Jonathan Ryan's Blog, page 61

Catholic Books Even a Protestant Could Love

I’m not Catholic, but some of my favorite books are. I came of age during the80s, the heyday ofevangelical youth group culture. By the timeI was 17, I’d descended into a Christian subculture of punks, skaters, metal heads, and goths. That felt more like home to me. We had an understanding and appreciation of the [Read More...]

First Ever Sick Pilgrim Discussion Shindig and Hootenanny During Holy Week! (Details Inside)

So, along with the many developing Sick Pilgrim media things (Radio show with Breadbox Media, possible book deal, this blog, etc), we are hoping to host events around the country, including a possible retreat next year. More details on all those things to follow…. However, we are really pleased to announce the first ever [Read More...]

Sick Pilgrim Interview: Dave and llyssa Kyu and their National Park Story Project

(We at Sick Pilgrim love pilgrimages, stories and the National Parks. So, when we came across Dave and llyssa, we had to interview them, especially in light of Jonathan’s upcoming pilgrimage with his hooligans in a few weeks. They had some really cool things to say about, art, story, the National Parks and the [Read More...]

The Dark Devotional: The Fourth Sunday in Lent: The Prodigal in the Pig Yard

A Reading from the Gospel According to Saint Luke. Now the older son had been out in the fieldand, on his way back, as he neared the house,he heard the sound of music and dancing.He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.The servant said to him,‘Your brother has returnedand your father [Read More...]

My Top Spiritual Books: Jessica Mesman Griffith

“Total non-retention has kept my education from being a burden to me.” –Flannery O’Connor This whole “give us your top five spiritual books” thing was my idea, and I thought it would be an easy post for a busy week. Then I sat down and tried to remember my favorite spiritual books and couldn’t think [Read More...]

Coming Soon: The Sick Pilgrim Travelin’ Medicine (Radio!) Show

When wedecided to start Sick Pilgrim, we imagined it asmorethan a blog. We wanted a multi-layer community that would involve a number of different pieces–though we couldn’t quite imagine what they’d be. In the early Sheed and Ward days, they set up soapboxes in the streetand talked to anyone who listened. Then they moved [Read More...]

It’s the Season of The Witch: Fear, Trump, and Pope Francis

As a writer of paranormal thrillers, I get asked about horror movies all the time. Much to everyone’s disappointment, I actually hate most modern horror movies. Glorified Torture Porn is probably a generous way to describe many of them. There’s no invitation to explore the darker corners of our minds, imaginations and souls. To [Read More...]

We’re the Church that Bans Puppies, Kitties, Movies and Other Things You Love (Not really, but it’s fun to say!)

“Through his works, the artist speaks to others and communicates with them. The history of art, therefore, is not only a story of works produced but also a story of men and women. Works of art speak of their authors; they enable us to know their inner life, and they reveal the original contribution which [Read More...]

The Dark Devotional: Third Sunday of Lent: Burned, but not Consumed

A Reading from the Bookof Exodus. There an angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in fireflaming out of a bush.As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush,though on fire, was not consumed.So Moses decided,“I must go over to look at this remarkable sight,and see why the bush is not burned.”When [Read More...]

Uncle Jonathan’s Top Five Sick Pilgrim Books of All Time

In case you haven’t noticed, we like to read around these parts. Sharing the books we love (and love to hate) with you will be a regular feature here at the blog. But there are a few books in particularthat inspired the creation and mission of Sick Pilgrim. Uncle Jonathan’s Top Five Books [Read More...]