Columnists

Labor for the Lord

About 40 years ago, a woman named Susan arrived at work on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. She didn’t like her job as a mailroom clerk. She hated her commute. She didn’t like the people she worked with. She especially didn’t like the man who kept sexually harassing her. She hadn’t even made it...

An orphan finds meaning in America’s northwest

The movie “Train Dreams” was made available on Netflix in 2025 and follows fictional railroad and mountain man Robert Grainier over the course of his lifetime. Directed by Clint Bentley who co-wrote the script alongside Greg Kwedar, it stars Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones and has a nice...

Our small cabin is big on memories

Most people would define a cabin as a small, simple house in a wild, remote place: a retreat away from modern urban life. Fortunately, Lisa and I don’t have to travel hours north of the Twin Cities to arrive at our cabin. Instead, we drive a mere 12 miles north of Waseca on Highway 13. There, on...

Exude gratitude

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING Want to hear your horoscope? Sure, why not? It says, “Your generosity will glow like 10,000 fireflies after you buy pie for everyone in the cafe.” I don’t believe my horoscope says that. Have you always had such deep-seated trust...

Discipliship

As August comes to a close and Labor Day approaches, many families will be transitioning to a new schedule. Once again, life will center on the discipline of catching the school bus, attending extracurricular activities, and completing homework. Students who have kept their minds engaged with...

What goes up must come down

Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting How do you spell Armageddon? I don’t know. Oh, well, never mind. It’s not the end of the world. Driving by Bruce’s drive I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. I went to Bruce’s...

A story of hope

There are times in your life that it's easy to struggle with how much to share. Especially in a public place like a newspaper article, it's easy to write what feels good and what perhaps, at times, something to make people think. But to bear one's soul, to share the deep, invisible struggles is...

Speak softly and carry deep-fried foods

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING Sorry, I’m late. I had car trouble. What kind? I couldn’t make it reach the 160 mph needed to get me here on time. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. I grew...

From the perfect fishing trip to the dog house

The perfect fishing trip blends together quite a range of different elements. Good company, great scenery, steady good weather, safe and easy travel, family, good food and a fresh fish fry, good lodging, and peace of mind. I was fortunate and blessed to experience a four-day fishing trip to...

Vocation in the Christian context

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~ Colossians 3:17 For most people, the word vocation probably makes them think of a job — the work they get paid for. But when we speak of a person's vocations in...