This past Friday evening, we gathered family and friends in Philadelphia and Brooksie was baptized in his grandmother’s backyard. It was the sweetest night, full of kids and laughing friends and a dear former pastor who came into town just to be part of this day with us. We’re grateful. These are the words I read for my boy during the service. * * * Here you are, little boy, you who bear so many names I don’t know what... Read more
Today is a special day for my little family. Our T-Rexy (aka Brooksie) is being baptized in a quiet backyard ceremony at my mother in law’s house this evening. On Monday I will be posting the words I’m planning to read at Brooksie’s baptism tonight. (That post may also answer any questions you might have about my theology and why this Southern Baptist raised thing would practice infant baptism.) But, today, a poem I LOVE (by Franz Wright,... Read more
Every time Chris leaves town, I’m reminded of how much I depend on him, on how good my life is with him, how what I have is rare. Our marriage is not perfect, but it is one of kindness, freedom, friendship. We share. A lot. We’ve shared a car since his broke down in 2003 and we were almost engaged. He lived seven minutes away and I got out of bed at 6 am to pick him up for his... Read more
I’m anxious, which is why I’m baking in the first place. Baking is a kind of sacrament to me: a piece of myself, a temple of the Holy Ghost. Read more
I’m up late trying to get my posts for the week set in place before the family and I jet off to the northeast. Tell me what you are thankful for? Read more
Fifteen years ago, my youth pastor taught me to sit still, to keep my focus, to open my Bible and let the Spirit swoosh through my too easily distracted mind. I used to sit down to prayer with a plan scratched in notebooks: First praise God. Then confess the screw-ups. Then be thankful. Then ask for the needs. Once upon a time, I asked for direction for my life: who I would be, who I would marry, how I should... Read more
When I arrived at my creative writing program in 2002 (which my friend Courtney Queeney and I affectionately referred to as “Poetry Camp”), I was the least educated of the bunch. I don’t say that with false humility. It’s a matter of fact. No one with my GRE scores should have been admitted to any graduate program. I knew that. I’ve always considered my acceptance as explained only by this: God’s Grace. I was given a great gift. I... Read more
A collection of thoughts . . . Just some words that are marking me. “When all the facts are laid out, it is hard to be a Christian. When all the facts are laid out, it is harder not to be a Christian. For the great fact, Jesus, trumps all other facts; he is irresistibly compelling. ‘Will you also leave me?’ … ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have come... Read more
Sarah Bessey is my first blog crush to ever turn into a real friend. Getting to know her in the blog world has been a great gift to my soul. She speaks about worship and mothering and marriage in an original, life-giving voice that never ceases to challenge and refresh me. If you haven’t heard me go on and on about her blog yet, consider this your introduction. I’m grateful and honored to have her here today. In which I... Read more
What if we stood up and took notice when we say “wow”? Awe is an integral Christian “disposition of the soul,” [Herbert] Anderson* contends. It leads us into and disposes us toward faith. Luther himself said, “Wonder brings faith.” Such a disposition is what actually connects belief and practice. Without an outlook titled toward awe, belief becomes a hallow platitude and practice turns into empty habit. Builidng on Luther, Anderson emphasizes, “We will be more disposed toward moments of extraordianry... Read more
Micha Boyett
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