iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 02/04/2026

My friend and colleague, Lawrence Brownlee, is performing at my alma mater, Olivet Nazarene University, next Friday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. You are warmly invited. www.olivet.edu/news/olivet-...

olivet.edu

Olivet Welcomes Renowned Opera Singer, Lawrence Brownlee | Olivet Nazarene University

Brownlee to perform on Friday, April 10, 2026

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 05/03/2026

As an early adopter of @11ty.dev, I couldn’t be happier for @zachleat.com and that he and the folks at @fontawesome.com have imagined securing the future of the project in such a mutually beneficial way. #Congratulations

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 19/01/2026

"It all boils down to the fact that we must never allow ourselves to become satisfied with unattained goals. We must always maintain a kind of divine discontent." —The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sermon at Temple Israel of Hollywood, February 26, 1965 #mlk

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 07/11/2025

לֹא מָצָאתִי מְרִיבָה שֶׁיִּשְׂמְחוּ עָלֶיהָ בְּיוֹשֶׁר וֶאֱמֶת כִּמְרִיבַת שְׁנֵי הַמְּשׁוֹרְרִים I have not found a controversy in which people could take such sincere and true joy as the clash between two poets. —Jedaiah ha-Penini (ca. 1270–ca. 1340), Sefer ha-Pardes (The Book of the Orchard), 8:28–29

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 04/11/2025

Ways you know #UChicago is a special kind of different place: The chalkboard in your classroom at The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures contains Classical Hebrew attestations of לשאת alongside playful hyroglyphs tucked around equations for diagonal matrices. Y'know, Tuesday.

A snapshot of a chalkboard with Classical Hebrew, hyroglyphs, and lambda equations

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 01/11/2025

You swing by a friend's office as a favor, and you get some free Kraft Mac & Cheese on the walk home. Just another day in the neighborhood. #InTheLoop #Chicago

A view of Chicago's Loop with the Wrigley Building in the foreground.

A box of Kraft Mac & Cheese posed in front of golden wings on Chicago's Michigan Avenue.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 31/10/2025

When selecting costumes, the biggest little fans of the @chicagocta.bsky.social asked to dress as 'L' directional signs for two of their favorite lines. And, yes, they're both Loop-bound trains according to the back.

Two children wearing T-shirts decorated to match Chicago 'L' directional signs—one Puple Line Express to Linden and another Midway Orange Line—seated on the corresponding steps at the Washington/Wabash Station.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 21/10/2025

As requested by @zachleat.com, my freshly minted waffle caridigan 🧇🧶:

Me modeling a handmade crochet cardigan, using maroon yarn and the waffle stitch, complete with hip pockets and a zippered breast pocket.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 29/09/2025

And so it begins: Intermediate Classical Hebrew with the legendary Dennis Pardee. #UChicago

Reuben Lillie standing outside the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures in Breasted Hall at the University of Chicago, a modern Gothic stone exterior with Art Deco features.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 21/07/2025

Today is my 5,000th day as a Chicagoan.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 03/07/2025

The @pirates.com hold the longest active win streak—shutting out both the Mets and Cardinals—and haven't allowed a run in 31 innings. Celebrate accomplishments.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 01/07/2025

Today, the @pirates.com became the first team in over a century to win four straight games by scoring seven or more runs while allowing two or fewer each outing. The last team to achieve that feat? The 1911 Pirates.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 29/05/2025

Over the past two days, the #Pittsburgh @pirates.com have scored 19 unanswered runs and won their second consecutive series. Take the wins. #RaiseIt

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 23/05/2025

I want to live in a 2025 in which streaming services feature the 1994 live-action animated classic The Pagemaster. I'm not saying it's the most important thing we need right now. I am saying it'd be an inestimable catharsis and an indication of how much better we're doing than we would be otherwise.

Theatrical release poster for The Pagemaster (1994) designed by Drew Struzan, feauturing a young Macauley Culkin wearing a yellow rain coat, standing on a library floor, and brandishing a sword over his head. A mythical cloud emanates from the sword, revealing a dragon and a wizard-like figure among other literary characters, to frame the film title.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 25/04/2025

Congratulations, Matt Gorski, on a memorable debut. 🏴‍☠️

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 20/04/2025

Happy Easter sunrise from Chicago.

Easter sunrise 2025 over the breakwater in Chicago's Monroe Harbor at Queen's Landing.

Chicago skyline from Queen's Landing in Grant Park, taken at sunrise Easter Sunday morning 2025.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 13/04/2025

"For if the people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" —Jesus, Luke 23:31 NIV #PalmSunday🌿

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 09/04/2025

Gaslighting or confirmation bias? If you can't tell, why should we? #Duolingo #opera #VivaVerdi

A Duolingo exercise translating German to English: "Ich mag nur die Musik von Verdi" is "I like only the music of Verdi."

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 29/03/2025

The @pirates.com are at .500 and tied for first place in the NL Central. 🏴‍☠️

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 28/03/2025

What better way to celebrate the inauguration of the Rev. Dr. @maishaprez.bsky.social as President of @mccormickseminary.bsky.social than processing astride my friend and colleague, the Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore, President of Northern Seminary? Golly, today has been special.

A selfie of Joy J. Moore and Reuben Lillie in academic robes.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 27/03/2025

All he wanted to do was ride the @chicagocta.bsky.social around the neighborhood.

A toddler boy, wearing a Chicago flag–themed beanie, looking over his shoulder while facing out an 'L' train window.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 20/03/2025

I've got my seat for #MarchMadness. It's the comfiest.

