Catholic Christians help me to understand holiness. They have advanced systems and structures for keeping their worship of Jesus devoted, distinct, and different from the rest of their lives. They’re not perfect. But when the Catholic Church is at its … Continue reading
I’m waiting for an airplane out of Albuquerque. So I’ve got a little bit of time to think about this week’s experiences at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. I’m coming through thirty-five pages of material from my journal … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Marilynne Robinson’s book, Gilead. My friend Kevin originally recommended the book to me. He knew that I liked Wendell Berry’s fiction, and he thought that this book had a similar resonance. Shortly after receiving Kevin’s recommendation, I happened … Continue reading
Happy Presidents Day! I’ve developed a Presidents Day tradition over the last several years. I start to grow out my beard on or around Christmas Day. And then I start to take it away on Presidents Day. I aim towards … Continue reading
I’m coming up on my 46th Birthday. And somehow, I just recently made the connection that celebrating one’s 46th Birthday in the Year 2023 means that I’ve now spent an equal amount of time in the 20th Century and in … Continue reading
I’ve been reflecting on the “great mystery” of marriage. That phrase, “great mystery,” comes from Ephesians 5:21-33. And it says that marriage is “an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” But in addition to the Ephesians … Continue reading
We just got back from the H2O Church Network Conference in Columbus. I think it’s pretty safe to say that it surpassed all of our expectations. Mostly because we didn’t know quite what to expect! We’ve never done an event … Continue reading
When Americans say, “The Holidays,” they typically mean Christmas and New Year celebrations. Or they might go so far as to include Thanksgiving, effectively making the entire month of December “The Holidays.” But why should one month take precedence over … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Kathleen Norris’s book, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography. It was recommended to me by my friend Grace, and I was delighted to find a copy readily available from my local library. It was a quick, smooth read for me. … Continue reading
I’d never heard of a “Heavy Freezing Spray Warning” — until after experienced it! I honestly didn’t even think to check the weather forecast. I just knew that it was cold (so I wore plenty of layers to stay warm). … Continue reading