{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Micro.blog - Matt Erickson","home_page_url":"https://micro.blog","feed_url":"https://micro.blog/posts/mwerickson","_microblog":{"about":"https://micro.blog/about/api","id":"10138","username":"mwerickson","bio":"I’m Matt Erickson, and I serve as the Senior Pastor for Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I write regularly about pastoral ministry and spiritual formation in various publications, as well as regular meanderings on my blog.","pronouns":"","is_following":false,"is_you":false,"following_count":26,"discover_count":0},"author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2025/49/10138.jpg"},"items":[{"id":"89763328","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/eastbrad\">@eastbrad</a> Wilco?</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/89763328","date_published":"2026-05-07T13:09:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-07 13:09","date_timestamp":1778159365,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"89655767","content_html":"<p>Friends, I am trying to research more fully the contextual situation that led Christians to flee to the desert in what we know as the Desert Fathers and Mothers movement. Not looking for a collection of sayings, but more about the historical-social milieu. Any recommended resources?</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/05/friends-i-am-trying-to.html","date_published":"2026-05-05T17:42:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-05 17:42","date_timestamp":1778002927,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89652401","content_html":"<p>I really enjoyed Andrew Camp’s thoughtful questions and engagement with “The Pastor as Gardener” on The Biggest Table podcast. He explored themes I had not fully thought of with my work. I was so grateful for <a href=\"https://share.transistor.fm/s/f7508810\">this conversation</a>!</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/05/i-really-enjoyed-andrew-camps.html","date_published":"2026-05-05T16:59:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-05 16:59","date_timestamp":1778000382,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89563871","content_html":"<p>Last week I traveled to the Middle East to visit friends and church partners. It was certainly an interesting time to travel because of the global conflicts in that region, but conversations I had with ministry partners made it even more interesting: “<a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/hearing-an-apt-word-in-the-middle\">Hearing an Apt Word in the Middle East</a>.”</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/04/last-week-i-traveled-to.html","date_published":"2026-05-04T12:45:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-04 12:45","date_timestamp":1777898730,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89464688","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9780300279764/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\"><p></p>\n\n<p>Just finished reading: <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9780300279764\">Make Your Home in This Luminous Dark Mysticism, Art, and the Path of Unknowing</a> by James K. A. Smith 📚 I liked it, but felt it was slow at the start but grew on me near the end. Smith reframes philosophy through mysticism, pointing toward John of the Cross, Teresa, and others.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/02/just-finished-reading-make-your.html","date_published":"2026-05-02T18:22:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-02 18:22","date_timestamp":1777746165,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89447731","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/KyleEssary\">@KyleEssary</a> Thank you so much, Kyle.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/89447731","date_published":"2026-05-02T12:32:05+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-02 12:32","date_timestamp":1777725125,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"89447413","content_html":"<p>Here is <a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/the-weekend-wanderer-2-may-2026\">“The Weekend Wanderer” for 2 May 2026</a> with Kenneth Tanner on the Road to Emmaus, Christian persecution in Egypt, David Swanson on changes to racial reconciliation, Mike Sacasas on AI, and more.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/02/here-is-the-weekend-wanderer.html","date_published":"2026-05-02T12:23:34+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-02 12:23","date_timestamp":1777724614,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89391904","content_html":"<p>I’m thankful for Joseph Lear’s thoughtful and generous engagement with my book, <em>The Pastor as Gardener</em>. Read his review and take advantage of the 40% discount on purchasing the book offered at the end of the post: “<a href=\"https://josephlear.substack.com/p/pastor-as-gardener-by-matthew-erickson\">Pastor as Gardener by Matthew Erickson: A Review and Endorsement</a>.”</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/01/im-thankful-for-joseph-lears.html","date_published":"2026-05-01T15:40:01+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-01 15:40","date_timestamp":1777650001,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89391365","content_html":"<p>I was grateful to write <a href=\"https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/contributors/2026/04/28/trump-budget-usaid-humanitarian-christians-hiv-world-relief/89720933007/\">an OpEd</a> with the help of World Relief staff about our international budgeting. “As a pastor and a former humanitarian worker…witnessing the devastation of HIV during my tenure at World Relief, my understanding of what it means to care for my neighbor has changed irrevocably.”</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/01/i-was-grateful-to-write.html","date_published":"2026-05-01T15:31:03+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-01 15:31","date_timestamp":1777649463,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89081500","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781509515103/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\">\n<p>Currently reading: <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781509515103\">Saving Beauty</a> by Byung-Chul Han 📚</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/27/currently-reading-saving-beauty-by.html","date_published":"2026-04-27T06:41:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-27 06:41","date_timestamp":1777272102,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89043726","content_html":"<p>There’s nothing quite like being with believers in another part of the world that will give challenging and helpful perspective on what is happening to Christianity in America.