Matt Erickson
Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 25 October 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.
Makoto Fujimura: “Art cannot be seen fully until our minds, usually filled with fears and anxiety, are given rest. Beauty cannot be embraced until we lay down our swords, just like a samurai entering a teahouse in humility and trust, and entrust ourselves to the slowness of being fully present in a tea ceremony, a liturgy of peace. Art is a liturgy of peace.” in Art Is: A Journey into the Light, p. 94.
“Reading Scripture with Others’ Eyes: toward an international hermeneutical community” - some reflection after being around friends from East Africa, South Asia, North Africa, and other places.
“The Good and Faithful Servant” - a message from Dr. Sujith from this past weekend at Eastbrook Church. Such a powerful word for us from this friend from South Asia.
A meaningful exhortation from a little read epistle in Scripture: “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 11)
Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 18 October 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.
“To live in three dimensions” - a little prayer reflection on really living
On this feast day of St Teresa of Avila, I am reminded of her poem “Christ Has No Body” and her beautiful prayer that I return to often.
This past weekend at Eastbrook Church we had the privilege of hosting Bishop Francis Omondi from Garissa, Kenya. It was such a privilege to have him share a message from 1 Kings 19: “What Are You Doing Here?”
I was so encouraged to see my friend, Asher Imtiaz, present at Doxology 2025 alongside of Marilynne Robinson and Chris Green. His presentation on seeing others and paying attention through photography was extraordinarily moving.
One of the most compelling encounters with God:
“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:12-13)
Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 4 October 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.
I’m so excited to share that pre-orders for my first book, The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry are now available! This book explores a vital question: How do we minister fruitfully and with hope in our present time?
Dear friends in ministry, can you help me with something? Please share some of your responses to this question:
“What are some of your biggest questions about ministry today, whether for yourself or for the context of ministry or something else?”
“Radical Generosity” - my sermon from yesterday at Eastbrook Church on Acts 4-5. Being captivated by the generosity of God in Jesus Christ shapes us as generous people.
Currently reading: The Very Rich Hours of Jacques Maritain by Ralph McInerny
Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 27 September 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend
“Guess What? You’re Blessed” - Exploring the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 at my blog today.
Invited our staff at Eastbrook Church to memorize the Beatitudes together this Fall. We need words like this in our hearts and minds at days like this…and always.
Last night I happened to read “Pray Without Ceasing” by Wendell Berry in Fidelity. It felt like a timely and meaningful story in our present moment. I am continually surprised by the healing power of fiction. 📚
Does anyone have any feedback on whether it is worth reading the entire 3-volume Gulag Archipelago by Solzhenitsyn or whether the approved one-volume abridgment is just as valuable. I feel bad asking this as an undergrad English major, but it is an enormous commitment to read the entire work.
“A Prayer for Our Distressed Times” - something I shared in services yesterday at Eastbrook Church.
Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 20 September 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.
“Putting on Christ’s Character in Divided Days” - some reflections on Ephesians 4 that I find helpful in times like these