Knowing and Discerning What’s Right

Knowing and Discerning What’s Right

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.My friend bur

Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“Keep your he

Reply All: May/June 2026

Reply All: May/June 2026

To send letters to the editor, please see our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters.ThanksOver the years I've developed a real appreciation for the writings and wisdom of Rod Hugen. However, in this last piece (“Thanks for What You Do,” January/February 2026) Hugen hit a new high. Thanks for what you

Praying Spirit Bear

Praying Spirit Bear

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.Tanisi.In Cre

The ‘Spectacles’ of Scripture

The ‘Spectacles’ of Scripture

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.A couple of y

Transformed Eyes

Transformed Eyes

In first grade, everything Mrs. Zuidema wrote on the chalkboard looked fuzzy. I’d break my pencil point so I could walk up to the sharpener, slo-o-owly passing the board to read it. Once, I squirreled my brother’s binoculars into my desk, thinking I’d sneak a peek at the board when no one was lookin

Return to Catechism

Return to Catechism

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.My church was

Community Today?

Community Today?

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“How can I sa

Learning to Count to Eight

Learning to Count to Eight

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.Our denominat

Evangelism for the Inadequate

Evangelism for the Inadequate

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“So what’s th

Learning to Read in Color

Learning to Read in Color

Over the past five years, I received an unexpected gift that came at an unlikely time. I had stepped away from my role as a worship director to be home with my growing family. When the opportunity to study theology arose, I said yes—one of the costliest “yeses” of my life. Completing the master of d

Recruiting Elders: Why Won’t They Stand?

Recruiting Elders: Why Won’t They Stand?

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“Sorry, I don

The Pardon Wasn’t the Miracle; The People Were

The Pardon Wasn’t the Miracle; The People Were

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.He didn’t beg

True Blessing: Being Shaped in the Glory of God

True Blessing: Being Shaped in the Glory of God

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.Among Chinese

Missional Liturgy

Missional Liturgy

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.As a church p

Clipping Nails

Clipping Nails

Mom was in a skilled care facility, and part of her care plan was a checkup from a physician’s assistant. Martha insisted we call her by her first name rather than referring to her as a doctor. She was kind, personable, and extremely patient dealing with Mom’s early-stage dementia. Since I lived two

More Than a Metaphor: Resurrection in John’s Gospel

More Than a Metaphor: Resurrection in John’s Gospel

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.The Gospel of

Theology According to a Bears Fan

Theology According to a Bears Fan

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.As a product

The Belgic Confession

The Belgic Confession

In the first article in this series, I suggested that confessions are historical, communal, and ecumenical documents that summarize key teachings of the Bible. I noted that these documents identify us not only as Christians, but as Reformed Christians who together affirm these particular beliefs. Th

In Praise of Obscurity

In Praise of Obscurity

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.Jesus says to