Impossible Beauty

I will forever be grateful for Melody Olson. For years, I was a bit skittish about how distant the characters and culture of the Bible felt. However, after studying passages from the Old Testament with Melody for a few years now, I am steadily seeing that the gracious heart of God is very much alive and well in the entirety of the Bible; yes, even in the Old Testament, that felt so dusty and removed to me before.

In addition to leading Scripture Circles in the rabbinical tradition, Melody Olson is a gifted singer/songwriter and Director of Music and Art at Awaken West Seventh in St. Paul, Minnesota. There is artistry in all that Melody is involved in, awakening hearts and minds to the beauty alive in the world and alive in the character of God. I think you’ll also find that to be very true in our conversation together.

This week's episode is a little different. I realized that after 17 episodes I haven't told you much about who I am, my story, and how I got to be so passionate about beauty. So, this week I take some time to tell you about my own experience of beauty: what's brought me life, what's been toxic, and how I'd love for you to join the Impossible Beauty movement.

Steve Wiens is a spiritual teacher, writer, and pastor who has authored three books, entitled "Beginnings," "Whole," and most recently "Shining Like the Sun: Seven Mindful Practices for Rekindling Your Faith." Steve also hosts a weekly podcast called This Good Word. Wiens is a gentle companion in the journey of spiritual development and loves coming alongside people in reconstructing their faith when old theological foundations have fallen apart.

Because of Steve’s thoughtful approach to faith, my conversation with him around authentic beauty is fascinating. In our time together, we talk about what it means to awaken to God and, so, awaken to the very real Beauty that is generative, communal, and very much alive and well in our midst.

Hannah Rose Thomas is a gifted English artist, who has found a way to integrate her art and humanitarian work, largely painting portraits of those whom have been persecuted. She desires to use art as a tool for advocacy, bringing a voice to the voiceless into places of influence in the
West. She has organized art projects in Jordan with Syrian refuges, with Yezidi women in Northern Iraq who had escaped ISIS captivity, with Rohingya children in refugee camps on the Myanmar border, and with survivors of Boko Haram and Fulani violence in Northern Nigeria.

As a whole, my conversation with Hannah and her beautiful work remind me, and
reminds us, of the enduring beauty of the human soul and the eternal beauty of the Divine.

Marissa Knox is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She also works as a research assistant to Kristin Neff. In her work, Marissa focuses on exploring how self-compassion acts as a source of resilience for healthy body image and stress management. Her dissertation, in particular, examines whether or not a self-compassion writing intervention helps college students reduce body image concerns.

Marissa offers so much wisdom here: how to relate to our bodies, others, and ourselves from a place of compassion and kindness. Her words and insights are such a strong and beautiful contrast to the world’s often-unforgiving beauty standards.

Rob Bell has authored ten books, including the New York Times bestselling titles, "What We Talk About When We Talk About God," "The Zimzum of Love," "Love Wins," and "What Is The Bible?" Rob also hosts a weekly podcast called The Robcast. He has also toured with Oprah, has been profiled in the New Yorker, and in 2011, was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in Time Magazine.

Needless to say, I am so honored that Rob took the time to talk with me about authentic beauty. As I had predicted, in my time with him, he totally opened my heart and my mind to the depths and possibilities of true beauty in a new way. I think you’ll like this one.

For years I have connected with the heart, beauty, and honesty of the Grammy-nominated band, Gungor. I recently had the chance to speak with Lisa Gungor of the musical duo. Lisa is a gifted singer/songwriter who now writes music for her solo career, “Isa Ma.” Lisa also recently released her first book entitled "The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen: Opening Your Eyes to Wonder."

In her book, Lisa details formational events in her family life; the beautiful, the painful, and how all of it has transformed her. In my time with Lisa, she vulnerably speaks about seeing beauty in all things, including in life’s broken places and within herself.

Julia Attalla, D. Min, is the Executive Director of After Hours Ministry in south Los Angeles, California. Julia also serves as the Director of Ministry Program at Fuller Theological Seminary. Above all, I see Julia as an advocate for hope. In our time together, Julia taught me the pivotal role of hope and bravery in the midst of life’s brokenness. And how when we persevere in hope and bravery, beauty can grow exponentially. In our lives and in the lives of others.

A leader sets the tone for the culture of a community. A leader models the ethos of a place and of a community. This could certainly be said of Dr. Donna Harris, president of Minnehaha Academy, a private K-12 Christian school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On August 2, 2017, unexpected tragedy befell the over century-old school when an explosion leveled the middle portion of the Academy’s high school. In the midst of losing two beloved employees and the ensuing grief and uncertainty, Dr. Harris forged ahead in wisdom, fortitude, and faith. That same steadfast faith characterized my time with Dr. Harris. In our time together, she spoke of how to see beauty at work in the wake of tragedy and how a community can emerge from such an event with renewed vigor for loving one another well.

Allison Fallon is a gifted writing coach, author, and founder of Find Your Voice. She has written over a dozen books, including her most recent title "Indestructible: Leveraging Your Broken Heart to Become a Force of Love and Change in the World." I met Ally at a writer’s conference she was hosting in Nashville, Tennessee. There, she brought back to life some pivotal things within me. She reminded me of the power of story and the power of creativity.

In my interview with Ally, she shares a bit about her own story: her experience with heartbreak, surrender, and the beauty she’s found amidst it all.