2023-03-20: Yesterday I witnessed my sisters and brothers in Christ: joyfully welcome newcomers, pray with …

2023-03-18: Good morning! Last bit of Escudo I’ve been aging since 2020 in a St. Paddy’s Day pipe …

2023-03-16: Thursday morning pipe. Three Nuns. I know it’s not the same as it was, but it’s …

2023-03-15: Enjoying this locally-roasted coffee spotted in the supermarket the other day.

2023-03-14: A glimpse from today’s visit to the Desert Botanical Garden.

2023-03-13: Started listening: The Hiddenness of God by Michael C. Rea 📚

2023-03-12: Dunkin' has now gone to the dark side; they’re selling Pepsi products now in my area.

2023-03-12: 🎵 My 13yo son is on an 80s music kick and I couldn’t be more proud.

2023-03-11: 🍿 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania this afternoon with Amber. Fun movie, about on par with the rest …

2023-03-04: 🍿 Introduced Ang Lee’s Hulk to my son today. We agreed that it holds up well as a thoughtful …

2023-03-04: St. Paul said, “…the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s …

2023-01-30: The foolishness of the Cross of Christ To be honest, many people do misunderstand the cross, and think of it as some kind of divine child …

2023-01-24: Psalm 67 Deus misereatur 1 May God be merciful unto us, and bless us, * and show us the light of his …

2023-01-21: Saturday morning at home.

2023-01-20: I told ChatGPT: Write a short prayer for Christian unity in the style of the Book of Common Prayer, …

2022-11-28: Christ is the Mountain Isaiah casts a breathtaking vision for the inevitable future that awaits us. “He shall judge …

2022-11-22: King of Forgiveness Even the people of God can’t govern themselves in such a way that provides for the flourishing of …

2022-11-13: 🕹️ Just finished Homeworld: Cataclysm (AKA Homeworld: Emergence) and I absolutely loved it. What a …

2022-11-12: Was sad to hear of the passing of Kevin Conroy. He has been the voice of one my favorite heroes, …

2022-11-12: Clip of a song I wrote for my daughter, Selah.

2022-11-10: Currently reading: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker 📚

2022-10-31: Without just works, our worship can't be true Both right worship and good works are vital, but without just works accompanying it, our worship …

2022-10-25: 4 parts of making peace with discernment I think the church today would do well to emulate these practices that are evident from the …

2022-10-22: My next “laptop” will probably be a Galaxy Tab S8. I’ve been using my 2019 Galaxy …

2022-10-17: Ordained a priest 7 years ago today. So grateful to God and to those that he has called me to serve. …

2022-10-17: Practice what you pray Prayer is what grounded and energized Jesus' life of action for the sake of the world. Jesus …

2022-10-15:

2022-10-13: The Word of God is not bound St. Paul, in his first letter to Timothy in the first chapter and second part of verse nine writes: …

2022-10-12: Logos 10 was just released, and while there are some nice updates….the Sermon Builder feature …

2022-10-11: Tonight, I worked on my initial revision to the Spiritual Disciplines class I just took my church …

2022-10-08: Sometimes it’s relaxing to just mess around with synths on a Saturday afternoon

2022-09-13: Queen Elizabeth, Servant of God | This reflection by always thoughtful Rowan Williams is very much …

2022-08-31: Pride & Dignity We could talk about how every person’s selfish and self-destructive attitudes, actions, and …

2022-08-24: Kallistos (Timothy) Ware 11 September 1934 — 24 August 2022 Memory Eternal!

2022-08-23: On the Narrow Door Someone comes to Jesus and asks, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23, ESV) Jesus …

2022-08-16: A Faith That Sings Reflections on Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46–55) Our Christian faith is a faith that sings. The …

2022-08-11: Trello is down which means my whole system for tracking/capturing/updating tasks is down. This is …

2022-08-11: Announcement: A big really small shift

2022-08-11: Daytime desk pic

2022-08-10: Pretty happy with how my home workspace is coming together. Trying to purposely create a different …

2022-07-28: Some new music from band I just discovered. Digging it. ➡️ Progfusion

2022-07-25: Today the Church celebrates James the Elder, Apostle. O gracious God, your servant and apostle …

2022-07-23: 📺 Fun little mini doc on the computer game classic, Microsoft Solitaire youtu.be/3x5VAg1HJ…

2022-07-22: 🕹 Greetings from #MarsMars Pretty fun update to the classic Lunar Lander. marsmarsgame.com

2022-07-22: When I’m making coffee for just myself, the Aeropress is a method I enjoy often. Here’s …

2022-07-20: Pipe by the pool

2022-07-20: Procrastinated a bit today by designing a custom day planner sheet to put in a discbound notebook. …

2022-07-19: Accidentally initiated a factory reset a couple of weeks ago. Took the opportunity to not reinstall …

2022-07-19: Good news! Successfully replaced the light switch yesterday without killing myself.

2022-07-18: Gearing up to replace a few switches and outlets around the house. This video was super helpful.

2022-07-10: Today at St. George’s Anglican Church Pastor Shane reminded us that pride is the source of …

2022-07-09: Hope for the renewal of all things in and because of Jesus is what keeps me going when I consider …

2022-07-07: Dusty’s stress at my wife Amber going out on the lake is palpable in this photo, I think.

2022-07-07: Woods Canyon Lake, AZ

2022-06-21: The Downward Way of Christ and Salvation We want our comfort and convenience. We want our power. We want to point out our success in pulling …

2022-06-15: This commentary on Luke reads like a bunch of really great sermons. Which is probably its genesis!

2022-05-31: Lashed to the mast of Word and Sacrament This how I try to understand and live out my pastoral and priestly vocation: “lashed to the …

2022-02-24: Christians, prayer for the world is an essential aspect of our vocation Christian brothers and sisters, Prayer for the world is an essential aspect of our vocation. We must …

2022-02-22: Learning about Ephrem of Syria today. Really looking forward to reading him and other Syriac Fathers …

2022-02-03:

2022-01-10: Battle station ready for my Monday morning sermon prep focus session (reading/research)

2022-01-08: I am pretty excited to preach about God’s heart for the nations tomorrow morning–not …

2022-01-08: I need these prayers

2021-12-30: Goals for today: finish some key tasks for Desert Mission Anglican Church, play some games with the …

2021-12-27: You are God's Delight It’s the Third Day of Christmas. We remember St. John the Theologian. He wrote: “…the …

2021-12-22: She preaches with passion Over and against rulers with delusions of divine favor and power, Mary proclaims in her …

2021-11-23: The Cross is the Throne The religious and political leaders around Jesus were right that his kingdom threatened theirs, …

2021-11-22: The Kingdom of Christ is fundamentally spiritual, but not merely spiritual What makes a good king different from a bad king is the kind of power used and the way that power is …

2021-11-17: 7 encouragements for the deconstructing “Deconstruction” is the topic du jour in the Christian social media space right now. …

2021-10-22: Pretty excited to release a collection of songs, p r o d i g a l, today. Hit the link or stream …

2021-10-14: Every opportunity to love So thankful today that Jesus did what I could never do: Every temptation, he resisted. Every sin, he …

2021-10-09: A present friend Watched the Disney version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe last night with the kids. …

2021-10-05: I encourage our church to wrestle with the teaching of Jesus in the Bible. Here’s how I define …

2021-10-05: Updated my /now page.

2021-09-14: “Over and over again the formation of a party, the growth of a clique, the promotion of a …

2021-09-01: Just look at him A real problem with so much hand wringing over the future of the Church is that there’s so …

2021-08-01: The liberating Way of Christ We pray fervently for God to come through for the oppressed in the present, through those of us that …

2021-07-29: We can have courage to confess our sins, because God in Christ in Christ gives us assurance of …

2021-07-27: I WAS BORN IN 1 9 8 4 a musical sketch Having so much fun with virtual synths/midi these days best …

2021-07-25: Today we commemorate St.. James, who demontrates that leadership and authority in the church have …

2021-07-22: 📚 Some gems found today at Costco, of all places: a great Sherlock Holmes box set, a really helpful …

2021-07-13: Christianity is comforting, not comfortable Church is a community where all the distraught can be comforted with the sure hope of the Gospel. …

2021-07-12: Nationalism, Christianity, encouragement -- and regret It’s encouraging to see there are gestures in America toward a renewed humility in the …

2021-07-07: Behold the heart of God in Christ If Jesus gives us the Spirit of the Law in the Sermon on the Mount, then the Spirit of the Law is …

2021-07-06: He directed Superman, and I loved everything about that movie Yesterday, I found out that Richard Donner, the director of Superman (1978) and The Goonies has …

2021-07-03: Thankfully, my country is not my church As those of us in the U.S. prepare for 4th of July festivities, I want to recognize the main things …

2021-06-27: Love & Deconstruction Like many my age and younger, I went through a fairly severe period of deconstructing my faith, …

2021-06-24: Prescott, AZ. What a beautiful part of the great state of Arizona!

