rev. dan king
let’s walk this faith together.
Author, Episcopal deacon, and speaker. Writing for 19 years on Scripture, prayer, service, and ancient practices that meet us at the intersection of everyday life.
Holy Rhythms for Hurting Hearts
Essays on Mental Health and Ancient Church Practices
Holy Rhythms for Hurting Hearts is a collection of deeply personal and pastoral essays exploring how ancient Christian practices can meet us in the middle of modern mental health struggles. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, grief, or simply longing for peace in a chaotic world, this book offers a gentle invitation to find healing through sacred rhythms like prayer, Sabbath, liturgy, service, and more.
Written with honesty and hope, this book doesn’t offer quick fixes. Instead, it points to the beauty of slowing down, showing up, and rooting yourself in practices that have carried the Church through centuries of both suffering and joy.
Author · Episcopal Deacon · Speaker · blogging since 2007
latest writing
on throwing canned goods and tracts
A woman named Amy Sherman said the following about the Good Samaritan: “It’s not like he stood on the other side of the road and threw canned goods and religious tracts at the guy. He crossed the road. He got up close and personal. He dirtied his own hands.” Isn’t...
when the bluebirds go awol
We hang the bluebird feeder from the geranium hook on the porch. Fill it with yummies--crumbled suet, freeze-dried-berry-flavored mealworms (I actually scoop them with my bare hand), a few softened raisins, and a handful of blueberries. I don't know if they like...
when love interrupts
It's after 11:30PM when I finally fall into bed. I hadn't intended on staying up that late but there's work to be done and so, it just happened that way. It's seems like it's only minutes later, when I hear her calling out to me in the dark. She calls my name once,...
doing good: mom and daughter style
Nine rowdy tweens + six competitive moms + seven, local service challenges = an immense amount of fun. To celebrate the end of our mom and daughter Bible study, a group of moms decided we wanted to do good in our community, but we wanted the type of good that isn't...
of batteries and bluebirds
I glance out the window and gasp. "Grace, come quick! Run! Hurry!" When her lead foot lands on vinyl, I hiss at her. "Shhhh! Stop! Slow down! "G-ma's lost it now." I'm sure that's what she's thinking as the other foot freezes midair. She tiptoes to my side. We stand...
how brokenness sings
They found the lump in August. By September she was bald. The wall of her chest, I mean. Cut clean from the cancer, but also dismembered from her femininity. And the healing was long and slow. Most of the scars, they still ache, when she thinks of it all. Thinking...
when your no-er breaks and resentment grows
I don’t struggle with "no". I find "no" easy, peasy and examples abound: Do you want to go to the movies? No. Will you babysit my kids? No. Can you drive me to the airport? No. Will you be a part of our committee? No. But recently, I offered help, and someone told me,...
challenges to opportunities
When we are in the muddy middle of challenges, we don’t necessarily see 'em as chances to roll up our collective sleeves, flex our muscles, grasp the opponent’s hand, and then grunt the scary hairy arms flat to the wrestling match table. Slam! I won! Right on,...
to see rightly
“…it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace…” Hebrews 13:9 (ESV) It’s barely light outside when we meet in the small dark room just outside the locked doors that lead to the hospital’s mental ward. Dressed in our student uniforms, from polished white shoes...
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Conversations with Daughters, Season 3, Episode 26: The Bible Dude
