In the summer of 2003, I got drunk for the first time and met one of the most beautiful women I will ever know. It’s time to tell that bittersweet story. 

An Irish Adventure 

That summer, my friend Matthew and I traveled to Rosscarbery, a small town on the southern coast of Ireland. It’s just as picturesque as it sounds. Ross has a stunning ocean lagoon, rolling hills, country pubs, and a Christian cathedral with roots dating back 1500 years.

We moved in with the Daly family who lived in a 17th-century farmhouse attached to the historic 15th-century Castle Salem. 

The Dalys raised horses, farmed fields, worked with stone, and ran a bed and breakfast in their beautiful, yellow home. Matthew and I went there to write our first book, which we did. We stayed in William Penn’s room, the bedroom where the founder of Pennsylvania and a nonviolent Quaker lodged when he visited this house back in the 1600s. 

I will never forget the bus ride south from Dublin through Ireland’s lush countryside to Castle Salem... Read More

Dear friends,

Sincere thanks to everyone who helped launch my new book Reviving the Golden Rule last week. The reviews on Amazon and GoodReads have been so encouraging. One reader called the book “a beacon of hope” for our time.

If Reviving the Golden Rule is speaking to you, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review on Amazon (only if you purchased it there please) or GoodReads (for all other purchases). My goal is to reach 30 by Friday 🙂

Today I’m delighted to share three quick invitations into Reviving the Golden Rule.

1. Interactive Webinar 

First, please join me for a live webinar on Tuesday, October 14th at 12:30pm EST with my friend Keri Ladouceur and the Post-Evangelical Collective. We’ll explore how the ancient ethic of neighbor love holds transformative potential for justice, healing, and human flourishing today. I hope you’ll register for this free, one-hour conversation here and bring questions.

2. Book Excerpt 

Second, Red Letter Christians just published a new excerpt from Reviving the Golden Rule called “Ruth: The Divine Love that Overcomes Othering.”.. Read More

Dear friends,

Frederick Buechner has been a major inspiration in my faith journey and writing. Buechner wrote with rare honesty. His goal wasn’t to impress people or prove that he was right. His writing sought to tell the truth, including about our pain, doubt, joy, and the mystery of trusting God and choosing love. “Here is the world,” he wrote. “Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”

Brian Allain introduced Buechner’s words to the Internet and led the Frederick Buechner Center for many years. He now leads the Faith and Justice Book Group.

It was such an honor to talk with Brian on his podcast about my new book Reviving the Golden Rule. We explore the inspiration behind the book, the overarching story that it tells, and how loving our neighbors integrates our deep pain with enduring hope. I invite you to watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast on Spotify.

Buechner wrote, “To love your neighbor is to see your neighbor... Read More