I'm grateful for the opportunity to write this review for @erbks.bsky.social. "The Quiet Ambition" is a gift for anyone who needs permission to cease striving and live at a more human and humane pace.

Each morning during Lent this year, I'm writing new poetry using prompts from two different books. Here's how it's going so far: open.substack.com/pub/stillmou...

I wrote this poem during my sabbatical in 2024 and published it on Ash Wednesday of 2025. Reading again today, I still feel that “New every morning is my need to repent.” open.substack.com/pub/stillmou...

Henri Nouwen said, “Writing is a process in which we discover what lives in us.” In today’s post, I share what I discovered by writing a collection of essays about spiritual practices and the outdoors. stillmountain.substack.com/p/a-broad-pl...

Today I completed a draft of a writing project that I've been working on for over a year. Now it's time to edit and revise. What advice and tips about revision do the writers out there have? #writing #amwriting #revision

Are you clear on your true purpose, or do distractions keep pulling you away? I reflected on this with help from a hawk and Thomas Merton in my latest essay on inner simplicity: open.substack.com/pub/stillmou...

I bet I am the only parent at this swim meet who's reading Julian of Norwich between events.

A month ago, I ran a 55k trail race in Western Colorado. Today, I wrote about that experience and how it illustrates the power the people around us have to shape our lives: open.substack.com/pub/stillmou...

This feels satisfying: My ACC credential from @icfheadquarters.bsky.social was just renewed. 🙂

Would you rather have a happy, meaningful, or "psychologically rich" life? I think the three pursuits can overlap, but seeking to be psychologically rich seems to add depth to the search for happiness and playfulness to the search for meaning. www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...

I had a dozen things on my to-do list today. Only a few got done. But what happened was better: I got to sit with several different individuals and hear sacred stories from their lives. I will take listening to faith journeys over crossing off to-do lists any day.

I was asked today to write to a group of church leaders about the value of #coaching for leaders of new worshiping communities and church plants. Here's what I shared:

Made significant progress on my sabbatical writing project today. It feels good to get unstuck. #amwriting Here are three things that helped me regain my momentum:

In my latest Substack post, I share how systems of accountability—from a program at my seminary, to a local writing group, to registering for a 55k trail race—are enabling real growth in my life. If you’re seeking progress, don’t go it alone. Read more at the link below:

Last week I travelled to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to join the inaugural cohort of their Preaching in a Post-Christian Age Initiative. Here’s what I learned about the challenges and opportunities facing the church today:

I spent Earth Day working with a group of faith leaders to discern the future of a camp with amazing potential in the Rocky Mountains. Their work is a beautiful example of how hope in the resurrection can overflow into action to protect the environment. . . .

A chance encounter with a charred log inspired a poem in me while I was on the High Sierra Trail last summer. I'm sharing it today because it's fitting for Ash Wednesday. As we remember that "Dust we are and to dust we shall return," may we also pray for God to breathe new life into us.

I'll be quoting this in my sermon on Sunday.

Grateful to participate in the ordination service for the Rev. Jordan Shive at First Presbyterian Church of Ft. Collins this afternoon.

"Our minds are like crows. They pick up everything that glitters, no matter how uncomfortable our nests get with all that metal in them." - Thomas Merton

How nature writer Barry Lopez defined prayer: "a continuous, respectful attendance to the presence of the divine." (Embrace Fearlessly This Burning World, p. 216)

Today is a Day of Giving for Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and I'm giving to support the Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry. I've had the joy of coaching several AIM students over the years and I am amazed and inspired by their creativity and passion. (1/2)

I did some writing today about how the world's oldest bristlecone pine tree, Thomas Merton, and bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle all teach us to bravely be the unique individuals God created us to be. Link below.

These are wise words. I share the sadness because I was formed for ministry through the Company of New Pastors program that the Office of Theology and Worship supported.

Three years ago, I moved from full-time to part-time pastoral ministry and launched my own practice as a coach and spiritual director for other Christian leaders. Today I started a new round of mentor coaching and training to renew my ACC credential from the International Coaching Federation.

#PCUSA friends: Is anyone tracking which amendments to the Book of Order are being approved by Presbyteries? The Presbytery of Plains and Peaks (where I am) votes this weekend.

Need some peace for your soul? Listen to my friend John talk about mountaineer monks and dendrites:

As both a coach and spiritual director, I appreciate that this article tries to explain the distinction between the two disciplines. But the "coaching" described here sounds more like consulting. My ICF training was much less business-oriented and definitely not about dispensing advice. (1/2)

A new year brings new opportunities. What will you attempt in 2025?

Back in June, I spent a week hiking the High Sierra Trail. Today I published an essay reflecting the practice of simplicity through the lens of my experience on the trail. You can read it at open.substack.com/pub/stillmou...

"The poet enters into himself in order to create. The contemplative enters into God in order to be created." - Thomas Merton

Welcome to Advent. This morning I preached on Luke 21:34-36: “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, . . . Be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength.” (1/4)

I went for a walk with my spiritual director today. We talked about lament and the challenge of political divisions in the Church. I'm grateful for a companion with whom I can process these times. Pastors - if you don't have a spiritual director, I highly recommend finding one.

Checking in here for the first time in over a year. Looking to connect with other #pcusa pastors and leaders, as well as those interested in spiritual direction.

Took a small step and joined SDI Companions (Spiritual Directors International) today: www.sdicompanions.org/sdi-profile/... I'm curious to see what relationships the Spirit of God will create through this path.

For the past two weeks, I've been developing a new spiritual practice: During my weekly solo long run or hike, I pause to sit in silence and pray at the midpoint or high point of the trail. Afterward, I write about the experience in prose or poetry.

I want simplicity, so I decided to open yet another social media account. Let's see where this goes . . .