This is my regular (from now on) email update. Blast to Smithereens! If you aren't signed up for my newsletter, why don't you correctify that? I would greatly appreciate it! Also, if you can think of a better name than what my brother Will came up with, I'd love to hear it. As Shakespeare once said in an email, "Have a blast, ya'll." --Your friend and mine, Sam Get Blasted to … [Read more...] about Blast to Smithereens!
The Rabbit Room
The Light on the Hills
I've been reading some old stories in preparation for sharing some on Fridays over at Story Warren and I came across this little gem from Mrs. W. K. Clifford. It's from her collection, Very Short Stories, written around the turn of the last century. While it's probably too didactic for children to enjoy and has no real plot, I found it inspiring and lovely. It gets at something I believe many of … [Read more...] about The Light on the Hills
Liturgical Fads? 5 Questions for Thomas McKenzie, Author of The Anglican Way
I am delighted to share this brief interview with my friend, Thomas McKenzie. Thomas is a Rabbit Room friend, a pastor, and an author. When Gina and I make our annual trek to Nashville, one of the highlights (among many highlights) is visiting Church of the Redeemer to worship with the saints there on Sunday. It's the worship we really anticipate, but we always end up marveling at how excellent … [Read more...] about Liturgical Fads? 5 Questions for Thomas McKenzie, Author of The Anglican Way
See You in Nashville?
Well, my friends, you have a chance tomorrow to sign up for something truly special. I would love to see you there. Hutchmoot 2013 registration begins at 12pm EST tomorrow, March 5. It's important that you know what time zone it's in (if you're interested) because, well, it sold out in 7 minutes last year. Why did it sell out so fast? Because....er, I don't exactly know. Actually, I do know, but … [Read more...] about See You in Nashville?
A Mystery To Inhabit: We Need Stories and Art That Go Beyond Easy Solutions, Being Clean, Safe, and Instantly Uplifting
You simply must read this. This is from Jonathan Rogers, author of The Terrible Speed of Mercy: A Spiritual Biography of Flannery O'Connor and many other excellent books (pretty much all of which I have and love). Here is an excerpt from an interview he did with Treven Wax. This was my favorite part. -Sam O'Connor once wrote, "The writer should never be ashamed of staring. There is nothing that … [Read more...] about A Mystery To Inhabit: We Need Stories and Art That Go Beyond Easy Solutions, Being Clean, Safe, and Instantly Uplifting
News! My Story in a New Book
Hello, I'm Sam Smith and I approve of this massage. <finishes getting a massage> Thank you, I feel much better. I have somehow neglected to tell you guys about a project that was launched recently by Rabbit Room Press. It's a book-length journal called The Molehill and it features many different writers, from Sally Lloyd-Jones, G.K. Chesterton, and Walt Wangerin Jr., to Rabbit Room regulars … [Read more...] about News! My Story in a New Book
Longing and Belonging: Hutchmoot Explained
I wrote this last year after Hutchmoot 2011. It still feels like a good summary of what is special about this event. Hutchmoot 2012 begins on Thursday. I hadn't posted this essay here, only at The Rabbit Room. (Go there to see some of the original comments, if you like.) I'm really grateful to be a part of this wonderful (and wackily-named) part of God's world and story. … [Read more...] about Longing and Belonging: Hutchmoot Explained
A Bird in the Heart
Note: Today is the CD Release Day for Eric Peters' Birds of Relocation. In honor of that august May occasion, I'm posting here the review I did for the Rabbit Room. I love Eric and am biased, but this CD is genuinely wonderful. Get it. -Sam A bird in flight is a beautiful thing. We watch and are captivated by its elegant cooperation with the wind, its effortless sailing set off by broad, … [Read more...] about A Bird in the Heart