Bye, Ph.D.

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

I wrapped up a masters in applied communication theory & research methodology and considered my next step. Should I go on for my Ph.D.? I love academia, both the learning and the teaching.

My doctor warned me that I would likely break down from the stress of the Ph.D. process. I refused to believe that. Then my fabulous daughter, still in high school, said, “Mom, please don’t go for your Ph.D. yet. You work so hard on those papers, and I want you to have time with me while I’m still in high school.”

My heart melted. I waited and enjoyed my daughter.

After she went to college, I got the Ph.D. hankering again and started looking at universities. But I had a divided mind. There was a novel pressing inside me, trying hard to get attention: The Hot Marble. When admissions staff told me, “You will have no time to write a novel while you are getting a Ph.D.,” I began to understand.

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

With a confused mixture of deep regret and relief, I turned my focus to writing The Hot Marble. Now I’m on the author track and I’ve left the Ph.D. behind. Winged Publications has published this and the other books in my Christian sci-fi series, A Soul’s Warfare. See my books here.

Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.

DNA project

As a junior in high school, I was assigned a mandatory science project for the annual fair. The previous years, I’d sloughed off with the bare minimum.

This year, I started with a question: If the DNA molecule could be any shape it wanted, then why is it a double helix? I decided to find out why a molecule would take that shape.

I studied biology and a little quantum chemistry on my own, then started building a sample DNA molecule out of pieces of colored styrofoam and toothpicks. “Let’s see,” I said to myself, assembling individual atoms into their respective preferred patterns, “hydrogen likes to bond with one electron; oxygen with two; nitrogen with five; carbon loves six.” Watson and Crick and others had already provided me with the chemical composition of the four amino acids that combine to make DNA. I built a model atom by atom.

The project to assemble a collection of the amino acids took months. Then my effort fell apart. Bleh! I could get two long strings of amino acids, but not a stable DNA molecule. So I had to read up on my chemistry some more.

“Oh! In some circumstances, hydrogen will share its electron with another hydrogen atom to form a weak double bond!” Quantum-wise, when the hydrogen’s electron is on its furthest point away from the proton in its orbit, the other hydrogen atom’s electron, attracted to that exposed proton, can briefly enter the orbit to form the double bond. “Imagine that! Sharing electrons in a weak bond allows two great strings of amino acids to cling together in a double helix!”

My conclusion: “When these chemicals are put together, they can form no other shape! DNA must be a double helix!” My science project won an award.

Later, I realized a more profound conclusion: “Given the nature of a long, long connection of amino acids in weak double bonds, a functioning organism’s DNA cannot form by accident. Nil probability. No billions of years in a warm puddle can increase the probability that organic life will form. That DNA exists in so many organized forms of life means only one thing: There is an intelligent Creator.”

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

Eliminate SHOULD.

As a psychologist colorfully says, “Don’t should on yourself!”

For example, I might say: “I should have sold 5,000 HORNED EDGE books in 2024. But I didn’t, so I’m a failure.” Or, “I should have walked a 5-K already! But I didn’t. Shame on me.”

Just a note about the famous Bible passage John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV

… Jesus isn’t saying, “If you don’t have faith in me, you’re going to hell!” He adds verse 17,

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.17.ESV

In other words, Jesus is permanently banning the SHOULD-word. He took on the failures and the shame. He rose in victory. And he is giving me power so that I can take a deep breath and say, “I can!”

Speaking of THE HORNED EDGE … Try it out. Only $10.99 for the paperback on Amazon.com. Click here to buy the book.

What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?

“I have so much to do, I need to pray another three hours,” quipped Martin Luther about 450 years ago. As for me, I’m writing three books and it’s like taking three graduate courses. I really need to know the love and strength of Jesus.

Speaking about getting needs met from Jesus, here is an example. It’s popular for some people to wear a t-shirt that reads, “God Is Dope.” Well, if God is dope, then I’m really fortunate, because I have gone through surgery of the soul, and he can comfort me, help me to heal.

If you want to read books about God and healing of the soul, here is a link to my Soul’s Warfare sci-fi series on Amazon.com.