Matt Erickson
Pondering from Matthew 4: Jesus focuses on His disciples, but He lets the crowds listen in. He will always seek to bring people from the crowd into true discipleship. The crowd floats around Jesus, but disciples follow hard after Jesus.
Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 13 February 2021 with the growing church in Iran, a new documentary on the black church, RIP Hershel Shanks, Kathleen Norris on retreating when you can’t go to a retreat, evangelicals in Myanmar, and more.
Just finished reading: Distant Neighbors: The Selected Letters of Wendell Berry & Gary Snyder by Wendell Berry and Gary Snyder 📚
I am reflecting deeply on the meaning of the wilderness in Scripture. In the wilderness, we are humbled and tested. The wilderness is a great revealer in the spiritual life.
Currently reading: Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist and Other Essays by Kingsnorth, Paul 📚
Just finished reading: White noise by Don DeLillo 📚
Each day, we echo our baptism by surrendering ourselves to God in death to self and rising up in obedience to God by the Holy Spirit’s power. We say, echoing Jesus, “Not my will but yours be done.” Read more on developing a baptismal spirituality here.
This past weekend at @EastbrookChurch I made a case for the necessity of a baptismal spirituality rooted in the revelation of Jesus’ baptism. While I realize it may sound obtuse, the more I think about it, the more essential I believe this is for our faith at this time.
The strange beauty of nature. (Taken at Door Bluff Headlands Park, Gills Rock, Wisconsin, 10 days ago.)
I wrote about Jesus, Herod, and ways in which idolatry can grip our hearts here.
Last week, Kelly and I escaped to Door County for a couple days. Here is the stunning view of Green Bay meeting Lake Michigan from Ellison Bluff State Natural Area, one of the best scenic overlooks in the area.
Currently reading: Art and Faith: A Theology of Making by Fujimura, Makoto 📚
It was such a joy to preach with my wife, Kelly, on the life of Mary this past weekend at @EastbrookChurch. I am so thankful to partner in ministry with a woman of such humility and grace, such love for God and His Word. I learn so much from her.
One of the great tensions of life as a pastor is not losing the wonder of seasons of celebration like Advent and Christmas in the midst of facilitating the approach to that wonder for others. I have found it takes meekness and focus to maintain the posture of wonder for myself.
Loving the latest album by Ólafur Arnalds, “Some Kind of Peace.” There are some gorgeous and moving tracks on this one.
This past weekend I preached from John 17 and was struck by how profound it is that Jesus prayed for all future believers, including us. I always appreciate the prayers others lift up on my behalf, but how amazing that the Son of God prayed for us.
As I continue to reflect on unity as we walk through a preaching series on that toipc at Eastrook Church, here is a powerful quotation from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together on the necessary tension between solitude and community.
The beauty of enjoying 60-degree days here in Wisconsin during November is beyond words. It will end soon, but I’m savoring this joyful respite in the face of so many tough times during the past several months.
Here is the latest “Weekend Wanderer” with John Piper’s surprising take on the 2020 election, troubles in Nigeria, responding to trauma by Diane Langberg, O. Carter Snead on bioethics and what it means to be human, the passing of Thomas Howard, and more.
Working hard to finish an article on preaching and the Christian year. In the midst of so many voices teling us to mark time in political ways, delving deep into the church calendar reminds me to orient myself around the life of Christ not the life of culture.
Currently reading: The Index of Self-Destructive Acts by Christopher Beha 📚
I took this photo about a month ago while hiking the Ice Age Trail. A few moments after I snapped this, a raucous storm unleashed torrential rains. I love seeing the clouds roll in over the treetops here.
