Stephen Pressfield calls it “Resistance.” A number of religious traditions call it “sin.” But regardless of the name folks apply to it, it seems to me that we generally share, cross-culturally and throughout history, a sense and a lament that things don’t work out perfectly; that things fall apart and that plans don’t always go … Read More
A number of years ago, I sat in on a reading by the poet Gregory Orr. Gregory Or was then (and is now) a favorite poet of mine. In fact, he’s a favorite writer of mine. He was maybe five or six pieces into this reading when a conversation struck up between two of the … Read More
I ask just about all my guests about life online. I’m of the opinion that “real” life happens there and I’m increasingly interested in the way it does; particularly when that happening takes on labels like “religion” or “faith” or “spirituality.” I think a fair amount of personal formation takes place online and I’m intrigued … Read More
If you’ve been around me for any significant time, you’ll likely know that my mother is a hero of mine. not in a cute “I love my mom, you guys” kind of way but more like “I hope I can be the kind of resilient and faithful and strong as that person” kind of way. … Read More
When I started the @ Sea Podcast, I was doing a bit of soul searching. The way I communicated it originally was that the cultural spaces I was used to hosting the work of soul-shaping and meaning-making had ceased to work for enough people or enough kinds of people. In response to that, I wanted … Read More
A few years ago, in conversation with artist Dylan Mortimer, we identified what we called “3rd rail” topics; things that, when talked about (or sometimes even approached) overcharged conversations to the point of explosion; topics that blew things up between individuals as well as whole people groups. Dylan, then in his early 30s and staring … Read More
Levi Macallister and I share in a sad and strange fraternity of sorts – sons who have lost their fathers tragically. We also share in the way we went about processing that particular trauma. Which is, to move toward music and poetry. It’s not just us, it’s the way a lot of us process trauma. … Read More
One of the hallmarks of a good or great artist is the ability to reinvent. The capacity to, after finding success with a certain formula or expression, change things up; even essential things. Because that artist is different. Latifah Phillips has been writing, re-writing, and reinventing for well over a decade. She is Page CXVI … Read More
Shaun Groves Intro It was 1997 in Palo Alto, CA. I remember sitting 7th row from the stage, listening to a man named Tony Campolo talk about loving people well. He talked about neighbors and kids. He told a story about Jesus I’d heard before touching and healing a leper. Then he started talking about … Read More
It is hard to be a pastor. In fact, in the two decades I’ve worked as a songwriter, storyteller, author, advocate and a pastor, the weight and difficulty of the entire list before it, pales in comparison to how difficult I’ve found it to pastor wisely and lovingly. So, I find myself in sincere awe … Read More
