{"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":"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":"87139635","content_html":"<p>Here is “<a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/the-weekend-wanderer-28-march-2026\">The Weekend Wanderer</a>” for 28 March 2026 with links to an interview with Fleming Rutledge, James KA Smith on his new book, JP Moreland on Dallas Willard’s 4 primary concerns for spiritual formation, <em>Image Journal</em>’s top 100 films, and more.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/28/here-is-the-weekend-wanderer.html","date_published":"2026-03-28T13:46:11+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 13:46","date_timestamp":1774705571,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87139522","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781250788450/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\"><p></p>\n\n<p>Completed a re-reading of <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781250788450\">The Brothers Karamazov Bicentennial Edition</a> by Fyodor Dostoevsky 📚</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/28/completed-a-rereading-of-the.html","date_published":"2026-03-28T13:43:47+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 13:43","date_timestamp":1774705427,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"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":"87000118","content_html":"<p>It was such a joy to be with the wonderfully hospitable and gracious folks at <a href=\"https://slbf.org/upper-house\">Upper House</a> in Madison, WI, yesterday for an event with my new book <em>The Pastor as Gardener</em>. They are doing outstanding work as a Christian study center in Madison.</p>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/205807-1774472287953.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"296\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/26/it-was-such-a-joy.html","date_published":"2026-03-26T13:05:34+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":"2026-03-26 13:05","date_timestamp":1774530334,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"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}},{"id":"86881454","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/frjonjordan\">@frjonjordan</a> And now I can’t wait to read your book!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/86881454","date_published":"2026-03-24T20:05:16+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 20:05","date_timestamp":1774382716,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86881437","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/frjonjordan\">@frjonjordan</a> Thank you so much! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/86881437","date_published":"2026-03-24T20:04:54+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 20:04","date_timestamp":1774382694,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86851672","content_html":"<p>I am so excited to celebrate today’s release of my new book <em>The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry</em>. As the book enters the world today, it offers me <a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/release-day-the-pastor-as-gardener\">the wonderful opportunity to share what the book is really about from my perspective</a> before other readers offer their own thoughts.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/24/i-am-so-excited-to.html","date_published":"2026-03-24T12:13:20+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 12:13","date_timestamp":1774354400,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86782532","content_html":"<p>Tomorrow (3/24) is launch day for my book, “The Pastor as Gardener,” so apologize now for posting all week about the book.\nYesterday we had an amazing book launch event at Eastbrook Church. It brought me such joy to celebrate and talk about the book, as well as to pray it into the world.</p>\n\n<div class=\"microblog_collection\">\n<img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/1802380838407389953-m.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/4533463795765315145-m.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/img-5475-m.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/img-5555-m.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\">\n</div>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/23/tomorrow-is-launch-day-for.html","date_published":"2026-03-23T13:06:30+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":"2026-03-23 13:06","date_timestamp":1774271190,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86665035","content_html":"<p>Here is “<a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/the-weekend-wanderer-21-march-2026\">The Weekend Wanderer</a>” for 21 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture with links to Paul Kingsnorth on St Patrick, Janette Ok on preaching, Winn Collier on prayer, and more!</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/21/063436.html","date_published":"2026-03-21T11:34:36+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":"2026-03-21 11:34","date_timestamp":1774092876,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86782628","content_html":"<p>Here is “<a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/the-weekend-wanderer-21-march-2026\">The Weekend Wanderer</a>” for 21 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture with links to Paul Kingsnorth on St Patrick, Janette Ok on prayer, Winn Collier on prayer, and more!</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/21/here-is-the-weekend-wanderer.html","date_published":"2026-03-21T11:33:18+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":"2026-03-21 11:33","date_timestamp":1774092798,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86578306","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9780874862034/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\"><p></p>\n\n<p>Currently reading: <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9780874862034\">Action in waiting,</a> by Karl Barth on Christoph Blumhardt 📚</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/19/currently-reading-action-in-waiting.html","date_published":"2026-03-20T03:10:08+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":"2026-03-20 03:10","date_timestamp":1773976208,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86544491","content_html":"<p>Writing a letter to a parishioner who is incarcerated puts a different perspective on my day.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/19/writing-a-letter-to-a.html","date_published":"2026-03-19T16:57:50+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":"2026-03-19 16:57","date_timestamp":1773939470,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86532257","content_html":"<p>I was blown away by <a href=\"https://mwerickson.substack.com/p/i-was-blown-away-by-this-review\">this review</a> of <em>The Pastor as Gardener</em> by Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds Books. I felt like Byron not only read my book but read me.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/19/i-was-blown-away-by.html","date_published":"2026-03-19T13:48:30+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":"2026-03-19 13:48","date_timestamp":1773928110,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86472042","content_html":"<p>It was such a joy to enter into meaningful  conversation with Joel Lawrence and Zach Wagner about my book <a href=\"https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/\"><em>The Pastor as Gardener</em></a> and what it means to think theologically as a pastor on <a href=\"https://www.pastortheologians.com/podcasthomepage/2026/3/9/the-pastor-as-gardener\">the Center for Pastor Theologians podcast</a>.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/18/it-was-such-a-joy.html","date_published":"2026-03-18T17:09:21+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":"2026-03-18 17:09","date_timestamp":1773853761,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86383798","content_html":"<img src=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781958865064/cover.jpg\" class=\"mini_cover\"><p></p>\n\n<p>Just finished reading: <a href=\"https://micro.blog/books/9781958865064\">Blessed Are the Others Jesus’ Way in a Violet World</a> by Andrew DeCort. What a book!📚</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/03/17/just-finished-reading-blessed-are.html","date_published":"2026-03-17T13:46:47+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":"2026-03-17 13:46","date_timestamp":1773755207,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}}]}