When Americans Travel Abroad

Ever traveled abroad? Then you know the feeling of being a foreigner on foreign soil. Anyone who's done this for the first time finds that traveling internationally makes an incredible impact upon them. 

I remember quite vividly stepping on foreign soil for the first time and being in the midst of a language and culture not my own. It was the summer of 1978. Becky and I had been married only 2 years when we spent the summer in Germany with Greater Europe Mission. It was my joy to play the trumpet on an evangelistic brass octet that toured the country. 

In those days, Americans were notorious for being terrible tourists. "Ugly Americans" we were called. I remember being very self-conscious about how well I was representing my home. 

Americans often stand out when they travel abroad due to their loudness, poor tipping habits, and cultural preferences like air conditioning and ice in drinks. In Switzerland, where Becky and I lived from 1980-1983, Americans often displayed a casual attitude towards time and punctuality. Such behavior is often confusing to people from other cultures. To foreigners, American traits can range from obnoxious to amusing to endearing. One thing almost everyone agrees on is this: we come across at full volume. You hear Americans coming before you see them. We even chat more intimately with strangers than most Europeans do. 

And then there are our superlatives. We marvel at everything and are prepared to gush over the most "amazing" beaches, restaurants, and sunsets. We can't get over how delicious meals are either. "This is the best __________ I've had in my entire life!" We're also linguistically spoiled. Over three-fourths of Americans speak only English fluently. Not only that, we take it for granted that English will be accommodated almost everywhere we travel. 

Here's what Becky and I learned after living just a few months in Basel. Being loud doesn't mean rude. Neither does wanting space. Our cultures are just, well, different. As first we felt offended when our enthusiastic "Good morning!" wasn't reciprocated by strangers. On the other hand, the friendships we made with Swiss people became some of the most enduring of our lives. 

To make close friends with the Swiss, consider joining local clubs or groups that align with your interests, be it a sports club or a local church. By actively attending and participating in die Baptistengemeinde Basel, Becky and I were able to create meaningful connections and build friendships with Swiss people easily. 

Remember that Swiss social customs emphasize punctuality, politeness, and respect for personal space. If you are able to speak German (as we could), learn a few phrases in Swiss German that help you show respect and your willingness to integrate. Work hard at familiarizing yourself with the unwritten rules of social interactions. By embracing these aspects of Swiss life, expats can create lasting friendships and feel more at home in this beautiful and diverse country! 

Restoring "Philology" to Our Vocabulary

I have come to realize after 5 decades of teaching that I am a philologos -- a philologist or "lover of words." Maybe you're not, but you're reading the words of one who is. 

In our current academic setting, it is increasingly common to work on the basis of the term "linguistics" rather than "philology." I may have unwittingly contributed to this trend. After all, several of my publications have the word "linguistics" in their titles. When words are treated mainly as analyzable objects of linguistic research, language studies can easily become nothing more than a conveyor belt of information (data). Words are stripped of their poetic, ontological, ethical force, etc. This is why philology -- the historical, semantic, and cultural study of words -- is needed. For example, a word like "exercise" has been medicalized, even commodified. The Latin exercitum referred to exercise of any kind, not just reps in a gym.

To return to philology is to return to a love of language and literature. This branch of science deals with more than mere utility. It comprehends the linguistic, historical, interpretive, and critical aspects of literary and classical scholarship. Simplified, philology is the discipline of making sense of texts. It's not merely the study of language -- that's linguistics -- or the study of truth -- that's philosophy or theology. Philology is what J. R. R. Tolkien did. 

Some German universities even have a Department of Philology (e.g., Leipzig, Göttingen, Freiburg, Köln) that study such topics as Anglistik, Slawistik, Germanistik, etc. Indeed, when I began work in Basel on Paul's words for "weakness," I found that to be a profoundly philological topic. It involved a combination of literary studies, history, theology, lexicography, and linguistics. 

This is why the return to philology matters. It can serve as the locus for an emergent cross-disciplinary revolution, allowing for just as many approaches as the kinds of texts we read and study.

Determining God's Will

Facing a major decision in life? Here are 5 guidelines from something I heard years ago and jotted down in my journal. See if you don't find them useful:

A = Acceptance. Have an accepting frame of mind -- an attitude of openness regardless of what God's will may be or where it will lead. Say, "I'm willing, Lord."

B = Biblical instruction. Someone has said, "God's will is never contrary to God's word." The Bible is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Get into the word, then jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper. Write down any questions you want to think through. Probe God's word for guidance.

C = Conviction from the Holy Spirit. Some call this "inner compulsion." This means walking in the Spirit, being filled with the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, keeping in step with the Spirit. Try to sense his direction. It may not come quickly, but it will ultimately come.

D = Determine if peace is occuring. Paul writes, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Col. 3:15). If you're still churning, you're not there yet.

E = Expect struggles and surprises. Tests are inevitable even if you are in the will of God. But there will still be peace.

Hope this helps! 

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 5: Efficiency)

I used to call myself lazy. I'm Hawaii born and raised, after all. If it isn't easy, is it really worth doing? The answer, of course, is yes. But in Hawaii I learned to ask a key question: "How can I design a life where it is easy to do what's required?" 

