To most Iowans, the name “Merle Hay” is associated only with a mall in Des Moines and the road that passes in front of it, both of which bear his name. Growing up in Glidden, Iowa, I knew of Merle Hay as our hometown war hero—the first Iowan and one of the first three Americans…
Category: Blog
Remembering Johnny Cash
September 12 marks the anniversary of Johnny Cash’s death. There are few people who I haven’t met who have impacted me as much as The Man in Black. To honor his life and legacy I’m publishing this new song—CASH. I wrote the lyrics a few years ago as my attempt to tell Johnny’s story, based…
The Waves, the Caves, and the King of Grace
A New Song — Wave Upon Wave Listen to this week’s new song—Wave Upon Wave. The Story Behind the Song Jenny and I leaned against the gazebo railing watching the moonlit waves roll in on the Jamaican beach. We were celebrating fifteen years of marriage. Our conversations covered the joys and sorrows, blessings and difficulties…
Author Spotlight: The Rabbit Room
The Rabbit Room’s community of authors and musicians has blessed and inspired our family through their creative endeavors. I’m excited to giveaway some of their books this month (see below for details). Andrew Peterson’s music is a family favorite, to the point that our middle child once tried to get out of garbage duty by…
Worshiping God After a Hurricane
In early September of 2005, I traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi to work with a disaster relief crew following Hurricane Katrina. We spent ten days preparing and delivering meals to survivors, those whose lives and possessions had been ravaged by the wind and water. As an Iowa native, I’ve seen what weather can do. We’re no…