spirituality

  • Lessons from Mandi’s Garden

    “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). My wife, Mandi, has a green thumb. A big green thumb, if I am honest. And it will not be denied! She often talks about the garden as…

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  • Faith & Fire: J.R.R. Tolkien

    Faith & Fire: J.R.R. Tolkien

    J.R.R. Tolkien, renowned for “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” is celebrated for his intricate world-building and rich storytelling, influenced by his Catholic faith. His love for pipe smoking emerged as a meditative practice, symbolizing comfort and reflection. These elements shaped his characters and narratives, creating profound connections with readers.

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  • Faith and Fire: The Prince of Preachers

    This is the inaugural post in my Faith and Fire series, which aims to explore the intersections of faith and cigar and pipe smoking in the history of the Church. My motivation for this series is threefold: Some of the most outspoken critics of my love for cigars and pipes are Christians of the Baptist…

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