living in light of eternity
After tomorrow, when we say "she was born in the 20s," we won't mean Gatsby and flappers any more. We're here, on the crest of a new decade, and who knows what cataclysms of history we're about to face? So much is unknown, so much is out of our hands, and yet "in your book... Continue Reading →
We came to England for two reasons: first, that my husband could log long hours of research for his PhD, but second, that when he had finished (I use the word loosely), we could rest and recharge. Fourteen years we've been church planting, but we'll return home to a new season. This mini-sabbatical is our... Continue Reading →
When all of an instant you realize that something beautiful and taken for granted is slipping—has slipped—away. When an old song on the radio brings to mind a very specific, very simple, happy memory—licking frosting from a spatula, or wading in clear water, laughing like anything. When you become aware (a changing of the light,... Continue Reading →
Kate, circa 1986: Magic 8 Ball, will I ever have a house with secret tunnels and an elevator? Don’t count on it. Will I live among gypsies in Spain? My sources say no. Be a teacher? You may rely on it. Marry the red-headed boy? Outlook not so good. Write a best-seller? (Magic 8 Ball... Continue Reading →
What can we do when we're lost in the dark? How can we confront the absurdities of life on a fallen planet? What does it mean to choose light? Last night we talked about this idea of choosing light, setting our hearts on things above, consciously turning away from darkness that could swallow us whole.... Continue Reading →
Hey friends! This one's for the weary... So pleased to team up with The Gospel Coalition today for this article. You can check it out here, and while you're at it, peruse their site for deep thoughts, strong encouragement, and a good theological shot of espresso.
Grisham, Hemingway, Melville, U2, The Byrds, Dave Matthews, and debatably, Pink Floyd. What do they all have in common? They’ve all borrowed (stolen?) from Ecclesiastes. Who can blame them? What is not to love? This is the book for our times: from drinking to free love to despondent fatalism, it’s like the lyric sheet of our... Continue Reading →
Way back in 2002, my husband and I happily went to see the first of The Lord of the Rings movies. Aside from all of the swashbuckle and magic, the moment in the movie that struck me most forcibly was when old Bilbo, the hobbit, says that he is spread too thin, like butter scraped... Continue Reading →
Little man really wanted to try some of that vanilla I was putting in the banana bread. "It's yucky, buddy," I said. "Yummy in the bread, not so good by itself." "Pleeease?" "You won't like it." "But Mom, can't I just learn the hard way?" Oh my gosh, he is just like me! How many... Continue Reading →
January 2 ought to be known as Anticlimax Day. The turkey is getting a little... ripe, the lights are coming down, the New Year's Resolutions have already been broken, the batteries in the new toys have died. The parties are over, the eggnog's run out, the radio is playing the same old songs from October... Continue Reading →
Catherine's Letters 