Journal

Category: Contemplative Life

Birth of a Nation: A Review

Coracle recently made its first foray into Coracle: Culture, and a group of us gathered to watch the much-talked-about film, Birth of a Nation.  The film has drawn less attention for its content  and Sundance Festival accolades than for the director and star Nate...

Into the Wild

The imagery can be as gentle as “a feather on the breath of God” (Hildegard) or as shocking as “immolate me” (Margaret Mary Alacoque), but the essence is the same. This is where the Christian life will ultimately lead if we want it and are willing to go there.   This...

Living in the Kingdom of God

One of the questions I’ve been considering lately is, what does it mean to live in the kingdom of God? As I’ve talked with God about this, he continues to lead me back to the image of the garden. From the beginning of the Bible to the very end, the garden...

Transcendence

TRANSCENDENCE.  That’s what these live performances are for me.  They take me to a different place, lift me up from the low places, take me again to the High Place of God’s presence, and Glory, and Truth.  They feed my spirit, nourish my convictions, keep me wanting...

The Power of Images:  The Celtic Cross

The Cambridge School is a Classical Christian school in Baltimore, MD, where Coracle’s Community Minister for Baltimore, Scott Buresh, teaches eighth graders. From [the Cambridge School]’s inception we had an intuitive sense of the power of images.  Dallas Willard in...

Getting in Shape for the Fall!

So I’ve picked up exercising again.  It’s been awhile, it’s overdue, and I pretty much feel like this guy when I’m done with a still-pretty-short jog or bike ride.  Along with that, I’ve been paying attention to what I put in my mouth, in the attempt to lose some...

The Trouble with Silence

In kindergarten music class, I remember my teacher running an experiment with us.  She had us sit in silence for a full minute. No talking, no moving. Then immediately after she gave us another full minute where we could talk or be silly. Guess which minute seemed...

Let All Things Their Creator Bless

“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you…” Deut. 31:8 I’ve never known the truth of those words more intimately than over the 5 days I...

Tend to your Soul

Last week I had the privilege of being one of the spiritual directors for the Sojourners Summit, their annual gathering in DC of leaders from around the country and the world who are working to bring more of God’s kingdom to this country and this world. Among many...

Reflections on the Longest Day of the Year

By: Giovanna Meek June 20th, 2016 was the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere, when the sun’s zenith reached its northernmost point away from the equator.  Throughout history, the astronomical events of that day have been cause for celebration across cultures...

Take Me to the Alley

This is a song just released by one of my favorite jazz musicians which I think is such a beautiful representation of how Jesus comes to us, and what he is looking for when he does.  Lyrics are available here.  Jesus beckons us, “come to my table, rest here in...

The Kingdom Calling

The Kingdom of God extends over our whole lives and our whole world.  In Luke 5, Jesus is expanding his Kingdom community.  “Put out into the deep…” Jesus calls to each one of us. Go out and go deep is his invitation.  Listen to Bill’s sermon...