2021-06-20: Updated nathanrhale.com today. A bit more color. A little more homey. Less navigation. And I’m …

2021-06-20: So thankful to be the father of these amazing humans

2021-06-20: Sun’s going down

2021-06-20: Erin Go Bragh tobacco Knob Creek 9 Year bourbon Happy Father’s Day!

2021-06-20: View from the deck where we’re staying right now in Prescott, AZ.

2021-06-17: Finished up the final track and published a little EP today. Ether & Experiments by Nathan R. Hale

2021-04-17: When the glory of God has left the Temple One time, I was visiting a mainstream, large, influential American Evangelical church for a mid-week …

2021-04-06: Happy Monday of Easter Week, friends! I’m giving Royal Yacht a try and so far I like it! A …

2021-04-03: Early morning, an Easter poem Alleluia! The Resurrection of God-come-to-as-us-one-of-us– Jesus!– can only be the …

2021-03-30: The profound goodness of God on display in the mystery of Holy Week is too deep to articulate with …

2021-03-30: In my experience, it seems the default position of many Christians towards their siblings in Christ …

2021-03-23: All anyone truly has is the love of God in Jesus Christ and that love is everything, more than …

2021-03-10: New vehicle. Hover-1 Alpha.

2021-02-22: Why discuss potentially controversial topics in church? Why discuss potentially controversial topics in church? 4 reasons: 📖1) To educate the Church in …

2021-02-17: When we are found in Christ, his light becomes our light. His Spirit becomes our Spirit. We partake …

2021-02-17: Smoking a clay pipe A clay pipe can very inexpensively obtained from Pipes & Cigars. I got this one as a Christmas …

2021-02-04: Replaced battery in my aging laptop… Been a loooooong time since I’ve done anything …

2021-02-03: In last Sunday’s sermon, I tried to work out the distinction between capability (raw power) …

2021-01-29: A brief outline of my spiritual journey A brief outline of my spiritual journey though theological “phases”: Childlike faith in God in …

2021-01-15: Helpful

2021-01-11: A sermon after January 6 Here’s last Sunday’s sermon for those that might be interested, in which I attempt to …

2021-01-09: Beyond Burger night!

2021-01-08: In truth, then, God became a man and provided another beginning (ἀρχή), a second nativity (γένεσις), …

2021-01-07: Just recently decided to give Microsoft ToDo a shot for organizing all my GTD lists…and what …

2021-01-07: “Moderation or the middle ground is not always the loci of righteousness.” Esau …

2021-01-07: I am deeply saddened that some think what happened yesterday at the Capitol is in any way after the …

2020-12-31: 2020 brought much about the Church in America into the light. Turns out, we’re even worse off …

2020-12-24: A meditation for Christmas Eve There are few images as precious to me as Christ on the cross, the Creator King of the universe …

2020-12-19: A Culture of Unhealthy Silence I reject the notion that the solution to any communal tension is to pretend it doesn’t exist …

2020-12-15: This Advent, those of us that claim the Name of Christ have an opportunity to–like John the …

2020-12-12: “Holy ordinances are Christ’s, though administered by weak men.” ~ Matthew Henry …

2020-12-12: Dan Scott, writing at Facebook: In the last few months, all sorts of prophets told us how the …

2020-12-11: So grateful for Fr. Kenneth Tanner’s way of articulating a key implication of the Gospel here. …

2020-12-11: Faithful companions

2020-12-10: The reading chair

2020-12-09: 108 COVID-19 deaths reported in AZ today. I believe this is a record high, the previous being 103 on …

2020-12-08: With Pastor Matt, I affirm I’m not an economist. I’m a priest. That said, it is part of …

2020-12-07: Dennae Pierre, writing at Facebook: “A lot of pastors chose trying to defend the chruch from …

2020-12-06: I am grateful for the teaching of the Church, so clearly articulated at the time of the Reformation, …

2020-11-25: It is an honor and privilege and joy to witness in my own feeble way to the only True King, my Lord …

2020-11-20: Interpreting the Thirty- Nine Articles Religion with Room to Grow Owen Chadwick in his essay “The Mind of the Oxford Movement” notes that …

2020-11-17: Love is prior to unity. Grace and mercy are prior to agreement.

2020-10-22: And, with gratitude for all you have done and who you are.

2020-10-17: “You will be dead, so long as you refuse to die.” - George McDonald

2020-09-30: Last night’s shameful “debate” confirms the inability of earthly nations and leaders to offer …

2020-09-15: It’s not “being right” that makes us right with God, but the righteousness of …

2020-09-01: We are in a season of confusion, disinformation, and distraction. God’s Word incarnate, Jesus …

2020-08-28: The distinguishing mark of the Church I wholeheartedly believe the church is meant to credibly model and offer a different way of life …

2020-08-18: Keeping the peace or peacemaking? I think there is a difference between “keeping the peace” and peacemaking. In the first, …

2020-08-01: Current slate of physical books in play

2020-07-27: A dear friend, brother in Christ, and parishioner of mine passed away last week. This is how I can …

2020-07-25: These are changing times, friends. Hard times, but not without some hope. A new track.

2020-07-25: Soundcloud is so aggressive in suggesting their pro option that I just moved everything over to …

2020-07-23: 15 years married to Amber today. She’s the best friend anyone could ask for, an inspiring parent, …

2020-07-22: 02 What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the good news that God loves the world and offers salvation …

2020-07-21: A few (though not all) of the books I intend to read as I participate in Nashota House’s “The Bible …

2020-07-20: Currently reading: The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in …

2020-07-14: Food for thought: “The shallow character of many strategies for renewal is revealed just to …

2020-07-11: A risky faith I’ve been thinking about the whole idea of risk-taking, faith, and Christian witness. They are …

2020-07-10: Moments from the creek

2020-07-07: Keychron K2. Love this Keyboard.

2020-07-07: “Mystery, in the New Testament, is never total, enduring obscurity, but the grace of God made …

2020-07-06: First full track made in Abelton with my Launchkey Mini Mk 3

2020-07-06: Made a music page so you can find some of the stuff I’m composing and recording. More to come.

2020-07-04: God’s purpose is not that we should be Old Testament Christians, regenerate indeed, but living in …

2020-07-04: John Stott cites Tom Wright in his commentary on Romans. Pretty exciting find for me since these are …

2020-06-23: Look what just came in the mail

2020-06-20: Current mood. Pensive. Pic by Amber

2020-06-16: Sitting down for a morning of pastoral administrative work (uploading the podcast, reviewing parish …

2020-06-09: “God doth justify the believing man, yet not for the worthiness of his belief, but for His …

2020-05-20: Just got my video in for Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir! I did not sing perfectly but I gave it my …

2020-05-18: The way of Jesus expresses hope that transformation is possible for ANYONE. Even enemies.

2020-05-17: Sunday afternoon jams with my new little practice amp!

2020-05-16:

2020-05-16: Thankfuk to RNAtreasures for this great find at a fair price. Perfect little pipe for walking the …

2020-05-15: Pretty stoked to give this new pocket pipe from RNAtreasures a go on my evening walk tonight. I …

2020-05-12: The Sacred Enneagram

2020-05-11: Grateful to be led in worship each Sunday by my wife Amber.

2020-05-02: Tomorrow’s sermon is on submitting to the government. Total word count: 1776. Coincidence? You …

2020-05-02: A little lick I came up with years ago to warm up the fingers. Kinda challenging for me these days …

2020-04-18: I’ve been out of the…loop…(see what I did there) on audio production for a long time. …

2020-04-16: The church is learning to suffer, to be patient, to be creative, to bear with one another in this …

2020-04-07: A Palm Sunday Meditation Last Sunday’s homily (audio): As we encounter the Scriptures for Palm Sunday in the liturgy, …

2020-04-03: WHAT IS HAPPENING

2020-03-31: Perhaps you’re barely able to remember or imagine what it might be like rejuvenated by rivers of …

2020-03-28: Q 109. May we omit church assemblies on the Lord’s day if the magistrate forbid them? A. If the …

2020-03-26: Desert flowers

2020-03-23: Here are some resources I have been using to organize and facilitate church during COVID-19 Xenvo Pro Lens Kit for Smartphones/Laptop Cams This has been helpful by providing a wide-angle shot …

2020-03-22: Drive up Communion. What a time.

2020-02-23: Sunday afternoon pipe.

2020-02-20: The study is coming together.

2020-02-04: So disappointed that Fantastical 3 insists on prompting me to upgrade to a subscription when I have …

2020-01-30: Unpacking all my books into a new space. So grateful for the ones I have read, haven’t yet read, and …

2020-01-18: This is one of the most true and challenging—yet somehow also comforting—books I have ever read. You …

2020-01-17: Here’s a Bookmarked, Easy-to-Navigate PDF of the ACNA’s New Catechism - Anglican Pastor …

2020-01-04: Jesus is a person, not merely a principle. We share a person, not just a set of doctrines, with the …

2020-01-02:

2019-12-29: Lord have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. God, in your mercy, remember all involved in …

2019-12-26: I was excited to receive an Osprey Arcane Small Dayback for Christmas this year, and couldn’t wait …

2019-12-25: Merry Christmas, all!

