Tremble: A Lenten Reflection

Our own Alyssa Ramsey had a beautiful, and appropriately heavy, reflection over at the Rabbit Room.

• I love aspen trees. When I was a child, my dad often traveled on business and came home with gifts for us. I have abalone jewelry from New Zealand, traditional clothing from India, and coins and pottery from Guatemala. But one of my favorite keepsakes came from a place much less exotic.

  When I was eight or nine, my dad came home from Colorado with an aspen leaf pendant for me and each of my sisters. Nothing flashy, just little rust-colored leaves preserved inside a clear coating and dangling from golden chains.

  I had never seen an aspen tree, so the gift didn’t initially hold any particular significance for me. It was pretty, and it was from my father. I liked it.

  But it came to mean something altogether different to me when I was 11, and my father took us to the aspens.

It's beautiful. Read more.

The Power of Story

Thom Ranier writes about the power of the Gospel to captivate us.

• Do you remember the last time you heard a good story? 
  It’s easy to become captivated by a compelling narrative or a fascinating myth. Stories are instruments of powerful mnemonic and formative capability.
  From movies to novels or warm conversations over dinner, stories can capture our imagination and shape the way we think about the world like nothing else can. We love stories.
  And like children sitting on the edge of a bed awaiting their parents to read a beloved bedtime book, we long to be told a good story. But more importantly, we want to be part of a good story.

This weekend, of all the weekends in a year, we remember the Hero of the story. Read more.

Confessions of a Christian Film Critic

Ann Hornaday is a film critic for the Washington Post. She writes about trying to balance calling and faith. 

• “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

  It may come as something of a surprise for Washington Post readers to learn that these are the words I silently invoke every time I sit down to write.

I love trying to figure out how work and faith intersect. I appreciate when a fellow believer tries to be transparent about it, even if I think i might nitpick on more than a few quibbles. Read more.

Facebook's Friend Problem

Ellis Hamburger writes at the Verge about Facebook's inability — so far — to grow with us as our lives change.

• When I arrived at the University of Michigan in fall 2007, everybody said "Facebook me."

  In the following days, even a passing meeting guaranteed that a friend request would pop up the next time I logged on to Facebook. I felt popular and informed, at all times abreast of what my hallmates, friends, and peers were up to each day. Writing status updates, browsing photos from the previous night’s parties, and searching for girls who were also into Kurt Vonnegut became a daily pastime. The News Feed was the most addictive webpage I’d ever used, letting me people-watch with X-ray vision.

I wonder how this mode of friendship impacts our kids. Read more.

 

Around the Warren:

The Serious Play of Poetry

Julie Silander has a series of very helpful posts about poetry this week, in honor of National Poetry month. The first post reminds us of the value of poetry.

• Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, and Sam I Am. Although it may have been years (or decades) since we’ve intentionally invested our time in reading poetry, most of us can recall these childhood rhymes with little to no effort. They’ve been stored deeply within our memories alongside Christmas carols and favorite birthday presents. Memorizing them came at little cost – we loved the words, the rhythm, the beautiful illustrations, and the endless repetition, which provided comfort in a sometimes-unpredictable world.

A great reminder of the fun and good to be found. Read more.

A Priest Called a Poet…

Staying on theme, Paul Boekell brings a beautifully designed Chesterton quote.

• 

Excellent.
 

The Serious Play of Poetry – Suggested Resources

Julie continues on the theme, with a list of good poetry for your consideration.

• April is National Poetry Month. As you’re filling Easter baskets and packing for picnics, consider adding a book of poetry to the festivities. Poetry is good for the soul. It’s good for the family. It’s also good for the brain.

Lots of suggestions follow.

You Should Create

Finally, today, Julie introduces us to a fantastic poet: Aaron Belz.

• If you think you poetry is boring or out of reach, you’ve never heard Aaron Belz. I recently met Aaron at a conference near Charlotte. When he took his stand at the podium, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I enjoy reading poetry from time to time, but a 45-minute reading (right before lunch)? I clutched my recently refilled coffee cup – just in case I needed emergency attention span support. Who could have expected poems about shampoo, an avatar, and self-righteous worms. His poetry is full of life and wit. Aaron has graciously written this poem specifically for the Story Warren community. Read it with your kids. Print it out and hang it up. Live it. Enjoy. –Julie

Go read it.

Something to Do with Your Kids:

Given the weekend that it is, here's a great reminder from Jared Wilson: Don't waste your Easter. Read more.

 

And Something Fun to Watch

Job interviews for a near-impossible position. I'll confess, I saw the ending coming.

Thank you for reading. We're on your side. He is Risen!