This sermon from last Sunday hit a nerve for a bunch of folks, and my husband said “this is one that more people need to hear.” So, in hopes that it speaks to you, here’s a reflection on Hebrews 11 that attempts to speak to our current moment. Originally preached at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon on August 10, 2025.

Credit to Austin Kleon and his book Keep Going, which is the source for the final story about Leonard and Virginia Woolf.

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Steady on.

Thank you Edward Goode for the great conversation, but also for recommending this charming film! Eager to watch it again, and also to read the Stephen King novella one of these days. The Life of Chuck is available to rent or purchase on streaming platforms and features a wonderful cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, Nick Offerman, Mia Sara, and The Hiddleston, who dances. DANCES, y’all.

We talked about sincerity v. cynicism, the meaning of a single life, the power of core memories, and what it means to “contain multitudes.” (Thank you Walt Whitman.)

Not too many links to share this week, but here’s the book Ed referenced: A Year with Rilke.

See you next time!

I’ve heard “take up your cross and follow me” my whole life.

These days I hear it somewhat differently.

Here’s the video that kicked it off…

What an absolute joy this conversation was! Edward Goode and I were so thrilled to be joined by writer, theologian, and artist Phuc Luu, Ph.D. for this episode, in which we talked immigration, identity, family, and cultural legacies.

In addition, Phuc wrote a great post this morning about the movie:

Learn more about Phuc’s books, coaching work, and more here. (Ed gives high praise to his first book, Jesus of the East, and his latest, Jesus and Buddha Talk: About Desire, Suffering, and Happiness comes out in paperback in a few days!)

And in case you missed it, I mentioned Superman in my most recent sermon.

Have you seen Superman? What did you think?

After a delayed start due to technical difficulties, Ed and I had a great chat about the 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction, a favorite of both of us. The movie stars Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, and Dustin Hoffman, and has a lot to say about free will, sacrifice, and the power of story.

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A few resources:

* Here’s the hymn Ed mentioned: “Have you heard God’s voice? (Will you walk the path that will cost you much?)”

* On the Nature of Daylight—a beautiful piece that features in countless movies, including Stranger than Fiction and Arrival (the latter of which is a virtual lock for a future episode of PCPH).

* And here’s the picture of Professor Hilbert’s office. Those photos over his shoulder are of a sculpture called Descent of the Spirit which is located, of all places, on the isle of Iona in Scotland. 🤯

~

Programming reminders! Later in the summer we’ll be sharing our first Pop Culture Pastors Hour challenge! At Ed’s invitation I’ll be watching the 2003 Battlestar Galactic miniseries, and I invited him to watch the first three episodes of Station Eleven on HBO. (Max? HBOMax? Whatever they’re calling it)

Those episodes of PCPH will drop later in July/August. Join us for some good genre TV and conversations about faith and culture.

It’s summer and it’s HOT. We all need things to look forward to, eh? Today Edward Goode and I check in, share what we’re reading/watching, and preview what’s to come this summer.

First, we’ll be talking about the 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction next Wednesday July 2 at 1 p.m. EDT, giving you more than a week to watch this deep and delightful movie starring Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, and Dustin Hoffman. Here’s the link, so you can get it on your calendar!

Then later in the summer—our first Pop Culture Pastors Hour challenge! At Ed’s invitation I’ll be watching the 2003 Battlestar Galactic miniseries, and I invited him to watch the first three episodes of Station Eleven on HBO. (Max? HBOMax? Whatever they’re calling it) Those episodes of PCPH will drop later in July/August. Join us for some good genre TV and conversations about faith and culture.

And that’s a wrap! After doing a review of Rogue One in light of what we experienced with Andor, we celebrate the conclusion of a majestic TV series with some hall of fame categories. GOAT of the Rebellion? Most entertaining dinner party guests? Ed and MaryAnn get into all of that and more, including our ideas for best Andor tattoo.

Spoilers for all of Andor, Rogue One, and Star Wars: A New Hope.

A few links and resources:

* The House of R podcast, which has done some marathon-length breakdowns of the show.

* Roger Robinson’s poem shared by Ed, “A Portable Paradise.”

* Dr. Bettina Love, talking about allies, co-conspirators, and the Underground Railroad, which ran on trust.

Steady on, and may the Force be with you!

Thanks to everyone who joined Edward Goode and me for our fourth conversation about Andor. We talked about the power and perils of a human-driven movement; disease, disgust and the rhetoric of dehumanization; the fate of our heroes; and the impact of one small word: TRY.

Spoilers for all of Andor, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi.

Follow Ed at Imago Scriptura.

Here’s the article I mentioned from Sojourners, We Have What We Need to Fix This. And here’s the quote I read:

Plugging into national organizations is always an option. My reservation is that I’ve noticed that people who are trying to do the big thing sometimes are not even doing the [things in their] backyard — and they are overwhelmed because they assume the big thing fixes the backyard. The problem is the backyard left unattended becomes a jungle. There wasn’t a national movement for white Christian nationalism; there were pastors giving voice to those ideas over decades, writing books and on talk radio. Those practices then [coalesced and were] expressed in national politics.

And Nemik’s manifesto is so soaring, it’s worth sharing in full:

There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy. Remember this. Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction. Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy. There are whole armies, battalions that have no idea that they've already enlisted in the cause. Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward. And then remember this. The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that. And know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire's authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege. Remember this. Try.

We’ve got one last episode in this season—a recap of the whole story including Rogue One. We’ll have some fun categories and commemorate the end of this majestic show. Join us Friday at 2 p.m. EDT—link to come.

Steady on… and may the Force be with you.