By Laurel Dalrymple When I first looked at Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols in Everyday Life, by Elizabeth Scalia, I thought, “Oh no, another book to make me feel guilty.” That wasn’t the only thought I had; I was also excited to read something (even if it was going to be convicting) by someone whom I loved to read. I was surprised however; instead of being guilt-inducing, Strange Gods was inspiring. If it did induce a little guilt, it was... Read more
This week, one of Patheos’ favorite bloggers, Frank Viola, releases his new book God’s Favorite Place on Earth. Recommended by some 47 top Christian leaders, Viola’s book is a creative retelling of the stories of Bethany, told through the eyes of Lazarus. The premise of the book is simple and 100% Biblical: when Jesus was on the earth, He was rejected everywhere He went … from Bethlehem, to Nazareth, to Jerusalem. The only exception was the little village of Bethany. We caught up... Read more
I hope we'll also take a moment to learn a little more about the pervasive and serious nature of mental illness--and perhaps begin to speak more freely and surround suffering people with loving community. Read more
What would an underground group of desert-tested holy radicals look like today? What hope could they give a weary world? Read more
{This post is part of a roundtable conversation on the new book In the Presence of Angels, by Andrea R. Garrison.} In the Presence of Angels and the Way of Blessing Andrea Garrison presents the vision of an enchanted and inspired universe in her delightful text, In the Presence of Angels. As I sat at my local coffee house, enjoying a sunrise cup of coffee, I was enchanted by the reading of Garrison’s book. She reminds us that life is more than... Read more
So many people are afraid of dying, so much so that they do not truly enjoy life. When I was doing home hospice care with my mom, it was never about death and dying. It was always about loving, giving, living and embracing life to the fullest at every single moment. Read more
The point of “God's Favorite Place on Earth” lies in Frank Viola’s premise that the heart (core) of every Christian should be a place where Jesus knows He has intimacy, joy and sabbath; he writes because many do not, maybe they are unaware or are playing shallow for many reasons. Read more
Author Jeff Shinabarger wouldn’t care if we got so enamored with doing the things here that we never took the time to finish his book. Much of Christianity involves doing; merely believing falls short. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.” (James 1:22) Read more
By Bethanie Ryan I just completed reading Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious by Pat Gohn. It is part Catholic feminist manifesto, part spiritual memoir written like an intimate conversation. It makes you feel as if she is sitting at your kitchen table talking to you. I am sure that this is very intentional on her part and I would say she greatly succeeded. This little book holds a lot of punch and it definitely covers a lot of ground. Each part... Read more
Popular Catholic author and podcast host Pat Gohn has delivered a loving tribute to the feminine in her new book Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious: Celebrating the Gift of Catholic Womanhood. With praise pouring in from a host of important bloggers, the book seems destined to be a timely and inspired resource for what it means to fully claim and live out our unique expression as women in the Church. Pat took a few minutes out of her busy writing and... Read more
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