Saying "So Long!" to 2024
Highlights for 2024 & Plans for 2025
It seems to me that as I get older the time between January 1 and December 31 gets a whole lot shorter! Come along with me as I reflect back on 2024.
I make no apologies for spelling and grammatical mistakes. At some point, you just have to hit “send.”
I encourage you to grab a pen and paper, maybe something will spark in your imagination too! Here’s where we’re going.
Highlights
Top blog & Substack posts
Some personal highlights
Quotes that hit home
My favourite contemplative exercises
Board games that I loved
Books I loved - both faith based, and for fun
Plans
Saying “So Long!” and Adding “New” Ideas
Staying the Course
I can’t believe how much I wrote over the past year! Total transparency- I go through bouts where I want to write a lot, and times where I don’t care if I ever write at all - so I’m actually a little surprised. Here were the Top 10 posts.
Yes, I know that a good number of these are behind a paywall in my archives. Would you consider becoming a paid subscriber?
It's a Compliment... ?
The other day I was in a meeting with Pastors where I shared what my research into spiritual abuse, and spiritual formation has been leading to. Here’s a brief synopsis.
Am I A "Christian Atheist?"
I met with a friend yesterday, and mentioned that I was struggling with whether I was a “Christian Atheist” because, once again, I had let cynicism seep into my faith as a result of research on spiritual abuse. Do I fear this concept of being a Christian Atheist? Let’s go back a few steps to where this actually started… *insert dramatic theme music here*
A Funny Thing Happened in Ephesus
Paul lands in Ephesus in Acts 18 with Priscilla and Aquila. This was a wife and husband team that Paul stayed and worked with while in Corinth (Acts 18:3). Note here that Luke mentions Priscilla before her husband, giving her an elevated standing than was not accepted in the culture of the time. In Ephesus Paul finds great reception. The Jews in the syn…
Are You There, God?
Do you ever have those moments where you think “Uh, what are you doing here God? Did I miss something?” That’s where I’m at right now. Here’s why.
A Long & Winding Review of My Practical Theology
When I came to Tyndale for my Master’s, I believe my theological background would have fallen somewhere between fundamentalism and neo-evangelicalism, and I didn’t really know anything else. Women were not in roles of leadership, and were not given roles in leadership unless they were accompanied by a man, or no men wanted to lead. It was preached that …
Is Christianity an idol?
I was thinking about how some believe that we’re living in a “Post-Christian” era, and I thought… maybe I don't fully agree with that. Yes, statistics would say that there is a decline in professing believers (Rm. 10:9).* And statistics would also say it’s across denominations but I wonder if it would be a bit more accurate to say Post-
What is Spiritual-Bypassing?
Did I get your attention? Maybe you think, "But Andrea! We're supposed to rely on God!"
Spending a few moments reflecting back on 2024, I can honestly say that I had some pretty cool moments.
I was part of the Lent Reader for the New Leaf Network, and they published one of my reflections.
I was also given the opportunity to speak in their Learning Center about my research!
I shared the Lead In (sermon) for Reunion Belleville during the Advent season, where I spoke about belonging and the Magi.
I joined the team at Hagar’s Voice. Even though it may be on a sabbatical for the moment, I believe great things are coming when it relaunches in the future.
I shared a Soul Care for the Tyndale Association of Spiritual Directors, and it went so well I was asked to share it again to close out the year. It was about creative writing, and getting to know your spiritual self.
“Silenced truth is an unspoken lie.”
- Scot McKnight, A Church Called Tov
“If we ‘other’ those unlike ourselves, we miss out of the fullness of God’s design.”
- Danielle Strickland, Need to Know
“Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.”
- Jaroslav Pelikan
“Minimally transformed leaders will always result in minimally transformed teams doing minimally transformed ministry.”
- Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Leadership
This year I learned a few new ways to contemplate God’s invitation, creation, and love.
Creative Writing
I don’t mean writing a book, just simple short stories. I was always amazed at what I learned about myself when I spent a few minutes to let my imagination wander, and then contemplated what I wrote.
Poetry
I forgot how fun Haiku’s are!
