About David

I was born in Roswell, NM. 😊 A few years ago upon learning about my birthplace, a Priest and friend,  announced to everyone in the chapel, “Ah, now that explains it.” 😀We all laugh, yet in a strange way I sensed the feeling of being an "outsider," like an alien that often is connected to the town of Roswell. I came to attribute this feeling to the mystery associated with being on a spiritual journey.

Peace Sign, Slogans and Desire

Growing up in the late ‘60s and ‘70s I was part of a generation spent on slogans like ‘make peace not war’ wrestling with social change and unrest. I was often hanging “peace sign” posters wherever I could and carrying an over-sized “peace sign” key chain. Being part of a family that ran a family business my activities were divided between school, basketball and helping in the retail/service business. I enjoyed marketing and finding ways to influence people in their buying decisions. Studying the art of advertising I became aware how desire works through the “model.” Applying this knowledge to business brought success yet I always thought of myself as autonomous - free of the “model.”

Shell Games to a Walk of Faith

In 1997 I found myself in Leadership McLean County and participating in a community service project for the local domestic violence shelter. The project was to create an awareness campaign which I felt right at home with, however the message of the campaign was gut-wrenching and disturbing to my very core. I thought that in all my trendy “peace” studies I would have had a clue what violence is all about, but then I met, violence up front and personal. The awareness campaign revealed how our conventual ideologies conjure up peace, when deep down, our system of ideas and ideals are nothing more than a shell game, simply hiding the little marble under one of the shells, always moving from one to the other shell. Interviews with the DV survivors - those who had moved on from resentment cause by the violence - all modeled a faith that I had never witnessed before.

Instrument, Model & Direction

That experience led me to seeking a spiritual director and discernment which opened me up to explore the ecumenical Franciscan way of life. My director also introduced me to the Shalem Institute and their 'Soul of the Executive Program'. Spiritual direction, the Franciscan Charism and the well structured program of Shalem a path of renewal, prayer and clarity. These paths helped me to probe my relationships with myself, others and God. They provided a foundation to clear the debris and noise surrounding my life, allowing me to 'undergo God' and listen to the exceedingly peaceful yet powerful meaning of Love, which is God, who is wanting to speak to us.  

Coming Alive

When exploring how one “comes alive” we discover how instrumental desire are in our lives. Ever since I can remember, I have explored the questions of “why we desire what we do?” and “why is there so much violence in our world?” These questions led me to the inspiring and stimulating anthropological insights of French thinker René Girard. More recently, the path following these questions have led to being commissioned as a spiritual director by the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.

Along with these personal passions, I am an active member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington; involved in the Cursillo Movement; and am professed in the Order of Secular Franciscans.

Lastly, In Two Tramps in Mud Time Robert Frost sums up how I wish to live my life:

But yield who will to their separation,

My object in living is to unite

My avocation and my vocation

As my two eyes make one in sight.

Only where love and need are one,

And the work is play for mortal stakes,

Is the deed ever really done

For Heaven and the future's sakes.