarding Books.

This is a short video representation of this passage from Isaiah 58, based on my slightly poetic paraphrase. Video generated with Adobe Firefly; Text added with Adobe Express. I also reference my translation of the passage in my blog post on Psalm 119:105.

The Sunday School class I co-teach is beginning a study of Proverbs. I'm not leading this one. I'm relaxing a bit, I hope. But I have indicated I'll do a bit of blogging on the material. The assignment before the beginning of the study tomorrow was to read introductions to the book, both from the resource text we're using (The Daily Study Bible volume on Proverbs) and from various Bible editions.

We can listen to refute. Better, listen to understand. Even better, listen to correct yourself with thoughts from outside your mental and social bubble.