2019-12-25: A couple of Christmas gifts from my lovely wife that will be treasured: an estate Tim West pipe that …

2019-12-24: What a beautiful celebration of the birth of our Lord tonight with these awesome people along with …

2019-12-23: Opinion - How Do Christians Fit Into the Two-Party System? They Don’t - The New York Times …

2019-12-21: Where Will Pipes Be In 100 Years? Great article on the benefits and blessings of pipes, the pipe …

2019-12-21: Christianity Today sure kicked the hornet’s nest. I have a hunch that stating whether or not I agree …

2019-12-14: Was glad to get new 2019 BCPs along with ESV w/Apocrypha pew Bibles for the church today!!

2019-12-11: St. Paul says he wants harmony in the Body of Christ so “that together you may with one voice …

2019-12-10: Food for thought

2019-12-08: 1 Peter 3:17–4:2 (ESV): …it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, …

2019-12-07: Our hope is for a future that has already begun. “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be …

2019-12-03: I can’t not share this photo, perhaps my favorite ever of my youngest daughter, Gwyneth.

2019-11-20: Clouds coming in over the mountains lend an ethereal beauty to the concrete landscape of Phoenix …

2019-11-11: The makings of a fine autumn evening. Yes, I’ve got that Carolina Gent loaded with C&D Autumn …

2019-11-01: Anglican liturgical living, following the curriculum of prayer and Scripture found in the Book of …

2019-11-01: 🖊 Journaling through Colossians 2:11-22 today. God is indeed a God of righteous order, not only …

2019-10-28: Got this Topical Memory System to begin working through Bible memorization with my kids. …

2019-10-27: Really beautiful morning at church today.

2019-10-25: Fr. Esau McCaulley, writing for the Washington post: ‘Jesus Is King’ and Kanye West is a tax …

2019-10-25: 🎵 Fave track so far on the new Kanye album: “Use This Gospel,” cause lyrics…and …

2019-10-25: 🎵 JESUS IS KING by Kanye West

2019-10-25: 🎵 New original music: SYNTHS // GRIDS // SUNSETS ON IPHONE 🏎🌴🌇

2019-10-25: “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Pablo Picasso …

2019-10-24: A moment of harmony. From my time at The Casa last week.

2019-10-24: From Kenneth Robertson’s Facebook this morning: I’ve always dreaded the repetitiveness …

2019-10-20: 🍻 Deschutes Black Butte Porter 💨 Country Squire Parson’s Blend Absolute match made in heaven.

2019-10-12: The made-in-Rwanda phone is available for purchase in the US!

2019-10-11: Apple removes app used in Hong Kong protests after pressure from China - The Verge Massive tech …

2019-10-10: 🍿 Joker (2019) micro-review: An aesthetically beautiful film that’s difficult viewing at the …

2019-10-10: Rwanda’s Mara X, Z are the first smartphones made fully in Africa woww.fastcompany.com This is …

2019-10-09: 🍿 Joker (2019). Highly anticipating this film.

2019-10-08: Fascinating data!

2019-10-07: Nothing is more perilous than to be weary of the Word of God. Thinking he knows enough, a person …

2019-10-06: 🍻 Smithwicks Red Ale 💨 Rattray’s Red Rapperee. This afternoon’s relaxation time!

2019-10-06: Seen on reddit Median home value in 1950: ~$7,500 Median household income in 1950: ~$3,300 1950 …

2019-10-02: There are journeys for which we not only do not have a map, but we have no resources for drawing …

2019-09-26: A Must-Read for Every Aspiring Pastor Note: this was originally published for The Anglican Mission in America blog. Shortly after I began …

2019-09-26: In a perfect world, I might be iOS all the way due to the overall polish and security focus. Yet, …

2019-09-24: It may have been 88 degrees today but I got into the Fall spirit with some Oktoberfest and Autumn …

2019-09-23: Today I was preaching at a local soup kitchen’s outdoor area, from John 11 (the story of Jesus …

2019-09-19: “Holiness is to be recognized not by religious achievements or by a spirituality that is …

2019-09-18: Finding a good email client is way harder than it should be on Windows. Windows Mail is fast, but …

2019-09-16: All 243 Riddles solved (with a lot of help from YouTube). Took this pic right before the final boss …

2019-09-13: The Batfleck films were terrible, but the suit was great and is fun to have in Arkham Knight.

2019-09-12: How do you hate the sin in your life without hating yourself? This can be so difficult. I think the …

2019-09-11: What is Anglicanism? by Charles Erlandson. Probably one of the better definitions of Anglicanism I …

2019-09-11: The practically, morally, and financially responsible thing to do is to use your current phone for …

2019-09-10: No student of history can deny that people claiming to be Bible-believing Christians participated …

2019-09-10: Anglican Pastor graciously published my write up about the website I created for praying the Daily …

2019-09-10: Updated my beginner’s guide to pipe smoking with a note on filters.

2019-09-06: WAS NOT JESUS AN EXTREMIST FOR LOVE? M L K

2019-09-06: Popped a fresh tin of Rattray’s Red Rapperee this morning. Like welcoming an old friend.

2019-09-05: “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be …

2019-09-04: The beginner's pipe smoking starter kit [everything you need for $40 or less] *Before you start smoking a pipe, know what you're doing. It’s not like cigarette smoking, but it’s …

2019-08-30: This is such a great conversation with Anglican priest and author Tish Warren. I totally get what …

2019-08-28: Spiritual discipline is necessary for spiritual direction.

2019-08-27: Happy Cob Tuesday. Today is sermon day for me, so I’m smoking some Country Squire Summer Breeze in …

2019-08-27: “I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my …

2019-08-22: Why I went with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 I own a great 2-in-1 laptop, a 2016 Dell Inspiron. This 13" Windows 10 machine switches easily …

2019-08-21: I loathe to even dip my toes in the water of publicly critiquing a political or even simply a public …

2019-08-20: Today is a work-from-home admin day. Catching up on emails, updating the calendar, etc. Also trying …

2019-08-20: Happy Cob Tuesday. Parson’s Blend in my Shire churchwarden.

2019-08-16: I’ve come to realize I’m just not really an Apple customer, even though I do appreciate …

2019-08-14: Being her husband is the best.

2019-08-09: Preaching Against Racism Is Not a Distraction from the Gospel “All of us are called to embody the love of Christ, which is not bound by race, gender, or class. …

2019-08-08: Today I got the August lectionary up at Anglican Daily Office. Took a little more work than I …

2019-08-07: I made something today! Check it out: anglicandailyoffice.online You’ll find the texts for Morning …

2019-07-27: Date night last night celebrating 14 years married to my lovely Amber.

2019-07-26: A mosaic made by a local in West Point, GA. Beautiful.

2019-07-16: There is no one more beautiful, more loving, more full of grace, more merciful, more truthful, more …

2019-07-13: I have had a great system for backing up photos for years: Google Photos app automatically backs up …

2019-07-03: Took a moment to enjoy God’s good creation.

2019-06-25: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church …

2019-06-23: A wonderful reflection. I used to celebrate ad orientem (fading liturgical East) weekly at our …

2019-06-22: A comprehensive and clear introduction. The ACNA’s 2019 Book of Common Prayer (BCP): A Rookie …

2019-06-20: After 10 days traveling I’m ready to get back to my pipe and Bible time! With a new MM Shire …

2019-06-17: Opening Eucharist for the 10 year anniversary provincial assembly of the Anglican Church in North …

2019-06-12: The Texas country, a poem The Texas country Can be a pressure valve On the crucible of the Phoenix city For those that make …

2019-06-04: One of the hardest things for me to do is to admit that I’m not okay. When someone asks me how I’m …

2019-05-31: I updated, then deleted my “now” page. It’s not fun or useful unless updated …

2019-05-28: Just realized my Fire HD 8 keyboard does Swype-style entry. Cool! I’m sure this is heresy to …

2019-05-23: St. Francis of A CC LOL

2019-05-23: Frederica Mathewes-Green, writing for the National Review in 2016: I understand all the reasons why …

2019-05-23: Morning pipe, Prince Albert. Enjoying with coffee.

