Nathan Daniel Blake
@sevenstorypilgrim.bsky.social
Appalachian writer & post-evangelical wildling. Comforting the troubled & troubling the comfortable. New Monastic Abbot. Aspiring hiker trash. 🌿➕📿
www.storyofndblake.com
www.storyofndblake.com
Pinned
Okay … let’s give Bluesky a real go.
I’m talking about …
* Post-Evangelical Christianity
* Wilderness as Spiritual Discipline
* Rewilding Christianity
* Theology of Place
* Appalachia
* Liberation Theology
* Practical & Contextual Theology
* Empire vs The Kingdom of God
* New Monasticism
I’m talking about …
* Post-Evangelical Christianity
* Wilderness as Spiritual Discipline
* Rewilding Christianity
* Theology of Place
* Appalachia
* Liberation Theology
* Practical & Contextual Theology
* Empire vs The Kingdom of God
* New Monasticism
When a person under scrutiny insists that their deposition be a public hearing instead of being behind closed doors, it is normally not good for the accuser.
The Clintons will be dragging more from the shadows than merely their own sins and want to make sure that none of it can be buried.
The Clintons will be dragging more from the shadows than merely their own sins and want to make sure that none of it can be buried.
February 3, 2026 at 7:47 PM
When a person under scrutiny insists that their deposition be a public hearing instead of being behind closed doors, it is normally not good for the accuser.
The Clintons will be dragging more from the shadows than merely their own sins and want to make sure that none of it can be buried.
The Clintons will be dragging more from the shadows than merely their own sins and want to make sure that none of it can be buried.
I'm alarmed by the pockets of conservative christians who shouted from roof tops that they were protecting children from an evil liberal cabal only a few years ago to now making apologies for unrepentant men in power as merely sinners in need of grace.
Grace doesn't free us from consequence.
Grace doesn't free us from consequence.
February 3, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I'm alarmed by the pockets of conservative christians who shouted from roof tops that they were protecting children from an evil liberal cabal only a few years ago to now making apologies for unrepentant men in power as merely sinners in need of grace.
Grace doesn't free us from consequence.
Grace doesn't free us from consequence.
So many of my protestant brothers and sisters claim "sola scriptura" but only practice a monthly/quarterly nod to the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper depending on your tradition).
One of the worst mistakes we made in protestantism was moving the emphasis of our gatherings from altar to pulpit.
One of the worst mistakes we made in protestantism was moving the emphasis of our gatherings from altar to pulpit.
February 2, 2026 at 7:24 PM
So many of my protestant brothers and sisters claim "sola scriptura" but only practice a monthly/quarterly nod to the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper depending on your tradition).
One of the worst mistakes we made in protestantism was moving the emphasis of our gatherings from altar to pulpit.
One of the worst mistakes we made in protestantism was moving the emphasis of our gatherings from altar to pulpit.
Speaking from the vantage point of both a born-and-raised Appalachian as well as a writer, believing that Jelly Roll's country album is more culturally impactful or artfully crafted than Tyler Childers' project is an abomination to both rural culture and art.
February 2, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Speaking from the vantage point of both a born-and-raised Appalachian as well as a writer, believing that Jelly Roll's country album is more culturally impactful or artfully crafted than Tyler Childers' project is an abomination to both rural culture and art.
I'm not sure if it is a green or red flag, but when times like these get hard and tumultuous, I begin to hope that the universe's cat distribution network brings me another cat.
For reference, we already have six.
For reference, we already have six.
February 2, 2026 at 3:01 PM
I'm not sure if it is a green or red flag, but when times like these get hard and tumultuous, I begin to hope that the universe's cat distribution network brings me another cat.
For reference, we already have six.
For reference, we already have six.
Happy Birthday to Thomas Merton, the man I consider to be the patron saint of Appalachia as well as my own.
No, he’s not canonized, but that seems perfectly fitting for Appalachia, doesn’t it?
He is, by far, the most influential writer & theologian on my spiritual thinking & practice.
No, he’s not canonized, but that seems perfectly fitting for Appalachia, doesn’t it?
He is, by far, the most influential writer & theologian on my spiritual thinking & practice.
February 1, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Happy Birthday to Thomas Merton, the man I consider to be the patron saint of Appalachia as well as my own.
No, he’s not canonized, but that seems perfectly fitting for Appalachia, doesn’t it?
He is, by far, the most influential writer & theologian on my spiritual thinking & practice.
