Lessons in God’s Presence from a German Shepherd
We recently adopted a new dog, a German Shepherd around two years old. He is a shelter dog and was previously in at least...
Lessons in Jedi Training and Ignatian Spirituality
A painting by a Baltimore-based artist hangs in our bedroom, a gift from my eldest daughter. The painting depicts a young girl—blond hair down...
Tuning In to God’s Voice
I’d been a nervous wreck for days. In the next four weeks, I had several major projects due. Each endeavor was an opportunity for...
When We Miss the Fruits by Our Snap Judgments
The apple tree in our front yard stands expansively as a remnant of the apple orchard that once spanned our community. I took one...
Starting from a Position of Freedom
Another word for indifference is freedom. Ignatius says that to make good decisions, we must try to be free from personal preferences, societal expectations,...
Finding God Through the Autumn Leaves
It is autumn. The leaves have changed, and the wind has a slight chill, reminding us of what will come. Autumn is God’s way...
Attuning to God in Silence
Frequently in the Gospels, we see Jesus withdrawing from a crowd to be alone with God. Early in his public ministry, he is clearly...
Letter to God in the Fall
My sweet Lord,
It is turning to autumn, and I feel your presence again in a different way: a tender, private manner. It is quieter...
False Consolation
In the rules for the Second Week the evil tactics of the enemy present themselves under the appearance of good. At first glance they...
The Mandolin Dilemma
For a brief period of time, I took mandolin lessons under a tree.
I was living in Bolivia and had acquired a new mandolin and...