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30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place … Continue reading Ships Without Captains →

*The following essay was previously posted in October as a response to the Squirrel Hill Synagogue shootings. Unfortunately, these tragedies keep happening and my thoughts on gun violence are still grievingly relevant. While a member of a church, I remember being chastised and ultimately dispelled for not being a "fit" over raising such questions. There … Continue reading On Deaf Ears →

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give … Continue reading When To Let Your Pain Talk (And The Super-Villains of Life) →

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood … Continue reading Colorful Blocks and the Life We Build →

It's 1:30am and my growing toddler doesn't want to be alone. His year and half on this earth has taught his dad the difference in his cries. Some are more dramatic than others. A born performer, he knows when to lay it on thicker to achieve his desired effect. Tonight however, he gets his sleepy … Continue reading My Son the Alarm Clock Prayer →

As I scroll through an endless cycle of updates and meticulously filtered pics, I wonder if there is more to life. The thought occurs to me "if I died right now, would this be my best last activity?"  I think about death a lot. Not in a morbid way necessarily, but more in a curious … Continue reading The Ruiner of Plans and Our Final Breath →

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23 After years of Christian study, I find no sufficient reason for why God allows such evil to thrive in this world. Every answer and hypothesis shared by pulpit and page have only led to more seemingly dead ends. While every … Continue reading On Evil and Hope →

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - John 19:30 There is a dark hope to Good Friday. As Christ followers, the sum of our faith rests on the event it celebrates. Every year we boil down doctrine and belief to … Continue reading Good Friday →

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. - John 13:34 We have mistaken love with indifference and non-judgment with loving action. This current age we live in, with over 2,000 years between us and the risen Christ, … Continue reading Love and Be Loved →

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart - Psalms 119:2 Recently I was able to sit down for lunch with someone who represented a community I am largely unfamiliar with. As a 30 something white male, my scope of life is somewhat limited. Of course we are all limited … Continue reading The Story We Tell →