Author Archives: Sara Beth Longenecker

The Advent of Zechariah’s God

Zechariah was a priest and prophet about 500 years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, yet he prophesied more than 14 specific points about the coming of Christ. His name, and the title of his book, means “the Lord remembers.” We must remember the context: this was after the calling of a people throughContinue reading “The Advent of Zechariah’s God”

Three Things: Winter is Coming Edition (plus a bonus goodie!)

Temps are dropping, skies are grey, and gusts of wind whip the last of the golden leaves to blanket the ground. We are saying goodbye to glorious fall and bracing ourselves for a long winter–a winter spent (mostly) at home, no doubt, and in need of accoutrements. In the spirit of making-the-most out of ourContinue reading “Three Things: Winter is Coming Edition (plus a bonus goodie!)”

A Writer’s Campaign: Laundry, Essays, and Pressing On Toward the Goal

I look at the clock again. How is it that time already? Where have the last 45 minutes gone? I’m scrambling to finish the task I am doing, one of about a thousand that requires me to do it, my hands and my feet, and not anyone else. My pace quickens as I throw inContinue reading “A Writer’s Campaign: Laundry, Essays, and Pressing On Toward the Goal”

How St. Augustine is guiding me through this election

I’ve been spending some significant time with St. Augustine lately. If you remember, he was the Bishop of Hippo during the fall of Rome, that great “Eternal City.” I like the bishop; he is profoundly relatable. He shares the inner dialogue of his heart and mind with astonishing transparency in Confessions, a sort of autobiographical retellingContinue reading “How St. Augustine is guiding me through this election”

Oh, Piercing Word: The Hurt of the Lord

It was a simple mistake. A grammatical error, to be exact. But it was on the internet, the modern-day public square, and (crucial to note) the error changed the meaning of the statement. When I received a mocking response (yes, from a stranger!) I was surprised at how it felt—like a hot iron, pulled fromContinue reading “Oh, Piercing Word: The Hurt of the Lord”

Front Porch Prayers (for a Slow Summer Afternoon)

It’s mid-week, late afternoon, sitting-in-the-porch-rocker time and I’m watching birds dive-bomb for treasures in the yard. My mason jar of iced coffee went down too fast and I want another one, mostly because it was delicious, but also because it is a humid 87 degrees out (and the coffee brings sweet relief).

Advocacy, Amos, and the Quiet Life

I’ll spare you the “2020 amiright?” jokes because we all know this has already been one strange and difficult year so far. As I recently mentioned on the blog (after a month-long writing sabbatical), I’ve personally been in a season of quiet. This is not an unusual pattern for me. When a Super Busy Life Season™ is happeningContinue reading “Advocacy, Amos, and the Quiet Life”