“For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated” Hebrews 10:14 How can we have already been “made perfect” (past tense) through the redemptive act of this great high priest, and yet are still “being consecrated” (present tense)? Why are we given this assurance of the final end state, which […]
The Tension of the Tenses Read More »
Ever notice how a dog can sit for hours on a porch just watching the world go by. There are no existential puzzles to solve, or complex identity narratives to sort out, nothing to prove, and no other place to be. That is a dog that is well fed and belong. The master lives
Sitting on the Porch of our Life Read More »
The spiritual life is a practice in being. But when we are restless, we are tempted to flee from our being into only doing and consuming. But such a response is only to throw more logs on the fire of this existential restlessness. So how do we stay grounded, centered, and at peace? How
Dealing with Unrest is at the heart of spiritual practice Read More »
I grew up fishing with my dad and I remember the exhilaration of the catch, the soul quickening tingle when the line goes taught and the pole bends, absorbing the life force of the deep, and traveling up into my hands and body. In the thrill of the “catch” there is a connection and a
Stone has a tone that echos in the bone. Wood has a grain that tells in cells and smells. Water has a feel that can refresh and heal. Fire burns, time touches, tears teach, And the one thing remains present in everything.
Long armed oaks, leaning, reaching for something, beyond grasping. The wind moves free on the river, yet pauses at the bank, as if caught, in some thought, and whispering why. The Osprey glides above , then dives, splashing down, grasping for something, The sun climbs the far bank, covers me in gold, and I swim in the
The Banks of the Wye. Read More »
Perhaps it is natural to wait upon a savior, to look for the hero to return. But this is no ordinary hero, this is the God-man who emptied himself to take on our humanity. The one who “so loved the world” that he made a great decent into it. We give Him no honor by
“Why are you standing there looking up into heaven?” Acts 1:6 Read More »
Monitoring our neurosis is an important part of spiritual growth. It is the sensitivity to know when our subtle triggers have been pulled and deep subliminal fears have been activated. Yes, we all have levels of neurosis. Its an original wound, a place where we loose our fundamental trust and deploy false strategies to control,
I start my day with five blueberries, picking them out of the carton one by one and consuming them slowly. Just a little sacred ritual to help me focus and not jump too quickly in the ego-race and rush. Five is symbolic of man: gifted, glorious, frail, and flawed. Five is also my place on
Weathered wood, as white as the sand. Wild-wet air whipping cotton and skin. Sun light licking mornings mist Sea pounds and sounds roll through me.
Morning by the Sea Read More »