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/26/theres-nothing-quite-like-being.html","date_published":"2026-04-26T15:19:05+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-26 15:19","date_timestamp":1777216745,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88771454","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/three-ways-to-read-1-corinthians\">“Three Ways to Read 1 Corinthians 13: spiritual formation through Scripture”</a></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/22/three-ways-to-read-corinthians.html","date_published":"2026-04-22T11:19:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-22 11:19","date_timestamp":1776856762,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88634140","content_html":"<p>I rewatched <em>The Taste of Things</em> this past weekend and I loved it just as much the second time. The beauty of the storyline as well as the sensory nature of the film is so wonderful.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/20/i-rewatched-the-taste-of.html","date_published":"2026-04-20T13:30:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-20 13:30","date_timestamp":1776691826,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88568464","content_html":"<p>“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/19/jesus-performed-many-other-signs.html","date_published":"2026-04-19T11:34:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-19 11:34","date_timestamp":1776598469,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88398036","content_html":"<p>Love this from Eugene Peterson: \"The meaning of our lives\": <a href=\"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/16/love-this-from-eugene-peterson.html\">mwerickson.micro.blog</a></p>","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/16/love-this-from-eugene-peterson.html","date_published":"2026-04-16T20:30:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-16 20:30","date_timestamp":1776371437,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88394462","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://rabbitroom.substack.com/p/the-holy-foolishness-of-thinking\">“The Holy Foolishness of ‘Thinking He Was the Gardener’”</a> — It was an honor to write this original article for <em>The Rabbit Room</em> bringing together Mary’s mistaken identity of Jesus as the gardener, Dostoevsky’s <em>The Idiot</em>, and the everyday holy foolishness of gardening.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/16/the-holy-foolishness-of-thinking.html","date_published":"2026-04-16T19:09:23+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-16 19:09","date_timestamp":1776366563,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88255357","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> I really appreciated this post. I resonate so deeply with the patience required by Malick’s films. As with Andrei Tarkovsky, I find in them an invitation to slowing and attentiveness to life. Have you read Jamie Smith’s <a href=\"https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300279764/make-your-home-in-this-luminous-dark/\">new book</a>? He echoes your words here in his third chapter on <em>hesychia</em>.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/88255357","date_published":"2026-04-14T20:21:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-14 20:21","date_timestamp":1776198091,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88230980","content_html":"<p>Today is National Gardening Day, so I thought it would be a nice opportunity to share <a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/into-the-rich-soil-of-gods-garden\">an excerpt from the introduction to my book</a>, <em>The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry</em>. Enjoy!</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/14/today-is-national-gardening-day.html","date_published":"2026-04-14T13:24:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-14 13:24","date_timestamp":1776173068,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88173910","content_html":"<p>I enjoyed a great conversation, “<a href=\"https://pastorwriter.com/episode/matt-erickson/\">The Image of a Pastor</a>,” with Chase Replogle on the Pastor<em>Writer</em> podcast that delved into imagination, metaphor, pastoral care, and hope.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/13/i-enjoyed-a-great-conversation.html","date_published":"2026-04-13T16:43:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-13 16:43","date_timestamp":1776098636,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87933391","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/opinion/ben-sasse-death-pancreatic-cancer.html?utm_campaign=42144336-2026-04-09%2C%20Comment%20Weekly&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--qOLDJ94Qb3jHRkNZXot_sDTe1LSF1QaOe1LvAn1M_77EgKIhVKeGP_mps5SX8WRGcPPl6GR1SEj_rHuEWNL3L7UqkSQ&amp;_hsmi=413012926&amp;utm_content=413012926&amp;utm_source=hs_email\">This conversation</a> between Ross Douthat and Ben Sasse was quite moving.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/09/this-conversation-between-ross-douthat.html","date_published":"2026-04-09T19:46:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-09 19:46","date_timestamp":1775763970,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87933260","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/bbowman\">@bbowman</a> I love that question. Do you have a favorite book or two (or three or…) by Williams? I’m a big fan of his work but always love to hear from others.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87933260","date_published":"2026-04-09T19:44:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-09 19:44","date_timestamp":1775763876,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87918848","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781441237057/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\"><p></p>\n\n<p>Currently reading: <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781441237057\">The Gospel of John</a> by Craig S. Keener 📚</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/09/currently-reading-the-gospel-of.html","date_published":"2026-04-09T16:19:33+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-09 16:19","date_timestamp":1775751573,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87918798","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ReaderJohn\">@ReaderJohn</a> That is an achievement. Congratulations!