Following a noteworthy career in magazine, curriculum, book and Bible publishing, Dean Merrill is now concentrating on indepen­dent editorial work. Some of his projects are solo writing, many are collaborations with well-known personalities, and still others involve overall directing of complex editorial projects.
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• How Long, O Lord? - When I tell you what I thought about my godly father, now 82 and wheelchair-bound in an Iowa nursing home, you’ll be shocked. But when I tell you how God managed to straighten my head, you’ll be relieved…. read more »
• Do Real Christians Get Mad? - So what’s a Christian to do with traffic jams, surly sales clerks, tax hikes, and personal insults? Is nothing in our slam-bang world worth blowing up about? … read more »
• Why Ask Why? - We act surprised in the face of evil only if we’ve been fantasizing that the world is a pleasant, decent place…. read more »
• What about Speaking in Tongues? - I can assure you that the practice does not give you warts, make your hair fall out, or fry your brain…. read more »
• Avoiding the Iceberg - I confess I’m mystified these days by an odd crossover of opinion: more and more Christians seem to be trying to make ethical room for drinking … while at the same time secular authorities are warning and worrying about this society’s rampant problem with alcohol…. read more »
• Whatever Happened to Group Prayer? - I’m talking about the entire congregation “going vertical,” disregarding their neighbors to the left and right in order to lift up their hearts and minds simultaneously to the Lord above…. read more »
• Family Nights—The Secret Formula - Kids are worth a block of uninterrupted, quality time each week…. read more »
• More than Naysayers - Good things happen when we balance our condemnation of sin with the Christian graces of mercy, love and hope. The sternness of “no” cries out for an offsetting “yes.” … read more »
• When Leaders Stumble - Yes, God can forgive major blunders—but it takes a process…. read more »
• Supporting Caesar, Serving Caesar’s Boss - “Done for another year!” I yelped around nine o’clock last night as I put the finishing touches on our federal and state income tax returns. (Okay, I know at least half of you are muttering, “Show-off …,” while the other half are saying, “What took you so long? I filed mine weeks ago!”) read more »
• My Right to Gripe - The contemporary style, you know, is simply I’ve paid my money, bought my ticket, and now I get to sound off about everything that’s wrong…. read more »
• The Benefits of Not Fitting In - Certain attributes stand out in a crowd, no matter what you do. Red hair, for example. Unusual height (ask me about that one!). A non-majority skin color.Other things, however, can be covered over. Especially in the spiritual realm…. read more »