What Peter Looked Like Stepping on Water

Maybe like my drunk buddy
trying to ice fish
on a farm pond
in Oklahoma
suddenly ankle deep in cold cow water.

Or like my own small son
staggering across the living room rug
toward his mother.

But maybe like my father,
lifted light
as a bag of popcorn
in my arms,
slipper feet brushing
the floor between the hospice bed
& wheel chair,
voice swallowed in the unmoving ocean
of morphine,
the pupils of his eyes
two little boats
bobbing
somewhere far out
on that motionless sea.

—Benjamin Myers

Copyright © 2014 by the author or Christianity Today/Books & Culture magazine. Click here for reprint information on Books & Culture.

Also in this issue

Books & Culture was a bimonthly review that engaged the contemporary world from a Christian perspective. Every issue of Books & Culture contained in-depth reviews of books that merit critical attention, as well as shorter notices of significant new titles. It was published six times a year by Christianity Today from 1995 to 2016.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Mercy in Minnesota, Pro-Life in Trump 2.0, and Syrian-Kurdish Conflict

Churches’ aid for immigrant neighbors, March for Life in DC, and Kurdish-Syrian military clashes.

News

After Their Kids Survived the Annunciation Shooting, Parents Search for Healing

Families in the same Anglican church watched their young children deal with trauma, anxiety, and grief. They found one solution: each other.

News

Kenyan Churches Compete with Bullfights on Sunday Morning

Pius Sawa in Kakamega County, Kenya

As the traditional sport regains popularity, pastors report young people have disconnected from church.

How Football Shaped Christian Colleges

John Fea

Three history books to read this month.

What CT Asked Advice Columnist Ann Landers

As America teetered on the edge of revolution, the magazine called for more innovation, responsibility, sensitivity, and stewardship.

News

Refugee Arrests Shatter Sense of Safety in Minnesota

A federal judge ruled that ICE can no longer arrest legally admitted refugees in the state, many of whom are persecuted Christians. But damage has been done.

Inside the Ministry

The Big Tent Initiative

Anne Kerhoulas

The Big Tent Initiative is building bridges across the American Church.

Christian Devotion Does Not Undermine Christian Charity

Brett Vanderzee

When Christians neglect the poor and oppressed, it’s not because we love Jesus too much but because we love him too little.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube