Author: Paul Santhouse

I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I’m also a husband, father, and grandpa. Since I spent four decades working with books, and I believe the local church is where we become the kind of people Jesus would be in our shoes, that's mostly what this blog is about. Thanks for visiting. Paul

by on

These two excerpts, drawn from Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, reflect the honor and importance of local pastoring. There’s much to be said about shepherd and sheep knowing each other. A clergyman cannot be high in state or fashion. He must not head mobs, or set the tone in dress. [Rather, he] has the charge of all that […]

by on

When you go through a crazy season and need to regroup, how do you find your bearings? In our family we forged a set of shared waypoints — the five ideas we use to gain perspective and clarify what matters: It’s better to be than to seem. Love is stronger than will. Seek the truth. Take the long […]

by on

We just moved from a house to an apartment. Our living space dropped by sixty percent, and we lost our yard, garage, and basement. We had to get rid of most of our stuff. Painful as that was, it was life-changing. Now our lives are more relational and agile. I recently watched some friends walk through […]

by on

Walton is the last bus stop on Michigan Avenue before Lake Shore Drive. When the 147 stops at Walton, every northbound Chicagoan is already packed on that bus. And all twenty people waiting at Walton intend to get on board. When the door opens, the frenzy begins. But if you read the “Arrivals” sign on the bus shelter, you’ll see […]

by on

One Sunday my wife and I witnessed an act of courage. Our pastor, a man who loves his flock, trespassed with his text (Galatians 6:7-9). That is, he brought it inescapably to our attention. “Here, this is about you.” We walked home thoughtful. While I may have caught his point otherwise, I could not escape it thanks to […]