I usually think of my fifty-some years of life as a series of "conversions" in which new layers of divine beauty are blended with previous layers. Consequently, although I wrote the chapter on "Evangelical Spirituality" for the Four Views on Christian Spirituality volume, I consider myself primarily an ecumenical. I learn and teach in association with a variety of traditions. I have a Ph.D. in Christian spirituality from Graduate Theological Union, a M.A. in Christian spirituality from Gonzaga University, a M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a B.A. in "Understanding the Individual and Society" (philosophy related liberal arts degree) from Whitworth College. I teach philosophy at Colorado Mesa University and I teach spirituality worldwide. I like to serve new monastic groups whenever I can. I enjoy music, especially singing with Cheri, my wife (we have been singing together since high school). Cheri and I have been exploring what some call "simple" and "semi-monastic" living since we were married thirty-four years ago. We love gardening, building things, and messing around with traditional crafts. In 1996 I started a non-profit called Spirituality Shoppe and have used this organization as the framework around which I write, teach, lead retreats, and do other similar activities. I like to write papers about what I am studying, practical materials that can be helpful for people's lives, and reflections about interesting topics. I am partly done with an introduction to philosophy. And I am about ready to explore the world of communication through audio and video media.
