Good Words for a Good Year My Favorite Reads of 2025

Good Words for a Good Year
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BLESSED ARE THE UNDOCUMENTED For they will be always invited

Blessed are the undocumented.

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Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...

Why is the East Wing demolition making me feel so sad?

The Sacred Rhythm of Yom Kippur for Christ Followers Author’s Note

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Is Your Church Toxic or Tov for Women? What clues indicate a culture of toxicity? What red flags ought to grab our attention?

Is your church toxic or Tov for women? (Would you kindly subscribe to my free substack?)

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I just finished Beloved by Toni Morrison. It’s one of the most haunting books I’ve ever read. Trauma doesn’t end with the event that caused it.

Did Willow Creek Skip Yom Kippur — Again? Repeated failures by Willow Creek to confront the churchs past shows a missed Yom Kippur moment of truth & repentance, writes Laura Barringer

I didn’t want to write this piece, but the words poured from my soul. This weekend marks Willow Creek’s 50th anniversary, and the harm echoes louder than its celebration. #spiritualabuse julieroys.com/did-willow-c...

I started the day in kindergarten and ended the day at @baylorcsl.bsky.social. Beginning and ending, how blessed I am. #SicEm

Isn’t this cute, @kkdumez.bsky.social?!

To my Bible-study-loving friends: reading Amy Jill Levine is a must.

This TOV Kindle deal is available at all major eBook retailers from August 1-31....
www.amazon.com/Church-Calle...

Nothing in all creation can separate you from his deep and lasting and abiding love.
#tovtuesday

How did Jesus conquer? Not by military strength as Israel expected — but rather as a suffering Servant who gave away his life. The King of the Kingdom taught and lived a peaceful ethic.

Come, Lord Jesus.

I tend to be a pacifist anyways, but thanking God for a successful war operation seems heretical to me. Christ and his kingdom are peaceful and just. War and violence are not the way of the cross.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Do NOT let *these people* into your church! 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

I returned to X mere days ago and am already feeling argumentative with Ms. Basham.🤦🏼‍♀️

Hey @scotmcknight.bsky.social… look what you’re “missing” on X.

Why are they called messengers? #sbc2025

It is terrible. It feels like my phone is constantly ringing. I thought there was legislation and a do-not call list — and I am certain I put my name on that list. But still.

Why

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

“Don’t you want to be a MAN?” my kindergartener asks her classmate complaining of his finger pain. “BRUSH IT OFF,” she tells him.

And there you have it. My work is done.

Don’t miss this Tov (tov!) giveaway. @julieroys.bsky.social is giving away four copies. Details below.

IN THE POPE I HOPE

Christos anesti! ✝️

Had a lovely Passover meal in my Jewish friend’s home last night. We ate haroset and bitter herbs and sang Hebrew hymns with a room full of Ashkenazi friends. Tov.

My latest article for Accord magazine, Creating Cultures of Tov (part two):

drive.google.com/file/d/1tnRl...

I know I’m immersed in @bethallisonbarr.bsky.social’s history when I hear a Sunday sermon on John’s letter to the church at Thyatira and my thoughts about Jezebel are YES BUT SHE WAS A PROPHET LEADING IN A CHURCH. #becomingthepastorswife