Story Warren

Kindling Imagination for Kingdom Anticipation

The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 12

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I’ve just gotten home from a Service of Darkness, walking through the upper room and the crucifixion story from the Gospel of John. We finished the night with a quiet singing of “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” together, a powerful moment of voices mixing together to remind each other that the darkness which causes us to tremble, tremble, tremble is important—because we can’t know how good the Good News is until we face how bad the bad news is.

Around the Web

Jesus Reigned as Lord from the Tree

Justin Taylor shares a beautiful passage from Tertullian.

  • The early church father, Tertullian, writing in the early third century, asks:
    Which king ever displayed the sign of his dominion upon his shoulder,
    and not in a crown upon his head or a scepter in his hand,
    or some mark of appropriate apparel?
    Read more

Improv and the Yes/And of Loving People Well

Jeannie Whitlock shares some of the powerful things she’s learned from improv.

  • Outside, it’s a weirdly warm February night on Chicago’s Fremont Street as lightning shatters the dark and wind howls through the skyscrapers. Inside, however, a ragtag jailhouse Shakespeare production is all that matters.
    A little blond woman in a green tank top hitches her pants up a bit higher and struts to the center of the stage. “Step right up if you wanna audition,” she barks.
    A young man with a ’fro and sweet brown eyes raises his hand, pleading, “I don’t want to be Puck again.”
    “You’re gonna be Puck, Karl!” another woman shouts. An older guy runs across the lineup to end the scene, and a new one begins, with two women planning a diamond heist in a Gold’s Gym.
    Read more

The Resurrection of Christ: The Hope of Glory and Hope for the Body

Elizabeth Turnage reminds us of the impact of the resurrection.

  • A 2017 study revealed that 25 percent of British people who identify as Christians do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus.[i] And yet, as pastor and theologian Stephen Um explains, even atheist scholars find weighty evidence for the resurrection. Um quotes atheist philosopher Anthony Flew: “The evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion.”[ii] The resurrection is central to the gospel: if the resurrection didn’t happen, Paul tells the doubting Corinthians, our hope in Christ is pitiable (1 Cor. 15:19).
    Read more

Lauren Castillo’s Art: Nana in the Country, It’s Not Time for Sleeping, Twenty Yawns, The Ramble Shamble Children

Betsy at Redeemed Reader recommends the art and books of Lauren Castillo.

  • Lauren Castillo’s bold outlines and childlike compositions make these books accessible to young readers and their parents, too. Her books are universally cheerful and vibrant, whether she is the author and illustrator both, or working with an author.
    Read more

Around the Warren

What History Is Made Of

A.C.S. Bird recommends books that remind us history is made of moments.

  • We all make history every day, whether we are the fundamental elements that make up the swift-flowing stream or the droplets that leap out and sparkle in the sunlight. In reflecting on what the women below possessed in common, one answer that turned up was, Not much. Many (but not all) worked hard to develop an exceptional gift in art, science, or sports. Others pursued a consuming interest. Several campaigned for a vision they believed in. For a few, birth and family situation positioned them for leadership. Early observers of others, by contrast, may have tagged them as unlikely to succeed. At least one of the women here simply rose to meet the need of the moment.
    Read more

Review: Jesus and the Gift of Friendship

Théa Rosenburg reviews a lovely picture book.

  • We live in a college town, where jobs are few and far between and the cost of living is high. So that major event so many kids face at least once—the best friend who moves away—has happened to each of my daughters many times. It is hard to stay here, so many friends they love have had to leave.
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The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton is one of my very favorite childhood books. Plucky, relatable heroine Persimmony Smudge is relatively unremarkable, until she learns a secret that changes her life and the lives of the entire Island in the Middle of Everything! She finds the adventure she has always wanted and embarks on a quest to save her community and home. I will always remember reading this book for the first time when I was young and being delighted by all the delicious words and names. This book is so fun to read, because of the whimsical wordplay, charming characters, and the sincere story! This book made me fall in love with words, and I think you will love it!

The Last Archer

Fans of The Green Ember series, have you tried The Last Archer? This small series starter is set in the world of Natalia during the events of The Green Ember, but follows a new character: Jo Shanks, archer for the cause. Jo’s initial distain for the Longtreaders warms to friendship and fealty as he fights alongside them for Cloud Mountain and Jupiter’s Heir. I love how in this book, Jo, who started as a small, unimportant side character starts to become one of the most beloved characters of all.

Something to Do with Your Kids

Wanting to help get your kids writing poetry? Melissa at Imagination Soup has a great guide for writing list poems.

Something to Watch

If you’ve been around here for a Winter Olympics, you know that I can’t resist sharing a great figure skating video. This one from the World Figure Skating Championships isn’t to be missed!

Thanks for reading. We’re on your side. 

–The Story Warren Team

Carolyn Clare Givens
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