Psychologists calls this "the law of least effort." Energy is a precious commodity. And Hawaii people naturally gravitate toward the option that requires the least amount of work. We seek the most value for the least effort. 

Of course, we are as capable as anyone of choosing very hard things. The most highly decorated outfit in the U.S. army in WWII was, after all, the 442 infantry regiment -- comprised almost entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans from Hawaii. At the same time, the less friction you face, the easier it is for your strengths to emerge. I've applied this strategy with some success in losing weight, learning how to climb mountains, and marathoning. 

So ... want to achieve more? 

Do it with less effort. 

Make your daily habits (your diet and exercise, for example) simple and easy. 

Find a gym that's right on your way to work rather than one that requires you to go out of your way to get there. 

Set realistic goals for your publication deadlines. 

Practice "addition by subtraction" by eliminating things that sap your time and energy. 

For Hawaiians, this comes quite naturally. 

"Physical Peak" Is Relative!

Biologically, men peak athletically between the ages of 25 and 35. This is especially true of elite-level competitors. For everyday athletes, this does not matter in the least. Biological decline is real, but it is incredibly slow for athletic people. A disciplined 50-year old who manages sleep, nutrition, and lifting will outperform a sedentary 25-year old any day. 

Unless you're planning on competing in the Olympics, I wouldn't worry about your age. "Physical peak" is relative!  

Purging Procrastination

I love this German proverb about procrastination, especially because it rhymes:

Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute.

Sagen alle faulen Leute.

The English translation rhymes too:

Tomorrow, tomorrow, not today.

That's what all the lazy people say.

Greek student, stop being lazy in language learning. Build strict daily routines instead of relying on fleeting motivation. Commit to just 5 or 10 minutes daily so it feels too easy to skip. Learning Greek is a marathon and not a sprint, as we said in class last Monday night. Be consistent for a long enough time and you WILL master the language! 

Love you and praying for you! 

The Pauline Authorship of Hebrews?

This is for all my fellow obscurantists out there :)

Hurricane "Moke": You've Got to Be Kidding Me!

The next tropical storm/hurricane to hit Hawaii has been named "Moke." A really hilarious inside joke. (If you're not born and raised in Hawaii, you'll never understand this.) 

Tenacity Is As Essential As Talent

A great time at the gym today. As you know, I am training for another 50K race in December. 

Notice I didn't say "finishing." I said, "Training." When the race starts, you have to run and walk in the moment. 

Racing is always a giant unknown. But getting to the starting line is not. It's something you can count on. You will have to allow your body to adjust to the new stresses, the new strengths, and the new weaknesses, and you will have to do all of this while focusing on the real goal: starting the race. 

Now you know why I think running is such a wonderful metaphor for the Christian life. No one can run a single step for you. Long-distance athletes are made, not born. Goals can never be too high, but expectations can. I've learned that long-distance running is more about tenacity than talent. Nearly everyone who tackles the time to carefully prepare can go the distance. In fact, the more the miles will forgive you for not having a talent, the more they will reward too for tenacity and preparation. 

I finished my first half marathon not a minute too soon. I could not have run another step. That was 45 half marathons ago. As I watched the other runners finish their own half marathon, I kept thinking that there was no way I could go another 13.1 miles and run an entire marathon. It felt impossible at the time, way out of my mental reach. That was 20 full marathons ago. 

May I say that patience is your most important training tool? Tenacity is as essential as talent. The same is true for those of you who are studying New Testament Greek. There are no easy marathon courses. And there are no easy "Let's learn how to read New Testament Greek" courses. You just start at the beginning and enjoy the journey. 

Can you be a long-distance runner? Of course you can. Can you learn to read New Testament Greek? Of course you can. I believe that with patience and determination, you can change your life. Do this in the power of the Spirit and you will find the results to be absolutely amazing. 

There is nothing like the feeling of lining up at the starting line of a marathon along with a 40,000 other runners with nothing else to do that day than expect to make your way to the finish line!

Below: At the start of the Chicago Marathon, October 13, 2019. 

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 4: Being Present)

The pace of life in the islands is molasses slow. People tend to live in the moment, one right after the other. 

Present-moment living means focusing your attention on the here and now. You appreciate life just in that moment. You realize there is no better time to appreciate your life than right then. You're not so caught up with what's next that you fail to savor a spectacular sunrise over the Mokulua Islands or a magnificent sunset over the Koolau Range. 

When I slip out of the present moment, my grandkids help me regain focus. They allow themselves to stay fully engaged and absorbed and involved in whatever they happen to be doing and with whomever they happen to be. As a kid growing up at Kailua Beach, I milked every ounce out of that experience. Instead of worrying too much about future problems, I saw beauty. I'm not saying there weren't any ants at the picnic. But rarely would they ruin an otherwise perfect day. 

People in Hawaii see the present moment as this magnificent place that is waiting to be enjoyed. It was in Hawaii that I learned that if I wanted tomorrow to be different, I would have to make a personal commitment to enjoying my life today, as it is right now. 

Coming up in Part 5: "Efficiency." 