Gospel Contemplation
There’s really nothing like putting yourself in the story, and interacting with it in your imagination.
Spiritual Direction
Both receiving, and giving. God speaks to me in sessions where I’m the director as much as in sessions where I’m the client.
Art!
Whether I’m painting it, or reflecting on it, art has been a major source for deepening my connection with God, and myself.
These last two are for fun, and show a bit more of who I am. I don’t always research, teach, create resources, and write about God.
My husband and I are huge board game fans, and have been for the past… oh… 15 years? We legit built a room in our basement specifically for the hobby. Here are some board games that I enjoyed a lot in 2024.
Big Meaty Games
Ark Nova - Hand’s down my favourite game.
Nemesis - A game based on the Alien movie with hidden objective, and huge monsters.
Cooperative Games
Flock Together - You’re chickens defending your coop, it’s brilliant!
Tidal Blades 2 - We finally got out Kickstarter edition, and it’s as fun as I thought it would be.
Think-y Games
Spectral - You’re treasure hunters trying to find gems, and avoid curses.
Boop! - A two-player games where kittens get “booped” out of place, and grow into cats. (There’s two themed versions out now too!)
Party Games
That’s Not a Hat! - It’s a memory game that really challenges you. You know what your card is, until you have to “gift” it to your neighbour!
Green Team Wins - Stay on the green team to collect points, and win. I love that my kids enjoy this game.
Head’s up: Amazon Affiliate links ahead! I’ll make a small commission if you purchase products through these links.
Want to start 2025 with a new devotional?
Sacred Belonging by Kat Armas was my absolute favourite devotional. I’d like to revisit it in 2025.
Imagine You Walked with Jesus is a great book to get you into imaginative prayer, and gospel contemplation.
The Discerning Heart will change the way you understand discernment for the better.
Looking for your next fiction read? These are the ones that stuck with me in 2024.
The Women by Kristin Hannah - Follow the stories of three women as they navigate the Viet Nam war, and life after they return home.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell - This psychological thriller still has me thinking about it!
The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden - I fell into the housemaid series head first. Although, I will say, the first one was my favourite.
Like 2024, I needed to say “so long!” to some things, and welcome new ideas. Here are some plans (goals?) I have for 2025.
Saying “So Long!”
It’s time for me to realize that a blog, and Substack is just too much. So I’ll be migrating my blog over to Substack throughout the year. These posts will remain free because that’s how they started.
“New” Idea… Scheduling Posts!
When I shared the “What If?” series it really made me realize how nice it is to be ahead of the game. So, I’ve been working on another series based on the notes I took while reading through the book of Acts. Main posts will continue to come out on Wednesday.
This also leads to… Cozy Prayers.
I love to be cozy, and one day I wondered “what would cozy prayers be like?” I answered my own question, and you’ll get to see the responses. I’ve already started scheduling short little prayers for Sunday morning. I’m not sure where this will lead, but I’m excited to see what happens.
Saying “So Long!” and A “New” Idea… Taking a Summer Break!
Last summer I decided I need to increase what I was writing, which was not the best idea I’ve ever had. I put so much pressure on myself, and for no reason. So I’m saying “so long!” to that!
This is the last summer before my daughter goes off to college, and I want to enjoy the time I have with her. I still plan to write, but not weekly. It was just too much. I haven’t decided how much, or how little, I’ll write - but I’m taking the pressure off myself.
A “New-ish” Idea… Lent Reflections
During Advent I created a weekly resource that shared different things to do each day, and I’m planning to offer something similar for Lent. It may not be daily, but it will be something.
If you were signed up for Advent Reflections, you’ll automatically receive the Lent ones. Keep an eye out for the chance to sign up in the future.
Staying the Course… Doctor of Ministry & “Empowered Faith”
School will be a constant for me. I can’t exactly stop doing it. I hope to keep you updated on my work towards Empowered Faith, and how I’m doing.
This term I’ll be handing in my project proposal to the Research Ethics Board, so I’ll have more to share in the future as things really start moving.
Thanks so much for making it this far! What are you looking forward to in 2025?