It’s Friday, ya’ll. Don’t knock it.
One
It has been on my mind for some weeks to commend to you some substackers who I know either online or in person. These are accounts I binge-read on the weekends, trying to catch up with everything. Except when I have a couple of minutes in the middle of a weekday and happen to tire of all the hogwash on other sites.
First, those whom I know in person:
Missionary Order of Saint Augustine—I bring Kevin up first because not only is he a brilliant writer, but he desperately needs your prayers on behalf of his son, Augustine, who is fighting a horribly aggressive cancer. Augustine is in college and is a lovely, bright young Christian man. Give Kevin a follow so you can keep praying for them.
Teach Like A Mother—I’m so relieved Julia is writing again. If you like music, culture, books, and thinking thoughts, this account is for you. Which is to say, if you’re not reading this substack, you’re probably not a thinking person. I don’t know how to help you with that.
Grace Notes—Emily is a newish Substacker who has been writing in other venues for a while. Her writing about the Bible is fresh and engaging. Right now, she’s working through Numbers which will do you good. Also, she’s a brilliant musician, which makes me jealous. To be able to write and play, I mean.
BAD Reviews—I don’t love watching movies, but I love reading Brett’s writing about them. I love his tagline as well, “Because no art can outrun the Divine, but that's no guarantee the results are sublime.” I tried to get Brett to take over our Christmas pageant, and he was sensible enough not to, but in heaven, I’m pretty sure he’ll be embodying his cinematic and theological insights in some liturgical way that delights the cosmos.
Two
Those who belong to my online community, which is just as necessary to my happiness as in real life:
Simply Sacred—Gary Thomas is an expert in the subject of marriage, though his interests range over all the kinds of topics I particularly like to read about. I’ve very much appreciated his devotionals, and his sage counsel about marriage in general, and difficult marriages in particular.
Wannabe Anglican—Mark is an Anglican, which is the main reason to read him, but he also parries the political issues of the day with aplomb and intelligence, however maddening those issues might be.
Paul Erlandson—I’m commending this account to you in the hopes it will produce vast amounts of more writing from the author. We need more of this, for example.
Further Up—I can’t imagine that you’re not already reading Bethel, but if you’ve missed her content, you should give her a follow. She writes all over the place, and tweets with brilliance, and her long-form posts are well worth your time.
Beautiful Christian Life—This is a name you might already be familiar with, but Lee Ann has been slowly migrating all their posts to Substack. This is an excellent resource on so many different topics from a variety of writers and viewpoints. Highly Recommend.
Calvin Robinson—I should have been able to put this account up in the have met in real life category, except that I didn’t get to meet him in Kigali when everyone else did, having been locked away in the writing room. He writes when exciting things are happening. Give him a follow!
Three
Phew! I just used all my blogging time finding all those links! I’ve been meaning to do that for ages, but, well, you know, I was so busy hoping for Kate Middleton News—I guess the consensus is that she’s dead now—and watching all the TikTok videos flooding X right now. There is so much great content, I almost don’t care if the Chinese do take over. And to think, all they have is a bunch of educational content when we get to have fun things as well as being totally unhinged. Sad!
I love this one. And this one. Sorry Not Sorry.
Four
I happened to be in the way of having several hours of uninterrupted listening yesterday, and so clicked on a book I’ve been hearing a lot about—Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff. I’m about halfway through, I think, and I have many thoughts. I am determined to not share any of them until the end. On the one hand, I’m really liking it, because American parents have been denied the deep rationality of parenting through the ages. On the other hand, having grown up in a culture such as the ones she’s describing, I have…well, what I mean is, I have SO MANY THOUGHTS. Which is to say, watch this space for a volley of parenting and cultural tips
Five
Oh look, Pope Francis is being unutterably foolish again. Here’s what I had to say the last time he said something on this subject.
Speaking of which, did you know I have an ongoing column over at CRJ? And so does Douglas Groothuis.
Six
This is the picture I most passionately want for the cover of our marriage book, if I ever get it written:
I keep saying “our” book that “I’m” writing. Essentially, if it’s going to get written, I’m going to have to do it. But it is “our” book, so I’m hoping Matt at least will read parts of it. So anyway, watch this space, of course.
Seven
Have a good weekend!
One of your articles over on CRJ was what made me aware of your writing! When my church started swallowing the “side B Christianity” rubbish I needed to understand why I was so confused by it all. Your 2022 article “Identity & Obedience in Revoice 2021” was the most helpful I found on the topic. It felt like you cut through all the confusion with a knife and I could move forward with clarity on it all. So thank you, your writing has helped in many different ways, it is much appreciated!
Thanks so much for the shout out, Anne! I will try to live up to expectations.
But mostly: YESSSSSSS, that is the perfect book cover! This MUST happen!!
But if there are copyright issues (or excessive cost) with using the image, merely have your artist son replicate it in a drawing. He is more than capable, and might even improve on it, if such a thing were possible.