2019-05-21: Hey friends, I was recently on the Daniel Generation podcast with my friend Drew, and it was a …

2019-05-20: Before Christ went to the Cross for you and me, he told his disciples exactly what would mark them …

2019-05-15: In the book of Revelation we have a vision of a multitude praising and worshipping before the throne …

2019-05-11: SKETCH 01 In the spirit of Micro.blog’s emphasis on short form content, here’s a short musical …

2019-05-10: Why I might (one day) get an iPad I continue to enjoy my 2016 13 inch Dell Inspiron. It’s still pretty snappy, can do pretty …

2019-05-10: Last bowl of the now discontinued Dunhill Early Morning Pipe this morning. Enjoying with coffee as …

2019-05-07: Ed Stetzer: …our churches need to be a safe place for people who wander, and for people who …

2019-05-06: Now, a call to give our very lives for the sake of discipleship, for the sake of following Jesus, …

2019-05-05: Sunday evening in the back yard…time for a few minutes of relaxation before putting the kids …

2019-05-04: Part of my free comic book day haul.

2019-05-04: G investigates a surprisingly lifelike alligator at a local park

2019-05-04: Miraz Jordan - Why not move a community group’s website to FB? Really good points here. Using …

2019-05-03: The slaveholding mentality, which many American Christians assume is past, continues to distort the …

2019-04-30: Photo By Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1987-074-16 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Link

2019-04-28: This piece by @Ben is by far one of the most helpful and practical I have stumbled across on going …

2019-04-26: The File Manager Strategy for Keeping and Organizing Your Notes Over the past few years I have been an avid user of OneNote as a way to organize reference material, …

2019-04-25: I love these beautiful lilies my wife set out for Easter. Watching them bloom over the past week is …

2019-04-18: How do I know that I’m saved? This is a question that plagues many faithful Christians, particularly …

2019-04-12: The ergonomic improvements from this simple shift to using a laptop stand and bluetooth keyboard are …

2019-04-11: A frictionless Weekly Review For those of us that practice GTD to manage our commitments and keep them with integrity, the weekly …

2019-04-06: Updated my now page.

2019-04-06: It’s a different way of life to intentionally avoid the new and shiny to for the good of your …

2019-04-06: People say GTD requires too much time manging your lists. This is a feature, not a bug.

2019-04-06: I notice that when I publish a draft in Micro.blog, it retains the date in the timeline that I …

2019-04-05: Makeshift laptop stand. I realized half of my chronic neck and shoulder pain is probably due to …

2019-04-04: Here’s a handy site to estimate reading times of text.

2019-04-04: GTD in 3 Minutes In David Allen’s modern classic book on personal productivity, Getting Things Done he …

2019-04-04: People say GTD requires too much time manging your lists. This is a feature, not a bug. The longer I think on this, the more convinced I am that GTD really doesn’t ask you to do much …

2019-04-03: At least my email app gives me compliments.

2019-04-01: “The priest is a priest at the altar; a priest in confession, he is a priest on the street; …

2019-03-31: FINALLY finished N. T. Wright’s magisterial The Resurrection of the Son of God (Christian …

2019-03-29: Made it to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back with my youngest brother, Mark!

2019-03-26: Stewart Ruch III on Best Practices for Holy Week Preaching, and on preaching Easter Morning year …

2019-03-26: Recently found carrd.co–essentially a one-page website builder (more on the philosophy of the …

2019-03-23: Once you start really pealing back the layers on the Old Testament, you realize it’s grace all …

2019-03-23: Why You Should Enable Privacy-Enhanced Mode on Your Embedded YouTube Videos I’m starting to do …

2019-03-23: Laura Sydell at NPR: Too Much Video Streaming To Choose From? It’s Only Going To Get Worse …

2019-03-23: I’m headed to hike the Grand Canyon soon, so I wanted to try some new camp coffee that might …

2019-03-19: Micro.blog's intentional minimalism keeps it a sane and human place on the Internet Inspired by @simonwoods reflection on internet comments: The question before our digitally-saturated …

2019-03-14: A Darkmode version of the Micro.blog timeline would be awesome.

2019-03-14: “God doth justify the believing man, yet not for the worthiness of his belief, but for His …

2019-03-08: Shane Parrish: Inefficient does not mean ineffective, and it is certainly not the same as lazy. You …

2019-03-06: Deleted Twitter, LinkedIN, MeWe. Deactivated Facebook, Messenger, Instagram. Uninstalled Reddit. …

2019-03-06: This resonates. From @richnewman: I suddenly felt like I had an online network that I had to …

2019-03-02: 🐶 We rescued Dusty today. Welcome to the family!

2019-02-27: Can you help me replace OneNote? I think I’m ready to think about replacing OneNote, and I think I need helping finding something. As …

2019-02-27: 🤔 According to Tish Warren, The Church Made Vagina Sculptures Long Before Nadia Bolz-Weber.

2019-02-26: TIL text.npr.org is a thing, thanks to @eli. This is very cool.

2019-02-25: Got a chuckle out of this.

2019-02-25: 🏃🏻‍♂️ 6 mile run today felt great.

2019-02-25: John Bacon, writing for Anglican Pastor: In our current climate, it would be very Anglican to …

2019-02-23: 🎵 Sermon inspiration this week

2019-02-20: A lament for a divided church

2019-02-16: I was reading yesterday about Microsoft’s plans to replace OneNote 2016 with OneNote for …

2019-02-15: The fog today in Phoenix was crazy!

2019-02-14: I learned about the calendar, the Eucharist, the morning and evening office, the saints, the fasts, …

2019-02-14: The new Book of Common Prayer from the Anglican Church in North America will be here before we know …

2019-02-13: Gwynnie (3) upon seeing my beardless face: “I don’t like your style.”

2019-02-13: Beardless

2019-02-13: Good to be home. Escudo in a MM Legend in the Arizona room.

2019-02-11: Granny’s Apple Fries is probably one of the best of many great things about LEGOland

2019-02-11: Aparently LEGO is serious about manufacturing.

2019-02-10: WEDDING ACCOMPLISHED

2019-02-10: Lovely traditional worship from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer this morning at St. Mary Magdalene …

2019-02-09: This picturesque spot is where my brother-in-law is getting married tomorrow!

2019-02-07: Officiating my first wedding on Sunday, for my brother-in-law and his fiancé. I’m stoked.

2019-02-07: My grandmother tells about her life in rural Georgia.

2019-02-07: 🎙 The Hurry Slowly podcast discusses the insidious spread of burnout.

2019-02-06: Excellent time at the 2019 Diocese of the Rocky Mountains Gathering connecting with fellow Anglicans …

2019-02-04: Mountain View from the hotel room. Hello Colorado Springs!

2019-01-31: Errant pack from Boundary Supply first impressions I was Kickstarter backer #2606 on the Boundry Supply Errant backpack, billed as the “ultimate …

2019-01-30: Remember Y2K? 😂

2019-01-30: Seen on the way to the church today.

2019-01-29: Keep coming back to my trusty Cahiers.

2019-01-28: Wasn’t selected this time.

2019-01-28: Jury duty today. Not very convenient, but I’m grateful to contribute what I can for a fair and just …

2019-01-27: Amazing that I could video chat my brother in the DRC today via WhatsApp. So grateful. Family is …

2019-01-25: Okay, okay. I can get behind this.

2019-01-25: 🎙 The Daily Office from Trinity Mission for those days when you need say the Office on the go, or if …

2019-01-24: 90 minutes of retreat I stared at this Fountain And hanging flowers For an hour. I was glad and …

2019-01-23: Enough by @patrickrhone is free for Amazon Prime members right now. This book is so great if …

2019-01-23: I do not regret checking out of the 24 hour news cycle.

2019-01-22: If you grew up Christian in America there’s a very good chance you do not know the beliefs and …

2019-01-22: Until Christ comes again, he has left us with his word. And so we, God’s people in the “time in …

2019-01-21: How we have blemished and scarred that body Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the …

2019-01-21: A tragic misconception of time I have just received a letter from a white brother in Texas. He writes: “All Christians know …

2019-01-21: Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. …I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white …

2019-01-21: Mornin’

2019-01-19: I once asked a Lutheran pastor why we needed the sacraments if the grace given by simply believing …

2019-01-19: I have been really loving Spider-Man on the PS4!

2019-01-17: My little Missouri Meerchaum Morgan pipe looks comically huge here because because of the angle, but …

2019-01-17: Brilliant discussion with renowned New Testament scholar N. T. Wright on the historical Jesus, the …

2019-01-16: I read this week about the miracle at Cana, when Jesus turned water into wine. His mother Mary …

2019-01-16: Got some news today that was—initially—quite disappointing. But I was reminded that because of Jesus …

2019-01-15: Scot McKnight talks infant baptism and the New Testament. Solid.

2019-01-14: 🍿 Finally saw Bumblebee yesterday afternoon with Amber and really enjoyed it. As far as Transformers …

2019-01-11: Sermon inspiration.

2019-01-11: Just deleted Reddit from my phone 😱 EDIT: replaced with Pocket.

2019-01-11: “The Cross has the final word!!” Loving this song. Will be a great Lenten reflection.

2019-01-10: This is Edit. A simple piece of paper to write on as needed. It opens instantly, ready to capture …

2019-01-09: Reminders

2019-01-09: PLAN THE WORK WORK THE PLAN

2019-01-08: ⌨ Writing. Soundtrack: David Baloche.

