Contemplation, or the contemplative life (vita contemplativa in Latin), is the practice of attending to what is real and most true. In Christian tradition, it means fixing our attention on God. Prayer. But it is not just asking God for things. It is being with and knowing Him.

This spring, I’m taking a class in Christian Ethics. On day one, I expected to dive into moral dilemmas and ethical theories—to have my frameworks teased and challenged. Instead…

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I’ve been reflecting on this past year—the whirlwind of seminary, family life, and ministry—and the ways God has been shaping me through it all. Last summer feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago. During my sabbatical, Sadie and I faced the heartbreak of miscarriage for the first time. What we thought would be a season of rest and renewal through fun and escape became one of discovering rest and dependence on God through grief.

Just like a good relationship, it is hard to believe that it has already been a year and at the same time only been a year. On one hand, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was dreaming and wondering, and feeling the new-crush jitters around the possibility of going to seminary. On the other hand, it seems like I can’t even remember life before seminary.

Just like a good relationship, it is hard to believe that it has already been a year and at the same time only been a year. On one hand, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was dreaming and wondering, and feeling the new-crush jitters around the possibility of going to seminary. On the other hand, it seems like I can’t even remember life before seminary.

Just like a good relationship, it is hard to believe that it has already been a year and at the same time only been a year. On one hand, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was dreaming and wondering, and feeling the new-crush jitters around the possibility of going to seminary. On the other hand, it seems like I can’t even remember life before seminary.

“You belong here,” repeated Academic Dean, Rev. Dr. Castelo, in his opening address on orientation day. I sat alone among a hundred and fifty or so incoming div students in the Duke Divinity Chapel.

This is one of the questions that has been rattling in my mind and dictating the rise and fall of my emotions this month. It happens every time I'm called to preach—which these days, is somewhere between every week and every other week. Preparing a sermon is hard.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes; also sometimes Psalms, Song of Songs). I’ve been thinking about the picture they paint of the world.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes; also sometimes Psalms, Song of Songs). I’ve been thinking about the picture they paint of the world.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes; also sometimes Psalms, Song of Songs). I’ve been thinking about the picture they paint of the world.

This month I turned 30. I really don’t like my birthday.

I don’t like when people ask me, “What do you want?” over and over, especially when it comes to food choices. Three hundred and sixty-four days a year, I have Sadie for that…

“It has been so refreshing this week to deal with one another as souls,” I told Sadie.

This past week I was in Hamilton, MA for a week-long intensive class called Spiritual Formation for Ministry. For this class we were expected to draft a paper answering the question, “What is the soul?” On the first day, our professor, Steve Macchia, invited us to share what we had been processing. Toward the end of the discussion I raised my hand and said, “The main question I’ve been wrestling with is, ‘Do I have a soul?’ or ‘Am I a soul?’…

“It has been so refreshing this week to deal with one another as souls,” I told Sadie.

This past week I was in Hamilton, MA for a week-long intensive class called Spiritual Formation for Ministry. For this class we were expected to draft a paper answering the question, “What is the soul?” On the first day, our professor, Steve Macchia, invited us to share what we had been processing. Toward the end of the discussion I raised my hand and said, “The main question I’ve been wrestling with is, ‘Do I have a soul?’ or ‘Am I a soul?’…

We found out a couple weeks ago that the new baby coming in April is… a boy!

Everyone we have shared this news with is excited—celebrating with us the joy of new life, and beginning to imagine with us what this new little person will be like.

“I think it’s more important that we become certain types of people than that we figure out how to construct perfect programs.” That is how I responded when Sadie asked about my takeaway from the 2022 Mosaix multi-ethnic church conference. Last week the Refuge staff (and one board member!) drove 10 hours from Albuquerque to Dallas so we could zip through hours of Ted Talk style teachings before driving back to get ready for Sunday.

I have put together a budget combining projected expenses for the January intensive term and the Spring semester! With these funds raised I would be able to take 2 classes. The first class, and the first seminary experience, would be a one-week January intensive live and in-person in Hamilton, MA!

I wanted to take a minute and let you know that God brought together my Financial Support Team in just four days!! I have been blown away by your response to last week’s email, God’s provision and your support. In just four days I received pledges from 5 individuals or families that they will support me at $75/mo to start seminary this spring.

This summer Sadie and I got to take a month-long vacation. It was by far the longest we had been away from Albuquerque and the week-to-week rhythm of ministry since Refuge was planted in 2015. For me, the break was a time for questioning personal and vocational direction.