As someone who avidly reads several wonderful blogs, it seems a good idea to take up my own best efforts to add to the conversation, and, by some grace, improve the nature of the world we share.

Dr. Luther admonished us to make "plain utterances" of our faith. I find that a great challenge as a preacher, to speak those things which truly reflect the gifts of faith, but do so in a plain way, so that many can hear and know and feel and understand. It is our daily task to use the gift of language well, with beauty that is simple and available to all.

This place that I call home is named by many as the "Plains" because those who first encountered it found it lacking in grandeur, and consequently, interest. But those of us who have been raised here know that its plainness is its very beauty, and though we enjoy a visit to mountain and forest and city as much as anyone, we find ourselves longing for the vast openness and truth of the prairie.

I think many, many people long for that. I believe it often eludes us.

I should only hope that I could bring that same quality to the words that follow here.