So there's an entire process before we get to say, yes, resurrection, and then ascension,

and then Pentecost, and, you know, all those glorifying moments where God just gets to celebrate

with us that he is alive are very much preceded by trouble in the church and trouble in the life

of Jesus.

Thank you. the church in trouble in the life of Jesus. Listeners, welcome to our Good Faith podcast presentation called Reading to Make Sense of the World.

Here at Good Faith, we believe that great books are gifts from God.

And one of their important benefits is they serve as compasses, helping us to make sense of

the world around us.

But there's so many books we could read, and let's face it, all of us have so little time.

So how do we make the best use of our time to read the most helpful books?

Fortunately, we have here a great source of expert guidance.

I am so happy to be joined by Jessica Houdin-Wilson, our friend, author, and chair of great books at Pepperdine University.

In each presentation of reading to make sense of the world, Jessica will guide us

towards a book that she has carefully selected that is especially worth our time and for

this moment in the world. Jessica, thanks so much for joining me.

Thank you, Curtis. I love getting to hear you introduce that.

That is so exciting that you're doing this. I am very excited also, and we're going to get started

with what have you selected for us today, Jessica? Flannery O'Connor. I mean, I think it could be

expected based on how much I love her and adore her, but I chose her

prayer journal for today. Okay. Well, let's just actually dive into it because I want to talk about

this selection and Flannery O'Connor and why she's a particularly fitting guide for us this

moment in the world, but why don't you give us, give listeners a taste of

...