Ultra Training Has Begun

Just added to my race calendar: The Freight Train 50K in Farmville on Dec. 5. My 5th 32-mile race, if you can believe it! Back in the running boom days of the 1960s and 70s, ultras were for serious, elite-level runners only. Everyone is welcome now. Personally, I am happy to see the club disbanded. As every runner knows, regardless of the distance of the race the biggest part of running is the journey -- where the fun and the personal gratification meet. So if you're a runner and want joy, I've found your race. You may never win an ultra, but the race for fulfillment will be yours hands down. And that may be the sweetest victory of all.

Pics:

1. Training at the High Bridge Trail today -- since the race will take place here!

2. A run of 12 miles produced these steps. I used to think 12 miles was far, but it's only one third of a 50K ultra.

3. You've also got a 100K option. Me? Never! 

4. Read this and then tell me you wouldn't have fun out here! 

5. La Parota for lunch after my run today. When I said to my server after she asked me how I was doing, "Muero de hambre," she quietly corrected me, "Me muero de hambre." I love that! We're there to learn, right? Today I also learned how to say "May I have a water to go?" I would never have guessed it's "Puedo tener un agua de llevar." I was expecting "tener" or "portar."

6. Yours truly in his first 50K on the HBT. Friend, you already have what it takes to become a long-distance athlete. It's the mindset, not the miles, that separates those who do from those who only dream. 

Have a wonderful day! 

So Thankful

50 pounds in two years. God's grace. Still learning how to do hard things. 

8 Miles

A very nice day for a run! 

You Have Been Challenged

As you know, the band-assisted pullup is an ideal target because it makes an advanced exercise available to almost anyone. All you need is a sturdy pullup bar and a looped resistance band (your choice of thickness). If you're saying to yourself, "I've always wanted to do a pullup but it seems so out of reach," you are not alone. But that changes today. I am launching the Band-Assisted Pullup Challenge! Over the next few days or weeks, you are going to use a resistance band to unload some of your body weight. This will allow you to build perfect form, target the right muscles, and finally conquer the bar. A thick band will give you a MASSIVE boost. It will also assist you at the bottom of the movement, which is the hardest part. Just place your knee in the loop and see how many pullups you can do. Focus on bringing your elbows down to your ribs and getting your chin over the bar. Keep your body in a tight, hollow position. Do not swing or kick your legs. 

Are you in? Let's hold each other accountable! 

Life Is Like a Coin

Someone has said, "Life is like a coin. You can spend it anyway you like, but you can only spend it once." 

You decide how you use your days. 

Because your time and energy are both limited, every choice you make uses up a part of that finite life. 

The time is short (1 Cor. 7:29). 

Focus only on what matters most. 

I will try and do the same as well. 

Self Discipline Is the Secret of Self Love

Who hasn't fought the Battle of the Bulge? Losing body fat has never been easy. But it's not impossible. 

By God's grace I went from 240 pounds down to 183 pounds. So can you. I snapped this photo at the age of 74 at the end of my vacation on Oahu. 

A Hawaii vacation is probably the only vacation where you can lose weight and return home fitter than you were before you left. I'm not saying that losing weight is easy. But it's not impossible. With our God, all things are possible.

Friend, think about gaining energy and not just about losing weight. Change tiny habits like drinking more water and getting more steps. Be kind to yourself and remember that self worth is not tied to a scale. When you slip up don't be mean to yourself. Be proud of every healthy choice the Lord helps you to make, no matter how small. 

Exercising is hard, but so is being unhealthy. Choose your hard. The years are going to pass either way. Would you rather look back and wished you'd started earlier, or be grateful for all the progress you made? Even a bad workout is still a workout. Remember: The number isn't the goal. The lifestyle is the goal.

Self-discipline is the secret of self-love!

So Grateful for This Edition of the Greek New Testament!!

Watch this:

I could not be happier! 

Here's Where I Run When I'm on Oahu

1. Waikiki Beach along Kalakaua Ave. People love to run in Waikiki because of its stunning ocean views and its lush vegetation. The stretch combines a very lively beachfront with iconic sights like Diamond Head and the Duke Kahanamoku statue. 

Massive banyan trees offer relief from the sun, and wide, well-maintained sidewalks make for easy, flat pacing. 

2. Ala Moana Beach Park. This 2.5-mile loop provides a safe, car-free environment from early morning through sunset. You'll enjoy panoramic views of the surf, Diamond Head, and the Honolulu skyline. 

If you'd like to add variety and a cool breeze to your route, the Magic Island extension is perfect for that. 

There's plenty of parking, rest stations, and water fountains. In addition, it's frequently populated by other runners who will be glad to let you join them on their run (and will be glad to shoot videos of you as well). Sunrise is normally around 6:00 am, and plenty of people are out and about at the park at that time. If you do the entire loop twice, you'll get in about 7 miles. 

Both routes have a great feel. They're beautiful, safe, and clean. Plus we're talking smoking-free. One day I got in a 9-mile run at Ala Moana, then a surfing session in at Waikiki. I don't know how I did it, but I think I busted a new record for steps that day. 

Does Garmin count paddling strokes? Lol! 