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87918798","date_published":"2026-04-09T16:18:46+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-09 16:18","date_timestamp":1775751526,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87907681","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/bbowman\">@bbowman</a> This entire trilogy by Williams is a gift.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87907681","date_published":"2026-04-09T13:17:57+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-09 13:17","date_timestamp":1775740677,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87907552","content_html":"<p>“A crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There’s nothing <em>you</em> have to do. There’s nothing you <em>have</em> to do. There’s nothing you have to <em>do</em>.”</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Frederick Buechner in <a href=\"https://www.frederickbuechner.com/quote-of-the-day/2016/9/9/grace\"><em>Wishful Thinking</em></a>\n</li>\n</ul>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/09/a-crucial-eccentricity-of-the.html","date_published":"2026-04-09T13:16:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-09 13:16","date_timestamp":1775740579,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87862237","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> Egad! I’m thrilled.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87862237","date_published":"2026-04-08T20:04:27+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-08 20:04","date_timestamp":1775678667,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87804576","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/dswanson\">@dswanson</a> That is so true. We need signs of life in days like these. Thanks for sharing your joyful discoveries.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87804576","date_published":"2026-04-07T23:43:33+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-07 23:43","date_timestamp":1775605413,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87787844","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/dswanson\">@dswanson</a> So beautiful!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87787844","date_published":"2026-04-07T19:05:55+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-07 19:05","date_timestamp":1775588755,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87760908","content_html":"<p>I wrote about “Jesus’ New Gardening: Joining Jesus in Resurrection Gardening” <a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/jesus-new-gardening\">here</a>.</p>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/image-10-sun-8.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/07/i-wrote-about-jesus-new.html","date_published":"2026-04-07T12:22:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-07 12:22","date_timestamp":1775564573,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87700515","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> I would love to see how you would craft something like this.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87700515","date_published":"2026-04-06T15:06:43+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-06 15:06","date_timestamp":1775488003,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87637516","content_html":"<p>”‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.’” (Mark 16:6)</p>\n\n<p>Happy Easter, friends. The Lord is risen!</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/05/dont-be-alarmed-he-said.html","date_published":"2026-04-05T11:05:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-05 11:05","date_timestamp":1775387137,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87545651","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> Wait. What does this mean?</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87545651","date_published":"2026-04-03T18:55:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-03 18:55","date_timestamp":1775242529,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87482313","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/drwalt\">@drwalt</a> I must admit I do like writing all over the books I read. And I also pull quotations and write them in my journal. I wrote a down few pages of quotations from <em>The Scent of Time</em>.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87482313","date_published":"2026-04-02T18:19:01+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-02 18:19","date_timestamp":1775153941,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87469313","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/drwalt\">@drwalt</a> One article I read described his writing as aphoristic, which rings true with what I’ve read so far. The comparison with Emerson is an interesting suggestion.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87469313","date_published":"2026-04-02T15:04:01+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-02 15:04","date_timestamp":1775142241,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87469265","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/JohnBrady\">@JohnBrady</a> I’ve already experienced that overlap you mentioned just in reading <em>The Scent of Time</em> and <em>The Burnout Society</em>, which have some similar chapters. Still, I am fascinated with his writing because I find him addressing themes of great interest to me about action, contemplation, time and more.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87469265","date_published":"2026-04-02T15:03:08+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-02 15:03","date_timestamp":1775142188,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87468800","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> And a wonderful book it is.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87468800","date_published":"2026-04-02T14:58:15+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-02 14:58","date_timestamp":1775141895,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87416442","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/Jonah\">@Jonah</a> Thoughts?