Writing is what I do and who I am. The intersection of ideas and words is where I most naturally exist. It is not always a comfortable or smooth place – as any writer will tell you. But it is home, in ways that defy logical explanation.
I have written for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, Bible publishers, business organizations, non-profit ministries, academic journals, and myself. That last one is both the easiest and the hardest writing of all.
Though writing is natural, it is rarely easy. Though writing is powerful, it is also painstaking. Though writing is life-giving, it is supremely exhausting.
Which is to say: writing is much like life.
Like Aslan, writing isn’t safe. Far from it. But it is good – good for the mind, good for the heart, and good for the soul.
(All content copyright Crystal Kirgiss unless otherwise noted.)
Breathe 
Crystal, I am so excited to be “following” you! Didn’t you once write for the Daily Herald when you lived here? Wayyyy back in the dark ages?? I love your thoughts~
mp
Hello friend! Hope you are well. I don’t remember if I wrote for the Herald or not – maybe a reprint of something. My newspaper days were even before that, in MN. Time moves too quickly…
Hi Crystal! Do you have a Facebook page for your blog? Just curious! I’m excited to read your blog!
Jess- there’s not a Facebook book page right now. Glad you’ll be reading. Hope you, Brad, and the kids are doing well!
Hi, Chrystal
I discovered you while paging through the Medieval Congress literature from Kalamazoo–feel a sort of kinship w/ some of our common interests. I am wondering about the C.S. Lewis society at Purdue–how can one join?
Hi Summer – There’s no official ‘joining’ process. We are just a small group of folks who gather monthly to read and talk. The schedule for fall meetings should be set in the next few weeks. Are you in the Purdue area? If so, we’d love to have you join us (in the “hey, here I am” way, not the official way).
I just found your blog…I’ve been led to you and I am blessed! From an adult small group volunteer to being placed into a leadership role for our entire youth ministry, I’m in search of guidance and support and your writing encompasses that and so much more. I thank you and thank God.
Paula (I hope that’s right) –
Hello! So nice to meet you. “Being placed” into a leadership role implies that you possess the leadership skills and attitudes necessary for the job, AND that those skills and attitudes are apparent enough for others to see and recognize them. Bravo! Youth ministry needs people like you. Teenagers need people like you. And people like you need other people like them. So it’s all good, and exciting and amazing and exhilarating and exhausting and stupendous and outrageous and fantastic and difficult and everything else. It’s going to be a great ride!
I found your blog through your post about the shootings yesterday. Thank you for your words. So many of my family and friends work in education (including me) and each time this horrific scene plays out somewhere in our country I can’t help responding with fear, anger, frustration, and disgust. I also respond with PRAYER. You and the campus community there were prayed for continuously yesterday and are still being supported.
After browsing through some of your older posts, I am joyful to have found a kindred spirit! C.S. Lewis, his books, and his wonderful way with words — how can anyone disagree with his fabulousness? You might be interested in reading one of my posts: http://haskerj.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/tears-of-joy-happy-happy-joy-joy-daily-prompt/
There are only a few things in your list of loves that I don’t also love: motorcycles, standard transmissions, flip-flops, zip-up hoodies, and 32 oz. styrofoam cups.
I have a B.M.E. in music education from Wheaton College and piano was my major instrument!
I taught for about 10 years and then was a stay-at-home Mom for 8 years and then….
well the story continues but you get the idea!
One of my friends works in campus ministry at Purdue with the Wesley Foundation (UMC). Her name is Lana. (She was in HS when I was a fresh-out-of-college music teacher back in the late ’80s and was in my choir and band.) I wonder if you have crossed paths there at Purdue?
This ended up being way too long, but I’m not going to delete it.
I’m looking forward to following your blog, and am very happy to have found you here.
Ah – I am very happy you have found your here as well because who doesn’t love hanging out with other piano-y, Lewis-y, Jesus-y folk? I am very grateful for your message, especially at this particular time, and very much looking forward to reading your words. I do not think I know Lana, but my husband is part of the University Religious Leaders group and likely has. I will keep my eyes open for an opportunity to meet her. (I am very glad you did to delete this message – it would have been my loss if you had.)
I am still praying for you and for the Purdue campus community and will continue to do so. My friend’s name is Lana Robyn (Co-Director at Purdue Wesley Foundation, Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Campus Ministry at First United Methodist Church West Lafayette, IN and VIM at United Methodist Church in Africa — all that is from her facebook page.)
I hope I have a chance to connect with her. Thank you for all this information.
Fantastic read my friend. I look forward to reading more post from you my friend!