Spirituality
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Basketball and how Comfortable we are with Ourselves
How comfortable are you with yourself? Like many of my peers, I have to admit I grew up with a significant amount of discomfort. Some of the discomfort can be explained by my inability to harmonize my sinful and lethargic self and the expectation I would be a church minister and a successful academic. Some… Continue reading
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Truthiness
I had a recent conversation about “truthiness,” if you believe me. The word truthiness never came up, but I am using this word to name the topic of our conversation which, after all, was beginning to explore the the ability to teach the “great books” of philosophy in an introductory philosophy course. The awareness both… Continue reading
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Ephesians 4: The Fullness of Christ
(This blog post is a sermon that was preached at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church on April 29th, 2018. It is the first of a two-part sermon that belongs in a group of 6 sermons preached on a book study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, generally under the theme of a post-Easter challenge to Christians. … Continue reading
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Jephthah’s Daughter: a Heroine of Sacrifice and Faith
This is the second of two blogs on the story of Jephthah and his daughter found in Judges 11. This was preached at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church on February 18th, 2018. Judges 11: 34-40 34 Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah; and there was his daughter coming out to meet him with timbrels… Continue reading
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The Coffee Shop
The Coffee Shop in Bangkok Teaching conversational English, or any subject for that matter, requires great peace of mind. In the case of conversational English, I feel like I am in a unique position to be a teacher. I live in Bangkok, a city in a land with people who are phenomenally skilled in the… Continue reading
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Boredom
Do you ever get bored? Oh, forgive me; silly question. Likely, you are bored right now because, chances are, you wouldn’t have looked at this blog unless you were bored. But can I ask you the attending question? Are you also anxious? All too often, boredom and anxiety walk hand-in-hand. So, if you are bored,… Continue reading
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The 70 Faces of Love
There is no one I’d rather wait with than you, even when there is nothing else to do. I know it is hard and we’ve risked a lot, But in my heart it won’t be for not. When I married you it was with 70 faces, And now I am seeing more of their traces.… Continue reading
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An Invitation to Mystery
Uniformly, they reported blessings, forgiveness and health have been provided from unexpected, unanticipated and hidden places. That is, God’s presence and action was revealed in a transcendent way. It came from beyond known horizons. Continue reading
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Making Our Way Through Mixed Messages: The Incarnation of God and Human Flourishing
This message was originally preached in Edmonton, Alberta, at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church on Mother’s Day 2017, and again, in a revised fashion in Brandon, Manitoba on July 30th, 2017. It is based on 1 John 4. Introduction Good morning! And Happy Mother’s Day! I can’t really describe how nervous I am in preaching today.… Continue reading
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Where do you come from? (Ephesians 2:11-22)
Once a year, for seven straight Septembers, I scaled that 3-story high monster to hang those Christmas lights. I had a longer relationship with that tree than I did with my high school sweetheart. Also the house was much smaller than I had remembered. Continue reading
About me: I am a career educator and traveler at heart. My written work includes academic writing in philosophy and linguistics, English acquisition, and most intently in the areas of spiritual engagement with reality and what that means for our public lives.
My education is a mixture of formal study in philosophy, political theory, Biblical studies, and history, along with professional teaching certification in TESOL and in cognitive testing, and international teaching.
My travel experiences include a range of countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. I have lived in Canada, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Thailand. From those places I have traveled to many others besides.
I am a child of the 70’s and a “family man.” That means I have two wonderful kids who have been round the world with me.
Lastly, I am married to a wonderful woman since 2004. She is my partner, my friend, and my muse.
Thanks again for stopping by,
Raymond Klassen - Ideals and Identities 