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Dr. Tom has been sharing refreshing, insightful essays on his Sunday Morning Cafe blog since 2009. Each Sunday, he brings his extensive experience from resilience research, counseling, and consulting to help you find more connection, meaning, and joy in life. We're so glad you're here to grow with this community!
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Fire
“Fire” was once a cry for safety. Now, it’s the spark of a calling. This reflection follows the transformation of one woman’s fear into fierce compassion.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Oct 195 min read
Out of Africa
A pilgrimage isn't measured in miles or expensive plane tickets to exotic locations—it’s measured in attention, openness, and the courage to let go. Join a journey through nature, Sacred Presence, and the practice of surrender.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Aug 317 min read
Back Porch Wisdom from Our First SMC Event
Sometimes the Sacred moves through scripture. Sometimes, through a favorite song playing in the background while the bread bakes. This reflection explores how simple meals and real conversations can become holy ground.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jul 274 min read
Have You Lost Your Mind? Confessions of a Risk Taker.
Building treehouses, crossing borders, challenging injustice—some of love’s best work happens off the map. This reflection invites you to consider the risks worth taking.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jul 65 min read
Rendezvous
Maybe the Sacred is already reaching for you, in the spaces only you recognize. Read on for a reflection on unexpected altars, inked stars, and the God who meets us there.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jun 295 min read
The Everyday Father
What if your greatest spiritual practice is simply showing up? This reflection reclaims the sacredness of time spent doing nothing together.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jun 154 min read
Growing Second Half of Life Skills…Even If You Happen to Be Living in the First Half
You don’t have to wait for gray hair to grow elder wisdom. This reflection invites you to begin now—wherever you are on the journey.
Dr. Tom Wagner
May 256 min read
Making Space for Awe
Research is showing that human beings are built for “awe.” Like other spiritual gifts, awe is not a thing you can grasp at. This article explores the ways you can slow down so that awe can graciously catch up with you.
Dr. Tom Wagner
May 185 min read
Comedy Roundup
Comedy isn't a distraction, it's a doorway. In this installment, SMC readers share their favorite picks.
Dr. Tom Wagner
May 115 min read
Seriously Funny: Uncovering the Sacred Roots of Humor
When a late-night comic and the Pope start saying the same thing, you listen. Read on to discover what their surprising agreement reveals about the connection between resilience and grace.
Dr. Tom Wagner
May 45 min read
As I Have Done, So You Also Should Do: Remembering Pope Francis (1936-2025)
Honoring the man whose life embodied mercy, humility, and hope.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Apr 274 min read
A Touch of Easter in Every Laugh
What if every laugh—especially the ones that sneak in during sorrow—held a hint of resurrection? Discover how humor can carry you through the dark and into something deeper.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Apr 206 min read
Co-habitating with Cobras & Other Common Human Experiences
How do you co-habitate with a cobra and not get bit? Discover spiritual reflections and practices for life’s toughest moments.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Mar 304 min read
Latte for Lent.
Some beauty exists for no other reason than to delight you—like a perfect heart in a latte, made just to make you smile.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Mar 24 min read
The Still Point Below the Booming, Banging, Buzzing, Chaos.
In the noise of everyday life, where does your spirit go to rest? Grace-filled practices to help you return to your still point.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Feb 154 min read
The Boundary of Freedom: Acceptance.
Ever felt stuck wishing life were different? A soggy trip to Ireland, a rocky marriage, and a monk’s quiet wisdom all lead to one surprising truth: maybe peace begins with acceptance.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Feb 85 min read
Making Peace with Your Pet Monsters.
What do you do when the monsters show up—not under the bed, but inside your own mind? If you’ve ever tried to sit in silence and found yourself squirming, this one's for you. Read on to learn how facing your inner creatures might just lead you to unexpected grace.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Feb 24 min read
The Spiritual Life of Dogs Like Me.
What if every distraction, every restless thought, is actually an invitation back to peace? Explore how resilience, prayer, and a spirited poodle reveal the way.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jan 255 min read
Hip to Be Holy.
In a world that once dismissed the spiritual as silly or suspect, what does it mean to live unapologetically aligned with your soul? Step into a story of secrecy, spirituality, and the surprising freedom of coming home to your inner life.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jan 114 min read
Cohabitating with Cobras and Other Common Human Experiences
How do you cohabitate with a cobra and not get bit? Discover spiritual reflections and practices for life’s toughest moments.
Dr. Tom Wagner
Jan 54 min read
Explore the full archive of Sunday Morning Cafe blogs from 2009 through 2024.
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