Explore every episode of the podcast Coffeehouse Contemplative

We may be used to thinking of divine signs in a particular way: God manipulating the world around us just so we can interpret it. That may not be how signs actually work, but we still might experience them.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Community Christian Church in North Canton, Ohio on August 25, 2024.

John 6:56-69

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at West Park UCC in Cleveland on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

1 Kings 2:10-2, 3:3-14

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Chapel Hill Community in Canal Fulton, Ohio on August 11, 2024.

1 Kings 19:4-8

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Jennifer Knapp's music has been an enduring presence in my life and faith journey. My recent experience seeing her live confirmed that for me.

Jennifer Knapp's website

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Community Christian Church in North Canton, Ohio on July 28, 2024.

John 6:1-21

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Bethany UCC in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on July 21, 2024.

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

What's causing enough stress in your life that something might be close to breaking?

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Just catching up after my month off: vacation, upcoming books, and big life questions.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The story of the Spirit descending on the disciples in Acts 2 is one of chaos, disorder, and defying expectations. And yet not many of us may appreciate when the Spirit shows up in our lives in a similar way.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Answering the question, "What's saving your life right now?" for myself. How would you answer?

Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Community Christian Church in North Canton on Sunday, May 12th, 2024.

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Sometimes in the midst of grief or loss, creating through it can help.

Paw Prints on the Baptism Cake

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

People occasionally ask me how I've managed to write my books. Here's my basic approach to the creative process, which will seem anticlimactic, and generally boils down to "I just did it."

My books

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

A brief recap of my family's recent experience at Cleveland Fan Expo, and reflections on how and why we connect to stories in books, shows, movies, and comics.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

When the initial novelty and excitement of a new experience fades, what do we do? We have several options, one of which is adaptation.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The sermon I preached on Sunday, April 7th at Church of the Redeemer UCC in Westlake, Ohio.

John 20:19-31

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Easter is meant to be a time of joyful proclamation and celebration. But what if we don't feel much like celebrating?

Mark 16:1-8

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

One's mental health journey likely will feature many curves, bumps, stops, and starts. But embarking toward healing and wellness at all is what's important.

Episode 43: Journaling 101

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The spring time change has not been treating me well the past few years. Maybe it's the same for you. I have some ideas of how to ease this exhausting and annoying transition.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Most of us have passions and interests that are vastly different from what people know us to do and to be. Have you ever thought about actually trying to pursue those things? What's holding you back?

George Harrison, Brainwashed

Old in Art School by Nell Irvin Painter

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Not every environment is meant for us if we want to thrive, do our best work, and be our best selves. This episode will explore some of the ways to name why some spaces might feel "off" for us.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

I just turned 45 and I have some thoughts and feelings about it.

Nerdette with Alison Brie and Dave Franco

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

A sermon for the First Sunday in Lent, based on Mark 1:9-15.

Mark 1:9-15

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Once again, Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday will fall on the same day this year. It may not seem like these observances go together very well, but they actually do.

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

My Books

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

How are your New Year's resolutions holding up? If they're not doing so well, it might be better to view them in terms of the daily process rather than the end result.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My uncle, David Lawrence, passed away this week. This episode celebrates his love of music and family.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

It's been a week of cancelled school (and work) days thanks to snow and cold. This episode explores the happiness that snow days bring, and of finding joy in simple things.

Four Weeks: Reflections for Advent

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Missing a single instance of our routine can put us into a negative space of guilt, questioning our dedication, comparison to others, and a host of other things. This episode will examine that negative space, as well as how to get out of it.

Episode 111: Their Story Is Not Your Story

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Change is happening in our lives constantly, and often there's more than one occurring at a time. How do we deal with it all? What kinds of questions could we ask to do so?

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

We may struggle with an internal voice that constantly reminds us of our mistakes, flaws, and imperfections. It can have a negative effect on how we think others see us, as well as our self-perception. What's the key to quieting this voice?

NOTE: The podcast will be taking a break in December and return in 2024.

Four Weeks: Reflections for Advent

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

We may sometimes become tempted to compare our experiences with someone else's. That can be problematic for us in a number of ways, chief of which is that it keeps us from recognizing the unique circumstances of our own lives.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

How do we best set up our brains for success, productivity, and engagement? This episode will explore the Ultradian Rhythm that guides our mental capacity to give our best effort.

No Self No Problem by Chris Niebauer

Keep Going by Austin Kleon

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The sermon that I preached at Christ UCC in Orrville, Ohio on Sunday, November 5th, 2023.

Joshua 3:7-17

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Just an update on what's been happening in my life the past week.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

When something happens to us, how sure can we be that it's 100% good or bad? What benefit could it be to wait things out and see how things go? What if we held off on our tendency to construct a narrative around our experiences?

We'll See - A Chinese Proverb

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

As much as we might like to believe otherwise, our minds sometimes play tricks on us. This may be in response to particular scenarios in our lives or in relation to our overall worldview. What causes it, and how might we come to a truly more rational space within ourselves?

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The story of my two ebooks becoming paperbacks, the birth of my own publishing imprint, and the creative possibility that it brings.

No Perfect Time: Brief Essays on Life and Faith

Four Weeks: Reflections for Advent

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon for World Communion Sunday at First Congregational Church of Akron on October 1, 2023.

Philippians 2:1-13

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Sometimes we can be so focused on the achievement at the end of a process that we can miss little lessons and experiences along the way. Making a point to notice moments during the journey can help us appreciate it more.

The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

We may have many different reasons for not setting a good boundary when we should. A certain amount of them are rooted in satisfying our own ego at the expense of our own health and relationships.

Prayer in Motion: Connecting with God in Fidgety Times

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Recounting my experience at Akron Pride at the end of August.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

I'm celebrating my 100th episode via a lot of self-admitted navel-gazing regarding what I've learned over the course of recording this podcast.

Recommended favorites:

Episode 4: Practice Makes Proficient

Episode 10: The Call Cycle

Episode 35: Ash Wednesday

Episode 64: The Three (or Four) Cs

Episode 80: I Don't Call It Trauma, But It's Trauma

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence and suicide

My community suffered a great tragedy this past week. This episode is my possibly ill-advised way of beginning to process it. I also reflect on ways to express grief when we can't find the words.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

We can give quite a bit of our mental and spiritual energy to worrying about things that won't happen for a while. Sometimes such worry is warranted, but often it could be redirected toward what's happening in the moment.

Matthew 6:25-34

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My family and I recently had the chance to take a ghost tour of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. I wanted to share a little of our experience while it's still fresh in my mind, as well as talk about other potentially paranormal moments that I've had.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The concept of "leaving the nest" works just fine for birds, but it gets more complicated when we apply it to humans. This week's episode re-examines this long-used metaphor.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

Certain industries warn of "pinch points" that may be present as workers perform tasks or operate tools or machines. There's a such thing as mental, emotional, and spiritual pinch points as well. This episode explores what those could be, as well as ways to watch for them.

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

My sermon at Bethany UCC in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on July 23, 2023.

Genesis 28:10-19a

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder

The sermon I preached on Sunday, July 16th at Bethany UCC in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Music: "Reflections" by Wild Wonder