9 Comments

“Chop wood, it warms you twice” what a layer of lessons right there! Really enjoyed the way you weaved both ideas together here. When you were describing chopping wood, I felt as though I was meditating with you, breathing in and out as you described it. What a photo too!

Expand full comment

Poetry and truth. This was beautifully written and the sentiment felt.

Expand full comment

This is beautiful: "To go to church and contend with the content, is there not a fire stoked in your agreement or disagreement with the words? And from that contention, with the other six of the seven days of the week, can you not find and refine what you believe?"

Never thought about engaging in an activity only to listen to my intuitive reaction and and surface areas of conflict for me to then resolve and reach peace. Great piece, Steven.

Expand full comment

What a stunning essay, Steven. The way you hold these two ideas in juxtaposition as we move through the essay is graceful and masterful. Your prose leaps off the page. The detail is phenomenal - the coarse grain, the beer in hand - bravo, my friend!!

Expand full comment

Beautiful, Steven! A weaving of church, chopping and mastery.

Expand full comment

This is just beautiful Steven. A captivating weave of what seem to be two completely different domains, joined under your watch. Your sharing of it is a third warming. "Though ages have passed, we still seek to be sharpened."

Expand full comment

I love splitting wood and find chopping wood a little tedious--which one is church? Lol

Expand full comment

perhaps it's a bit of both!

Expand full comment

I'm still reflecting on your intertwined metaphor of chopping wood and church . . . don't quite get it, but it won't leave me, either . . . I guess that means you scored a direct hit

Expand full comment