No, he’s not canonized, but that seems perfectly fitting for Appalachia, doesn’t it?
He is, by far, the most influential writer & theologian on my spiritual thinking & practice.
Don Lemon, a journalist, was arrested for a non-violent protest in a church while a masked agent who murdered an unarmed man was whisked away to safety and preserved anonymity.
This is the America we live in.
This is the America of Western Evangelicalism.
Christ haver mercy on us. (+)
This is the America we live in.
This is the America of Western Evangelicalism.
Christ haver mercy on us. (+)
January 30, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Don Lemon, a journalist, was arrested for a non-violent protest in a church while a masked agent who murdered an unarmed man was whisked away to safety and preserved anonymity.
This is the America we live in.
This is the America of Western Evangelicalism.
Christ haver mercy on us. (+)
This is the America we live in.
This is the America of Western Evangelicalism.
Christ haver mercy on us. (+)
My top 5 outdoor companies when considering quality, value, ethos, & customer service.
(no particular order & not sponsored)
This is who I use and trust.
Gossamer Gear
Durston
ULA Equipment
Zpacks
Outdoor Vitals
(no particular order & not sponsored)
This is who I use and trust.
Gossamer Gear
Durston
ULA Equipment
Zpacks
Outdoor Vitals
January 30, 2026 at 1:53 PM
My top 5 outdoor companies when considering quality, value, ethos, & customer service.
(no particular order & not sponsored)
This is who I use and trust.
Gossamer Gear
Durston
ULA Equipment
Zpacks
Outdoor Vitals
(no particular order & not sponsored)
This is who I use and trust.
Gossamer Gear
Durston
ULA Equipment
Zpacks
Outdoor Vitals
I carried my old handle "storyofndblake" for years ... but it began to like it was no longer who I was.
When I created it I wanted to write my story as I saw fit. I was the storyteller and the actor. But I am no longer that man.
So, today, I changed my handle to reflect who and what I've become.
When I created it I wanted to write my story as I saw fit. I was the storyteller and the actor. But I am no longer that man.
So, today, I changed my handle to reflect who and what I've become.
January 29, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I carried my old handle "storyofndblake" for years ... but it began to like it was no longer who I was.
When I created it I wanted to write my story as I saw fit. I was the storyteller and the actor. But I am no longer that man.
So, today, I changed my handle to reflect who and what I've become.
When I created it I wanted to write my story as I saw fit. I was the storyteller and the actor. But I am no longer that man.
So, today, I changed my handle to reflect who and what I've become.
Seems to me the only laws we wish scripture to inform are "pelvic sins" which scripture spends significantly less time talking about than matters concerning the way we systematically oppress & "other" individuals & groups for our own gain & feelings of self-righteousness.
via @brcremer.bsky.social
via @brcremer.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Seems to me the only laws we wish scripture to inform are "pelvic sins" which scripture spends significantly less time talking about than matters concerning the way we systematically oppress & "other" individuals & groups for our own gain & feelings of self-righteousness.
via @brcremer.bsky.social
via @brcremer.bsky.social
The issue I have with the church is the same the Celtic monastics had with Rome. I want the connection. I want the theological history. I even want accountability.
But I'm not willing to sign a spiritual blank check to an institution that has historically desired compliance over contemplation.
But I'm not willing to sign a spiritual blank check to an institution that has historically desired compliance over contemplation.
January 27, 2026 at 9:02 PM
The issue I have with the church is the same the Celtic monastics had with Rome. I want the connection. I want the theological history. I even want accountability.
But I'm not willing to sign a spiritual blank check to an institution that has historically desired compliance over contemplation.
But I'm not willing to sign a spiritual blank check to an institution that has historically desired compliance over contemplation.
Peaceful, prayerful protests are now cause for arrest. This is ACTUALLY religious persecution if you're someone on the right who likes to claim persecution for getting pushback on your ideas.
Real persecution means arrest and oppression of your religious practices by the ruling political empire.
Real persecution means arrest and oppression of your religious practices by the ruling political empire.
As clergy pray, arrests begin
January 23, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Peaceful, prayerful protests are now cause for arrest. This is ACTUALLY religious persecution if you're someone on the right who likes to claim persecution for getting pushback on your ideas.
Real persecution means arrest and oppression of your religious practices by the ruling political empire.
Real persecution means arrest and oppression of your religious practices by the ruling political empire.
