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Welcome to the Forest Parish

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​A Place of Hearth, Home, and Holy Ground ​ Dear friends in Christ, ​Welcome to this clearing in the woods. Just as the forest offers shelter to all and the hearth provides warmth to the weary, I hope this space serves as a sanctuary for your spirit. ​There are many voices in the world, but here is the rhythm of my own heart and ministry—a way of life rooted in the ancient soil of the Gospel and the quiet light of the home fire. ​The Three Great Trees: A Foundation of Faith ​In my journey, three truths stand like ancient oaks, providing shelter and strength: ​ The Living Word: Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Apart from Him, the true God cannot be fully known. In Jesus, we see the face of a God who is Love, and whose Gospel is the path of Peace. ​ The Gift of Grace: Salvation is found by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Like the rain that falls on the forest floor, grace is a gift—unearned, refreshing, and life-giving. ​ T...
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Gateway Evidence: Week 2 Summary & The Advocacy Log

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​This week, my pilgrimage moved between the quiet of nature and the active "armor-on" work of family advocacy. Here is the evidence for my Bronze Gateway Award. ​ 1. The Advocacy Log (New Section) ​This week in my pilgrimage, I didn't just walk in nature; I walked the path of advocacy. I've been pushing for the school transport my kids deserve and visiting potential church homes. It’s a different kind of 'Sanctuary' building—one that requires a louder voice. ​ Evidence:    "Tutting" to Pioneering: Reclaiming the Sacred Table ​ Award Category: Lifestyle (Rights) & Personal Challenge (Community Inclusion). Other Lifestyle: Using tactile tools from Squiggle Society to maintain sensory regulation. ​ 2. Weekly Evidence Checklist ​ Volunteering (Walk for Autism): Route planning and logistics phase. ​ Evidence (testing out how to use MapMyFitness app and introducing my mascot Fluffy ) ​ Fit...
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Be Still

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“Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10) The Dedication: ​ ​ For the "Zoomers" and the "Beepers"— For every child who feels the world a little too loudly. ​ And for the Grandpas— The quiet anchors who teach us that the best way to find our way through the noise is to simply be still. ​ Dedicated to the memory of those who taught us to listen.   Above is silent story based on my short story of the same title: Once there was an old man who took his grandson a walk in the countryside. The old man's face was creased with wrinkles. Like the rings inside an ancient log tree, each signified age and wisdom. The man, to the boys surprise stopped suddenly. He was calm, so calm the boy didn't feel it right to interrupt this moment of solititude. 'Listen', the old man said. The boy listened. At first he could hear nothing but his own racing thoughts. 'Tru...
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Walking for Peace: A Harmonious Christian Chorus of "Critical Appreciation" for the Buddhist Monks

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The barefoot Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Center are closing in on Washington, D.C., nearing the end of their incredible 2,300-mile journey. What began as a spiritual pilgrimage has blossomed into a global conversation, sparking a fascinating "critical appreciation" among Christian communities—from the pews of the American South to faith circles in the UK. ​As I follow their journey, I find myself holding a nuanced view that merges several of these perspectives. I believe in Jesus —that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the source of ultimate peace. In that sense, I hold a conservative theological conviction. However, as many know, I am also Theologically Radical Reformed (Anabaptist) and a Red Letter Christian , which leads me to see this walk through a kind lens. Also as a Theologian and Social Scientist I can look at these things through the lens of an anthropologist.  ​1. The Progressive Voice: "Modern Magi on the Road" ​For some Progressive a...
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St. Thorlak: A Tiny Summary

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​ The Life: St. Thorlak (1133–1193) was the Bishop of Skálholt and is the patron saint of Iceland. He was a brilliant scholar known for his extreme devotion to routine , a quiet and reserved personality, and an "unbending" commitment to rules, even when it made him socially unpopular. ​ The Autism Connection: Modern advocates and the Autism Society of Iceland identify him as a likely autistic person . Historical accounts describe him as: ​Socially awkward and averse to small talk. ​Deeply reliant on predictable rituals. ​Intensely focused on specific tasks to the exclusion of all else. ​Because of these traits, he is widely regarded as the unofficial patron saint of people on the autism spectrum . Image Source:  Autism Consecrated
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Meet Fluffy: My Pint-Sized Partner for a Big Cause!

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​Hold onto your hats (and your honey pots), because I have a new teammate for my sponsored walk for autism ! ​Everyone, meet Fluffy . ​He’s small, he’s round, and his stamina for walking is... well, mostly dependent on how well I carry him. But don't let the stuffing fool you; Fluffy is on a mission! He’s joined the team as my official mascot and morale booster. ​Fluffy’s Trail Essentials ​A bear of his stature doesn't just "go for a walk." He prepares. Here is what Fluffy is packing for our big adventure: ​ Extra Fluff-Support: For those steep hills. ​ Invisible Hiking Boots: To keep his paws pristine. ​ A Very Large Heart: To hold all the support you're sending our way! ​How You Can Help Us Reach the Finish Line ​We are walking to raise vital funds and awareness for the autism community. If you’d like to sponsor Fluffy (and me, his loyal friend), here is how: ​ Click the Link: Visit our fundraising page at [ my walk for autism ] . ​ ...
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"Tutting" to Pioneering: Reclaiming the Sacred Table

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It is time for family. It is time to trade the exhaustion of "making do" for the radical act of self-advocacy. ​For a neurodivergent family carrying the weight of autism and NF1, the traditional pew has often felt more like a sensory gauntlet than a refuge. I’ve realized that seeking Additional Support Needs (ASN) isn't about force-fitting our "square peg" family into a round-hole sanctuary. It is a theological act of pioneering. ​ A New Liturgy ​As a father and carer, I am reclaiming a fundamental truth: the table of fellowship is just as sacred in a quiet living room or an adapted setting as it is in a stone church. We aren't looking for a place to just "sit"—we are inviting the church into a "Thin Place" where our neurobiology is recognized as a reflection of the Creator, not a distraction. ​ Advocacy in Action ​Building this sanctuary also requires a louder voice. Alongside our church search, I am currently fighting for the scho...
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Every Step Builds a Brighter Future

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We aren’t just walking; we’re moving toward a more inclusive world. Scan the QR code below to contribute directly to our goal. Your support provides vital resources and advocacy for the autism community! My  Walk for Autism
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