Last Christmas, my mother wrapped a stack of antique books and gave one to every member of my family. Each was a different edition of a book that was first published in 1840, written by my paternal ancestor, Richard Henry Dana, Jr. Each had a different binding: crimson with gold… Read More

Kindness seems to be a lost art these days. Our culture puts an emphasis on self-promotion and achievement rather than on caring for others. Often showing kindness is not seen as a priority, and for some, it is viewed as a weakness. Even for those of us who believe that… Read More

Why does a pervasive longing and restless disquiet fill our lives, despite brief moments of fulfillment? How can we satisfy this ache that is so profound it leaves us wanting something we cannot name? In The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality, Ronald Rolheiser masterfully crafts a… Read More

Have you ever read something that shook you? Words that you couldn’t get away from? Words that played over and over in your mind? That is what happened when I read Galatians 5:1. Even though I had seen the words many times before, this time was different. The words… Read More

We’ve all been there—in the midst of all the pressures of your life, a situation arises that calls for you to make a decision. Is it time for a career change? Which school should my child go to? Or is that person “the one” I’ve been waiting for? Making decisions under pressure… Read More

As a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to color. I was a perfectionist. I had to stay inside the lines at all times. Crayola was my favorite brand of crayon because they color the best. You couldn’t bring me cheap crayons because I wouldn’t use them. Read More

In this 3-part series, essayist Catherine Ricketts walks us through the spiritual practice of writing our stories. This practice draws on a long tradition of courageous Christians and truth-tellers. Find out how writing your story can help you better understand yourself and God’s presence in your life, leading… Read More

In this three-part series, essayist Catherine Ricketts walks us through the spiritual practice of writing our stories. This practice draws on a long tradition of courageous Christians and truth-tellers. Find out how writing your story can help you better understand yourself and God’s presence in your life, leading to… Read More

In this three-part series, essayist Catherine Ricketts walks us through the spiritual practice of writing our stories. This practice draws on a long tradition of courageous Christians and truth-tellers. Find out how writing your story can help you better understand yourself and God’s presence in your life, leading to… Read More

In May of 2008, everything seemed to be going my way. I had just graduated from college and accepted an internship with a Christian mission organization, planning to subsequently join one of their teams in Asia. Over the summer months, I raised enough money to fully fund the internship. In… Read More