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
3 Ways Christians Can Learn from Wendell Berry
- In particular, Berry writes about three topics that Christians should seek to understand: love for the earth, love for work and love for community. Christians are oftentimes inoculated by beliefs our culture holds on these matters, which rob us of the fullness of life. Our culture believes the lies that the earth exists primarily for our benefit, work is a means to the ends of prosperity and comfort, and individualism, not community, is the chief good. Berry proclaims that life is much more full when we are connected to the care of the earth, when we see work as purpose-filled and life-giving, and when we remember, as Berry puts it, “the health of self-forgetfulness” and immerse ourselves in community.
It’s Okay for Kids to be Bored in Church
- I know that many of us worry that our children will be bored during church. We fear that if they are bored they won’t want to go, and if they don’t want to go, then that doesn’t bode well for their future as good little Christians. For this reason we have created all kinds of awesome children’s church programs designed to keep them busy and interested. I think those things are great if they’re available to you.But, I say it’s okay for kids to be bored at church.
“Just” is a four-letter word.
Kimberly Girard shares a lesson she’s learned at Stories of Goodness and Mercy: the importance of removing “just” from our vocabulary.
- For me, “just” becomes an apology for my life, an apology and a recognition of all I am not, all the ways I’m not enough, don’t measure up, don’t compare to the full people. I’m just half. I just ran the half not the whole marathon. I’m just a mom. I’m just, I’m just, I’m just. It never stops for me.
God Doesn’t Need My Kids to Beat the Odds
At Not Alone, Kara Dedert writes a word of encouragement to those who may not see their special needs child “beat the odds.” Her words are a good reminder to all of us. Some of us may see the children in our lives facing odds they can’t beat. Some of us may have friends who face them. Some of us may be facing them ourselves.
- It’s painful to realize that not every situation is one that God gives a miraculous deliverance to show his presence and power. We tend to remember the amazing displays of God’s power in history: Elijah’s showdown on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18), Naaman’s leprosy healed (2 Kings 5), or Jonah’s radical rescue (Jonah 2).We like to remember the stories where men beat the odds. We like trophy stories, ones that showcase deliverance and give testimony of God’s power. We’d be lying to say we didn’t want to see this in our kid’s lives too.
But the testimonies of those who did not experience miraculous healing and power are just as important.
Around the Warren
Reading Lessons
Guest Théa Rosenburg shares a few words on reading lessons.
- Words (to her) are — well,
I don’t know what they are.
That is why we do the lessons.
Perhaps (to her) they are birds —
each word a flock
of small, black birds.
“…your imagination is out of focus.”
Graphic art by Paul Boekell. Words by Mark Twain.
Story Warren On World Radio: Fireballs, Fables, and Allies in Imagination
During Inkwell, World Radio’s Emily Whitten joined us and chatted with a few of us about Story Warren. S.D. Smith introduces the piece:
- World Magazine’s Emily Whitten (also of Redeemed Reader fame) interviewed Zach Franzen, Andrew Peterson, Randall Goodgame (Slugs & Bugs), and myself for a spot on World Radio’s “The World and Everything In It.” It features an intro to The Black Star of Kingston, a bit about Inkwell, and way too much credit to me as a leader. Also, I sound like I had been smoking, but I had just been (shocker) talking too much. Or maybe it was smoke inhalation from all the fireballs on the Black Star cover.
The Smith and the Fairies
This week we share with you A Gaelic Fairy Tale, edited by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, from Tales of Wonder Every Child Should Know. It’s illustrated by Amery Gulledge.
Something to Do with Your Kids
Have you ever considered spreading a sheet out on your lawn, grabbing some bowls of paint and brushes, and turning into your own Van Goghs? Maybe you should.
And Something to Watch
This week at my church was The Big Story Adventure, our VBS. On Wednesday, I got to teach the kids some Chinese as part of their missions focus. And it was a highly entertaining time. We learned a song, and we got it on video…(In essence, the song says, “Mommy, Daddy, I want you to love me, to kiss me, to hug me, etc.”). Fair warning, it’s a bit of an ear worm.
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 13, Issue 12 - April 12, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 11 - April 5, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 10 - March 30, 2025
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