Matt Erickson
“One of the purposes for which God instituted prayer may have been to bear witness that the course of events is not governed like a state but created like a work of art to which every being makes its contribution.” - C. S. Lewis in Letters to Malcolm.
Beautiful hike yesterday on segments of the Ice Age Trail in eastern Wisconsin. This pic is from a viewing platform in the Woodland Dunes Nature Center.
“Holy Spirit Hovers Electric” - a poem based on Luke 1:26-38
Sunrise at Klode Park Wednesday morning. No filters or adjustments. Just an amazing, golden sunrise through the clouds.
“Saying ‘Yes’ to God in Our Discipleship” - a little reflection on the life of Philip the Evangelist overflowing from my recent sermon at Eastbrook Church.
Yesterday afternoon’s hike through the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center was quiet and beautiful. We were happy to stumble upon a pair of deer enjoying a snack near sundown but I couldn’t snap a photo of them before they ran off.
We recently started a midday prayer gathering with our staff at Eastbrook Church every Wednesday and it is slowly becoming one of my favorite moments in the week. I’m so thankful to work with these colleagues who are also a family I can pray with.
Just finished reading: Soil and Sacrament by Fred Bahnson 📚
I always love being able to celebrate baptism with those who have made a decision to follow Jesus at Eastbrook Church. Each time there are special stories of God’s work in peoples’ lives. And what a beautiful day yesterday at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee!
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 at Eastbrook Church, “Sacred Invitation: A Life of Prayer.”
Last Friday we dropped of our youngest son, David, for his freshman year at college. We’re so excited for him to enter this new phase of life, and it brings a new phase for us as empty nesters. Hard to believe!
So thankful for Winn Collier sharing this 2011 NPR interview with Eugene Peterson with me and others. It was recorded when Peterson’s memoir, The Pastor, was released. I love hearing Peterson’s voice and the textures of his stories.
“Unveiled with God: Prayer as a Pathway to Relational Encounter with God and Ourselves” - some thoughts on prayer and life with God, drawing upon the life of Elijah and the un-dragoning of Eustace in C. S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Visited someone in the hospital today who has endured a lot. They said to me: “Someone once told me, ‘I can’t believe in God because of what I’ve been through,’ and I told them, ‘It’s hard for me not to believe in God after all God’s carried me through.’” What an amazing and challenging perspective!
Sometimes when my kids are in town, they enjoy taking cool and artistic pictures of one another. I enjoy taking normal pictures of them taking cool and artistic pictures of one another.
“Love is a Great Room with a Lot of Doors”: grief and love in Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
I loved being with the staff of Eastbrook Academy at their annual staff retreat before the schoolyear begins. I led us in a lectio divina engagement with John 15:1-17. After that slow meditative time, we continued in small group conversations together.
What are the best books you know or recommend on the topic of humility? It could be any genre, whether non-fiction, fiction, poetry, or something else.
I’m so thankful for all those in our Food Pantry team at Eastbrook Church who grow fresh food for those who visit us when we’re open. What a gift to receive home grown food in a time of need.
Looking forward to beginning a new preaching series this weekend at Eastbrook Church on prayer entitled “Sacred Invitation: A Life of Prayer.”
Looking forward to beginning a new preaching series this weekend at Eastbrook Church on prayer entitled “Sacred Invitation: The Life of Prayer.”
I’m re-reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy after recently finishing his later Border Trilogy. I’m reminded of how much this book feels like a cascading exploration of unrelenting human depravity. 📚
Looking out my office window at the rain I’m so thankful (1) for the rain, and (2) that our outdoor church worship service and picnic was yesterday and not today.
I just finished reading Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. 📚 While I have always enjoyed Berry’s poetry and essays, I’d love to hear from others. What’s your favorite novel by Wendell Berry?