As a parent, helping my kids connect with the love and care of God through experiences in nature is one of my great joys. Whether it’s taking them to the park or going on a hike or just pointing out the cool bug that’s hanging out on our gutter, there are few things like the power and beauty of the natural world to inspire wonder.Valerie Ellis is a children’s book author who knows a thing or two about wonder. From giraffes to acorn woodpeckers, flamingos to sea otters, her beautiful new book, Wild Faith Devotional for Kids: 52 Amazing Animals that Point to One Great God is a delight.Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, a Sunday School teacher, a babysitter, or just someone who loves animals and kids, this book is a gem.Come along with us as we unpack what makes a good children’s book, how children are natural conduits for wonder, and the connection between faith and God’s good creation. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe
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107: For the Love of Women (Dorothy Greco)
Author and speaker Dorothy Greco joins us on the podcast today to help expand our definition of misogyny and see how embracing both women and men as full parts of the human story can bring us hope.She joins us to talk about her fabulous new book, For the Love of Women: Uprooting and Healing Misogyny in America. I found this conversation so enlightening, and I just know that you will, too.Plus: why Saw-whet Owls are some of the best owls, the status of leaves turning in Massachusetts, and the hope of a really good church.Follow Dorothy on Twitter, SubStack, or Instagram. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe
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106: Robert Francis, Bird Historian
I love birds. I’m fascinated by American history. But there is not enough writing out there about birds and history! Enter: Robert Francis, whose wonderful Substack, Bird History, is a delight of parrots and passenger pigeons, feathered hats and conservation treaties.He joins us on the show today to talk all things bird history. Plus: twenty of the weirdest categories for bird names (they’ll crack you up, for reals), finding hope in our feathered friends, and birds of Brooklyn.You can also follow Robert on Twitter, where he often shares birding factoids, whimsical lists (this one is my current favorite), and fantastic photos. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe
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105: You Have a Calling with Karen Swallow Prior
Karen Swallow Prior is one of those writers and thinkers I’ve enjoyed reading for years. Her book On Reading Well inspired me to tackle some challenging literature. The wisdom of The Evangelical Imagination has helped illustrate more than one of my sermons. And now Karen’s rare and signature mix of depth, courage, and wisdom shows up on every page of her fabulous new book, You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful.Today she joins us on the show to talk about the idea of vocation and how we might discern God’s calling all the days of our lives. Plus: what’s the difference between calling and passion? How can we seek truth, goodness, and beauty in jobs we may not love? And what is Karen’s favorite bird? (You’ll never guess. Except… yes, you might.)From not backing down in the face of corruption to loving one another well in painful seasons, Karen shares some of her own vocational journey as a professor, a daughter, a writer, and beyond.If you’re facing questions about your own calling, perhaps as you near retirement or consider a job change or prepare for graduation, this is the podcast for you. And who among us won’t face this question multiple times in our lives?Check out You Have a Calling anywhere books are sold. I enjoyed it so very much, and I expect that you will, too. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe
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104: Households of Faith
Emily McGowin is an associate professor of theology at Wheaton College as well as a priest in the Anglican diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. She is the author of three books: Quivering Families, Christmas, and Households of Faith. Today Emily comes on the show to talk about family: what it is, what Scripture says about it, and how family can be a blessing to our communities and our world. We dig into her newest book, Households of Faith: Practicing Familiy in the Kingdom of God, and From parenting as accompaniment to seeking justice, our conversation was a deep encouragement and blessing to me and I pray it will be one to you as well. Get full access to Keep Looking Up at courtneyellis.substack.com/subscribe
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