2019-01-08: Nana’s Pie from Isa’s is one of my favorite slices in Phoenix

2019-01-07: Martin Smith of Delirious? fame is at the height of his vintage Bono/U2 channeling ability on his …

2019-01-06: A little bit of Sutliff Christmas Spice during the downtime before tonight’s Epiphany Party at …

2019-01-05: My wife, Amber, has flown to Texas to be with her family as they grieve the loss of her Nana and …

2019-01-05: Book: Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas by Chris Marchand » It happened: the book is funded! — …

2019-01-04: Great morning out on the mountain today for my first Grand Canyon trip training hike. I’ve …

2019-01-03: May her memory be eternal Ann (I called her Nana as if she was one of my own grandparents) was one of the kindest, most …

2019-01-03: Does blogging count as journaling? 🤔

2019-01-03: My favorite part of today was sitting down at my home desk with coffee, Bible, and prayer …

2019-01-02: 📧 Published the first edition of my new newsletter. I don’t know what I’m doing.

2019-01-02: To a healthy 2019 My word for 2019 is health. I want to be healthy in mind, body, spirit. I intend to get a doctor and …

2019-01-01: Choosing a new email app in Windows 10 I finally got fed up with syncing errors, freezes, and no Google Calendar support in Outlook 2016 …

2019-01-01: Why is it so hard to to find a usable Windows 10 email client?????? Taking suggestions.

2019-01-01: A little liturgical New Year humor. Source.

2018-12-31: A reflection on the meaning of Christmas The time has come! It’s Christmas! Yes, I know you may have already celebrated Christmas Day (if you …

2018-12-31: Super stoked to start using these beautiful Scripture journals that I got for Christmas, but I must …

2018-12-30: First time playing Ticket to Ride tonight with Amber! Pretty fun game.

2018-12-30: A 2018 Media Review According to my records, I finished 20 books, 5 graphic novels, 21 movies, and 6 TV series in 2018. …

2018-12-30: When Anxiety in Children Looks Like Anger, Tantrums, or Meltdowns When children are under the …

2018-12-29: 🍿 Just saw Aquaman with Amber. What a fantastic fantasy adventure film! Jason Momoa owns the title …

2018-12-28: Spent the day in the snow.

2018-12-27: The Christmas fun continues with tea, pipe, and novel. ☕️ Trader Joe’s Candycane Green Tea 💨 Sutliff …

2018-12-26: Great time at Lights of the World with the fam.

2018-12-26: Just getting out of watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse with my 8 year old son. Quite …

2018-12-25: 🍻 Christmas cheer, Christmas beer. A wonderful Irish stout.

2018-12-25: Merry Christmas to all! It’s been a wonderful day around the Hale House. I love watching our kids …

2018-12-24: “Jesus, Lord at thy birth.” Love that line.

2018-12-24: 🌲Eve🏃🏻‍♂️

2018-12-23: www.reddit.com Jesus statue popping out of the ground at Abtei Himmerod Germany

2018-12-23: The KJZZ Holiday Show with Blaise Lantana & Friends at The Nash is about to start!

2018-12-22: www.reddit.com Put ADOT under the tree because they are a gift

2018-12-22: I am really loving facilitating pre-marital counseling for a couple I am performing the wedding …

2018-12-21: You know what’s great about most personal blogs like the ones hosted at Micro.blog compared to …

2018-12-21: Via this great guide on web typography.

2018-12-20: Happy Hipster Christmas via the Church Humor Newsletter

2018-12-19: 🍻A new one. Came in the Winter seasonal pack, but would make a great summer beer. Tastes of citrus …

2018-12-19: THIS IS HAPPENING PEOPLE

2018-12-19: Spending some time chaperoning my daughter’s class field trip to the Science Center!

2018-12-18: View from the Skytrain at PHX.

2018-12-17: Watching my kids through the screen on my phone instead of in the world is not an even trade.

2018-12-17: Support this book explaining the traditions of Christmas! My friend Chris is writing an awesome book to help individuals, churches, and families understand …

2018-12-17: Drew Zeiba, writing for Vulture: Refusing to be an artist-as-public figure in the era of social …

2018-12-17: Signed up for ProtonMail today. Personally I’m not as freaked out as everyone else regarding …

2018-12-16: WELL, it’s done. After just a few days on the free trial of Micro.blog, I’ve decided to …

2018-12-15: My ballerina princess is performing tonight.

2018-12-15: A concise case for the reasonableness of classical, creedal Christianity Classical, creedal Christianity is reasonable because: Theism (the belief that there is a supreme …

2018-12-15: Can’t imagine life without Amber. So beautiful, smart, tough, patient, godly, loving, kind, …

2018-12-15: Possible solutions for fixing my terrible posture: A cushion for the car or office, $25 A rather …

2018-12-15: Woke up this morning with some brutal back pain. My terrible posture has finally caught up with me. …

2018-12-14: Question: What would you do? As I move toward a more human, personal, relational way of blogging, …

2018-12-14: Out for a lunt this afternoon. C&D Nutty Irishman in my MM Carolina Gent cob.

2018-12-14: As I consider switching totally to Micro.blog, I’m thinking deeply on the appeal, and what my …

2018-12-13: I have customized my Micro.blog micro blog (say that 10 times fast) and I really really like the …

2018-12-10: Micro.blog is interesting, but could it replace my self-hosted Wordpress blog I’ve been using …

2018-12-10: What can wash away my sin? What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but …

2018-12-06: A prayer before meditation

2018-12-05: Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World - New book from Cal Newport Cal Newport is releasing a new book called Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy …

2018-12-04: The brain drain of your smartphone Your cognitive capacity is significantly reduced when your smartphone is within reach — even if it’s …

2018-11-27: Why I am not a determinist

It is sometimes asserted that evil is not simply allowed but “ordained and guided” by God for the …

2018-11-24: This ESV Journaling New Testament could be a game changer for study and sermon prep The Productive Pastor, Chad Brooks, just posted a pic of his study notes on Instagram. I had to ask …

2018-11-20: This is where I do ministry This is the neighborhood where I do ministry–Sunnyslope in Phoenix, AZ. A place of striking …

2018-11-16: Why Christians are always talking about the blood of Jesus

This week we were listening to Spotify in our home and the song “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 came …

2018-11-10: Amazing lightweight, compact, great-sounding headphones for travel. For under $20. Wireless headphones are all the rage these days, as they should be. There’s delightful freedom …

2018-10-29: A Christian perspective on Halloween This is “a” Christian perspective not “the” Christian perspective in today’s world, and there’s …

2018-10-27: Biblical thinking If the biblical story does not control our thinking, then we will be swept into the story that the …

2018-10-26: Fr. Thomas Keating has passed away It's with great sorrow I found out today that Fr. Thomas Keating has passed away. His writing taught …

2018-10-25: Debunking the 81% Many of the 81 percent [of white Evangelicals that voted for Trump] were not influenced by church …

2018-10-22: Social Media is designed for division The way AI is designed will have a huge impact on the type of content you see. For instance, if the …

2018-10-17: When I look into the face of my enemy I see my brother Let us call ‘brothers’ even those who hate us and forgive all by the Resurrection. -The Doxasticon …

2018-10-16: Just don't get political, though All issues of any importance are both political and moral: for morality is simply the inside, and …

2018-10-06: Don’t rock the boat, they said. Nothing like a midday run to clear the mind. I just came to grips with the fact that—as an idealist, …

2018-10-01: Effort Is Not the Opposite of Grace Richard Foster, author of The Celebration of Discipline: There’s a back and forth—there is a role …

2018-09-29: I believe in angels Today, we celebrate St. Michael and all angels. In a particularly dark, challenging time in my life …

2018-09-24: 8-Point Checklist for Pastoral Body Care Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash 8-Point Checklist for Pastoral Body Care - Charles Stone This …

2018-09-24: Niceness is not kindness In fact, “niceness” is often the enemy of kindness. “Nice” is often code for …

2018-09-11: Collect for social justice from the Book of Common Prayer Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil …

2018-09-05: My favorite quote from Blessed Mother Teresa Today we remember Mother Teresa. She said: Jesus is the Word – to be spoken. Jesus is the Truth – to …

2018-08-14: A prayer for our times Righteous Lord God, you love justice and hate evil, and you care for the weak, vulnerable, needy, …

2018-08-08: Cool weather this week in Phoenix

2018-08-07: The Discipline of Proclaiming the Gospel We’re talking about a discipline of proclaiming the Gospel as a practice of faithful presence. In …

2018-08-06: Sow good habits Tell me what good it is to weed a garden if we do not plant good seed…. Sow good habits and …

2018-07-26: Jen Pollock Michel on the limits of public intellectuals To satiate the ravenous demands of digital readers, a public intellectual today might easily ignore …

2018-07-25: The Discipline of Reconciliation

Antagonism is that spirit of opposition that seems so prevalent in society today. The world runs on …

