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 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 | 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...
by Gary Taylor | Jan 22, 2017 | Blog, Creation, grace, sin, Vulnerable
A chattering, babbling creek. Stagnant, marshy pools teeming with tadpoles. Coarse sand. Weathered, smoothed stones. Weeds. Wildflowers. Random bursts of color smattered against a canvas of multiple shades of green. Tall, sprawling trees. Fallen trees, still...
by Gary Taylor | Jan 16, 2017 | Blog, Community, Creation, Cross, grace, sin, transformation, Vulnerable
My computer wouldn’t connect to the internet. As you know, pretty much everything we use a computer for relies on an internet connection. I sorta panicked. Really. I grew increasingly frustrated that I couldn’t connect, and therefore couldn’t get...
by Gary Taylor | Nov 20, 2016 | Blog, Community, grace, Hospitality, sin, Vulnerable
Since being married, I don’t recall hosting without Beth acting as Project Lead to get the house ready and bake something delicious. Last Monday I flew solo. My wife has been out of town for several days, and the house looks like the kids and I are college students....
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 