Essays and reflections on spiritual formation, the church, music, and daily faithfulness — 648 pieces, gathered in one home.
I read a fascinating column on spirituality and elections that we might want to keep in mind as we sort through all the mudslinging this year. My favorite quote is "Yes, we rightly
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I found an article on the The Pastor's Spiritual Life I encourage you to link to. I really appreciated the article and couldn't agree more! I have been a pastor for 19 years. About
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I went to a funeral recently that was one of the most wonderful resurrection experiences I've ever had. It was for an outstanding Methodist laywoman and friend, held at a Missionar
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I love this lighthearted look at a contemporary American spirituality that I find quite troubling. All humor aside, I find prosperity teaching to be lurking around our religious cl
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I don't normally write about politics on my blog, in part because one thing I love about Christian faith, and about contemplative spirituality in particular, is that it is a journe
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This weekend, Sandy and I retreated to Atlanta and Stone Mountain for our 20th anniversary. We ate at Everybody's Pizza, the first place we ever went out to eat together. We replay
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I saw this trailer for an upcoming movie. I am leading a Wednesday Night Bible Study on "The Radical Edge of Jesus" so I can't wait to show it to them. Regardless of how diverse we
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Everything we do in the church must be rooted in the mystery of the incarnation. Christ is present and the Spirit is at work. How do you make a difficult decision? I felt led to wr
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
It seems I always come home from an Academy experience with a couple of "ahas," insights that God has spoken into the deepest part of me. Here are two for this week. Spirituality i
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I'm about to attend my first week as a team member of a two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation, meeting at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. I will serve as Worship Coordinator and I'm so ve
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Last week, Sandy and I drove to Franklin, Tennessee and took a tour of Carnton Plantation. It is near the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, a desperate attempt of the
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Psalm 107 is one of my favorite psalms because it reminds me, with its rich literary parallels, that it is only because of what God has done
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Thanks to those of you who offered prayers and assistance as I made myself available for consideration for the Hymnal Revision Committee! As I feared, with all the categories for i
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This quote from Henri Nouwen's Reaching Out resonates in my soul. "The movement from illusion to prayer requires a gradual detachment from all false ties and an increasing surrende
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
I am back from my first experience at Jurisdictional Conference and reflecting on what it was like to participate in the election of Bishop Leeland. There was something deeply spir
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Sometimes that which is a faithful effort for some can strike me as truly humorous. One of my parishoners showed me this. Did you know that for $40 a year, you can arrange for doze
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Hello everyone! I'm leaving for Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church where I will be serving as a delegate, elected by clergy peers here in North Alabama. I wil
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
This is my article which is published in the January/February 2009 issue of "Alive Now." - Steve West There is a deep, beautiful chasm within us waiting to be discovered and explor
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
The Director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation, Jerry Haas, asked me why I went to the Academy. Here was my answer to him. After years of ministry, I found myself spent and wa
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
A "Folk Mystic" Finds Forgiveness by Steve West The early years of ministry left me with a few scars. I had a nagging ability to hold onto residual pain from occasional experiences
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
A couple of days after leaving my previous post, I watched a popular TV preacher say quite the opposite of what I have proposed. He said that God honors expectations with blessing,
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
After I left my response to a reader's comment on the previous post, I thought I should post a great link I found. It's a wonderful article entitled "Great Expectations". It notes
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Here is a quote from Eugene Peterson's "The Contemplative Pastor" that resonated with me: The work of spirituality is to recognize where we are - the particular circumstances of ou
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
Steve West had the privilege of serving as arranger, producer, and primary musician of this project. Copies are available for a free-will donation to the "Academy for Spiritual For
Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher
New essays and reflections, delivered as they're published.
Soul Studio