James Derkits

Laura and I recently spent a weekend out around Marfa, Marathon, and Ft. Davis in West Texas. The change of scenery itself was refreshing. The open space of the desert is so quiet it invites an internal dialogue. We didn't do any extended hiking, but we did take a short walk around Ft. Davis State Park, playing chicken with the looming storm clouds. Yes, there were storm clouds! The whole desert was actually green from all the rain they've had recently. I am accustomed to seeing the rugged rocks with the bare, dead-stick-looking ocotillo. But on this trip, they were completely green. A couple of times the view was so green it looked more like Smokey Mountains. Even though I live in a beautiful, natural setting, it is still nice to get a change of scenery from time to time; it restores my soul. West Texas (Trans-Pecos) also holds a lot of memories for me. That was the preferred Spring Break and Christmas Break get-away during my college years (rather than a crowded beach.) T...

I've been told by someone I trust that there are about 365 occurrences of the phrase, "Do not be afraid!" or some variation of it in the Bible. I always lose count, but I think of that significant number each time it comes up. The angels always say it because they have to, so that whomever they are visiting will listen to what they have to say instead of needing a change of clothes. The repetition of the phrase points to the reality that an encounter with God can be a terrifying experience. I remember one time in particular when I really wanted a sign from God: I was working at a camp one summer, up late after all the rest of the staff had gone to bed. I sat on the back steps and asked God for a sign, because I couldn't get a grip on what I believed or if I believed anything. Just after I prayed to the God I wasn't sure I believed in, I quickly said, "Never-mind," and went to bed. I had this immediate fear of a giant angel rising over the pine trees in ...