Coffeehouse Contemplative

The sermon on my first Sunday at St. Michael's UCC in Marshallville, Ohio on October 5, 2025. Luke 17:5-10 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Emanuel UCC in Doylestown, Ohio on September 28, 2025. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

I'm making a change in my vocational life, and I want to share it with you. Episode 178: What's the Worse Part? Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Just like Jason Segel's character in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall, we may be putting off a creative dream. What is it, and how could you begin pursuing it? Coffeehouse Contemplative: Spiritual Direction for the Everyday Mirrobius: A Novel Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

I recently had COVID again, and skipped a week of recording a new episode as a result. Here are all the reasons why that was a good idea. Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Congregational UCC in Canton on August 24, 2025. Luke 13:10-17 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Dover Congregational UCC in Westlake, Ohio on August 17, 2025. Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Our house flooded the other week, and we're still sorting through the aftermath. This episode tells the story, as well as identifies what can help us get through such difficult times. Episode 180: They Bring Themselves Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The sermon at New Vision UCC in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 2025. Luke 10:1-11 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

How do we handle disappointment related to what we create? When only so many people engage with or purchase our work? This episode explores this question, and encourages you to keep going. The Unintentional Interim: Ministry in Times of Transition Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at St. Michael's UCC in Marshallville, Ohio on July 20, 2025. Luke 10:38-42 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The month of July always carries a transitional feel to me. Maybe you can name other months or other times of year that carry that for you. The Unintentional Interim: Ministry in Times of Transition Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The sermon I preached on July 6, 2025 at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Doylestown, Ohio. 2 Kings 5:1-14 The Final Season by Tom Stanton Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Ecotones are unique third spaces in between two starkly different environments. Our lives also have these transitional spaces, and they can be unique places of growth and possibility. Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

We are part of a web of relationships, connections, resources, and wisdom. We're not meant to handle many things by ourselves. This episode discusses the web metaphor used in my new book. The Unintentional Interim: Ministry in Times of Transition Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

There are no shortcuts to the creative process. This episode reflects on the importance of starting, the value of first drafts, and overcoming writer's block. Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

In honor of May the Fourth, I re-present a prior episode of the podcast that reflects on some theological implications of the Star Wars franchise. Episode 11: A Theology of Star Wars Episode 12: A Theology of Star Wars, Part 2 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

An introduction to and reading from my new book, The Unintentional Interim: Ministry in Times of Transition . Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Giving a second life to what I thought at the time was not my best Easter sermon. When I re-preached it for this episode, I don't know why I thought that. Mark 16:1-8 Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The physical items that we collect can help tell the story of our lives and identity. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby High Fidelity (movie) Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Brief introductions and readings from my three most recent books, including a preview of my newest, which releases this month. Episode 61: All My Books, Part 1 Episode 62: All My Books, Part 2 Four Weeks: Reflections for Advent Mirrobius: A Novel The Unintentional Interim: Ministry in Times of Transition Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Whenever we go through a time of needing to heal from something, we may do so with the mindset that we need to get back to some former version of life as soon as we can. But this time of healing can bring clarity about who we are, and who our new healed self can and should be as well. NEW BOOK AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER: The Unintentional Interim Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

A recap of my experience at Cleveland Fan Expo 2025. Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

A martial arts principle about the development of skill and knowledge, which can easily be translated to other activities. Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The Christian season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 5th. This week's episode gives some basics on what this time means, and a few traditional practices to observe. Go Ahead and Give Up Chocolate for Lent Prayer in Motion: Connecting with God in Fidgety Times Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder