James D. Rapp

By now, at age 76, (I've actually pushed a little beyond "76") I've become most comfortable being simply "Jim." But I occasionally break into a cold sweat when filling out a form for my doctor or dentist, or some more legal document, like a mortgage application, a medical "Do Not Resuscitate" document, or an important tax form. God only knows who I really am. I wonder, "Will those who use these documents be able to figure it out?"

So, formally speaking, I am James Rapp. To the IRS I'm James D. Rapp. And in the annals of history I'd like to be remembered as James David Rapp, born and reared in Clinton, Illinois by Glenn and Rena Faye Rapp; a graduate, in 1954, of Clinton Community High School.

But, since leaving my hometown at age 18, I've gradually morphed into "Jim" Rapp. At first my wife, Alice, and I divided the Christmas Cards we sent each year into piles, some of which were signed, "James and Alice," and sent to my relatives, and friends with whom I grew up. Others were signed, "Jim and Alice," and sent to friends whom we had met before and after our marriage in 1957. Still another group was signed, "Alice and Jim," and sent to her relatives. Now, three are signed "Dad and Mom." Currently five are signed "Grandma and Grandpa" and two, "Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa."

Like most 76ers, I've done a lot of things, some relevant to the books I offer on this site, others less so. I've attended several institutions of "learning" and have diplomas and degrees to show for having attended; a Diploma in Theology from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnestoa, a Bachelor's Degree in History, and a Master of Arts in Teaching History (with a minor in Speech) from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. In my younger, eager years, I invested parts of my summers at various other Universities, taking classes and participating in institutes and seminars.

Fresh out of North Central Bible College, now NCU, in 1959, I began a six-year stint as pastor of a small congregation in River Falls, WI, making connections with many good people whose influence and friendship I've been unable, in the ensuing years, to shake off.

When I filed my ordination papers with the Pierce County (Wisconsin) Clerk's office I was told they are valid for a lifetime. So, though I've not exercised the rights of an ordained minister since 1965, I can still apparently marry and bury, but then, I understand, anybody can bury. Occasionally I still get asked to "fill a pulpit," but usually only once.

After completing a Masters program at UW-RF in 1970, I accepted a position at Osseo-Fairchild High School, in Osseo, Wisconsin, where I taught history until my retirement in 1996.

Since retirement I've devoted my time and energy to directing drama at Evangel Assembly of God Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (11 years from 1998-2009 = 30+ dramas), and to writing dramas, poetry, and a variety of prose pieces, much of which is available in the books I've offered online.

Decades spent as an active representative of the "liberal" teacher's union, overlay a lifetime engaged in a theologically conservative Evangelical denomination, making me a pariah, both to Liberals and Conservatives. Or perhaps merely a curiosity. Experiences, from those and other venues, populate my worldview and hopefully, enriched by many good friendships, augmented by innumerable authors, and seasoned by the years, make my writing worth the time it takes to read it.

Throughout my life I've pestered the public with frequent letters to the editor. For the last two years I've formalized that attack on my fellow man in a Blog, The Cottage on the Moor, which features occasional entries - every week or so - ranging from short family reminiscences, to opinion pieces on current events (politics), to philosophical and religious meditations, to poetry, and more.

My books are available on Create Space Store as well as the Amazon Kindle Store and other outlets.

My books of poetry are available in print versions and in Kindle format:

Perfect Imperfection

Sandals: The Journey of Abraham and Sarah and Hagar

Second Crop: More Poems by James D. Rapp

Etcetera: An Eclectic Expression of Humors

Two other books available in print and Kindle formats are:

Inga and Olaf: Modern Parables

Sermon on the Mount: Brief Meditations

One other book is available currently only in Kindle format:

Seven Royalty Free Christian Dramas