With insurance, we pay premiums; then we pay deductibles; then we may co-pay at the rate of 20% to 80%. With salvation, God requires a single payer. Grace pays all. Nothing is left for us to pay by good works. Paul writes, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace… Read More »

The next, humbling, question posed to me by family: to what fads have you fallen prey? There was a time while growing up that I wore saddle shoes. I wore penny loafers. I wore Red Ball tennis shoes so I could jump high. I wore Beatle boots. I wore skinny pants and bell bottom pants,… Read More »

My family has asked what was the first major news story I remember living through as a child. How would you reply? I remember in no particular order the fall of the Berlin wall, the concomitant collapse of the USSR, the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, man’s first landing on the moon, the Los… Read More »

My family has asked me if I remember my first words. Of course I do not, but I do appreciate the chance to talk about words. Early on I had provoked in me an interest in words. I recall my dad laughing when I mis-prayed at the dinner table. I said, “Bless us O Lord… Read More »

The following is my answer to another question posed by my family. Perhaps your family would have interest in knowing your thoughts as well on . . . which is your preference: summer or winter? As I reflect on summer I hear the start-up of a lawnmower, the distinct double pop of a John Deere… Read More »

How would you answer this question: What was the most difficult challenge to overcome from your childhood? My children recently asked it of me, and the following was my reply. Most difficult for me to overcome has been my impression that my life is … mine. I comprehend from Psalm 58 that I have been… Read More »

My family has asked me what personal expectations I hold. So, we have our next topic. I hesitate to make an expectations list, for it would by nature be representative, incomplete, and aspiring and thus could appear of a different spirit and cause a different impact than hoped. But, since I am writing in part… Read More »

I have been sharing answers to life questions asked by my kids. The next question is: What is your best advice when it comes to work? What would you say? My reply was: If you’re on time you’re late. Let’s start with an illustration. When Dad and I would take turns plowing a field and… Read More »

My kids have asked me if I have changed over the years or remained the same person. Here is the answer I gave them … Not quite 18 years of age, I sat in my dorm room at the University of South Dakota and thought my life was over. I realized how emotionally disabled I… Read More »

I was recently asked by my family what was the most difficult challenge to overcome from my childhood. The following is my reply. Most difficult for me to overcome has been my impression that my life is … mine. I comprehend from Psalm 58 that I have been estranged from the womb, a foreigner to the ways… Read More »