Wretched

In class tomorrow night I think I'm going to mention a Greek compound word that Paul uses in Rom. 7:24, the English translation of which is "wretched." We rarely use that word today. In fact, in the hymn Amazing Grace, people have changed the word "wretch" to "soul" or some other word because wretch feels too harsh for modern ears. Well, there's a Greek word to describe this. Hogwash. If Paul could call himself a miserable, wretched person, so can we. 

John Newton used that word in his hymn Amazing Grace after leaving his life as a captain of a slave ship. He used "wretch" because he felt it matched his real state. That's why grace is so meaningful to Greek students like the ones I'll be teaching tomorrow night. God deals with wretches, and if you don't believe that, you've been hanging out with politically correct people too long. Truth be told, every mature believer in Christ ultimately comes to the place where they realize how wretched they are deep down inside. The good news is that we don't stay there because God's amazing grace lifts us above it. 

If I live to be a hundred years, I will never be able to exhaust my praise for God's grace in my life. No one was less qualified to teach Greek when I was hired for that position way back in 1976 than I was. How wonderful and how marvelous that God saw me as I could be rather than as I was. As I entered the classroom I was humbled, and in humility I learned to accept the grace of my calling. I learned that apart from Jesus I could do nothing but remain awash in a sea of fear and doubt. 

Students and teachers alike pay a huge price for the loss of their wretchedness. Jesus is not a coach or a prof who tells me to give it a try. He is a Savior who came to save and then use a wretched sinner like me. Grace was amazing for John Newton. May it be so for every one of us in class tomorrow night.

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 3: Joy)

3. Joy. In Hawaii, I learned that joy isn't so much a circumstance as it is a feeling you learn to live with. External circumstances can change everything in your life without affecting your level of joy. It's possible to learn joy. As you think, so shall you be. 

For example, I lost my father when I was three. Without a father figure in your life, success in any venture is difficult. When you make a commitment to joy you are, in effect, saying, "There is so much in my life I can't control. Yet this is the life God has planned for me, and I am going to be joyful." 

Being joyful isn't always easy. In fact, it can be one of the greatest challenges of your life. True maturity is about taking the challenge -- the loss of a father or a spouse -- and choosing to concentrate on what you have rather what you lack. 

Most of us think by resolving this or that problem we will find peace and contentment. But those conditions are rarely met. The fact is, regardless of how good or how bad your family life may have been, you will still have to make the commitment. It was in Kailua that I decided to make a start on that. 

Coming up in Part 4: "Being present." 

Coming Soon

Can't wait to share a new post with you that tries to answer the question: If Paul was the author of Hebrews, why did he leave his name out of the opening prologue and thus break the normal pattern of ancient writing? I think I've got a great answer to that question and one that will treat you to a fantastic quote from the father of Palestinian archeology. 

Stay tuned .... 

Eating the Bible

It was Jeremiah the prophet who said, "Your words were found and I ate them. And your words became to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord God of hosts" (Jer. 15:16). 

It's a wonderful moment when we can assimilate the word of God in such a way that the metaphor of eating the Bible applies. Some would call this making the Bible your hobby. That too is a magnificent analogy. But we have to be careful with it. Surfing is my hobby. Mountaineering is my hobby. Marathoning is my hobby. Lifting is my hobby. Why, just this morning I was thrilled to be able to get back to the gym after a 12 day hiatus. There is nothing quite like doing lat pulldowns! 

But let's be clear about what a hobby is. A hobby is a regular activity we engage in for enjoyment during our leisure time. It is typically pursued without any intent to make a profit. Thus, I am an amateur surfer, an amateur climber, an amateur runner, and an amateur lifter. All these activities provide a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. They enrich my life tremendously and offer many opportunities for personal growth. But I can do without them. As you know, I just spent over a week riding the waves in Hawaii. The last time I did this was exactly a year ago. Hobbies aren't inherently indispensable even though they may enhance our quality of life and promote both mental and physical well-being. In a similar way, Bible study provides an escape from daily pressures and offers opportunities for personal growth. But it does much more than that. Here's a statement I'm going to make that some of you won't believe. But it is 100% true. I can go a day, a week, a month, even a year without surfing, but -- and I mean this literally -- I could not make it through a single day without reading and digesting the spiritual nourishment the Scriptures provide my hungry soul. Not. One. Day. Yes, I am that dependent on the Lord. Yes, I am that needy. Yes, I am that weak. 

Remember: the act of eating is a fundamental human activity. You and I engage in it automatically every day. Jesus is the Bread of Life who nourishes our often failing faith. And so we are desperate for that daily bread. Feeding on his words and basking in his presence -- this is the essence of true belief in Christ. To eat the Scriptures is to believe Jesus' words and trust him as the only true source of life. As he said on one occasion, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Augustine put it beautifully when he said, "For to believe on him is to eat the living bread. He who believes eats. He is sated invisibly." So Jesus' hearers respond, "Sir, from now on give us this bread" (John 6:34). Similarly, the woman at the well implored Jesus, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water" (John 4:15). These metaphors are related in the sense that they all refer to eating and nourishing.

