by Gary Taylor | Apr 10, 2017 | Blog, Brokenness, Cross, Humbling, Lent, sin, Vulnerable
Nature recycles fallen trees by way of decay, breaking them down into reusable nutrients. Bacteria, fungi, and insects devour dead trees that can no longer resist. The very things that the tree defended against when alive are responsible for the tree’s decay....
by Gary Taylor | Mar 26, 2017 | Blog, Brokenness, Cross, Lent
March Madness. More than a series of games played in March. The madness of exuberant joy paired with unforeseen hope. Heart-wrenching, breath-stopping, out-of-nowhere Cinderellas. At some point a bracket buster takes center stage. It’s part of the madness. Who...
by Gary Taylor | Mar 20, 2017 | Blog, Brokenness, Lent, sin, transformation, Vulnerable
Lent is a season during which I’ve put myself on trial. Prayers and Scripture reading lead me into set-aside time for examination, for opening myself to the Holy Spirit’s questioning and conviction. As it turns out, I was summoned for jury duty during this same...
by Gary Taylor | Mar 12, 2017 | Blog, habits, Journaling, Lent, Pause, Solitude, transformation
A vine-covered trellis was my landing spot for a day of retreat. I sat in the cool morning shade of its leafy canopy. The obvious-to-me characteristic was that the vines were closely wrapped around the structure. Beginning at the base, circling the posts, then...
by Gary Taylor | Feb 26, 2017 | Blog, Lent, sin
I love donuts. I mean, dang, I love donuts. I am Gollum, and that ring of sugared splendor is My Precious. This morning before church I reached my hand into a box of donuts. I pulled one out and tore it in half, telling myself that I wouldn’t eat a whole...
At the age of 32 I married my best friend, Beth. Thirteen years later we are blessed with two very energetic kids - Jack (12) and Calleigh (9). My wife is a ridiculously good cook who loves hosting dinners in our home, and then I go to the gym to work off the calories. I am an avid reader who appreciates contemplative, Spiritual conversations shared over a cup of coffee. Hobbies and interests include reading and writing, journaling, working out, and St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball. More 