The Warren & the World is Story Warren’s weekly newsletter, providing a round-up of our favorite things from around the web as well as a review of what was on our site over the past week. We’re glad you’re here!
Around the Web:
Stephen Curry and the Culture of Self-trust
I don’t follow basketball at all, so I had never heard of Stephen Curry before this week. But when I saw this article, I recognized the name: it’s on a banner out in front of a Christian school I pass on my way to work. He’s an alumnus. Recognition led to clicking and clicking to reading and I was happy to discovery Bethany Jenkins’ piece at The Gospel Coalition examining our culture of self-trust and the freedom of self-forgetfulness.
- Tim Keller suggests that four things characterize the natural state of the human ego—emptiness, pain, busyness, and fragility. We’re riddled with prideful illusions that self-trust and self-esteem are rational responses to our greatness. We believe we can find meaning in life without God and think our accomplishments can produce satisfaction and joy. But we know these are lies, because when we try to quiet our deep feelings of inadequacy with personal achievement, failure causes our self-worth to plummet, and shallow notions of success leave us dissatisfied.
The Side of Motherhood I Did Not Know
Lisa Gungor has an excellent piece published at the Storyline blog in which she tells her story of her second-born, a special needs little girl with various medical challenges. I’ve had family and friends who have seen this side of motherhood, and Lisa’s words ring true, beautiful, and lovely.
- I had expectations I didn’t even realize. Plans for these two lives, all laid out in a timeline.But in a moment, the whole world changed.
On May 13th, I held her for the first time. I kissed her head and, once again, as with our first, felt the unreal emotions that come with meeting your child. I realized I was crying, couldn’t believe motherhood was greeting me once again with so much love.
And then I could see her turning blue, and they took her.
Eeyore: Literature’s archetypal outsider
Chris Cox writes at The Guardian’s Book Blog to honor Eeyore’s 140th birthday. Eeyore’s a classic literary archetype, he argues, and for some reason, Eeyore has a special place in our hearts–above even Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet.
- The Winnie-the-Pooh stories are part of the fabric of our lives. We grow up reading them, then we read them to our children. But while each character is loveable, Eeyore seems to have a special place in our hearts. We are drawn helplessly towards him; we recognise something deeply human in his gloomy outlook. His sadness is our sadness. He’s an Everyman; an Every-donkey.
10 Fascinating Nonfiction Books for Kids
Melissa Taylor has a great list of nonfiction books for kids over at Imagination Soup.
- Do you read nonfiction books with your kids? We gravitate toward fiction so I have to intentionally give my kids nonfiction books to read, some of which we read together. Which is what I figure you’re doing, too. So here are new nonfiction books for kids I think you’ll love!
I often pick out a nonfiction book to read tidbits from. Then see if they want more information. The Almanac is a great choice for this. Dangle info (did you know?) and see what entices them to read further. (Hand them the book and point to the section to read.)
Around the Warren:
Spring
Guest poster Gina Sutphin brings us a bit of Spring in a poetic form, accompanied by illustrations from our own Joe Sutphin (her husband, with whom she shares her barn in Ohio).
- Spring is all encircling fresh and vivid green with sunlight gently kissing/ un-freckled cheeks.
“…courage to attempt anything?”
Vincent Van Gogh’s good words. Paul Boekell’s lovely art.
Ember Burns Brightly
In which Loren Eaton reviews our own S.D. Smith’s The Green Ember. We’re fairly certain this is nepotistic, but we kinda don’t care, because we love that book.
- I can think of plenty of reasons not to review S. D. Smith’s The Green Ember. One is that I always think it’s a bit awkward to post about titles with which I have a personal connection. (I served as a beta reader for a early draft of the manuscript.) And I truly try to avoid any impression of editorial subjectivity. So for these reasons, I really ought to keep my trap shut.
But I’m not going to do that. I’m going to comment, observe, remark, and declare. Because The Green Ember is a good book.
Something to Do with Your Kids:
Since we’re thinking spring this week, I thought some spring-related games might be fun. The folks at Activity Village have links to printable and computer games to bring spring to your game night. Check them out.
And Something to Watch
Remember that time when you had that dream about flying…with a jetpack…over Dubai? Haven’t had that dream yet? Well, maybe you’ll have it tonight after you watch this:
Thank you for reading. We’re on your side.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 43 - December 5, 2024
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 42 - November 30, 2024
- The Warren & The World Vol 12, Issue 41 - November 23, 2024
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