Thus eating God's words, as expressed by the Jews, meant something much more than a hobby. It signified the deep internalization and assimilation of the Scriptures into one's entire life, transforming God's word into a joy and a delight. Such eating is a nourishing that goes far beyond mere reading, emphasizing a profound connection with and desperation for God. God's word is not meant merely to be read or heard or even enjoyed but is to be fully digested into our lives. This is a consistent Hebrew thought, where eating signifies a complete assimilation of knowledge and truth. Jeremiah's experience parallels that of Ezekiel and John the apostle, both of whom "ate the scroll" of God's word. 

In the end, the metaphor of eating the Bible encourages all of us, I think, to make the Bible more than a fleeting pastime. We are to engage with the Scriptures deeply, allowing God's word to transform our very hearts and lives. Internalizing God's word promises daily hope, strength, and a sense of purpose. The Bible and the Bible alone satisfies our inner hunger for spiritual food. As Jesus himself said, the words that proceed out of God's mouth are food for us to eat (see Matt. 4:4).

When was the last time you took the word of God as food and ate it to satisfy your spiritual hunger and cause your heart to be joyful? Day by day we can come to the Scriptures as food to satisfy our souls. As we do so, we will, like Peter, taste that the Lord is good (1 Pet. 2:3). Remember:

• God's word matters more than our hobbies and even our daily food.
• Severe trials strip away all superficial appetites, leaving us with a greater hunger for God.
• Feeding our souls from the Scriptures involves getting off the fast track to spend unhurried time with God.

Let me encourage us to remain faithful to our daily quiet times with our Lord. God's word is meant to be savored and enjoyed. 

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 2: Learning)

2. Learning. A Christian, it is said, knows God not only because of faith but also on the basis of evidence. We don't just believe in God. We know there is a  God. I've been on a continual journey of learning since I began my studies at Kainalu Elementary School. At first my learning was passive, as was yours. But as my childhood continued, the active learning of adulthood not only became possible but infinitely desirable. It's not simply a matter of how much experience you have but what you do with it. Negotiating my way from passive to active learning has been perhaps the single greatest theme of my academic life. I ended up becoming a permanent student -- which sometimes means I've had to unlearn well-established patterns of belief. 

When I was a child, I got my first paint-by-the-number kit. I painted carefully, never going over a line even slightly. My mother delightfully declared, "David, you are an artist." Small wonder that I continued painting between the lines. It had never occured to me that there was another way of painting. Then I began "drumming." I would listen to my own drum and march to it. The lines and numbers had disappeared.

I cannot emphasize enough how important this stage of unlearning was to the process of writing such books as Why Four Gospels? and The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Paul. It was in Hawaii that I first learned that learning itself is an adventure. You must obviously have a knack for it to some extent. But if we knew exactly where we were going, life wouldn't be an adventure any longer. 

In hindsight, it was as a student in Hawaii that the seeds of my career in education were planted. When I wrote my academic autobiography It's All Greek to Me, I realized how a dedication to the truth became such a huge part of me becoming a Greek teacher. And a big part of my learning came from role models -- both positive and negative -- in grades 1-12. 

If I could have any wish for our students at the seminary, if I could have any deep wish for any one of you, I would wish for you the ability to think reflectively. As much as I love spontaneity and as much as I love creativity, my best moments are spent in reflective thinking. I reflect on what was, I reflect on what is, and I reflect on what could be. I would wish for all of my students to be able to do the same. 

Coming up in Part 3: "Joy." 

How Hawaiians Prepare for a Hurricane

(If you're saying to yourself, "Why don't they just bring their slippers indoors?", you've obviously never lived in Hawaii.) 

Surfing Waikiki? Here Are Three Tips to Get You Started

1. Where to park in Waikiki?

The answer is simple: The Honolulu Zoo parking lot. Its entrance sits on Kapahulu Ave., right next to the famous Waikiki Wall. Pay machines accept cash and credit cards. And it's cheap -- only $1.50 per hour. From there it's a very short walk to whichever surfing spot you've picked for the day (Canoes, Queens, Threes, etc.). Here I am walking from the Zoo to Kuhio's. 

2. When to surf at Waikiki? 

Morning, noon, or evening! There's no really bad time to get out there with your board. The only caveat has to do with the tides. Generally, you should surf Waikiki at a medium to high tide. A high tide will cover the sharp coral reef heads and create smoother, more forgiving waves, whereas a low tide exposes the shallow, foot-scraping reef. On this particular day, the evening hours fell at high tide and so that's when I went out. 

3. Should I rinse off my board when I'm done surfing? The answer is an emphatic yes. Remember: salt water is very corrosive. A fresh water rinse is essential to wash away sand, salt, and beach grime as well as to protect metal components like fin screws and leash swivels. Thankfully, public beach showers, like the one I'm using here, are distributed across the entire Waikiki Beach front. 

Most are positioned on the beachside promenade. Also keep in mind surfing etiquette: a quick rinse for you and your board is fine, but avoid hogging the water and using soap as these public rinse stations are meant for quick sand and salt removal.   

Hope this helps! 

I Saw It!!

Yes, I actually saw it! I hadn't seen it in years! In fact, while growing up I maybe saw it only 3-4 times. I'm talking about the Island of Molokai. 

