A book called Prayer, by Ole Hallesby — a Norwegian Christian who wrote in the early 1900s — changed my understanding of that basic-to-our-humanity, up-reaching thing we call prayer. I will share in my own words a few of Hallesby’s thoughts. Prayer is not words; it is an attitude of the heart. You can pray
You Have Faith Enough to Pray Read More »
One of the people I love most in all the world was a sexual abuse survivor. When I knew her, she was already an old woman, with black hair and a wrinkled face and a smile that transformed her being. She loved me with all her heart, but with me—as with all people in all
How Can I Be a Friend to a Sexual Abuse Survivor? Read More »
My little brother Benny got married this weekend, that’s what. He and his new wife Tricia married in Nebraska, where she grew up, but—lucky us—they plan to live right here in Rusk County, Wisconsin. Benny will continue to work at Conrath Quality Meats, the meat processing plant my three brothers own together. Trish will continue to
So What’s Going On in Sheldon, Wisconsin? Read More »
My talk at the university, titled “The Story of a Mennonite” went well. I had never spoken at a university before and was very nervous. Actually I was more nervous because my former creative writing professor would be there, and I wrote about him in my book and never mentioned to him that I was
The Narrative Mind of God Read More »
Sometimes, when I find a verse I especially like during my personal devotions, or if I come across a quote I want to remember, I write it on an index card. Then the index card usually floats around on the top of my desk for awhile before I stick it in a desk drawer with
Blessed Is She that Believes Read More »