Matt Erickson

Currently reading: The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture by Wendell Berry 📚

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 27 February 2021 with Alan Jacobs on Amazon taking Ryan T. Anderson’s book down, Kirk Franklin’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Jamie Smith on philosophy and the present moment, and so much more.

Here is Langston Hughes with “The Ballad of Mary’s Son” in the latest installment of #PoetryforLent

As I began a preaching series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount this past weekend, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what it means to be “blessed” in terms of the μακάριος life described in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 20 February 2021 with Korie Little Edwards on the failings and potential of the multiethnic church, various reflections on Ravi Zacharias, the UN speaks out on Algerian church closings, 100 years of the Bruderhof, and more.

The #PoetryforLent series for 2021 kicks off today with John Donne’s “Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness.”

What spiritual practices are you taking up for #Lent this year? How do you hope these will help you draw near to God during the Lenten journey?

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 📚

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 6 February 2021 with the bold architecture of Chicago’s black churches, a personal reflection by Drew Bratcher on his grandmother and her hymns, Pope Francis’ pending visit to Iraq, @ayjay on “Katharsis Culture,” and much more.

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 📚

A plaque outside Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in a photo taken several years ago.

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.