Reflecting on all the many things I’m thankful for, near the top of the list is gratitude that all of my close family members are adept at the art of conversation.
Category Archives: Blog
Art & Sanctity: Is Van Gogh a Saint?
Orbis Books has a series entitled “Modern Spiritual Masters.” When they proposed a volume on Vincent Van Gogh, the English publisher of the artist’s letters expressed incredulity that such a person should be considered a “spiritual master.”Continue reading
Playing Whack-a-Mole with Garbage Cans, or: How to Complicate the Gospel
The gospel is basically a very simple transaction: Jesus asks me to believe in Him, and in exchange He forgives all my sin and fills me with His Holy Spirit.
A Defense of Hell: The Final Proof of God’s Love
I think Hell is a good idea and I’m tired of people knocking it.
SAME OLD, SAME NEW: Brand New Book!
I’m pleased to announce the publication of my brand new book, Same Old, Same New: The Consolation of the Ordinary. Similar in format to my book Champagne for the Soul, this one too has 90 short devotional chapters, each one exploring the theme of finding meaning and joy in the ordinary things of life. Here’s a sample chapter entitled “The Secret of Contentment.”
Perfect Peace: My First Lesson in Contemplative Prayer
In my youth I joined the choir at my family’s Anglican church. We weren’t Christians then, just pew warmers; but when I revisited that church recently, I realized what a profound influence it had had on my early spiritual formation.
Snakes and Ladders: My Battle with OCD
According to Truman Capote, “The things we’re ashamed of are what make us interesting.” So let’s talk about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Psalm 139: A Nocturnal Prayer
What is your favorite psalm? Many would say Psalm 23, and a close second might be Psalm 139.
Three Artists of the Passion: Tissot, Rouault, Kurelek
One of my devotional practices for Lent has been to meditate on paintings of the life of Christ, particularly the works of three artists: James Tissot, Georges Rouault, and William Kurelek.
The Dark-Suited Salesman: Three Poems for Lent
I’m not really a poet, but all my life I’ve written poems occasionally when the mood strikes. Here are three recent efforts.