To pretend what is, is otherwise. To speak harsh sentences in the quiet of the night when no one else hears but oneself. To hold one's breath day after day, climbing into a building that is on fire. To know what is good but pursue what is evil, letting it fasten its teeth into you. …
How Was My Sabbatical?
Earlier this week, I began a series of two posts on my sabbatical this past September 1-December. That first post was framed around a fairly basic question: "What did I do on my sabbatical?" This second post is a bit more challenging to write as I probe the question, "How was my sabbatical?" There are …
Pastoral Sabbatical Begins (and a word about the blog)
Dear friends, This week I begin a three-month pastoral sabbatical (September 1-December 1, 2024) after serving at Eastbrook for fourteen years. I am entering into this sabbatical with great anticipation of drawing near to the Lord in prayer and solitude, making use of some resources for spiritual retreat and mentorship, as well as looking forward …
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A Prayer of Trust and Abiding in Christ
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Teach me, Lord, how to abide in You,to remain in You,to rest in You. When so many confusing words,false words, and harsh wordscome into …
The Mercy of Waiting: learning to pray with Psalm 130
Psalm 130 begins with praying to God from the depths. But midway through there comes a word about waiting: I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6) We tend to think of waiting …
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Matthew Erickson 