. . . a fundamental task of leaders within Christian communities is, first and foremost, to be as authentically human as the Spirit will allow, guided by an encounter with the crucified and risen Lord
The beauty of this book is both how it is packed with stories, of historical sinners and saints, as well as the stories from her own life; and filled with tips and concrete accessible ways to engage, practice, reflect and act.
Many folks have written recently about how divided America is, especially in the post-2016 moment, but few have done so as gracefully as Jeff Sharlet in his most recent book, The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War.
What kind of fool flings his wife to another man as if tossing a meaty shank to a drooling wolf, thinking that will cure its desire to devour the flock?
Throughout the novel I also experienced something I find happens basically every time I read Schmidt or DiCamillo or Paterson or Krosoczka or Alexander: I find myself almost weeping.