Have you ever heard of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon?

This is when you start noticing something everywhere after becoming aware of it for the first time. Kind of like when you buy a new car and then start seeing the same model everywhere you drive. 

Ever since conceptualizing the Arabah project I have been discovering books, podcasts, articles, movies, songs and stories about desert fathers, desert wanderings, and exodus stories everywhere. There are new discoveries every week it seems. And I want to share some of these resources with you as you journey along with me into the heart (and heat) of the desert!

I do this for two reasons;

First, I genuinely want to share what I have found to be helpful and of interest and second, to be accountable to my community in my exploring, my discovering and art making.

First are a couple books I first heard about from Pete Scazerro, author of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship. His weekly podcast is worth listening to as well if you have the time. Pete speaks a lot about the importance of knowing our church history and learning from the early church - the Desert Fathers in particular. 

Thomas Merton's The Wisdom of the Desert is a fascinating, sometimes confusing and often entertaining collection of sayings from the pioneers of the monastic tradition. The Fathers' influence on western society is massive and well documented, which is also impressive given how little they wanted to do with society and how little they said.

The Bible and the Land by Gary M. Burge is a compact little book exploring something Chad Bird calls "Geographic Dogmatics". The scriptures speak of stormy seas, mountain top experiences, deep valleys, gardens, roads… and Deserts. Burge, says “The land and it’s culture, not merely the history that happened there, are an indispensable aspect of the biblical story.”

(find it on Amazon)

Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places
Drawing from his experience as a pastor, therapist, and professor, Chuck DeGroat presents a profound exploration of the biblical Exodus narrative as a metaphor for personal and spiritual transformation. Chuck may just have written the book I wanted to write. You can read my longer (but still short) review here.

For the beauty of the Church

A collection of essays by a diverse group of contributors, including Eugene Peterson, Andy Crouch and John Witvliet, who attempt to "contribute to a robust, expansive vision for the church and the arts."  I was both, challenged and encouraged by the ideas in this book and grateful for writers putting words to some ideas I've had myself but could never quite articulate. (find it at Book Outlet)

Bible Project Podcast Episode: The Exodus Way

In this episode, Jon and Tim, creators of The Bible Project, talk about the narrative theme of Exodus, showing why this narrative in Exodus is so important and how this story shapes the Bible’s whole view of reality. I really love the work Jon and Tim do at The Bible Project and hearing them talk through this was a treat. 

Exodus with Jordan Peterson on the Daily Wire

Peterson sits at a table with a team of formidable scholars for an "unprecedented, in-depth analysis of Exodus." With 14+ episodes of an hour in length each, this is a big investment of time but I thoroughly enjoyed the many different perspectives and insights shared by these scholars.

Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

This devotional is considered something of a classic now 70 years since its first publication. I think it was this book in particular, given to me at a very low time in my life, that sparked the idea of the Arabah Project. I'll be ever grateful for it and highly recommend these "prayerful writings" to anyone.

(find it at Book Outlet)

I hope you'll take the time to explore some or all of these resources. The Exodus Story is our story too. Understanding Exodus at a deeper level provides encouragement for our own "desert wanderings" and develops greater wonder in us for the God who hears, rescues, sustains and blesses us.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Arabah Project!  I have to admit that this project is a much slower "go" than I originally thought. I suppose that fits with the wandering-in-the-desert theme but I'm really hoping I haven't embarked on some 40 year kind of thing ;)

'till next time,