2018-07-12: 10 brief thoughts on getting paid as a priest

Preface: I’m not saying here every senior pastor must be paid, or be full time, or that …

2018-07-11: The discipline of the Lord's Table

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

The discipline of coming together regularly around the Lord’s …

2018-07-10: I tried the Impossible Burger, and I liked it

The brand new, totally plant-based Impossible Burger is a game changer for vegetarians like myself, …

2018-07-09: I cannot live a holy life It really is true to say, “I cannot live a holy life,” but you can decide to let Jesus Christ make …

2018-07-09: Puzzle at the cabin So grateful to have the opportunity to visit a cabin on the creek a couple of hours north of Phoenix …

2018-07-07: The man who created the web has some regrets The increasing centralization of the Web, he says, has “ended up producing—with no deliberate action …

2018-07-05: God's plan to change the world In the beginning, out of love, God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) creates light, creates a world, …

2018-07-02: Looking forward to the ESV Anglican Edition

I’ve been wanting/needing a solid pew Bible that will include the Deuterocanon, and the …

2018-06-30: Packing a 13 liter backpack + small messenger for a 3 day trip For the past several years I have been challenging myself to pack light, so I can go fast. No …

2018-06-21: Home from the hospital

After a rough couple of days I am home from the hospital and feeling much better; that said it will …

2018-06-20: Boredom in meditation I suggest that you received a gift of time, time that did not have to be filled because you were …

2018-06-19: Eucharist is the moment The eucharist is the moment at which the past event comes forward to live again in the present, and …

2018-06-18: The simple way to practice centering prayer

Centering prayer is about cultivating an awareness of the presence of God and an attitude of …

2018-06-17: A Prayer for Father's Day Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus, the child of Mary, to the care of Joseph, an earthly …

2018-06-16: What I believe about immigration and giving up the right to bear arms, in brief I am in favor of Christians treating illegal immigrants humanely, hospitably, and fairly (and …

2018-06-16: Christians are weak and lawless Christians are indeed by definition weak and lawless according to worldly standards. Our weakness is …

2018-06-16: 7 observations regarding social media in the present time

Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

Social media is both more important and less important than we …

2018-06-16: My GTD system, June 2018 Capturing On the go: Emailing my Trello inbox via my iPhone In meetings: Pen & paper On the web: …

2018-06-14: The essential books This is a “living post” and will be updated over time. You’ll find a curated list …

2018-06-11: Growing in gratitude

This 5-day, Bible-based devotional ebook is designed to help you:

2018-06-11: Meditation made simple

Learn Christian meditation in 15 minutes or less per day for 21 days, and make it a life-giving …

2018-06-11: Super-quick sermon prep

Finish your sermon or Bible study in half the time.

Are you a busy pastor, small-group leader, or …

2018-04-20: Beginning with the Common English Bible I started reading through the Common English Bible today. This is a controversial translation, to be …

2017-10-13: Skye Jethani's IMMEASURABLE is a book I’d like to give every person just starting out in ministry

I’m very grateful to be part of the launch team for Skye Jethani’s brand new book Immeasurable: …

2017-06-19: Video Review: Premium Value Holy Bible Large Print NLT Buy on Amazon  

2017-03-18: 5 powerful ways to leverage Trello for church Trello, the digital Kanban and project management software, is all the rage for personal …

2017-03-06: The Timbuk2 Rogue Laptop Backpack for travel & every day carry

I like backpacks. It’s a weakness. I can often obsess over finding the perfect pack, and I own …

2016-12-26: How I'm Getting Things Done with Field Notes Field Notes are the clever, collectible (and thus, a bit addictive), design-focused notebooks that …

2016-12-23: How I'm Getting Things Done with Trello For context, you’ll want to read Say hello to Trello, a new tool to organize your life and …

2016-02-15: If you'd like humility, try praying for it.

God gives grace to the humble. Are you developing the virtue of humility?

This old Christian …

2016-02-11: Why I observe Lent I had been in an emotional and spiritual struggle for years, processing how the Body of Christ could …

2015-09-14: How to win spiritual battles

In Paul’s ending to his letter to the Ephesians, he talks about how to defeat the powers of …

2015-09-07: Who are you fighting? In Paul’s famous passage in Ephesians 6:10-20 on the armor of God, he makes a big deal about …

2015-08-31: That time my mother-in-law demolished me at paintball

A few years ago Amber’s side of the family decided it would be a great idea to get together …

2015-06-16: Become the righteousness of God

This is an edited manuscript of a sermon I preached at Grand Canyon University.  Watch the whole …

2015-05-22: Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit?

"...be filled with the Spirit..."

(Ephesians 5:18 ESV)

The celebration of Pentecost is nearly upon …

2015-05-08: What I learned about the Holy Spirit from my wife's life-threatening blood clot About two weeks ago now, my wife Amber noticed some swelling in her left leg. She was experiencing …

2015-03-31: 4 weird things about Palm Sunday

This is an edited transcript of one of my recent sermons at Desert Mission Anglican Church. Listen …

2015-03-09: #Lent, @Twitter, and the real meaning of self denial. Brothers and sisters, we are now solidly into the season of Lent. Lent is that time of the Christian …

2015-02-03: If your heart belongs to God, so does everything else

When my wife Amber and I married each other, a lot changed for both of us in the days immediately …

2015-01-14: My GTD system, January 2015 Capture & Organize Simple tasks For the capturing and organizing simple tasks, I use the Any.do …

2014-12-04: 3 reasons you should be savoring Advent to better celebrate Christmas Christmas is all the rage in our culture right now…but I say we slow down and do something …

2014-11-20: How a dreaded chore became a sacramental action Once upon a time I hated washing the dishes. The left over, sticky food residue was smelly and …

2014-10-07: How to have a life-changing mentoring conversation I’ve spent the last three or so years mentoring college-age men in both one-on-one and group …

2014-09-30: My top 3 spiritual struggles If there’s one thing I’m not a fan of, it’s the goes-without-saying assumption …

2014-09-24: Stop resisting God's grace. Start resisting false gods. My pastor has been preaching on it. My friends and coworkers have been practicing it. It keeps …

2014-09-10: 4 reasons I’m afraid of silence

If you’re like me, you fill most waking moments with some sort of noise. Maybe it’s …

2014-08-19: This quote has been haunting me for weeks This quote by one of my favorite Christian authors has been haunting me for weeks. No short cut …

2014-07-22: My Top 3 Leadership Struggles

I consider it an honor to lead in multiple areas of Christian ministry. From my university ministry …

2014-07-15: Freedom is more than liberty I used to buy into the idea that freedom was about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I …

2014-07-01: What's the point of spiritual gifts? In his first letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul describes what he calls …

2014-06-24: It won't always be pleasant, but I promise it will be worth it. One of best things my wife and I have done for our marriage is intentionally making time to spend …

2014-06-10: 3 ways to think about the Trinity

The doctrine of the Triune nature of God is a core, essential teaching for historic, orthodox …

2014-06-03: Preparing for Pentecost: Are you trying to tame God the Holy Spirit?

It seems to me American Evangelical culture in general is guilty of trying to sort of domesticate …

2014-05-28: 5 surprising benefits of taking a digital sabbatical

I just took my family on camping trip in the woods of northern Arizona. I barely had cell service, …

2014-05-19: How and why you should keep a prayer journal

Keeping a prayer journal has been simultaneously one of the most rewarding and one of the most …

2014-05-12: Are you feeling far from God? Are you feeling far from God? You’re not alone. Even the greatest saints have struggled with …

2014-05-08: I'd like to say I'm not a liar, but... "There are things which a man is afraid to tell even to himself, and every decent man has a number …

2014-04-23: How to avoid ministry burnout

Did you know that 90% of pastors feel fatigued and worn out every week?

That’s not okay.

The …

2014-04-21: The exponential power of encouragement

Years ago I was going through a very tough time. I was a long way from home, feeling alone, and …

2014-04-18: Say hello to Trello, a new tool to organize your life and ministry

Think of Trello as note cards on digital steroids. I tend to resist new organizational tools these …

2014-04-16: Do you have too many Bibles? According to the American Bible Society and Barna Group, 88% of American households have Bibles, and …

2014-04-14: 3 reasons why you hate going to church (and what to do about it)

You know the feeling. You wake up on a typical Sunday morning, roll over, and feel a sense of dread, …

2014-04-11: How to Please God Chapter 13 must have been especially powerful to the Hebrews, since the author reiterates that it is …

2014-04-07: 3 reasons you should run a Tough Mudder (or any obstacle race) Me about halfway through the Tough Mudder When I started on my fitness journey less than 2 years …

2014-04-04: The one reason you can't give up when things get tough You may be tired, worn out, discouraged, and in pain. But you can’t give up. Not now. …

2014-04-02: Why do we need the means of grace? And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son …

2014-04-01: 4 life-changing lessons I learned about spiritual leadership while being a follower. Four years ago I finished my graduate degree and had been working part-time as a worship leader for …

2014-03-28: What is saving faith anyways?

