My name is merle d. grenz. i was born in north dakota, 1948. i was raised in a baptist church. i stayed in the church for the most part all my life, but for a long time was not happy in it. what i got from the church was guilt, shame, condemnation and chains. the reason for this for me was, "the rules." so many "do not's" and the impossible ideal coupled with the message conveyed of my sin is ok because your sin is worse so this means i'm ok. one day i read galatians 5:1 in the new international version, and my eyes were opened to the new world of "freedom in christ." being a slow learner it took a few years for this concept to sink in but it eventually did. knowing something and doing something about it are completely different concepts. so i have begun the journey of speaking up about my convictions. i am not a theologian, preacher, or any other cleric. i am simply an old guy with a word. i understand many will not listen unless you place a title after your name, but it's alright because this story of mine is for those who understand some understanding comes from living a long time, not simply from books. be clear, i am not a perfect sinless person. i am a new creation in christ, but the struggle with the flesh goes on. my story is therefore a story of freedom. it all ways been about slavery and freedom. god gave us freedom in the garden of eden, we chose slavery. he set his people free from egypt. his people wanted to return to slavery and so goes the course of history for mankind. when christ died, the veil ripped, freedom came, stay free.