Journal

Series: SOUNDINGS

SOUNDINGS – The Sacrament of Falling Leaves

SOUNDINGS – The Sacrament of Falling Leaves

It is autumn, my favorite season.  The beauty of it, for those with eyes to see, threatens to undo us.   This is the sentiment of Edna St. Vincent Millay in her poem, in autumn, ‘God’s World’: O world, I cannot hold thee close enough! Thy winds, thy wide grey skies! ...
SOUNDINGS: “To Become Luminous”

SOUNDINGS: “To Become Luminous”

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly, that our lives may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every soul we come in...
SOUNDINGS: Soul and Brain Food from Sabbatical

SOUNDINGS: Soul and Brain Food from Sabbatical

“SOUNDINGS” posts consider topics that are important for our society, for the Church, and for our own spiritual journeys.  To ‘take a sounding’ is a nautical term about using depth to determine where you are and where you’re going.  These writings are designed to do...
SOUNDINGS: “What Ever Happened to Lazarus?”

SOUNDINGS: “What Ever Happened to Lazarus?”

In the Orthodox tradition, Lazarus, whose story is chronicled in John 11, has a title:  “Lazarus, The Four-Days Dead.”  Sometimes we call him ‘the man who died twice.’  In that he did die twice, have you ever thought about where his (second) tomb might be?  I hadn’t...
SOUNDINGS: “God’s Kingdom at (Your) Work”

SOUNDINGS: “God’s Kingdom at (Your) Work”

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!'” – Abraham Kuyper, “Severe Sovereignty” In many workplaces identifying yourself as a “Christian” changes...
“Enough!” – On Gun Violence in America

“Enough!” – On Gun Violence in America

Writing “Essential Christianity” in late December, 2020 was a great joy for me, a personal act of worship, a chance to comprehensively write what I believe, what I believe Christianity teaches, and what are the many implications of that teaching.  It also enabled me...
Henri Nouwen’s Deeper Spirituality

Henri Nouwen’s Deeper Spirituality

This reflection is part of our “Discernment: Hearing God in a Noisy World” Series.  Discerning God’s unique voice is one of the most important skills for a Christian and is absolutely crucial for our intimacy with God and our ability to follow him. ...
Science vs. Faith?

Science vs. Faith?

Part of the focus in our “Doubt, Deconstruction & Redemption” Series this year has been to make space for faithful Christians to ask hard questions that deserve to be asked and thoughtfully answered.  Two big types of questions both Christians and non-Christians...
SOUNDINGS: “Being Honest to God”

SOUNDINGS: “Being Honest to God”

This reflection is part of our 2022 “Doubt, Deconstruction & Redemption” Series.  You can read my original piece laying out why it is fitting for Coracle to pick up this conversation at this moment HERE.  If you are on a deconstruction journey or caring for...
SOUNDINGS: “Learning to Hear God”

SOUNDINGS: “Learning to Hear God”

This reflection is part of our “Discernment: Hearing God in a Noisy World” Series.  Discerning God’s unique voice is one of the most important skills for a Christian and is absolutely crucial for our intimacy with God and our ability to follow him. ...