https://www.grovelife.com Writings mostly on spiritual, philosophical and science topics, with family happenings. Copyright 2026 Larry Grove Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 Wed, 27 May 2026 20:23:06 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20260526_feelings_and_heart.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20260526_feelings_and_heart.html Growing from our feelings to a healthy whole heart. Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20260326_AboutJesus.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20260326_AboutJesus.html A recounting of the historical Jesus and his message. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20260126_BrahmsCelloRecital.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20260126_BrahmsCelloRecital.html My cello performance of a cello-piano duet, with recording. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20251128_BeingThinkingConscious.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20251128_BeingThinkingConscious.html Consciousness is mysterious, and the best explanation for it comes from the story of God creating humans. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20251020_GospelPaulCulture.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20251020_GospelPaulCulture.html The gospel taught by Jesus and by Paul is simple, and it works to improve all people and cultures. Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250926_ChristianityWeird.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250926_ChristianityWeird.html Christianity has many elements that are weird, but they are interesting, in context they make sense, and they are practical. Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250827_music_theory_intro.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250827_music_theory_intro.html A music theory introduction that is oriented to basic musical accompaniment. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250801_JesusBreadWine.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250801_JesusBreadWine.html The best way to interpret Jesus' statements about the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper is that it is a remembrance. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250729_KayakCapeFlattery.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250729_KayakCapeFlattery.html Experiencing sea caves by kayak at Cape Flattery. Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250704_ASpiritualLife.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250704_ASpiritualLife.html A spiritual life is practicing awareness of God’s presence in everyday experiences. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250701_KayakLaPush.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250701_KayakLaPush.html Washington coast kayak camping trip by La Push. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250627_OregonRoadTrip.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20250627_OregonRoadTrip.html A spur of the moment road trip to Crater Lake. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20241109_cello_recital.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20241109_cello_recital.html My cello performance of the movie theme from Schindler's List, with recording. Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20241027_moreHousePower.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20241027_moreHousePower.html Upgrading the house to 200 amp electrical service for an electric range. Sun, 27 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20241004_MelanieBdayDinner.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20241004_MelanieBdayDinner.html A tale of two birthdays and candles on their cakes. Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240707_biolum_celloMusic.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240707_biolum_celloMusic.html A nighttime kayak tour and some cello music. Sun, 07 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240515_MakingWorlds.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240515_MakingWorlds.html A compare and contrast between worlds that humans make and the one humans live in. Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240307_WhereUniversalsFrom.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240307_WhereUniversalsFrom.html What is the source of abstractions such as math? Sat, 09 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240226_ChristianityExclusive.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20240226_ChristianityExclusive.html Is Christianity exclusive or inclusive? What does Christianity offer? Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20231219_quantumDeterminism.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20231219_quantumDeterminism.html Quantum theory is suggested to support strong determinism, but that and determinism itself are doubtful. Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20230907_EveryBelievesSupernatural.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20230907_EveryBelievesSupernatural.html All beliefs about the origin of our universe begin in the supernatural; an intelligent personal agent as the ultimate cause is the best explanation among several. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20230804_BikeHyakBothell.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20230804_BikeHyakBothell.html Biking from the other side of Snoqualmie Pass to home by bike trails. Fri, 04 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20221126_GodManJesus.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20221126_GodManJesus.html A rational defense for the reasonableness of Jesus being God as well as being a man. Sat, 26 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220914_WhyStillChristian.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220914_WhyStillChristian.html My evidence and rationale for why I am still a Christian. Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220913_ChristianTheologyDetails.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220913_ChristianTheologyDetails.html An explanation for why there is so much variation in theology and why it doesn't matter. Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220710_SearchAndConservationInfo.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220710_SearchAndConservationInfo.html The information in living systems requires a source; evolutionary natural selection is a dumb search for life and as a natural process fails to supply it. Sun, 10 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220123_WhatIsLeadership.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220123_WhatIsLeadership.html A thesis of what leadership is and all that can be involved in it. Sun, 23 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220118_GodsPrimaryMotivation.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20220118_GodsPrimaryMotivation.html A thesis and rationale that God's primary motivating value is beneficial love. Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20211216_TwoExplanations.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20211216_TwoExplanations.html Scientific explanations answer questions of 'how'. Teleological explanations answer questions of 'why'. These are not in conflict, and both are needed. Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20211207_GreatAuthors.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20211207_GreatAuthors.html Nature is a book that tells a story. It must have an author. We can infer a few things about the author from this book. Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210930_reasonGreatCommand.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210930_reasonGreatCommand.html Jesus elevates the mind and reason in the service of love. Thu, 30 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210612_godlinessAcrossTime.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210612_godlinessAcrossTime.html God has dealt consistently with people across time before and after Jesus; God loves them, and he wants all to love God and love people. Sat, 12 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/simple_good_news.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/simple_good_news.html The way we can have a good relationship with God is simple good news! Tue, 18 May 2021 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210516_SpiritualComplexity.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210516_SpiritualComplexity.html Resist temptations to make the gospel complicated; the gospel that Jesus directly taught is simple and profound and is the power of God. Sun, 16 May 2021 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/emotions_values_learn.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/emotions_values_learn.html Using emotions as a tool to discover the actual values that we hold. Thu, 13 May 2021 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210121_reasonable_beliefs.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20210121_reasonable_beliefs.html We all believe things; when we have evidence and we are thoughtful about our beliefs they can be reasonable. Thu, 21 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20201113_PrinciplesGoodRules.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20201113_PrinciplesGoodRules.html Rules are derived from principles, but each rule is valid over a limited context. The first principle for Christians is to love others as Jesus loved us. Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20201030_WhatIsSpirituality.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20201030_WhatIsSpirituality.html Spirituality is not about religious practices or experiences, but is about how much our character is like God's character of beneficial love, and how much we live it. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20200502_MultiverseGod.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20200502_MultiverseGod.html Because of many failures of the theory, the multiverse does not provide a good materialistic explanation for the existence of our universe. Sat, 02 May 2020 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20200327_ProbabilityOfLife.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20200327_ProbabilityOfLife.html An argument that life happening by chance is prohibitively improbable; life being designed is much more plausible. Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20181211_DarwinianMetaphysics.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20181211_DarwinianMetaphysics.html Darwinian evolution is based on metaphysics that is not justified by material evidence. Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20180703_FreeWillAndBiology.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20180703_FreeWillAndBiology.html Free will (though limited) really is part of human existence. Rejecting it is foolish, so we need an explanation that accounts for it. Tue, 03 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20161111_HowShouldChristiansViewSin.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20161111_HowShouldChristiansViewSin.html Sin is not transgression of rules (law); sin is choices of action that do not come from godly love. Instead, righteousness come from sacrifical love that is lived, that is fullfiment of the law. Fri, 11 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20160706_HowToRecognize.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20160706_HowToRecognize.html Jesus taught his disciples with actions and words at his last Passover supper with them: about love and the mark of a Christian. Wed, 06 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150305_DoctrineMaturity.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150305_DoctrineMaturity.html Christian maturity is evidenced by the love one demonstrates. Good doctrine through faith produces this love. Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150301_CommandmentsOldNew.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150301_CommandmentsOldNew.html The 10 Commandments are obsolete after this world and are not even God's standard of morality; instead, Jesus gave us a new command that endures in his kingdom. Sun, 01 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150205_ValueOfDoctrine.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150205_ValueOfDoctrine.html Doctrine is accepted beliefs related to God; it value lies in understanding of the Gospel for the purpose of living it. Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150201_GodNeverTricks.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150201_GodNeverTricks.html As humans we have limited knowledge of what God is doing, but God has always been clear about his expectations of us. Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150104_CanWeKnowTheology.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/20150104_CanWeKnowTheology.html Theology is constructed in a process that involves humans with limited knowledge and understanding; this should result in humility and in love to others. Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/forgiveness_faq.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/forgiveness_faq.html An explanation of the process of forgiveness in the form of questions and answers. Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/seven_principles.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/seven_principles.html Seven principles that work to make good relationships. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/valueSystem_distinctives.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/valueSystem_distinctives.html A discussion of the good news of the kingdom of God from a value system perspective. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/meaningful_to_me.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/meaningful_to_me.html The perspective of the value system of God is significant to me for understanding and practice of Christianity. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/christianity_faq.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/christianity_faq.html Questions and answers about Christianity. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/theology_better_explanations.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/theology_better_explanations.html A collection of improved theological explanations that derive from a value systems perspective. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/theology_faq.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/theology_faq.html Questions and answers on the value system of God and on theology. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/relationship_christianity.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/relationship_christianity.html Christianity explained from the perspective of value systems and relationships. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800 https://www.grovelife.com/pages/essential_christianity.html https://www.grovelife.com/pages/essential_christianity.html The essence of the good news in Christianity. Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800