A toddler resting his head on his father's shoulder, who is kissing his son's head.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 16/03/2025

On Friday, I had the honor to share my research on "Dirty Words in the Book of Job: Excavating a Poetic Vocabulary of Divine Participation" with the Wesleyan Theological Society at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary.

Reuben Lillie speaking at Baylor University's Powell Chapel, standing at a lectern, with a pipe organ and stained glass window in the background.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 16/03/2025

Yesterday, after presenting to the Wesleyan Theological Society at Truett Seminary on "Interdependence as Participation: An Eccelesiology of District Administration," Charles Perabeau and I made a pilgrimage to Pilot Point, TX—site of the 2nd General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene in 1908.

Reuben Lillie and Charles Perabeau taking a selfie in front of the historical marker at Pilot Point, TX, for the Second General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 11/03/2025

Sgt. Tibbs was honorably discharged today. August 2012–March 10, 2025 #Cats #CatSky #BlackCat 🐈‍⬛️

A black cat curled up with her front paws under her chest.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 02/03/2025

My six-year-old noticed some of my materials from the University of Chicago. When I asked him if he knew the name of the dark shade of red, he proudly exclaimed, "Ramón!"

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 27/02/2025

I'm pleased to share that I have been admitted to the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Opening lines of a letter that reads as follows:

Dear Reuben,

On behalf of the entire faculty of the University of Chicago Divinity School, I am delighted to offer you
admission to the Master of Arts (MA) program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Congratulations!

The Divinity School is one of the world's leading institutions in the academic study of religion. Students in
the program study the culture, languages, thought, practices, and institutions of religious traditions, both
ancient and modern. Your admission represents the faculty’s confidence in your intellectual and professional
promise, as well as our enthusiasm to partner with you in your scholarly inquiry.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 23/02/2025

Thanks for the plug, #Duolingo. Gracias por la mención. #opera

An English–Spanish exercise in Duolingo: ¿Usted reservó los boletos para la ópera? Did you reserve the tickets for the opera?

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 22/02/2025

There's no thrill quite like taking two boys, ages six and two, on an 'L' ride. We do this nigh infrequently, but you'd think it's the first time. Every. Time. Never do we look more like tourists in our own city as when we're approaching a train platform. #transit #childhood @chicagocta.bsky.social

Two boys, ages two and six, bundled in winter coats, sitting on their knees, staring out a Chicago 'L' train window, experiencing unparalleled bliss.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 06/02/2025

Introducing our kids to Good Eats. In "Daily Grind" (S2E4), @altonbrown.bsky.social says meatloaf glaze starts with 1/2 cup of ketchup and that "any brand will do"—while holding the only brand this Pittsbrugh boy knows. I don't recall the last time I felt so betrayed by a voice I've trusted so much.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 02/02/2025

As a child of the Shenango Valley in northern Appalachia, I'm never as much a colonialist as when I'm approaching the Pennsylvania Commonwealth boundary or on days like today. #GroundhogDay

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 26/01/2025

It's apparently past my bedtime. #Cats #CatSky #Caturday #BlackCat 🐈‍⬛️

A black cat curled up asleep on a colorful crocheted blanket.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 26/01/2025

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." —Jesus, Matthew 5:7

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 25/01/2025

For the next partial fulfillment of my husbandly duty, today I converted a wired light fixture over our kitchen cabinets into an electrical outlet and installed LED lighting. 🧰⚡️🔌💡 #DIY #ElectricalRepair

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 25/01/2025

I learned the real version of "Baby Shark" as a child at summer camp. The Pinkfong rendition is repugnant to me because it employs an alternate rhythm for the nonsense syllables, never mind the lack of carnage awaiting swimmers trespassing upon the shark family. 🦈 + 🏊‍♀️ +🦷 = 🍖

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 25/01/2025

Our family watched Krasinski's IF (2024) last night: steller casting, visually engaging, some genuinely funny and heartwarming moments. I guess I don't resonate with the premise. As a twin, I never had an IF. But I'm happy for those who connected more. www.paramountmovies.com/movies/imagi...

paramountmovies.com

Watch IF Now on Digital

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 25/01/2025

Rage takes many forms. The news reminds us daily. So do six-year-olds. #haiku #DailyHaikuPrompt (rage) #poetry #parenting

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 25/01/2025

The gospel reading for the next two Sundays is from Luke 4, when Jesus visits the Nazareth synagogue declaring the "year of the Lord's favor" from Isaiah 61. The hometown crowd likes Jesus's message until they realize it isn't a "Nazareth–first" agenda. That's when they try to throw him off a cliff.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 24/01/2025

Accessibility is not some obstacle to overcome. It's removing obstacles for others. It isn't a regulatory inconvenience cutting into profits. It's an invitation—for architects, engineers, web developers, leaders—to imagine better ways that encourage everyone to participate. And it isn't optional.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 24/01/2025

Asking the powerful to be merciful toward the disempowered is a lot of things. Propaganda is not one of them.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 24/01/2025

Lake Michigan's shore feels as big as the ocean, only less smelly. #haiku #DailyHaikuPrompt (ocean) #poetry #Chicago

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 20/01/2025

May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated. ... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause. —MLK

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, in Washington, DC, viewed at night

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 19/01/2025

She would hibernate. I cherish each day's weather that I have with her. #haiku #DailyHaikuPrompt (hibernate) #poetry

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 18/01/2025

I partially fulfilled my husbandly duty today by replacing the corroded P-trap neath our bathroom sink 🔧🚰💧. #DIY #PlumbingRepair

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