Riches, understanding, beauty, are fair gifts of God.

The proverb has it that Hunger is the best cook. The Law makes afflicted consciences hungry for Christ. Christ tastes good to them. Hungry hearts appreciate Christ. Thirsty souls are what Christ wants. He invites them: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Christ's benefits are so precious that He will dispense them only to those who need them and really desire them.

What do we older folks live for if not for the care of the young, to teach and train them?

For that purpose Christ instituted holy baptism, thereby to clothe you with his righteousness. It is tantamount to his saying, My righteousness shall be your righteousness; my innocence, your innocence. Your sins indeed are great, but by baptism I bestow on you my righteousness; I strip death from you and clothe you with my life.

I simply taught, preached, wrote God's Word: otherwise I did nothing. The Word of God did it all.

They gave our Master a crown of thorns, why do we hope for a crown of roses?

I have so much to do today, I'll need to spend another hour on my knees.