Journal

“There and Back Again”

Our pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine had several purposes.   We went to meet the peoples of this land.  We went to better understand the reality and complexity of the contemporary Holy Land.  We went to walk where Jesus walked.  Most importantly, we went to learn...

A Hymn for Ash Wednesday

“Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliot 1. Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 2. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose...
“On Theosis” Audio

“On Theosis” Audio

A few years ago at St. Brendan’s in the City, I gave this sermon which was the result of about 10 years of journey.  It remains to feel like one of the most important sermons I’ve ever given, an attempt to wrestle into clear and simple words the goal and...

A talk on World Religions, Jesus, and Journey

Recently I had the opportunity to reflect on comparative world religions, Jesus, and my first trip around the world.  I sought to answer the nagging question, “If I had grown up in, say, Iran, would I be a Muslim?”   Confident that Jesus is true, the...

Abide in Me- John 15

To me, abide is synonymous with comfort and peace. So many stresses surround us, and fear/anger are easy reactions for me… especially when I have an imbalance of coffee or sleep (or exercise or quiet …).  And reactions can be lethal. Obey, respect, and accept are...

Accelerated Parenting

As a dad of young children, I sometimes think that my wife and I are workers at a muddy and chaotic construction site — setting (I hope) solid foundations. Every once in a while we emerge from behind the construction perimeter fence and go out on a rare date together,...
Coracle in Northern Virginia

Coracle in Northern Virginia

A common sentiment among those who retreat at Corhaven is how powerful it is simply to step back from the noise, and be still, and create space for God to enter in and speak, and even more than that, to encounter God’s love again. Simply stepping away from daily...
Nothing is Not Complex: Israel and Palestine

Nothing is Not Complex: Israel and Palestine

It is obviously a heartbreaking time in the Middle East, and tensions in the Holy Land are as high as they’ve been in some years.  Coracle has partnered with The Telos Group to offer a strange and powerful trip there February 3-13 along with 12 others, Bill and Todd...

Why I say “Yes!” to Get in the Boat

“Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” – Rainer Maria Rilke, from Letters to a Young Poet One theme from the early years of my life is restlessness. I tend...

on Ruth Haley Barton

I have a brother and two sisters.  I love them all and wish you could meet them.  There’s a good chance that one of them, my sister Ruth, is already known to you. A funny, glee-full thing happens to me at least several times a year.   Someone will be talking to me...

Notes from “Honoring the Forgotten”

Notes from “Honoring the Forgotten” a first conversation about the slave cemetery at Corhaven held on January 16, 2015 (MLK Day Weekend) Corhaven is located at 2883 Quicksburg Road, Quicksburg VA  22847 Local residents of Shenandoah County and also the History Club of...
Good, New, and Exciting for 2015!

Good, New, and Exciting for 2015!

Dear friends and fellow-pilgrims!   This is one of those occasions when I want to personally share some important developments for all of us and a few sentiments.   Thanks for reading to the bottom, and I’ll be as brief as I possibly can!  If you make it all the way...

A Prayer for Epiphany

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your presence everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly, that our lives may be only a radiance of yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every person we come in...

On Mary

Soon on Christmas Day we’ll celebrate the climax of the season of Advent.    Waiting turns into rejoicing! And yet in these last couple of days of Advent, there is still time to be blessed by one who has a special prominence in the Nativity story, Mary, the mother of...

“Mary of Nazareth – The First Disciple”

by Mona Lindeman Mona is a dear friend of Coracle and active at The Falls Church Anglican.   She gave this reflection recently to a women’s Bible Study. Consider Mary of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph the carpenter, the mother of Jesus our Savior.  What do we think when...

Dad’s Christmas ilemma

This blog was originally posted by a Coracle board member, Soren Johnson. “What’s your favorite time of the year?” I asked my 7-year-old son the other day. Without a pause, he nearly shouted, “Christmas Eve.” Fellow dads, listen up. We can read our kids’ excitement in...

Carrot Soup with Parmesan Crisps

Tara served an outstanding soup at the Advent Retreat this year.  After several requests for the recipe, we are excited to share it with more people.  It sounds good, and tastes delicious.  Thank you Tara! Carrot Soup with Parmesan Crisps Serves 6 1 ounce...

Three cures for the ‘selfie age’

This blog was originally posted by a Coracle board member, Soren Johnson.  Here is a bit of non-news: Americans today are decidedly overwhelmed, self-absorbed and hyper-social. We download apps to monitor our breathing, sleeping and our every move. We are...