Round the Sphere Again: Questions

About Assurance
How can I know I’m a Christian (Tim Challies)? And what is the right basis for assurance of salvation?

Of God
Both Mary and Zechariah asked God a question. “Why is Mary’s treated with respect while Zechariah’s is an occasion for spiritual discipline? (Justin Taylor)”

About the Dictionary
How do words get in the dictionary (Grammar Girl)?

And what is a dictionary, anyway? In answering this second question, Grammar Girl makes the point that 

most modern dictionaries are descriptive, which means they attempt to describe the language as it is actually used.

In other words, a dictionary isn’t going to tell you which words are acceptible and which are unacceptible. For that, you need a usage or style guide.