Here we come to one of the most beautiful and inspiring passages in all of Holy Scripture–the …

2014-03-26: 5 powerful ways to keep growing when you can't find a spiritual mentor I’ve written about how to find a spiritual mentor, but one thing is for sure: it’s not …

2014-03-24: What I learned about life by training for the Tough Mudder I’ve been training for the Arizona Tough Mudder event. The Tough Mudder comes around once a …

2014-03-21: Can you lose your salvation? The scope of Jesus' work is epic. Unlike the old sacrificial system, which required continued animal …

2014-03-19: How to find a spiritual mentor Having a spiritual mentor is an effective and important way to grow spiritually. One-on-one coaching …

2014-03-17: 5 common myths about discipleship debunked

Misunderstandings abound out there when it comes to how you should train up others in the faith. …

2014-03-14: Why the blood of Jesus is enough for me, you, and God

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood …

2014-03-12: Meditation on the Resurrection is like...a lottery ticket? Say a stranger buys you a lottery ticket in the gas station line as a random gift on an otherwise …

2014-03-11: 5 practical ways to guard your personal time with God from distraction I recently asked my Facebook friends what distracted them from their personal time with God. Here …

2014-03-10: What to do when you feel spiritually stuck

Do you ever feel like you’ve hit a wall when it comes to spiritual growth? Does there seem to …

2014-03-07: A new kind of covenant Chapter 8 of Hebrews elaborates on this new covenant innaugaurated with Christ. Now, God’s law …

2014-03-06: If I had to choose between all the spiritual disciplines Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all …

2014-03-05: Poem for Ash Wednesday Return from your sin. Be faithful to the Gospel. And remember from dust you came and to dust you …

2014-03-03: 3 highly effective methods for memorizing Bible verses

There’s no doubt that memorizing Bible verses is difficult for many people (myself included!). …

2014-02-28: Jesus the perfect priest did this once and for all Chapter seven of Hebrews gives what few details we know about a mysterious priest named Melchizedek …

2014-02-26: 3 vital questions to ask yourself when picking a Bible translation for memorization

Photo Credit: UnlockingTheBible via Compfight cc Photo Credit: UnlockingTheBible via Compfight cc The very first “real Bible” I remember …

2014-02-21: This is one of the most disturbing passages in the New Testament When I first encountered Hebrews 6, I remember being confused and scared. I had always believed …

2014-02-20: A challenge from C.S. Lewis' spiritual mentor "We must not merely do as He did; we must see things as He saw them, regard them as He regarded …

2014-02-19: Is Jesus making you uncomfortable? Good.

living bread Although I’ve been a Charismatic in theory for most of my Christian life, I would say I have …

2014-02-14: Do you know what it means for Jesus to be your High Priest? In the fifth chapter of Hebrews, the author moves from speaking about Jesus as God and and Messiah …

2014-02-12: 3 Biblical reasons memorizing Bible verses is essential

memorize I’m convinced we act out of our most deeply held beliefs.

So, before I was ready to commit to …

2014-02-11: Christian spiritual growth: the one discipline that can change everything

Of all the spiritual disciplines, which is the most important discipline for Christian spiritual …

2014-02-07: The path to inner healing Inner healing starts with Jesus. Fixing our eyes on Jesus is essential to inner healing, because …

2014-01-31: Do I believe? In Hebrews three, the author compares and contrasts Jesus with Moses, the greatest leader in Jewish …

2014-01-29: An Embarrassingly Emotional Experience

Become like a childI was recently part of a prayer service where I was (for reasons still somewhat unknown to me) …

2014-01-24: Our God suffers Chapter two of Hebrews solidifies Christ’s sovereignty in all things, especially salvation. …

2014-01-20: The lost practice of mental discipline One of the biggest obstacles for seriously following Jesus in our hyper-connected world is a simple …

2014-01-17: The most unfathomable mystery? The first chapter of Hebrews is beautiful, enlightening, and foundational for Christian doctrine. It …

2014-01-16: Only want Christ Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. And …

2014-01-15: It's time for a revival of critical thinking The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind. ~ Mark Noll …

2014-01-14: 4 ways to keep theological disagreement civil on Facebook Have you ever noticed how theological conversations on Facebook tend to disintegrate quickly? Anger, …

2014-01-13: Why we have to get discipleship right the first time

bible - elvert barnes - flickr - ccIn educational psychology, there are a number of “laws of learning” or “principles …

2014-01-10: Keeping track of your sins In the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, the saint lays out a thirty-day program for …

2014-01-09: 7 Lost Areas of Discipleship On a whole, I agree with J.I. Packer that the Church at large just isn’t taking God seriously. …

2014-01-08: My neighbor spent Christmas alone and it was my fault.

house-flickr-cc

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest …

2014-01-07: Church is a vineyard By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John …

2014-01-06: Martin Luther actually said this. No joke. Recently, a prominent Reformed blogger I read (and generally appreciate) asserted that the the Roman …

2013-12-27: This Book Will Have the Most Impact on My Ministry This Year

I believe that mentoring relationships should be at the core of any discipleship program, and they …

2013-12-23: 4 Ways to Start Well This New Year

The New Year is almost upon us. Of course, New Year’s Day is just a day like any other, but …

2013-12-19: How to Start Your New Year Refreshed and Recharged

With the new year arriving in just weeks, it’s time to rest up and get ready for a new season …

2013-12-18: "Ecumenism of blood." Powerful Words From Pope Francis on Christian Unity

blood - bedrocan - flickr - cc - photo badge

Pope Francis, in a response to whether or not ecumenism is a priority for him:

For me, ecumenism is …

2013-12-17: Level-Up Your Concentration, Get More Done With Focus@Will

Capture

When you need really focus in to write that sermon, finish that blog post, complete a project, or …

2013-12-16: What About Hitler? The Myth of Ineffective Pacifism

When it comes to the non-violent message of Jesus, many people become troubled because of the what …

2013-12-13: Jesus had his disciples buy weapons. What's up with that? How could a non-violent Jesus ask his disciples to buy swords, as he apparently does in Luke …

2013-12-12: Doesn't Violence in the Old Testament Mean that Pacifism isn't Biblical? A common objection to Christian non-violence is often articulated as follows: A unified view of …

2013-12-11: A Brief, Scriptural Defense of the Non-Violent Message of Jesus This week’s Advent focus is peace, so I thought it would be appropriate to write about …

2013-12-10: 5 Ways to Keep Social Media from Taking Over Your Life (And Ministry)

Social media is clearly a massive blessing to many ministries, but it is also the source of much …

2013-12-09: This Kept Me From Abandoning The Church Not so long ago I was ready to abandon the Church, at least in all its institutionalized forms. I …

2013-12-06: Why I say I am a Catholic Christian It often surprises people when I describe myself as a Catholic Christian, because the association …

2013-12-03: My 3-Year-Old Son: "Daddy, can we help her?" We were driving to church; it was a fairly typical Sunday morning. I was thinking about new …

2013-11-22: Contentment Isn't Just About Material Things I've been thinking this week a lot about contentment, and how I seem to focus on ridding myself of …

2013-11-12: Why I Consider Myself Charismatic The Charismatic movement has been (often rightly) taken to task for excesses, abuses, and cultural …

2013-11-09: Give It All Up For This To reach satisfaction in all desire its possession in nothing. To come to possess all desire the …

2013-11-05: Don't Just Stand There, PRAY! ...confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of …

2013-10-31: Reformation Day Shouldn't Be a Celebration It’s not that I don’t recognize that the Church was in a rough spot in the Middle Ages. …

2013-10-29: Gloria Patri - Original Acoustic Worship Song I was changing the strings on my guitar late at night and came up with this little chord progression …

2013-10-25: This is the Most Insanely Durable ESV Bible I've Seen I’ve been looking for a Bible that’s not too big or too small, but that’s rugged …

2013-10-18: Moving Beyond Routine, Rote, and Obligations to Find Delight in God

summer joy

I’ve continued to ponder the John Piper sermon I wrote about and his signature catchphrase …

2013-10-15: Why I Still Call Myself an Evangelical

Evangelicalism is quickly going the way of fundamentalism as far as being a useful term.

