Uncomfortable Places

       The lessons one learns on the Camino span the gamut of complex, soul-deep lessons that take years to unpack and obvious ones like learning to be careful about how much stuff you carry in your pack. You tend to take a rain jacket and one change of clothes, the shoes you walk in, andContinue reading “Uncomfortable Places”

Pokeweed and the Kingdom of God

This sermon can be listened to here. One of the most powerful things I have ever seen in my life was watching Tibetan Buddhist Monks slowly tap colored sand out to paint a giant ten-foot by ten-foot mandala at the Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2015. Each timeContinue reading “Pokeweed and the Kingdom of God”

Being Known by God

In 2010, Marina Abramovic, an experiential artist who creates exhibits that challenge and engage the viewer, had an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art entitled “The Artist is Present.” In it she sat at a simple wooden table, across from which was an empty chair; the audience of this exhibit were invited to comeContinue reading “Being Known by God”

Sacred Bonds

I am curious about practically everything I have ever learned. I love to know about the mundane pieces of our lives; it does not take much to amaze me when it comes to the intricacies of how anything in this world works: the water cycle, traffic patterns, Microsoft Excel – I love all of it,Continue reading “Sacred Bonds”

With Christ as King

One of the things I did while on sabbatical last year was to spend some time digging into my family’s genealogy. What I learned about myself through this family exploration is that very often, there are things deeply woven into our being that only take on language as we tell the story of where we’veContinue reading “With Christ as King”

A Communal Cruciform Life

       In the Fall of 2019, the Rev. Michael Vollman, who ministers to Trinity Episcopal Church in Russellville, Kentucky, invited a small group of clergy from the western half of our diocese for a tour of the SEEK Museum. The SEEK Museum[1] works to uncover the stories of enslavement, freedom, equality, and justice for BlackContinue reading “A Communal Cruciform Life”

Thy Kingdom Come

Over 120 years ago, a fictional Irish character, Mr. Dooley, was written by Finely Peter Dunne, and he penned one of the best summaries of the preacher’s job as he went into a rant about the state of newspapers these days. Christian leaders back in 1902, were quick to lift the phrase, “afflict the comfortable,Continue reading “Thy Kingdom Come”

Transformation of Forgiveness

One of my deepest held beliefs is that pretty much everything is “figure-outable;” almost everything in this life we can figure out if we have the time, talent, or tools. When I first started hiking, I didn’t know how trails worked or what blazes were, but through experience, I learned. The first things I plantedContinue reading “Transformation of Forgiveness”

Church is a Group Project

This sermon can be listened to here: Church is a Group Project             When I add up the years, my life has essentially run on an academic calendar since I was 5-years-old; between my primary schooling, secondary education, the years I taught Pre-K, seminary, and now my work as a Campus Minister, I love theContinue reading “Church is a Group Project”