Get ready to read
Our mid-week offering is back!
Tap, tap, is this thing on—YES. Thank you for sticking around during an unplanned hiatus. Life/health/everything got intense during the past few months. I needed to step back and tend to people and places not here (most of all, my own tired body). But I already have an essay set to post this Saturday, and it feels so good to be gently moving back toward regular rhythms, even if they may look different going forward…
Where I’ve been
Thrilled to announce the new second edition of the book that Kathleen Cahalan and I wrote together, now titled Called on the Way: The Daily Practice of Discipleship. We dive into 7 practical ways to live out Christian discipleship—as a follower, worshiper, witness, neighbor, forgiver, prophet, and steward. Perfect for your summer reflection or small group! Will share more soon…
I love ecumenical endeavors, so I’m delighted to join the team of writers for (in)courage. Here’s a story about the kindest nurse I met at the chemo clinic: When You’re Not Ready But Jesus Shows Up Anyway.
“I always figure the last people here are the ones who need it most.” Sometimes the kingdom of God feels closer in the back of church.
"See you in the story." Inspired by an Instagram post that many of you loved, I turned this into a column for OSV News (so it’s now a shareable version, per your request).
Good reads for you
A book I can’t wait to start: The Understory: An Invitation to Rootedness and Resilience from the Forest Floor by
. Kindred spirit to all the nature writing I’ve been reading for the past year. Currently stalking the mailbox.A book I’m savoring slowly: The Grammar of God by Aviya Kushner. Makes me wish I knew Hebrew. Blowing my mind on every page. Powerful theological insights.
A memoir I just finished: For The Love Of The Broken Body by Julia Walsh. Most honest story of religious discernment. For all who know the pain of a body’s betrayal. (Sister Julia & I once talked creative callings on her Messy Jesus Business podcast.)
A novel I can’t stop thinking about: This Is Happiness by Niall Williams. Hilarious. Heart-breaking. Flat-out brilliant writing. Want to read everything he’s written now, and also don’t want to read anything else yet because I loved it so much. Weird?
“If God fearfully and wonderfully knit the baby I hold inside of me, does He hear the prayer of a scared, migrating woman with a hero husband?” Nesting by
.”My book on racial justice became real when my family experienced hate first-hand.” A powerful testimony from Alessandra Harris (one of our Mothering Spirit writers).
Can AI theologize? A fascinating question provoked by
.“If My Son Wrote Leviticus” by Bess Kalb of
.
This is Happiness is one of my favorite books and has seemed to be generally under-read/under-appreciated but just in the last several months I seem to see it keep popping up in new places and it delights me every time! I'm glad you discovered it and loved it. It's such a beautiful and special book! I read it my first go-around and listened to the audiobook my second time-- that is also excellent (with a great Irish reader).
Thanks for suggesting folks read my book! :) Grateful for our partnership!!