Lark is the make-believing of a child no longer playing for keeps, but simply delighting in the acceptance found in Christ. Where disenchantment would have us dig up the buried treasures of our faith in hopes to see if the seed still lives and is worthy of God’s approval, play leaves the dead-to-self seed of faith and the defiant honeysuckle of hope to grow on the pasture, and it goes on chasing the dog around the playground and inviting its friends to join in. It is wasteful, unproductive, and gloriously alive with the frivolity of a child who knows their Father works all things for their good; a child who only wishes to call those too scared to go outside to come out and play. For the Christian, this is no trivial pastime but an act of love: a glad pouring out of oneself for one’s neighbor, a shared delight that refuses to keep score and mirrors the generosity of the Giver, calling one another into the amusement of a Jesus who played for keeps and won—and then gave that victory freely, joyfully, and for the life and gladness of his friends. Lark, then, is the obedience of love, sprung from the split seed of faith that is watered by a resurrection hope. In this way, birdhouse seeks to reap a catholic (universal) approach to doing theology that calls the Church into the playful love of our Father.

Here you will find theological and philosophical reflections and book reviews on play; playful writings and music; reflective games (and the occasional gift to draw you in); family recipes fit for shared tables; playful exegesis that handles the text with reverent delight; and activity and craft ideas for hands that would rather make than merely manage. These are our small attempts at recovering the lost art of gladness in an age defined by results. Acts of play that, by grace, become acts of love for one another. [B]birdhouse invites you to come out of your need for results and measures, and pursue holiness for the fun of it. Come outside yourself, love your neighbor, kill your sin and have fun doing it, and come outside and play.