What in the world is going on?

 Our culture is in turmoil. Many of us wonder how to live as a Christian in this fractious world. Even churches are threatened by political tribalism, polarization, and division. 

That’s why I started this newsletter. To ask questions, to seek answers, to engage in thoughtful dialogue with a variety of readers and commentators—both Christian and non-Christian—about how we should inhabit this time.

I grew up on water skis, but lately it is surfing that has captured my attention. There’s nothing like standing on the shores of Lake Michigan, watching as the winds of a looming storm whip the water into dramatic peaks and valleys. As everyone else takes cover, figures in wet suits carrying surfboards stride into the foamy surf. This is their moment. Their time to navigate the wind and the waves.

Could this be a picture of how God wants us to weather the era we’re living in? Might he keep us from the battering, disfiguring power of the storm all the while he is teaching us to stay faithful and hopeful in the midst of the cultural swirl?

Make no mistake. This newsletter is not about engaging in culture wars. I’m not backing red or blue in the fight.  Instead, it’s about gaining perspective and avoiding common pitfalls as we respond to each other and the world around us.  And it’s about living with joy and purpose no matter what happens.

What to Expect

To keep you on the edge of your seat but mostly to accommodate my advanced age, this newsletter will not be published on a set schedule but will post whenever it’s ready.

Sections may change but for now you can expect something like this:

Wisdom Literature—Short quotes from the living and the dead that will remind us we’re not the only ones who’ve needed to learn how to surf their culture.

Learning to SurfA short piece usually written by me that will focus on issues of interest with the accent on developing a spiritual perspective.

Reasonable VoicesI’ll link to Christian and non-Christian sources that can help us understand and navigate the crazy storm we’re in. Of course “reasonableness” is subjective. Keep in mind I may not agree with everything being said.  I’m not here to spoon feed readers but to provide more grist for the mill than what they may currently get from journalists on the right and on the left.

Surfing with _________ Occasional interviews with people who’ve kept an eye on the storm and have something insightful to say.

About Ann Spangler

Throughout her long publishing career Ann Spangler has served as an editor, literary agent, and author with several best-selling books to her credit. An unrepentant news junkie with no political tribe, she is also a Jesus junkie who is keenly interested in how spirituality intersects the culture. Though she is far too old to learn to surf, even metaphorically, she’s determined to do it anyway.

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Seeking Faith and Grace to Navigate the Cultural Winds and Waves

People

I'm not engaging in the culture wars -- I'm learning to surf them.