iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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

Then, after our flight home, I stopped by Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church—the site of the First General Assembly, hosted by First Church of the Nazarene in Chicago in 1907, where the first in a series of foundational mergers that culminated at Pilot Point began.

The main entrance to Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church at E 64th St/S Eggleston Ave in Chicago, viewed at night during a light spring rain.

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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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 06/01/2025

20 ❇️ Happy ❇️ Epiphany ❇️ Folks ❇️ 25

A wooden door chalked for Epiphany: "20 + C + M + B + 25."

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

Said blanket no longer belongs to my wife. #Cats #CatSky #BlackCat 🐈‍⬛️

A black cat sprawled out on a crocheted blanket, front paws extended in profound comfort.

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

Doting on my wife: Among her grand achievements of 2024 (besides enduring me another 366 days), she crocheted 🧶 a temperature blanket: 378 squares, 18x21 with tweed spacers twixt each month, in 10 colors (inspired by the opening shot of Mary Poppins) for the daily high in Chicago. Cat 🐈‍⬛️ for scale.

A queen bed viewed from above, covered with a colorful crocheted blanket made of small squares representing the daily high temperatures in Chicago for 2024, partially obstructed by a possessive black cat lying at the foot.

The opening shot of Disney's Mary Poppins (1964) in which Mary is seated on a cloud with her carpet bag and umbrella.

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

Happy New Year! I begin 2025 with one among many arbitrary milestones. #Duolingo

A Duolingo graphic that reads "I'm on a 1500 day learning streak!"

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

Meowy seventh day of Christmas 🎄. 🐈‍⬛️🐈‍⬛️🐈‍⬛️🐈‍⬛️🐈‍⬛️🐈‍⬛️🐈‍⬛️

A black cat curled up under a Christmas tree, staring directly into the camera

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 30/12/2024

The definition of compromise: ❌️ quiet ❌️ dark ❌️ camouflage ❓️ slumber #Cats #CatSky #BlackCat 🐈‍⬛️

A black cat curled up on a black blanket with its left front paw covering its left eye and its right eye wide open.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 22/12/2024

Only one of these assertions is true. #Cats #CatSky #BlackCat 🐈‍⬛️ #Caturday

A black cat crouching in a cardboard box for jars of Prego®️ Italian Sauce, marked with the slogan "Good source of fiber & low in fat."

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 20/12/2024

The gospel isn't something to overpower or exploit. You can't buy, sell, or hoard it. Otherwise, you're peddling something other than the gospel. You can only receive and share it, which includes how you treat those who insist on being violent toward you. It's only good news if it's for everyone.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force."
—Jesus, Matthew 11:12 NRSVue

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 15/12/2024

Ah, but will you allow another look alike? (Ask me how many times I've been told I resemble another daywalker.)

Screenshot of a bearded Kris Kringle from Rankin/Bass's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (1970) in which Kris is donning a red suit and pointing a finger in the air.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 15/12/2024

And the photographer lived to tell the tale. #Cats #CatSky #BlackCat 🐈‍⬛️

Black cat crouching between couch cushions, eyes dilated, poised to inflict fatal harm.

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Reuben L. Lillie @reubenlillie.com · 13/12/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. #Books #BookSky 💙📚 #BookChallenge Day 20: