Matt Erickson

“Joining Jesus in Prayer: Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Praying the Psalms” - some wisdom from a good guide on learning how to pray the psalms.

In Psalm 131 the psalmist reminds us that when we enter into the presence of God through prayer, we let go of exalted thoughts about ourselves or other things and we turn our thoughts to our great God.

Here is the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with Chris Palusky on at-risk children and COVID-19, medical ethicist Lydia Dugdale on talking about death, Thomas Kidd on tactile religion in a pandemic, Austin Kleon’s take on prayer, and much more.

Going back in time to enjoy this song by Michael J. Pritzl and The Violet Burning: “Forty Weight”. The words seem appropriate for the times we’re in right now: “Lord, my cup is empty. Won’t You come now and fill me up?”

“Spiritual Tourists or Pilgrims?: Eugene Peterson from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction“ - good words from Pastor Eugene.

In the midst of this strange time, I’m thoroughly enjoying the pair of bluebirds that are nesting in our backyard.

Here is the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with Tom Howard’s “When Christ Conquered Caesar,” David Brooks on COVID-19 & mental health, music composition amidst pandemics, Noé Kasali on alternative mourning rituals, CS Lewis’ advice, and more.

I wrote a series of prayers to accompany a preaching series on the minor prophets and, after someone asked about them, you can access all of them here, beginning with yesterday’s prayer from Malachi.

Here is the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with Travis Ryan Pickell on Holy Saturday, Tish Harrison Warren on missing singing in church, Every Holy Moment, Francis Collins on COVID-19, Anna Wilson on sports, her brother, & faith, and more.

“The Wonderful Reversal - something I wrote as part of the @EastbrookChurch daily Lenten devotional.

“10 Reasons Holy Week Can Become More Powerful during the Time of the Virus”

Here is the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with NT Wright on Christianity’s response to the pandemic, learning from Arab Christians about celebrating Easter away from others, a Statement on Anti-Asian Racism in the Time of COVID-19, and more.

As we prepare for Palm Sunday, here is Enrique Simonet’s painting, “Flevit super illam (He wept over it).”

James Weldon Johnson, “The Crucifixion,” as part of the Poetry for Lent series.

“Learning to Respond to COVID-19 from Early Christians: Eusebius from his Ecclesiastical History.

Here is the latest “Weekend Wanderer” with NT Wright on COVID-19, the NAE & CT’s joint statement on COVID-19, pastors from Europe tell N America to get ready, Mark Galli on the church & bubonic plague, communion & COVID-19, and much more.

Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem “Peace”, though intensely personal, is still so meaningful to me during Lent and in these days of the pandemic.

“Taking Shelter in God” Isaiah does not say, “Because you trust in God you will never face distress or storms.” Instead, he reminds us that when stormy times come upon us, God is with us and available to us as a trustworthy refuge, shelter, and shade.

Here is the latest “Weekend Wanderer” with updates on COVID-19 from Harvard Medical School, C. S. Lewis on times of fear, @ahc on “Leading Beyond the Blizzard,” “Spiritual Rhythms for Quarantine,” resources for preaching at this time, and much more.

Here’s the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with public health links for COVID-19, a plethora of links to help churches navigating the pandemic, @ahc Andy Crouch’s must-read article, and more.

“The Weekend Wanderer” for this week: Jamie Aten’s advice on preparing churches for COVID-19, a comparison to the 1918 influenza epidemic, Luther’s guidance on plagues, @ayjay on Malick’s A Hidden Life, @vbacote on stepping forward on race, and more.

Here is the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with shocking news of Jean Vanier’s sexual misconduct, Chinese American churches & Coronavirus, multiracial churches, Tim Keller on faith & politics, preaching practices of MLK, and more.

Beginning a weekly mini-series on my blog today “Poetry for Lent.” Today’s poem is George Herbert’s classic “Ash Wednesday.” >Welcome dear feast of Lent: who loves not thee, He loves not Temperance, or Authority, But is composed of passion.

A solemn, realistic, and freeing reminder: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).

Here is the latest edition of “The Weekend Wanderer” with “Polyamory: Pastors’ Next Sexual Frontier,” religious-motivated violence in Burkina Faso, re-learning fasting, reading the Bible Jesus read, unpublished letters of Flannery O’Connor, and more.