Molokai can be seen from the east coast of Oahu but only on very clear days. The distance between Oahu and the cliffs of Molokai is approximately 27 miles. I'm told that on really clear days you can see not only Molokai but Lanai as well. I love that. I've always known that I lived in a chain of islands, but you rarely see that with your own eyes.

By the way, a quick and easy flight from Oahu makes laid-back Molokai an idyllic day trip to the heart of Old Hawaii. Why not try it the next time you're in the islands? The island is only 38 miles long and 10 miles wide. 

It's the fifth largest of the Hawaiian islands and the least populated, with just 5% of Hawaii's total population. If you want to see Hawaii before tourism took over, the waving palms and empty beaches of Molokai will allow you to do just that. The island is often called "pure Hawaii." Tiny Molokai has no traffic lights and is the birthplace of the hula. The island is best known for its 19th century settlement of Kalaupapa, where people suffering from Hansen's Disease (leprosy) were once forced into quarantine. Belgian priest Father Damien (born Jozef de Veuster) cared for the residents and eventually died there. 

He dressed the patients' ulcers, built coffins, dug graves, and ate poi with them. After 11 years of work he contracted the disease and succumbed to it in 1889 at the age of 49. He was laid to rest under the same tree where he first slept upon his arrival in Molokai. Ken Howard played the title role in the TV film Damien: The Leper Priest (1980).

Please note that the island's residents are notoriously resistant to mass tourism. You won't find any mega-resorts or tour groups here. But responsible travelers are welcome. Respect the aina (land) and appreciate Molokai for what it is. Again, it makes for a great day trip (flights run from about $100.00) and it's an island you can see on very rare occasions from the east coast of Oahu! 

Five Life-Changing Truths I Learned While Growing Up in Hawaii (Part 1: Thinking)

I am 74 years of age. That statistic means different things to different people. For me, being alive for 7 decades means I've lived long enough for 3 lifetimes. I published my first book at the vigorous age of 32. It was as if a spigot had been opened, and other books came pouring out ever since. People sometimes ask me why I wrote the books I've written. The truth is that I wrote them not out of any strategy but simply because they said, "Write me."

So it is now. I'm at the age when I can do things in life simply because they say, "Do me." With the perspective of age I've come to realize that, in their own unique way, each experience has been an attempt to work out some complex, hidden theme. Now I know how growing up on Oahu shaped me as perhaps no other experience in my life. 

Once I put high school behind me, I got on with the business of real life -- college, seminary, doctorate, teaching, writing, marriage, children, grandchildren, farming, sports, missionary trips. Yet without exception, every one of these tasks was the aggregate of the umpteen experiences I had between the ages of 1 and 19. So allow me to share a few things that being born and raised in the Paradise of the Pacific has taught me. I am not so bold as to suggest that these lessons will be of very much help to you during your own journey through life. What I do suggest, however, is that we indeed come to exist in communion with the Holy, and that through this communion we can know with humility that in the end all things point to God.

1. Thinking. One thing I learned in Hawaii was that I had a brain. This may seem obvious, but I didn't grow up doing much thinking. But the seeds of cogitation were planted in Kailua. When my 5th grade teacher opened class one day with, "Cómo está usted?", I knew immediately that there was something special about foreign languages. When I took basic theology from James Cook at the International Baptist Church in Honolulu at the age of 16, I realized that my capacity for thinking systematically about my Christian faith was a gift from God. The most common response to all my writings is not that I've said anything particularly profound or new. It is that I write about the kinds of things people are thinking about but are perhaps afraid to talk about. It takes courage to be different, but sadly our culture discourages thinking. To dare to be oneself means that we risk being seen as eccentrics or mavericks. But if we dare to grow, we have to dare to think. 

So we arrive at a paradox regarding freedom and thinking. We're free to think anything we want. But we're not free to impose our thoughts on others. My goal as a teacher has always been to produce independent thinkers -- people who think for themselves without rejecting all conventional wisdom and dismissing all societal norms. It was in Hawaii that I first heard it said, "Once a mind is truly stretched, it never returns to its former dimension." Mine certainly hasn't.

Coming up in Part 2: "Learning." 

Tanning (or Burning) in Hawaii

We all had pretty dark tans while growing up on Oahu. Of course, no one wore sunscreen. Today I never go outdoors without it and haven't for decades. In Hawaii, the sun can beat down on you even if you're outside for just a bit. I'm particularly careful with my face. Even with a good strong sun blocker, you will still tan. 

Interestingly, I never burned as a child. I wasn't alone. Most of my friends got natural tans despite the state's extreme year-round UV index. I have higher melatonin I think than the average person. Plus, daily ambient exposure allowed us to maintain a constant "base tan." Fact is, we spent hours swimming or surfing each and every day. But the fact also is, no matter how much melatonin you may have, you can still get skin cancer. So do what I do; use it daily. Just be sure to choose one of the "reef-friendly" sunscreens when you're in the islands. Everything else is illegal. 

Waxing Down a Surfboard Involves More Than You Think

When I sent this vid from Waikiki to one of my kids, they asked me:

"Dad, why do you have to wax down your surfboard?" Great question! We wax our boards so as to cause friction between the board and our feet. This keeps us from falling off. Really, it's just that simple. Smooth Surface + Friction  = Success.

