Nadia Bolz-weber

Writer at The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber

Writer at The Corners

I only really hang out in The Corners on Substack.

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Articles

"My heart goes out to you..."

1 week ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

Yesterday, as Eric and I were driving past the park by our house, two people stood there holding each other. Not a hug, an extended embrace. The kind someone gives you when the unspeakable escapes trembling from your lips. “She died”“He asked for a divorce”“The cancer is back”You know the kind of words. These two were in and out of my visual field in a moment, but I haven’t shaken the image of them. There are moments in our lives that call for an embrace that can hold our heaving sobs.
Blank Spaces

2 weeks ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

John 20:19-31The 20th chapter of John happens to be my very favorite chapter in all of the Gospels. I mean—Mary Magdalene, empty tombs, angels, the risen Christ, and Thomas the tactile learner all packed into one chapter. It’s such a banger. So yeah, the 20th chapter of John is my favorite. Which makes it weird that John 20 also happens to contain my least favorite verse in the Gospels.
The Dogs of Good Friday

4 weeks ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

An excerpt from my book, Accidental Saints; Finding God In All The Wrong People (2105)I couldn’t see the dogs, but I could definitely hear them as they violently strained against the chain-link fence, their barking tearing at my nerves. I steadied myself and quietly pulled a few bundles of purple tulips from my blue Honda while my intern, Alex, carefully unloaded House for All Sinners and Saints’ large crucifix.
A Prayer For Those Who Are Losing Our Shit Right Now

1 month ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

Dear God,Please forgive me for how I acted when that Amazon truck was blocking my driveway the other day. In your endless compassion you know my rage was really about every form of fear I am trying to keep at bay right now – how it all sort of broke through my exhausted defenses because I was coming home from the gym and was really hungry. When I see others not being the best version of themselves, guide me to compassion for them, that in doing so I might also have compassion for myself.
3 Quick things to share

1 month ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

Speaking of the tour, I cannot possibly express what a joy these have been! THANK YOU to everyone who has showed up so far. Your company and hugs and singing and laughter have been a delight! God willing, we are going to keep this up.
Stuff I'm Into

1 month ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

Hands down the things I am MOST into right now are these revivals. Thanks to all our host churches and to everyone who has done what it takes to leave the house and be in a room full of people for a couple hours. I’ve loved every hug, every tear, every laugh, every song.
On Sadness

1 month ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

This morning I sat in the Great Hall of St John’s Episcopal Cathedral listening to my brilliant friend and colleague Broderick Greer give his final teaching after seven years of serving the cathedral as Canon. I left right before it ended so I wouldn’t have to try and act like I’m not sad, because I am. I am sad today. Not for any one reason, but for all of them. A few hours earlier I had sat up in bed with my husband and my morning coffee. “Just tell me.” He’d said.
A Useful List Of What Is Still Happening

1 month ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

“Yesterday on my walk I saw tiny new buds on this tree I've passed each day of WInter, and below it, as if they were a team, the green of new tulips. And I thought, "Spring is still happening". Then I thought, "Gladness is still happening", and "The love Eric and I share is still happening" and "Cookies are still happening". And then I thought I'd start this thread so you can add to my list. Name what, even though so much is being taken away, is still happening....”Theater is still happening.
a mirrored fun house of confirmation bias

2 months ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

(Sermon starts at minute 27, and preaching is a spoken act so take the time if you can!)This might be weird for a pastor to admit, but I did not always love the Psalms – I mean the 23rd psalm is cool… he maketh me to lie down in green pastures sounds relaxing and all…but most of the Psalms have a poetic structure that is different to Western verse, and the imagery can feel archaic and aggressive even. I mean, have you heard psalm 109, it is for sure the most spiteful thing I’ve ever read.
Arizona, Utah, Idaho, South AND North Carolina, Michigan Revivals!

2 months ago | thecorners.substack.com | Nadia Bolz-weber

When I’m home in Denver and explain to folks here that I am touring Red States all year, they sometimes give me a “why would you do that?” look. But the thing is, this tour has been a absolute open-hearted joy-filled experience. I love every place we’ve been so far. Each filled with good people and frankly some pretty amazing food (hello, “meat-and-three”). You guys really are taking me up on that whole - come give me a hus thing! Delightful. I’ll take ‘em.