Matt Erickson

Just finished reading: Another Name: Septology VI-VII by Jon Fosse which completes the parts of Septology. After struggling with this work initially, I ended up having a hard time putting it down. Fosse’s reflections on the divine, mystery, art, love, death, and more were striking. 📚

I enjoyed reading portions of The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware to better familiarize myself with the history and theology of Eastern Orthodoxy. 📚

I just finished reading: I Is Another by Jon Fosse 📚

“Five Important Contemporary Books on Spiritual Formation and Discipleship” - If there are other books that have been influential for you, I would enjoy if you would share the title and author of that book and why it has been so important in your life with God.

I just finished reading The Other Name by Jon Fosse. At times beautiful, at times shocking, at times thought-provoking. It took me awhile to get into Fosse’s writing style (even though I had read other books by him) but once I caught his rhythm I found I couldn’t put it down. 📚

Currently reading: The Great Enigma: New Collected Poems by Tomas Transtromer 📚

I read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley for the first time this past week. It was a quirky, thought-provoking read.

One of the highlights from last week when traveling with Kelly for a weeklong getaway in the Smoky Mountains was an impromptu stop-off at the Bookstore at the Berry Center in New Castle, KY, where I picked up a signed print of a poem by Wendell Berry. I had never been and it was a joy to visit.

Last night I finished reading: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner 📚

I just finished reading: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri 📚 I really enjoyed this funny, poignant, insightful, and culturally enlightening book.

“Why the Psalms are Essential for Spiritual Growth” - some thoughts posted today on my blog

I’m doing some work on “stages of faith” or developmental spirituality.

What is your favorite image or paradigm or framework for describing growth or maturation or stages within the spiritual life?

Or, if you don’t like such things, tell me why?

Just completed reading This Sacred Life by Norman Wirzba 📚 I really enjoy Wirzba’s work on food, agrarian life, and Wendell Berry, but this was an even more expansive exploration of topics that I found very meaningful and interesting. Highly recommend.

“The Radiant Brilliance of God in Us” - St. Athanasius on Psalm 1 and the power of meditating on the instruction of God.

I appreciate your prayer support today as I work on sermons for our new Lenten sermon series at Eastbrook Church, “The Tree and the Vine,” rooted in Psalm 1 and John 15. Thank you!

So thankful today that I get to begin the Lenten journey, celebrate Valentine’s Day, and also celebrate my 26th wedding anniversary with my amazing wife, Kelly.

“Being unable to cure death, wretchedness and ignorance, men have decided, in order to be happy, not to think about such things.” - Blaise Pascal in Pensées

One of the unintended consequences of my sermon this past weekend at Eastbrook from Ecclesiastes 12, “What is the most important thing in life?”, was many people reaching out to me about re-reading or purchasing Uri Shulevitz’s wonderful book The Treasure. It really is a wonderful little book.

Such a wonderful thing to see the room full at our first ever “City Summit” at Eastbrook Church this morning. Thanks to all who attended and all who contributed to making this important gathering happen.

It was a great joy to hear Miroslav Volf yesterday at two great events hosted by Upper House in Madison, WI. What a gift to explore the topics of forgiveness, justice, reconciliation, and what it means to love.

Mary Oliver’s “The Journey” is the latest addition to the series “Poetry for Epiphany.”

I have so enjoyed reading this treasure of a book on prayer: The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology compiled by Igumen Chariton of Valano 📚

Spent time this morning with a family as they said goodbye to a dear husband, father, and friend today. This man and I shared a love for the work of Bruce Cockburn and his song, “Pacing the Cage,” came to mind today.

“The greatness of the great Christian saints lies in their readiness to be questioned, judged, stripped naked and left speechless by that which lies at the centre of their faith.” - Rowan Williams in The Wound of Knowledge.

Is anyone familiar enough with the writings of Tomáš Halík to make a recommendation of a good place to start with his books? I’ve stumbled across references to his works in other writings and am eager to dip in but want to start well. Thanks!