Wonder and Whiskey Book Excerpt: Brand vs. Ethics

In honor of the band releasing a new album this month, below is an excerpt from Wonder and Whiskey: Insights on Faith from the Music of Dave Matthews Band. During a 1999 appearance on VH1 Storytellers, during which artists would not only play songs but also talk about the inspiration and meaning behind them, Matthews included “Christmas Song” in hisContinue reading “Wonder and Whiskey Book Excerpt: Brand vs. Ethics”

Material Measurement

This past Saturday, I helped with a black belt test at my dojo. This is a day-long series of challenges that culminates in receiving this special rank. The moment the belt is placed around the waist is incredibly emotional–it’s the official signification of a long journey’s completion. It took me a while in my ownContinue reading “Material Measurement”

Coffeehouse Contemplative Book Excerpt: Propane Altars

Below is an excerpt from my book, Coffeehouse Contemplative: Spiritual Direction for the Everyday. Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk who lived in Paris in the seventeenth century. He is not really known for any grand speeches, writings, or miracles, but instead something much more subtle: he wrote a brief classic work called The Practice ofContinue reading “Coffeehouse Contemplative Book Excerpt: Propane Altars”