Erin M. Straza's Blog

It’s true. I’ve never picked up even one of these beloved books. And I’ve never watched even one of the films in full from start to finish. I have seen many 20-minute portions of each film—just enough to know the characters and the frame. For those of you who love...

But I’m just enough of an idealist that I refuse to believe there isn’t a way to follow Jesus through this uncertainty, in ways that create stability for myself and others.

Nothing clears out brain clutter like a road trip. Miles upon miles of staring down the open road is like an open invitation for stray thoughts to present themselves for analysis. Last week I logged almost 900 miles of road time to visit a dear friend in Tennessee, which was...

I used to think that if everyone would just keep their impassioned ideals to themselves, we could avoid these tense exchanges. The problem with this false solution, however, is assuming that political ideals are something you can place in the corner (Baby style) while you continue on with the rest of life.

Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, “I’m thirsty.” . . . After he took the wine, Jesus said, “It’s done . . . complete.” Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.John 19:28, 30 The Message Most of...

Fourteen years ago (14!), Michael Scott (The Office), with his typical deadpan delivery, dejectedly asked, “Why are you the way that you are?” Ever since, it’s been a popular comeback line turned meme, fitting for a wide variety of conversational topics. Referencing it will, most often, break the tension and...

As a freelance communications consultant, I am often asked to explain what it is exactly that I do. I presume that’s because the words freelance, communications, and consultant can mean all kinds of things, and no one knows for sure which things are intended when I say them. What I...

At the beginning of each year I do a bit of an assessment—where I am, where I was in the previous year, where I’d like to be after 12 more months. From there I shape goals and habits for the year ahead. Sometimes I choose a theme or a meaningful...

I got fired by a client today. Before you feel too badly for me, let me explain. This client is a longtime colleague and friend, and I was tasked a few months ago to help her with an ongoing mini-writing project. Today when we were chatting, catching up about our...

For years now two dear friends and I have taken a trip we call Beach Retreat. It’s a week at the beach where we, oddly enough, retreat. We rest and decompress. We chat and laugh. We read and journal. We stare at the ocean and talk to God. And yes—it’s...