In the world of exercise science, this is called eustress (the Greek "eu-" means good; hence eustress versus distress). Waxing your surfboard is "good friction." Instead of causing harm or fear, it should give you a burst of energy, focus, and motivation to perform well. Common examples include:

• Starting a new job
• Riding a roller coaster
• Running a marathon
• Planning a wedding

Distress is bad stress. It always feels overwhelming. It causes anxiety. Over time, it hurts, not helps, your health.

Eustress is fun. It is exciting. It brings anticipation instead of dread.

Take if from a surfer. Not all stress or friction in life is bad. God uses stress in our lives to build our  character, test our faith, and draw us closer to himself. Like a farmer prunes a vine, so God uses trouble to produce patience and help us grow mature and complete in Christ.

Jogging at Kailua Beach

I am blessed to have been able to do a morning jog at what I call "my" beach -- "my" because it's the place I spent practically every day during my growing up years. 

Other than the amazing views of Kailua Beach, this is a great exercise. Why? The extra resistant caused by your feet digging into the sand means the pure distance you can do is lowered. The deeper you get, the harder it is. I might add that when you train in an uneven terrain, it improves your balance. Boy do I miss running on the beach when I'm not in the islands. If you are blessed enough to have the beach as an option, you should definitely take advantage of it. 

Becoming Yourself in Hawaii

Well, just spent 9 amazing days surfing at Waikiki. I think I may be just a tad bit darker than when I first arrived in Honolulu. I guess that's what happens when you spend 8 hours a day out in the sun. The cradle of surfing is Waikiki. On the sands of Waikiki, Duke Kahanamoku kept the sport of surfing alive as a natural part of growing up. Even people who themselves do not try riding waves take pleasure in watching this remarkable sport that's such an indelible part of every visitor's enjoyment. 

Although it encompasses only one square mile of sea and sand, Waikiki Beach has defined Hawaii for generations of tourists. As I paddled out at Queens and Canoes, I nodded as it all came back to me -- the warm and happy memories of my growing up years, and the treasured lessons learned all those years ago when I surfed. When I return to Hawaii, the intensity of feeling is immediate. I feel like a different person. I eat healthier, move more, get up earlier, laugh more easily. It's not that I find myself as much as become myself. I feel the beauty of the island's natural setting and the warmth of her multicultural people. I especially love watching the kids -- the "keiki" -- of Hawaii. I certainly enjoyed being one. Many of them learn how to surf at the Waikiki Wall. The joy on their faces is unforgettable. 

Each new wave generates the same result: a new surfer for life. Maybe, too, they know they have a chance to make something of themselves in this world. It wouldn't be the first time a keiki from Oahu would go on to fulfil his unique destiny. Just ask Sid Fernandez, who played major league baseball and won a World Series championship in 1986. He wore number 50 in honor of his home state and the Hawaii Five-O TV series.

When I travel in Europe, I often mention the "scenery" to my family. But when you return to Hawaii, you're blinded by the technicolor. There's a vibrancy to the colors I haven't found anywhere else. 

And now, after my return from the islands, I cast my mind over to another passion of mine and a half century of teaching. There's been a lot of miles from the halls of Kailua High School to ... to where, ultimately I'm not sure. It's been a long and occasionally bumpy road. Lots of singles, a few doubles, a handful of home runs, and a whole lot of strikeouts. I love my work. I love the craft of teaching. How providential that the somewhat aimless path I was on as a kid in Kailua was altered simply by divine serendipity. As I look back, I see a lot of milestones, some pretty good ones, too. And the best thing is, when I look on down the road, I can't see the end.

For any given vacation, each of us has a general "snapshot" recollection of what was going on. But it's only when we have strung together a series of snapshots that we begin to gain a full picture of our experience as we know it. In the coming days, I invite you to share with me a few of the memories I made on this trip, vignettes of a lifelong surfer-teacher whose zest for life hasn't diminished since he first paddled out at Waikiki decades ago. 

Welcome to memory lane. 

Let's Go!

Love This Essay!

Read Common Errors for New Testament Greek Students. You'll be glad you did! 

Know, and Be, Who You Are

Decades of teaching have taught me one thing: Learning how to do things well takes time. It took me a long time to learn how to teach well -- to care for my students deeply, wisely, sincerely, meaningfully. I have my mentors to thank for that -- Harry Sturz and Bo Reicke. These men meant more to me than I'm able to express. I am the teacher I am today because of their contributions to my life. Due to their personal involvement in me, my students are now enjoying the benefits. 

Five days after I return from the islands, after a journey that will take me halfway around the world, I will eagerly return to the classroom to fulfill my calling as a teacher. God has gifted each person like he has no one else. It is essential that everyone reading my words today discovers their own calling and giftedness. You need to:

Know who you are.

Be who you are.

