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Hard Questions:

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Book Release: 2023 Hard Questions: About Life, Death, and After Life

Pastor Richard’s new book uses stories, questions, and life’s circumstances to weave a narrative from the early 1950s to the present. The book begins with Pastor Richard making a life-and-death decision based on a perceived suicide note, he received from a friend. We are all challenged when making difficult decisions in life. How we make decisions matters. Are we willing to ask the hard questions necessary to reach sound, confident, and life-affirming outcomes? Reading this book will challenge your thinking and provide questions that improve connection, purpose, and hope.

I'm Pastor Richard, If you want to stay connected to people, join a small group. They're fun, focused, and fabulous. Writing for small groups is a passion of mine. My book, although an autobiography, is targeted at connecting with folks who enjoy getting together to share and support one another. Order one today from Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

We all have questions, but are we willing to ask hard questions to get the most out of life? What happens when we die? Is death the final chapter? Is there such a thing as eternal life? One thing I know is that to stay connected in this life, relationships matter. Living with a purpose gives deeper meaning to life. When hope flourishes, our lives become full of anticipation and excitement.
The main ideas from this book are summarized in a document called Discovering Connection, Purpose, and Hope. Download here.

Small Group Materials

If you're interested in using some small group materials, they're free here. Please let me know where and when you might use them. Thanks
Current Book Reviews
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023Verified Purchase Barb A.Wow! I just now finished reading this book! I LOVED IT!!!!!
I loved the questions after each chapter! The chapters were page turners….I almost could not put it down!! And the questions really related to the readers, asking themselves hard questions related to the chapter! After reading each chapter, the questions were a perfect jumping-off point for reflection and discussion!
I found the Appendix to be another whole book! It supported the book but also opened new ways to look at decisions, hard questions, and each page was so well grounded in Scripture.
The last paragraph on page 144 was particularly thought provoking and inspiring. The farm metaphor fits perfectly!
I must admit that chapter 4 on Social Justice was my most favorite! Braun has capsulated the Christian view of social justice so well here. His comparison with secular justice was especially thoughtful. The resources that he mentions are life savers for many people.
I have no doubt that this book will change lives wherever it is studied!! And it will certainly give any reader a new framework for asking hard questions!!
Pastor Ken AndersonReviewed in the United States on December 28, 2022
Rev. Braun in his book "Hard Questions: About Life, Death, and After Life", offers an excellent panorama of the hard questions and issues that we face in our complicated world. He shares his story, perspectives, and struggles. In his perceptive commentary and questions, we are challenged to see and listen to where we have been and are going, now and forever. I especially appreciated the Decision Charts, Diagrams and Trees.
I would recommend this resource for individual and group studies to begin looking at our own story, journey, struggles and destination.Peace, Rev. Milo Ken Anderson, Retired ELCA Pastor Ken M - April 7, 2023 An open and honest long-term look into a man’s upbringing, family life, work life, and devotion to God. Pastor Richard Braun writes an insightful and informative book on how to, and how not to, make wise decisions during your life. Pastor Braun asks thoughtful questions that are helpful for self-reflection and small-group bible studies.

Small Group Materials I've written

These materials are FREE and can be downloaded and used at your discretion. To download, you can just hover over the question at the bottom of the small group study you wish to download. To review, click on the green box, and it can be downloaded at that time. Please send us feedback when you use them. Thanks
Some small group materials focused on living, learning, and loving.

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