As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.I never thoug
In 1969, struggling country artist Kris Kristofferson piloted a helicopter across Louisiana while musing about a new song. According to C. M. Howell, as he looked at the landscape, the “narrative of adventure and sudden love, of finding meaning in wandering from one city to another, and the danger o
What are some parenting practices for various stages of my child’s development to help them maintain an interest in faith?When asked, most Christian parents say their deepest hope for their children as they grow into adulthood is that they “make their faith their own”. While this goal is widely shar
As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.*Editor’s Not
Based on author Nessa Bally’s childhood in Trinidad, this lyrically narrated and energetically illustrated picture book relates her experience of having the electricity go off. In an author note, Bally writes, “In Trinidad, we have blackouts from time to time. Electricity is fondly referred to as ‘c
Many movies and films nowadays speak to modern day concerns surrounding mental health and feelings of loneliness. Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, does the same. It picks up where viewers were left in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film follows Peter Parker, played by the
When author Laura Boonstra and her husband Phil began their fostering journey, they had no idea what they would encounter: the contrasting emotions of joy and sorrow, the dramatic changes to their vision of what constitutes a family, their growing desire to seek justice for mistreated refugee foster
To the casual observer, the modern world feels entirely mechanical and predictable. You sit in your car, type a destination into your smartphone, and are guided across town with pinpoint accuracy. But this everyday routine masks a profound truth: the daily technology we rely on is completely depende
We all have those family members who seem to know more about us than we do about them. D.K. Furutani, author of When Mikan Road Was Ours, is a master at conveying the awkwardness of that feeling. When his protagonist, who works as an English professor, attends a great-uncle’s funeral, a cousin he do
My previous article explored the historical background and theme of comfort in the Heidelberg Catechism. This article will look at the structure of the HC and the first two sections. The HC is structured into three sections, something unique at the time. These sections are human misery (Q&A 3-11), d
What a run! 20 episodes, 16 guests and folks around the denomination joining in the conversation. In this quick update, Banner editor Lora thanks everyone who listened, produced and supported our first season. She also shares the exciting news that the podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts and
Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a three-part series about social media and how easily it can shape us. It explores how Scripture offers a deeper vision of who we are and what we're called to.Born in the late 1990s, I belong to one of the first generations to grow up alongside social medi
When several children spend a day at the beach, each engages curiously, imaginatively, and playfully with what he or she discovers.A girl finds a shell, and thinks, “This is just a shell. Or is it? / To a clam, it’s a door. / To an octopus, it’s a shield. / And to an otter, it’s a tool. / But to me,
In his unique fictional rendering of the lives of renowned historical figures C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, members of the Inklings, and mystery writers Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie, and more, author John Kelly reveals “the other side of the Inklings.” He writes, “This was how it had alway
As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.Rain was batt
As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.I will be the
When a young girl visits Nanu—her maternal grandfather—her favorite outing is accompanying him to the vibrant, expansive market in India where he shops. Nanu calls out greetings to everyone. This is his community, populated with hard-working merchants selling a plethora of merchandise: guavas, mango
The Christian rock band Tree63 returns with its first full-length record in almost 11 years: Voyage. This recording reminds listeners of the South African trio’s heyday in the early 2000s. “I am no longer a young believer, singing about the excitement of a life-changing spiritual discovery,” said fo
In this split-time mystery and suspense novel, Christian author Jaime Jo Wright explores and weaves together numerous themes: the ongoing, devastating consequences of the American Civil War that ended in 1865; the dangerous spiritual costs of pursuing a fascination with paranormal exploration; the g
This book is a courageous exploration of what happens at the crossroads of disability and Christian identity. We know how we want things to be and how things are “supposed to be,” but often we struggle with how things are. How do we live well in the spaces God has placed us in when he doesn’t take a