Spiritual Growth and the Sequoia Tree
There are plenty of books, sermons, seminars, tips, and tricks that promise quick, easy, numbered steps to spiritual growth and fulfillment. This is certainly true–perhaps especially true within Christian culture. We want growth that is easy, hoping spiritual maturity will be accomplished the same way that infomercial promises you a six pack: fast and easy. ...
The Poor, the Rich and Poverty of the Heart
When Polly and I we were first married we lived in a small one bedroom apartment on a less than desirable street in the city of St. Louis. We lived on a diverse block, one where the effects of financial and moral struggle were evident. Both of the apartment buildings next to us were vacant ...
The Blotting Paper
Luckily for me, The poet left wide margins on the page For me to scribble feverishly Notes, critiques, suggestions for improvements. A freshly sharpened Pencil Is exchanged for a Fine-tip Sharpie- The kind that bleeds Through the page– Inevitably reminding you, For years to come, That you should always, Under all circumstances, Have a ...
Kinfolk
Primped, fashioned and folded It’s all so romantic there With the dining room table adorned with bread hand kneaded from artisan flower, flickering candles, your intentionally mis-matched china, the hand picked flowers in mason jars All the while your sad antique typewriter looks longingly at you, Ignored since the day he was carefully positioned, at ...
The Journey is the Destination
photo by Katie Baker A few years ago I was living in Chicago, depressed, unmotivated and fresh from the breakup of a band that I had given the previous couple years to. It was my dream, my greatest ambition to be in a successful band. I wanted it so bad. My identity, worth, and value ...
Coke, Polar Bears and Belief
Yesterday, I noticed a coke bottle that read, “Save the Polar Bears”. I had to wonder, despite their benevolent efforts, “what in the world does drinking coke have to do with saving the polar bears? Wouldn’t consuming a coke in a plastic bottle somehow hurt the polar bears?” I’m not a scientist, but ...
Owning My Story: Learning Contentment
The other day Polly and I went to an open house for a large, beautiful home for sale in our neighborhood. We aren’t in the market to buy a home, and if even if we were, this home was clearly out of our price range with a price tag of $800,000. But we wanted to ...
the Calculator and the Poet
photo by Katie Baker I am prone to over calculate. You see, there are two sides of me that engage in a civil war: the Calculator and the Poet. One is my free spirited, intuitive side. And the other side is logical, over analyzes and is prone to worry. The Poet is expressed when I am connected ...
