San Fermo Maggiore Church in Verona, Italy, features foundation stones from the fifth century, so I was quite surprised to find, tucked behind one of the central pillars bearing the weight of the upper church, an exquisite modern sculpture of the Annunciation. Sometimes modern art in ancient places is jarring. It doesn’t fit quite right. Yet this piece took my breath away.
Read MoreI read over 50 books a year so many ask “what were your favorites?” I decided to make a list to share.
Read MoreThis book is a companion, not merely something to read.
Read MoreI’ve always wanted to chat with Robert McCready since I met him on X. I finally got to as a guest on his podcast Evening Magic.
Read MorePerhaps because I write for Christian publications or perhaps it is because I have a million books of my own, people are often asking me for Christian book recommendations for children.
These are some of my favorites. I have picked up a few for my favorite little people and I hope you will too.
Read MoreHonored to talk to Jessica Hooten Wilson on The Scandal of Reading Podcast. We spoke about joy and Christian Wiman's collection of Joy Poetry. I would have talked to Jessica if no one listens to this podcast. She is that special of a woman.
Read MorePleased to share this conversation I had with Marc Shea of Performance Anxiety Podcast. We chat about writing, God, being included in Pope Francis’ Sharing the Wisdom of Time by Loyola Press, staying at monasteries and an Abbot’s questions about the Night Stalker, happiness vs joy, depression and my fear of capybaras. Basically, just a regular conversation with me.
Read MoreWrote a Fall prayer for Ignatian Spirituality.
Read MoreLiminal space, a place of transition, is the moment in time caught between then and now, the past and the not yet. These places can make you feel uncomfortable, like airports or waiting rooms. Or, as an engaged couple or a pregnant woman, they remind you that you are not who you have been and neither are you who you will become.
Read MoreThe splash of paint begins to take form and I make out wings. No, this is not an abstract painting or ink blot test. I am standing before an angel.
Read MoreAmong the many questions that surface is, “How will I know which voice is God?” This is not an easy question to answer.
Read MoreIt has been a while since I read a collection of short stories as captivating as Fragile Objects by Katy Carl.
Read MoreIn Mining the Bright Birds: Poems of Longing for Home, Jody L. Collins invites the reader into a moment, a minute of quotidian life, to witness. These poems reflect both in outward revelation of God’s glory in creation but also inward, the secret space within a heart attuned to His love.
Read MoreAt first glance, it’s a peculiar scene: a maypole in the middle of winter.
Read MoreLike David called out to the Lord in Psalms, so too, modern psalmists wrestle with doubt and faith in the language of poetry. From Pádraig Ó Tuama’s popular podcast Poetry Unbound to Douglas Murray’s weekend poetry reflection Things Worth Remembering for The Free Press, there has been a resurgence in finding meaning and solace through the doorway of poetry. Spend three luscious hours reading and discussing 20th and 21st century poetry and how these words can hold us as we struggle with faith and doubt.
Read MoreI don’t think any of us had grown up feeling like art was something we could approach. Graffiti, silkscreen and maybe Disney were for the likes of us. But the stuff in museums, that was for kids in John Hughes movies or people who lived in New York. Not us.
Read MoreThere is an audible gasp as each person walks into the room. Conversations started are now cut off. Footsteps soften. Although it is not a church, there is a sense of reverence in this space. In this room there is sanctuary.
Read MoreWhat if we weren’t intimidated by the task of living with full-throated joy?
Read MoreOne morning, when I returned to my car after my workout, the parking attendant told me he was taking a walk in his neighborhood and saw a building with James’s name on it. “Is it our James?” he asked. Yes, it is. I told him a story James told me long ago. He was an alcoholic, made a mess out of everything, and found himself in prison, at rock bottom. It was there in prison, as he got clean, that he could hear God’s voice more clearly. He knew he was loved by God, and he wanted others to know that love.
Read MoreThrives on moments where storytelling, art and faith collide.
