We all do different things with our Summer’s. Here’s what mine’s been like thus far. Always good to do an update so you can be thankful for all that is given seasonable by Grace. Here’s what I’ve been up to this season:

This Summer I’ve been pooling in these studies: existentialism as it relates to 20th C art; finding the philosophers behind each major art movement; early church history, (especially the more Eastern Orthodox and Coptic writers) the Jewish mystical (experiencing the Imminence of God—these guys are the charismatic of modern Judaism) movement Hasidism and how it survived and grew, and looking again at the centrality of The Trinity in a practical way.
I love learning how Christ dialogues with each art and philosophical movement, and enjoys people seeking the why and how to live well.
In addition reading fairy tales and historical novels! My wife and I read fairy tales to one another at night—before George Macdonald, now on to Madeline Engle’s lovely five volumes of wise and other worldly works! Her’s somewhere between fairy tale and early sc-fi! Good stuff. She was smart and kind, and knew language and history well.
And also trying to memorize parts of the Psalms in Hebrew, as I continue to take modern Hebrew on line from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv! I’ve gotten to intermediate level, which is fun, as I can try to do crosswords in Hebrew, which was my Summer goal.
My brain and heart are stimulated. And I’ve had so much time to pray and encourage friends from around the world during these slant times! Plenty time to learn to listen, which to me is what prayer is. I feel like my prayer life has become even more foundational to everything else I get to collaborate on! Have met several artist who are working with the Ukrainian situation, and hope to do some more projects focusing on this important tale of our times. And to let art be part of the healing process.
Now to get back out in the field next week towards Europe and dear friends. Also, got to be involved in some cool photo projects this summer, documenting people’s art and stories, and telling stories of our times through art!
Life is rich, even in the wilderness like heat here! Gotta keep growing to know. What a wonder knowledge and this beautiful world is. Nice to manage a trip over to Israel in the midst of these times as well. I’m thankful that wonder and increase of knowledge never end!
Also got to finish three classes on line, one with Robert Alter, the translator, one on jewish versus greek modes of knowing with Brueggeman, then another from Hebrew university on secular versus religious zionism. And then locally, with the Presbyterians a class on second temple Judaism as a context for the New Testament. Ok, it has been a busy season in my heart and mind. But I feel the lines of learning integrating into wonder!
And it’s fun to be aware of what themes you are circling around each season! And to take note of what your heart is being drawn into seasonally!.
In the meantime, have been writing up some of my God stories from life, and being at wonder at His version of my life instead of mine. I’m working towards a memoir, but more from The Narrator’s perspective than mine. Trying to see my own life from His Perspective. Very meaningful spiritual practice for me.
I even got to review a few books for an old professor friend of mine who has focused on Van Gogh’s spiritual journey for over forty years.
His books are great, and it was an honor to get to listen to his insights about a “failed pastor’s son” who journeyed out loud through his art, and later got famous. And to be back in contact with this elder after so many years.
That wonderful trip to Israel with my whole family, and my wife’s continued enjoyment of learning and teaching design, clothing and spirituality on line, has left me happy and strangely joyful in a clamorous season on earth. She’s a poetic wonder, and continues to flourish forwards in Him, and has just grown as a practical mystical alive teacher, and great artist! I’m thankful. God must love me.
My mom’s health was good enough to make it up Via Dolorosa and she was so present in His Presence throughout our whole pilgrimage to Israel this year. Plus, less tourist meant you could actually encounter Him in all the popular spaces. Once again I was transformed by being with Him in that special touched Land.
It’s been a rich season for me. And I’m extremely thankful for my health on many levels. And His faithfulness to myself and my wife, and His felt Presence around and over and in us, daily!
We are doing some more pod-cast on authentic spirituality, and God as relationship. Staying real, in short. Staying real with The Real.
She is working on a project on knowing His Sabbath, and on how to meet The Father personally. Should be good!
Bless you with whatever is bringing you passion in Him. God is uninterrupted by our times, and is forever in friendship with those who want to be. More updates soon. Just thankful today for this season we are in, and all new areas within us that will be formed and informed by Our Brother and Friend Jesus.
Thanks makes room for Praise, and God always inhabits the praises of His People, as they say! Thankful for this season. Hope yours is resplendent as well friends! Although I know it’s been a season of suffering for many. Joy is fortunately tethered to the same pole.
We lost my dear uncle this season, but he ended so well, and as always with class. Many other friends have passed through as well during all this. I at times, am shocked to still be here to bear witness to another season, and hopefully many more, of His Wonders while here!
More soon friends, but hope you are finding things to be thankful for in the midst! Gratitude makes a way. And each of us is named, claimed and loved right now! Rough weather makes good timber, as they say where I’m from. To the stars through difficulties. But also, Love is uninterrupted!
We continue to pray for many of you weekly, as we do our part to make the garden grow! Let’s keep inspiring, encouraging and instructing one another hourly in whatever mediums we are given to megaphone love through!!!! Much love, Derek