</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87416442","date_published":"2026-04-01T20:33:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 20:33","date_timestamp":1775075636,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87412486","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/bbowman\">@bbowman</a> What did you think of this book?</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87412486","date_published":"2026-04-01T19:18:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 19:18","date_timestamp":1775071110,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87397979","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781509516087/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\"><p></p>\n\n<p>Why had I not heard of Byung-Chul Han until now? Thanks to <a href=\"https://micro.blog/ablerism\">@ablerism</a> for mentioning <em>The Burnout Society</em>, which I have on order.</p>\n\n<p>Currently reading: <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781509516087\">The Scent of Time: A Philosophical Essay on the Art of Lingering</a> by Byung-Chul Han 📚</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/01/why-had-i-not-heard.html","date_published":"2026-04-01T15:14:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 15:14","date_timestamp":1775056447,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87390480","content_html":"<p>“The age of haste, its cinematographic succession of point-like presences, has no access to beauty or to truth. Only in lingering contemplation, even an ascetic restraint, do things unveil their beauty, their fragrant essence. It consists of temporal sedimentations emitting a phosphorescent glow” - Byung...</p> <a href=\"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/01/the-age-of-haste-its.html\">mwerickson.micro.blog</a>","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/04/01/the-age-of-haste-its.html","date_published":"2026-04-01T12:56:17+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 12:56","date_timestamp":1775048177,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87390376","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> I saw this announcement yesterday and was pleased for Wesley Hill and Wycliffe (where another friend, Kristen Deede Johnson, recently arrived).</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87390376","date_published":"2026-04-01T12:53:17+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 12:53","date_timestamp":1775047997,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87321219","content_html":"<p>“<a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/tracing-the-journey\">Tracing the Journey</a>” - a devotional poetry cycle for Holy Week</p>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/cross-of-christ-m.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"336\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/31/tracing-the-journey-a-devotional.html","date_published":"2026-03-31T13:16:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-31 13:16","date_timestamp":1774963019,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87263789","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/bbowman\">@bbowman</a> Marva Dawn is a wonderful gift. I remember hearing her speak at a gathering back when I was in seminary, not really knowing who she was, and immediately wanting to hear and read more from her.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87263789","date_published":"2026-03-30T17:03:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-30 17:03","date_timestamp":1774890225,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87251751","content_html":"<p>One of my favorite passages today in the psalm reading for morning prayer:</p>\n\n<p>“Whom have I in heaven but you?\n    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.\nMy flesh and my heart may fail,\n    but God is the strength of my heart\n    and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26)</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/30/one-of-my-favorite-passages.html","date_published":"2026-03-30T13:39:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-30 13:39","date_timestamp":1774877947,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87250408","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/KyleEssary\">@KyleEssary</a> Beautiful!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87250408","date_published":"2026-03-30T13:17:08+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-30 13:17","date_timestamp":1774876628,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87147277","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/ayjay\">@ayjay</a> Amen.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87147277","date_published":"2026-03-28T16:25:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-28 16:25","date_timestamp":1774715125,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87016027","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/marmanold\">@marmanold</a> I can totally relate to that.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87016027","date_published":"2026-03-26T17:11:12+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-26 17:11","date_timestamp":1774545072,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87000044","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/marmanold\">@marmanold</a> That is a wonderful evocative book. I loved it and referenced his encounter with an onion in <em>The Pastor as Gardener</em>.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87000044","date_published":"2026-03-26T13:03:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-26 13:03","date_timestamp":1774530211,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87000023","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/bbowman\">@bbowman</a> I can definitely understand that! Thanks!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/87000023","date_published":"2026-03-26T13:03:05+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-26 13:03","date_timestamp":1774530185,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86888209","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/scottjeffries\">@scottjeffries</a> Amen. Thank you!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/86888209","date_published":"2026-03-24T21:38:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-24 21:38","date_timestamp":1774388308,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}}]}