Introduction

I've been reading blogs for about 10 years now, so I decided it was finally time to start one.  I'll be blogging about a variety of topics, but given the title I've given to the blog, I anticipate blogging a lot about ascetic and monastic spirituality from the perspective of a Lutheran pastor.  I have come to believe that the elimination of many monasteries at the time of the Reformation, and the resulting emphasis of academics over ascetics, has proven to be one of the greatest tragedies that resulted from the split in the Western Church.  So, thanks for checking in.