I’ve learned to doubt, to find the questions deep within me and let them bubble to the surface. I’ve learned to not be afraid, to not retreat in fear to the safety of concrete walls and revealed truths. And part of this process is intellectual—it has to be. Graduate school requires it. I don’t write Continue reading

My tradition isn’t remotely high church, but my brother is studying for the Catholic priesthood, and so I’ve come into up close contact with a liturgical faith. Some days I long for a church tradition that more obviously embraces the sacraments than mine does. I don’t mean in the liturgical service itself—though sometimes I think Continue reading

Most days we wake up without really recognizing the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves—the wonder of our bodies, the miracle of the dawn. And we go through our days, repeating the same rhythms again and again, finding comfort in the repetition, in the wheel of infinite agains. And we often have hostile responses Continue reading

There is something about fire, isn’t there? Something about the flickering warmth dancing and swaying among the ineffable shadows, awakening hazy memories of a time before—or a time to come—when humanity wandered the earth. Before (or after) the great domestication. * * * The past three days in Abilene were the first true days of Continue reading

Micha Boyett’s idea of posting a blog every Tuesday emphasizing something for which one is thankful has been growing on me lately. So, today is the day I will begin that weekly rhythm. Something I’ve learned over the last five years of living here is that early Fall in Abilene always comes with storms. I Continue reading