Category Archives: Spirtual Practice

John McPhee on Writing and the Relationship Between Artistic Originality and Self-Doubt

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jeff

Impostor Syndrome is an occupational hazard of any creative endeavor. John McPhee’s discussion of the problem and its solution (taken from his book Draft No. 4) on Brain Pickings both nailed the problem and its solution. Read it and bookmark … Continue reading →

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One Fine Day

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Jeff

“I complete my tasks, one by one. I remove my masks, when I am done..” David Byrne and Brian Eno One Fine Day: David Byrne Performs His Hymn of Optimism and Countercultural Anthem of Resistance and Resilience with the Brooklyn … Continue reading →

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Beauty in the Storm

Posted on July 18, 2020 by Jeff

David Brooks preached a sermon in the National Cathedral on July 4, 2020. It is the most powerful sermon I’ve heard in a long time. It’s unswervingly Jesus’ message from the standpoint of the reality on the ground for the … Continue reading →

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Nick Cave: What are your plans for the corona pandemic?

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Jeff

Nick Cave (of the Bad Seeds) writes a blog, The Red Hand Files, answering questions from readers, usually several at a time. I don’t know his music, but I like how he thinks. I’m writing an essay on “How I’m … Continue reading →

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Finding nourishment vs. identifying poison

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Jeff

I follow Austin Kleon’s blog on what he’s doing as an artist and a person. Yesterday’s post, Finding nourishment vs. identifying poison, was very helpful on finding a way forward in these trying times.

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Nick Cave on Prayer

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Jeff

A Prayer to who? is the most powerful thing I’ve read on prayer. Requires no belief except the possibility that prayer will change something, perhaps ourselves.

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Corona Creatives – Austin History Center

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Jeff

The Austin History Center is soliciting materials for their “The COVID-19 Files: Austin Responds to a Pandemic” archives. Their archivists encourage you to keep a journal, write poetry, pen a script, draw or paint, start a video or audio blog … Continue reading →

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Youth ministry isn’t about fun

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Jeff

Excellent and moving story in the Christian Century about how a youth group was transformed by moving to a story telling format for people of all ages.

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Austin – Shaggy Nation

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Jeff

With barbers, beauty salons, hair and nail dressers, and dry cleaners all closed, Austin is going to get shaggy looking. Working from home or video conferences with the video off, it won’t matter. Shopping? Maybe nobody cares as long as … Continue reading →

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Beautifully Broken

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Jeff

A blog post by one of my favorite writers, Austin Kleon, and a YouTube video by one of my favorite musicians, Warren Hayes keep banging up up against each other in my head/heart. The song is “Beautifully Broken”. The post … Continue reading →

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