Matt Erickson
One of the simple things I’ve enjoyed adding into our staff rhythm at Eastbrook Church is a weekly midday prayer on Wednesdays. It has helped us remember we are children of God even as we serve God. That is always needed.
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I Have a Dream” and Letter from a Birmingham Jail
I’m so glad to be back at the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary this week for the final cohort gathering of my Doctor of Ministry program. Such a wonderful group of people to be with and setting to be in.
Currently reading: Sounding the Seasons by Malcolm Guite 📚 Using this wonderful book as a part of my morning prayers through this coming year.
Just finished reading: Dune by Frank Herbert 📚
On that same hike, my youngest son took this photo of me without my knowledge that ended up looking so epic.
I took this photo on a hike this past Saturday. I love the way the frost lingers in the shadows while the sun burns it off in a slowly shifting line. The distinction is so striking to me.
So happy to share my latest article, “Preaching Like Jazz,” published by Preaching Today this week.
At the recommendation of one of my daughters-in-law, I am finally reading: Dune by Frank Herbert. I feel slightly embarrassed that it’s taken me this long to read this book. 📚
Here is Rowan Williams’ poem “Advent Calendar” as part of the “Poetry for Advent” series.
For all pastors and others working on Christmas Eve and Christmas messages this week, may you know the guidance of God at work within you, may you know the joy of the Savior whom you proclaim, and may you know the peace that you are loved beyond how good your sermon is.
Recently completed A Sunlit Absence by Martin Laird. This is a great follow-up to his earlier Into the Silent Land. 📚
When I conclude a sermon series, I usually share resources I utilized in my study and preparation for sermons. Here is the bibliography for our recent series, “Growing in Faith: Exploring 2 Peter.” I hope it might be helpful to others.
Madeleine L’Engle’s “Into the Darkest Hour” is today’s contribution to “Poetry for Advent”
“Speed is in direct conflict with character formation.” I write about this and a few other things in my recent blog post, “Living Well in Light of the End.”
Random question: can anyone tell me if Jean-Pierre De Caussade’s Abandonment to Divine Providence is the same book as The Sacrament of the Present Moment?
“New leadership is needed for new times, but it will not come from finding more wiley ways to manipulate the external world. It will come as we … find the courage to take an inner journey … to become healers in a wounded world.” – Parker Palmer
First freeze and first thaw of the streams. A pic while trail running last week on the Ice Age Trail outside of Manitowoc, WI.
Some reflections after Christ the King Sunday on Jesus, the kingdom of God, and rival kingdoms that we encounter in our world and lives.
I love this 15th century icon of Jesus’ transfiguration traditionally associated with the work of Theophan the Greek, one of the greatest iconographers in the Eastern Church. As I prepared to preach this past Sunday, I spent a lot of time prayerfully reflecting on this icon.
Still two of the most powerful verses to me:
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.” (Jn 13:3-4)
I’m working on a side project to assemble a pretty thorough bibliography on Psalm 1. I’m hoping to find commentary on it from throughout church history, as well as Jewish commentators. Does anyone know if a work like this exists already? What works do you think should be included?
Henri Nouwen in Life of the Beloved:
“Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved.’ Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence” (33).
Henri Nouwen in Life of the Beloved “Self-rejection is greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved.’ Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence” (33).
