The Orant

Today we the 100 year memorial of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. It has been a time of profound reflection for me as I have reflected on the tragic history of the Christian community in Armenia. This community of faith was among the first to put their faith in Jesus, and were also among the first to suffer persecution for their faith. This trend has, unfortunately, continued. Christians in this area have suffered at the hands of many. They have suffered under those follow other faiths, … [Read more...]

As some of you may have heard, I am in the process of turning an old auto/electric shop into a Café and Tap house.  It’s an incredible project (in my unbiased opinion). We will be serving high quality local beer and coffee at the highest level (something I have a great deal of passion about (exhibit a, exhibit b).All of what we will be doing will be oriented toward bringing people together and helping address the issue of hunger in the world. We will be partnering with local organizations who … [Read more...]

This week, the United Nations is deliberating in New York how to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that it will launch formally in September. These decision will impact how the world helps those in need. In the past sometimes our efforts to help have been poorly managed. Food aid can wind up destabilizing a local economy, or can cause create a culture of dependence rather than fostering entrepreneurial opportunities.I encourage you to pay attention to how these … [Read more...]

As a layperson in the church, learning how to be faithful in my work is something that is close to my heart. I have worked in a lot of contexts and have often struggled to balance how my faith related to my work. Back when I was a first entering the workforce the main model of faith at work I used was evangelization and the main method I used was exhibition.I showed my faith by displaying my faith.I wore Christian t-shirts, had a cross around my neck, I read my bible at lunchtime, and I s … [Read more...]

Hey friends, I just wanted to share with you a project I'm starting. I have been blessed to share my life with many of you digitally so I wanted to share a bit of a project that I am doing IRL that I am very excited about. It's a cafe and taphouse 501c3 which is helping to end hunger in the world. We just posted a video about it here.Cultivate Coffee & Tap House from Cultivate on Vimeo. We just got a matching grant from the state of Michigan which means if we can raise $50,000 we … [Read more...]

A great quote by Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1888), on books. I though some of you might appreciate it. "Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house. The plainest row of books that cloth or paper ever covered is more significant of refinement than the most elaborately carved étagére or sideboard.Books are the windows through which the soul looks out. A home without books is like a room without windows.No man has a right to bring up his c … [Read more...]

Tonight we begin the Triduum. Tonight we gather together in remembrance of Christ. Tonight we celebrate the institution of the Paschal Meal and join in the Supper of the Lamb. This meal is what the Church has called the “the source and summit of the Christian life” (c.f. Lumen Gentium, 11), so it is important to reflect on what it means. Our readings today help root the meal in its context within the Hebrew Bible, the Passover meal. In this meal, the Israelites gathered together to eat, to wat … [Read more...]

I'm not sure if you saw this but I thought it was really cool. The Pope recently met with the some of the homeless population in his diocese during a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, set up for them. If only we had more bishops take this approach in the world. It's gotten me to start thinking, what would it look like in my community if we started to think creatively like this about ways to love and serve those in need. Today is Maundy Thursday which literally means the Washing Thursday. We … [Read more...]

I had an unexpected encounter with the sacred this week.I had parked the car, and was preparing to get out, while finishing listening to a segment on the radio. My oldest son climbed up next to me and leaned over to be next to me. Looking down at the radio, he reached out and pushed the scan button. All we heard was static. He pressed it again and what I heard was beautiful: a beautiful performance of Hildegard von Bingen's O Ecclesia. It was a huge encouragement for me. A moment of holy … [Read more...]