Don't Neglect the Love of God
Reflections on The Practice of the Presence of God
I’m a big duty and responsibility guy. It’s probably my Midwestern upbringing, but it’s important to me to show up on time, do what I said I was going to do, and play by the rules. These are all good things; when we live out our commitments our families and communities are stronger. I know, too, that living only by duty and commitment . . .
Taste the Love in It
Reflections on the The Practice of the Presence of God
My cooking used to be a performance given in an empty room. I lived alone for about 20 years, and through all that time I enjoyed cooking, but unless I welcomed a guest the cooking was only for me. My household is larger now after getting married, and I share any food I cook, so I have an audience. I’m in the kitchen more because we need . . .
An Unending Conversation
Reflections on The Practice of the Presence of God
All the stereotypes of introversion describe my life: I recharge with alone time; I prefer a small gathering of close friends to a big party; I don’t make friends easily but when I make a friend I really make a friend. One thing that’s misunderstood about introverts is the idea that we don’t like to talk. We do like to talk, but we hate . . .
Ummm . . . yeah
So, ummm, yeah, it’s been awhile. I finished my reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict in February, and a few months have passed since then. I do have some excuses, though. In the months since then I accepted a new job, said goodbye to my home of ten years, moved, and got married. At the beginning of June I started work with Hazelwood . . .
The End
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
It took 58 posts and 15 months, but I finished my project of blogging through the Rule of St. Benedict. Here at the finish line I’m thinking not just about each chapter but about the whole thing. This all started with planning for my sabbatical which happened during the summer of 2014. As I was choosing a focus for my sabbatical time, I . . .
Book Review: From the Lives We Knew
Full Disclosure: Phil Miller was a mentor of mine. He even preached at my ordination service back in 1998. I look on anything he’s written with a level of respect I might not give other books, but here’s my best attempt to give Phil’s book a review.
I often say, “There’s a story there somewhere.” I see a quirky character walking . . .
Only the Beginning
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
In the Sayings of the Desert Fathers (ancient monastic Christians before the time of St. Benedict), Abba Lot goes to Abba Joseph, telling him he prays, reads scripture, and keeps his heart pure. “What else can I do?” he asks Abba Joseph. Abba Joseph stood up and held his hands up in the air, and his fingers became like 10 lamps of fire, . . .