Weekend Daybook: All the Company of Heaven edition
A curated list of what I've been up to lately: places, people, books, podcasts, music, links & more for your weekend downtime.
“The consoling thing is that while Christendom is divided about the rationality, and even the lawfulness, of praying to the saints, we are all agreed about praying with them. “With angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.” Will you believe it?”
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photo from my week
An autumn walk in one of our favorite local neighborhoods.
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new album releases
It’s here and it’s beautiful! Neighbor Songs from The Porter’s Gate
Intriguing with moments of beauty: Jesus Is King from Kanye West (Read about the album theme and release here: Kanye West Releases His Gospel-themed Album ‘Jesus Is King’ via NYT)
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essays on lamenting National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month
photo: Simcha Fisher
From a friend who reminded me that when she pictures the company of heaven, she sees her daughter: A Different Kind of Miracle blog by Jen Thompson (You can also read Jen’s guest post about Lydia here.)
Not Lost Forever: On Miscarriage, Grief, and Hope via Simcha Fisher (Make sure you click through to the NYT essay The Japanese Art of Grieving a Miscarriage)
How to Name Dead Babies by Susanna Childress via The Rumpus
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reflections on multi-dimensional worship expressions for all the saints
Make a Joyful Silence Unto the Lord Why quiet is essential to corporate worship. by W. David O. Taylor via CT Pastors (See also the companion post on David’s blog: Silence in Worship: An Essay And Resources)
And God Said to Pastors: Use More Sermon Puns and Plan More Parties Three reasons to practice levity and humor in public worship. by W. David O. Taylor via CT
Finding A Place For Lament In The Anglican Church by Rachel Wilhelm via Anglican Pastor
The Curses of God’s People: Dynamics of a Genuine Covenantal Interaction An Asian American witness to the gospel according to Job by Daniel D. Lee via Fuller Studio
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movies, episodes, and TV series I’ve watched lately
Random, sweet recommendation: Ladies In Lavender (2004) starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith via Amazon Prime.
Emotionally difficult, yet brilliantly acted and rewarding: Unbelievable (2019) via Netflix. Based on a true story that eventually leads to justice starring Toni Collette and Merritt Wever (Read the original award-winning journalism that inspired the series here: “An Unbelievable Story of Rape” via The Marshall Project)
Important part of our history: Loving via Amazon Prime. Based on the true story of a couple, the Lovings, in 1958 who take their fight against Virginia's ban on interracial marriage all the way to the Supreme Court.
Surprisingly sweet and void of irony: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman - Tiffany Haddish episode via Netflix. (He rubbed her feet!)
The most fun episode of Carpool Karaoke ever: The Late, Late Show with James Corden, Paul McCartney via YouTube. Brian and I watch this every time we need to feel better about the world. Here’s a clip from the episode…
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links for Halloween and All Saint’s Day this week
“So let us honor this week the memory of those who have gone before us in faith, praising our great and gracious God who sanctifies his people—and who is preparing a family reunion like no other!”
First and foremost, for you Moms and Dads sweating it this week: Disappointing holidays are hard on mom. This is normal. via Simcha Fisher
Find a way to watch the Halloween episode (Ep 03 of the gone-too-soon series Freaks & Geeks! Here’s a clip for your enjoyment.
If You’re Looking For All Saints Ideas… via The Homely Hours (You might also appreciate All Hallows Eve & All Saints Day: Anglican Links and Quotations )
Spooky Saints and Learning to Love the Church: Celebrating All Saints Day via C4SO
Inspiration for remembering those we’ve lost: The Merry Cemetery - A small town Romanian cemetery filled with darkly humorous gravestones. via Atlas Obscura
Sky World (Artful Devotion) via Art & Theology
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posts from same week, different years (the archives)
4 years ago
A wedding shower for our daughter-in-law Rebekah. See the full post here.
May your weekend include some rest and some fun with friends and family. Peace...
p.s. This post may contain affiliate links because I'm trying to be a good steward, and when you buy something through one of these links you don't pay more money, but in some magical twist of capitalism we get a little pocket change. Thanks!