I'm underscoring this because knowing ourselves is basic to being effective in life. The more we can do this, the less we'll attempt to be like someone else. Even Jesus had to gradually grow into his identity as the Christ. Find your own voice, my friend. Never forget to be authentic. My days of trying to be someone I wasn't are, thankfully, far behind me. I hope the same will one day be true of you too. A. W. Tozer once wrote, "The world is waiting to hear an authentic voice, a voice from God -- not an echo of what others are doing and saying, but an authentic voice." One of the compliments I get from others never fails to encourage me: "I listen to you because you draw in your audience with authenticity rather than repel them with platitudes and clichés." It's not enough to be a good teacher. Harry Sturz and Bo Reicke taught me that teachers known for their lack of transparency have little credibility. This is never far from my mind when I enter the classroom. I have my years of sitting at the feet of mentors to thank for the cultivation of that philosophy of teaching.

Excellent teachers never stop preparing. I'll take my beginning grammar to Hawaii with me. When you expect your students to attend class faithfully, you can't cut class yourself. Effective classroom teachers have paid the price of preparation by staying on the cutting edge of their discipline. What we have to say to our students must be the overflow of a man or a woman devoted to something important and adequately prepared to deliver the goods. 

This is my method of preparing myself to mold those who are embarking on their study of New Testament Greek. There is nothing I enjoy doing more except surfing.

"You'll Be in My Heart"

Always. 

Who Wrote Hebrews?

That is, who wrote it DOWN? 

Surfing Is Not Just for the Young

I'm 74. Lord willing, this week I will be surfing in Waikiki, still enjoying the therapeutic benefits of surfing. My advice is to stay on the shortest board for as long a possible. Keep surfing good waves that require duck diving. Embrace the health benefits of surfing. This trip to Oahu I am thinking about hiring a photographer to get some pics for my grandkids who are always asking to see me out in the waves. Older surfers listen to their bodies. They respect their joints, and they respect sleep and nutrition as key components of their performance. I will never tire of saying this: Constantly challenge your body and your mind. This is why we surfers want to ride waves until the day we die. Surfing has completely transformed the way I see myself. I really hope to inspire you to give yourself a chance to do the same, no matter what activity you are currently planning in front of you not to do it. Age is irrelevant. Surfing is not just for the young, the fearless. You are never too old to learn how to surf.

I Hope You Didn't Go to Church Today

The church of Jesus Christ isn't a building. The church is people. We bring the church with us when we come to church. Without our presence, the church is a hollow, dark place. There is no church without people.

On Being a Thalassophile

A person who loves the ocean more than the land is called a thalassophile, a "sea lover." The word reflects a profound love of and a deep emotional pull toward the ocean. Science shows that our brains are wired to feel calm and happy near the ocean. The noise and stress of life on land fade away by the waves. The endless horizon reminds you of just how big and vast your God is. The Bible shows us that God has the power both to raise and quiet the crashing waves. The New Testament uses images of rolling waves to warn against doubt. 

My elementary school was called Kainalu. Kainalu means "Sea wave." My intermediate and high schools were called Kailua. Kailua means "two seas." My high school nickname was the "Kailua Surfriders." 

In the 1960s, everyone who grew up on Oahu surfed. Nobody taught us how. You just, well, surfed. Every day there were waves in Kailua. Not always the biggest. And sometimes very choppy. But the shorebreak was your constant companion growing up. 

Not to mention the surf at Flat Island or the Mokulua Islands. 

Lord willing, when my flight from Dallas lands in Honolulu next Tuesday at noon, it won't take me more than an hour to return to the ocean. I plan to start out surfing at Waikiki, at a place called Publics. 

This section of Waikiki is far away from Canoes, where surfing lessons are given. Publics has a very nice left. 

Then I'll drive home to Kailua and catch a few waves before grabbing something to eat and retiring to bed. I'll be very tired by then. (Hawaii is 6 hours behind Virginia). Incidentally, here's today's surf report from Waikiki and Kailua.

The Windward Side is actually breaking bigger than the South Shore today. Nice. 

6-8 feet at Kailua is just about right. 

I'm sorry if you find this boring. I don't blame you. I love talking about my journey and the duality of my life between Hawaii and the Mainland. I am connected to both places. Oahu is a place that reconnects me to the core of who I am. I love the smell of the beach. I love the sound of the ocean. I love the feel of sand between my toes. I love the breathtaking beauty of it all. I don't suppose that will ever change. 

Are you a thalassophile? Where is your connected place? Then go back. Connect and recharge. More than likely, it will help you take on the world again. 

Lovely Farmville, Virginia

Farmville is a lovely place, not only to run or walk or bike, but to visit as a tourist. The Garden Club does an amazing job of keeping everything looking so pretty. 

It even has a herb garden. 

If you're here on a Saturday (like today), you'll find plenty of items at the downtown Farmers' Market. 

Everyone here is a local farmer. 

Finally, Farmville also boasts Southside's best Mexican restaurant called La Parota. Can't go wrong with a chili relleno. 

P.S. Our last field before the rains. G-R-A-T-E-F-U-L! 

Must-Watch Interview with Dr. Danny Akin

If you love the Scriptures, then you'll love this interview with Dr. Danny Akin, who just retired as president of SEBTS. 

There is no one in academic administration I love, admire, and appreciate more than Danny Akin and his wife Charlotte. May the Lord grant them many more years to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.