Although …

2013-10-11: Don't Shortchange the Holy Spirit When It Comes to Holiness

I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of holiness. What it means to be set apart for God, …

2013-10-09: Did God Create Me to Use Me or Love Me? John Piper on Being Made in the Image of God I recently got to hear John Piper preach at the Catalyst Atlanta conference. Although I have my …

2013-10-02: Cultivate Your Mind: How Memorizing Bible Verses Can Give You Clarity of Thought

A cultivated mind is one that is well-tended, nourished, disciplined, and flourishing. How do we …

2013-09-27: Rhythm & Blues: Why I Pray the Daily Office Few things have had as much impact on my life as the discipline of praying the Daily Office, a cycle …

2013-09-24: Prayer: The Pathway to Peace As the Fall season hits full-swing, tiredness and burnout can appear more swiftly than we think. It …

2013-09-16: Mentor Like Jesus, Change the World

In Mentor Like Jesus, entrepreneur and investor Regi Campbell has set out to encourage a generation …

2013-09-04: This One Simple Practice Changed My Life It’s only been in the last twelve months or so that I’ve realized the power of physical …

2013-08-06: Not Light But Fire: Confronted with Spirit & Truth

It was quiet outside the small, cylindrical building. Vividly green desert plants lined the bottom …

2013-07-30: 5 Reasons This Millennial Went High Church Rachel Held Evans and others have been posting about the recent trend for Millennials (those …

2013-07-26: Why Protestants Don't Get How Roman Catholics Talk About Justification

Cemented in the Protestant doctrinal ethos is the great Reformation declaration, Sola Fide! We are …

2013-07-12: Hail Mary: What Roman Catholics Really Think About the Mother of Jesus Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the …

2013-07-10: Why You'll Never Have What You Want

Brother, sister. Self:

You’re always striving, always trying. Maybe tomorrow will be better. …

2013-07-08: This is the Best Book on Marriage I've Read

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God was written by …

2013-07-01: The United States of America Is Not God's Chosen Nation

D is for....320/365I believe that God can and does use all circumstances to ultimately bring glory to himself. I am …

2013-06-28: How Long, O Lord? When You Feel Abandoned by God

It is perfectly normal to sometimes feel as if you have been abandoned by God. This doesn’t …

2013-06-21: Do Roman Catholics Worship Saints? The Answer May Surprise You

I’ve often heard accusations against Roman Catholics of idolotry–even a subtle …

2013-06-17: Formed by Love, Not Fear The most-repeated exhortation in the New Testament is “do not be afraid." Fear is the …

2013-06-14: In Honor Of My Children, For Making Me A Father Two all-original songs, performed with my wonderful wife, Amber.

2013-06-12: Multiple Sources For Spiritual Formation The same way that our natural bodies need more than one nutrient to remain healthy and grow, our …

2013-06-10: Something is Better Than Nothing I have failed at being consistent with daily devotions. I have failed a lot. I have for the past …

2013-06-05: How Spiritual Disciplines Help Us Conform to the Mind of Christ A graphic I created as part of my graduate work. This presents in a visual way how spiritual …

2013-05-31: Roman Catholics Are Christians Too: What We Have in Common I’ve found it interesting–and disconcerting–that in many evangelical circles there …

2013-05-27: Love Meets Us In The Mundane As a parent it can be so frustrating just to get a child to sleep. You’ve worked all day, had …

2013-05-24: Donald Miller's Storyline Will Help You Find Meaning, Focus, and Clarity in Life There’s a lot to be excited about regarding Donald Miller’s new project, Storyline. I …

2013-05-22: The 12 Spiritual Disciplines: Essential Tools for Spiritual Growth The spiritual disciplines are means by which individuals and communities can very literally …

2013-05-20: Peace is Always Possible An acquaintance recently linked to article about recent Muslim attacks on Christians in Pakistan. …

2013-05-17: Traditions of God and Men

God does use tradition to communicate his will and make his voice known. Tradition is any teaching, …

2013-05-15: Teach Your Children Who They Are

Christian parenting isn’t easy. Several books I’ve read or skimmed recently speak of …

2013-05-13: Be Fueled by Love Today I was reminded of just how important it is to be motivated by overflowing love from God. When …

2013-05-08: What is the Path to Spiritual Growth? It’s hard for me to believe that it’s taken me this long to pick up and read Richard …

2013-05-06: Is Radical Christianity A New Legalism? Is the kind of “radical” Christianity advocated by the likes of Francis Chan and David …

2013-05-02: A Devotional to Help You Hide the Word of God in Your Heart

I’ve not made Scripture memorization the priority that I should have in the past. As part of …

2013-05-01: How to Discuss Theology -- Without Losing Friends Pray before, during, and after conversations Listen Be humble Have an open mind Don't interrupt …

2013-04-30: The Importance of Theological Conversation

I’ve had some fantastic discussions lately with friends and acquaintances around theology. …

2013-04-24: You're Too Busy And So Am I Our culture is obsessed with busyness. The more and more I live and work here in the United States, …

2013-04-19: Press In or Give Up You have two options today. Option Number One: act as if you believe what you say you believe. Press …

2013-04-15: Worship is Doing There was a time when many in the Church objected to the laity simply watching a special class of …

2013-04-13: Rest in Peace, Brennan Manning

I woke today to the news that Christian author and thinker Brennan Manning has died.

From his …

2013-04-12: Church Should Be An Oasis Church should be an analog oasis in the midst of a digital desert. A community and place where one …

2013-03-25: Founding Fathers I’ve noticed that many Christians are quick to quote the Founding Fathers of the United …

2013-03-04: Pour: A poem about death and life We are called to pour out ourselves for the lost and forgotten, the broken and the marred. That is …

2013-02-25: This is the best study bible on the market The ESV Study Bible from Crossway is my tried and true companion for delving into Scripture. This …

2013-02-11: What Kind of Person is God? We know what kind of a person someone is primarily by what they do. God created the world. He is …

2013-02-04: Stress & fear are the same thing I’m convinced that stress is ultimately nothing less than a form of fear. What if I …

2013-01-21: Life is a Sacrament A sacrament is commonly described as an outward sign of an inward grace. It is the physical …

2013-01-14: Why An Anglican Christian? Friends have recently asked me why I am an Anglican–instead of a Roman Catholic or Eastern …

2012-12-20: I believe in the Communion of the Saints We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV) This past Sunday …

2012-10-11: A Study Bible by the Church J. Mark Bertrand has a typically comprehensive review of a fantastic new Bible design by the folks …

2012-07-12: Illusions of Influence

I think the Internet can give us a tremendous advantage when it comes to influencing people. We can …

2012-06-30: Identity Crisis

I am twenty-eight years old, riddled with angst about the person I should be but I’m not, dreams …

2012-06-12: Salvation by Faith and Works

The Apostles Paul and James are often set against each other when it comes to roles of faith and …

2012-06-03: The ESV Single Column Legacy Many of you know that I’ve been on the quest for the perfect reading Bible. What I mean by …

2012-05-20: Religion with Room To Grow One of the best things about classical Anglican Christianity is that it is a tradition where one …

2012-03-22: Enough by Patrick Rhone I’ve followed Patrick Rhone’s work for years now because he just keeps coming out with …

2012-03-18: Lancelot Andrews Press BCP Since we began worshiping with an Anglican church, I’ve been extremely interested in the history and …

2012-01-21: A Talk From Francis Chan

Yesterday I was present at a talk by famous author and pastor Francis Chan. His book Crazy Love …

2011-10-27: Why I Chose the ESV This blog post is pretty much inspired by Carson’s post on the NRSV, since he got me thinking about …

2011-09-21: Notes from India

It’s super late for me (10:17 pm on a weeknight!) and I should really be getting to bed, but it’s …

2011-08-22: Intentionally Pursuing Discipleship Through Mentoring Relationships Seeking wisdom from other members of the Body seems to be no easy affair in today’s church culture, …

2011-08-14: How to begin hearing from God When I was in college, I struggled through a pretty long spiritual dry-spell. Then I discovered …

2011-04-25: Belief & doubt & and a new song Belief is a funny thing. At least in the biblical sense, it’s more than mere intellectual …

2011-04-22: Love I Do Not Understand Today is Good Friday, the day our Lord was crucified for us. Last night, my local church (Desert …

2011-03-03: So I'm a vegetarian... One day I was thinking about the food that I eat and I realized that meat had ceased to be a …

2011-02-24: Tension is a passing note I have what seems to be an unquenchable thirst for peace through knowledge. What I mean by this is …

2011-02-10: The Myth of Religionless Christianity What is religion, really? Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to …

2011-01-23: How I Became An Anglican Since we moved to Phoenix in August of 2010, more that a few people have asked me about our church …

2010-12-15: Grace abounding And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that …

2010-11-19: 3 reasons you should be observing the Christian Calendar As a kid, my family participated in Advent through a liturgy that I assume my father created, …

2010-07-03: Notes on Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer Although the Internet Monk went to be with the Lord just a few months ago, he continues to be a …

2010-04-19: Becoming a Minimalist Many of you (even those that know me pretty well) wouldn’t characterize me as a minimalist. I don’t …

2010-01-11: Everyone Has a Calling I’ve struggled a lot over the years with the idea of calling…that very specific sense from God as to …

2009-12-19: Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller's seminal work: a review This book is getting old now, but I just read it for the first time. I’m glad I waited, so I could …

2009-09-26: Thoughts on The New Living Translation of the Bible, 2nd Edition Based on some things I’ve been reading online, as well some recommendations from friends, I decided …