Journal

Author: Drew Masterson

“Prayer Lessons from Screwtape”

“Prayer Lessons from Screwtape”

In this “Space for God,” Drew Masterson (Center for Christian Study, UVA) offers a reading, reflection, and prayer exercise from C.S. Lewis’ famous book, The Screwtape Letters. Written from the perspective of a demon, Screwtape, giving advice on how...
Beauty in Our Constraints

Beauty in Our Constraints

In this “Space for God: Beauty,” Drew Masterson (Coracle Dir. of Comms & Development) guides us through three reflections on works of artistry that can help us learn to see New Creation potential in the midst of our constraints. We hope his...
The Gift of Spiritual Direction

The Gift of Spiritual Direction

The ministry of Spiritual Direction has grown in popularity and accessibility over the last decade, but for many of us, I expect it remains a bit foggy.  I know it was for me when I joined the Coracle staff.  Not a mentor, therapist, or life coach—a Spiritual Director...
Defining “Deconstruction”

Defining “Deconstruction”

This reflection is part of our 2022 “Doubt, Deconstruction & Redemption” Series.  If you are on a deconstruction journey or caring for someone who is, we hope these spaces, programs, and resources will be a blessing! “To ask hard questions about whether the...
“You Are What You Contemplate”

“You Are What You Contemplate”

In this “Space for God” devotional, Drew Masterson (Coracle Dir. of Comms & Development) guides us into a profound insight shared by artists, neuroscientists, and the Apostle Paul: our lives are profoundly shaped by the things to which we pay...
“For the Beauty of the Earth”

“For the Beauty of the Earth”

In this “Space for God: Beauty” devotional, Drew Masterson (Coracle Dir. of Comms & Development) draws us into an immersive encounter with the classic hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth.”  By walking through a few different musical...
Introduction to the Prayer of Examen

Introduction to the Prayer of Examen

It is not controversial to say that we live in a distracted age.  During the time it took to settle in and start to collect my thoughts for this reflection: my phone buzzed with a friend’s text sharing a podcast he liked (I responded instinctively), a banner...
A New Parent’s Bleary-Eyed Prayer

A New Parent’s Bleary-Eyed Prayer

Back on September 9th, my wife and I had the joy of welcoming the newest member of our family and the Coracle team into the world: Owen Kennedy Masterson. We were exceedingly blessed by a safe delivery, and our first month with our son has been marked with awe,...
Practicing Your Belovedness

Practicing Your Belovedness

One of the best books I read last year was Dane Ortlund’s Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners & Sufferers.  It was a thoughtful gift from a friend during a season of personal mourning, and as I was winding slowly through the story of God’s love...
Praying Our Metaphors

Praying Our Metaphors

In this “Space for God” devotional, Drew Masterson (Coracle Dir. of Comms & Dev) guides us through a series of scriptures highlighting some of the ways our humanity is imagined in the Bible– our intimate connection to the earth, God’s hands-on...
On Jan 6th (and Epiphany)

On Jan 6th (and Epiphany)

It will come as no surprise that we are all shocked and grieved by what transpired at our Nation’s capital on Wednesday.  The lawlessness and violence on display in a space of such symbolic significance for our country is difficult to process.  Just as (if not...