If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matt 18:6)
If you feel that a misinterpretation, look up how early childhood trauma works.
If you feel that a misinterpretation, look up how early childhood trauma works.
January 22, 2026 at 7:36 PM
If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matt 18:6)
If you feel that a misinterpretation, look up how early childhood trauma works.
If you feel that a misinterpretation, look up how early childhood trauma works.
God never asked us to prove God exists.
What God asks us to do from the beginning is to forego our own ideas of rightness by participating in the divine nature.
I wonder if our obsession with apologetics are just another form of ego rebellion -- a way to keep our selves at the center.
What God asks us to do from the beginning is to forego our own ideas of rightness by participating in the divine nature.
I wonder if our obsession with apologetics are just another form of ego rebellion -- a way to keep our selves at the center.
January 22, 2026 at 1:23 PM
God never asked us to prove God exists.
What God asks us to do from the beginning is to forego our own ideas of rightness by participating in the divine nature.
I wonder if our obsession with apologetics are just another form of ego rebellion -- a way to keep our selves at the center.
What God asks us to do from the beginning is to forego our own ideas of rightness by participating in the divine nature.
I wonder if our obsession with apologetics are just another form of ego rebellion -- a way to keep our selves at the center.
If you believe the prophetic voice of the church should be leveled at those outside of its walls more-so than those finding their home within, then we need to sit down & chat because I'm not sure we're reading the same scriptures.
To not hold the church to account flies is to lose our witness.
To not hold the church to account flies is to lose our witness.
January 20, 2026 at 5:03 PM
If you believe the prophetic voice of the church should be leveled at those outside of its walls more-so than those finding their home within, then we need to sit down & chat because I'm not sure we're reading the same scriptures.
To not hold the church to account flies is to lose our witness.
To not hold the church to account flies is to lose our witness.
Battling the symptoms we're currently facing in the US is important work.
Battling the systemic spiritual causes that led to these symptoms is even more important.
Until we face & cut out the root pursuit of wealth & power at any cost within our national DNA, we'll never be a free country.
Battling the systemic spiritual causes that led to these symptoms is even more important.
Until we face & cut out the root pursuit of wealth & power at any cost within our national DNA, we'll never be a free country.
January 20, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Battling the symptoms we're currently facing in the US is important work.
Battling the systemic spiritual causes that led to these symptoms is even more important.
Until we face & cut out the root pursuit of wealth & power at any cost within our national DNA, we'll never be a free country.
Battling the systemic spiritual causes that led to these symptoms is even more important.
Until we face & cut out the root pursuit of wealth & power at any cost within our national DNA, we'll never be a free country.
There is no way to turn the Gospel of Jesus Christ into an oppressor of any sort and remain faithful to its teachings of liberation, redemption, and victory over sin, death, and a spirit of empire (Antichrist).
None. Zero. Full Stop.
None. Zero. Full Stop.
January 19, 2026 at 2:05 PM
There is no way to turn the Gospel of Jesus Christ into an oppressor of any sort and remain faithful to its teachings of liberation, redemption, and victory over sin, death, and a spirit of empire (Antichrist).
None. Zero. Full Stop.
None. Zero. Full Stop.
Some of you Gen Xers and elder Millennials didn’t listen to enough Ice Cube, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, or Johnny Cash, and it’s showing in the taste of boot leather on your breath.
January 18, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Some of you Gen Xers and elder Millennials didn’t listen to enough Ice Cube, Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam, or Johnny Cash, and it’s showing in the taste of boot leather on your breath.
Let's normalize listening to albums again instead of playlists.
Today, I'm starting my morning off with The Gorillaz eponymously named debut album from 2001.
open.spotify.com/album/0YvYmL...
Today, I'm starting my morning off with The Gorillaz eponymously named debut album from 2001.
open.spotify.com/album/0YvYmL...
Gorillaz
Gorillaz · Album · 2001 · 18 songs
open.spotify.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Let's normalize listening to albums again instead of playlists.
Today, I'm starting my morning off with The Gorillaz eponymously named debut album from 2001.
open.spotify.com/album/0YvYmL...
Today, I'm starting my morning off with The Gorillaz eponymously named debut album from 2001.
open.spotify.com/album/0YvYmL...
What would it look like for the Church to confront the daily injustices in our world while also reclaiming its role as prophet & pastor in the valleys of dry bones that produced these dark days in the first place?
We have to avoid the trap of treating only the symptoms of the sickness.
We have to avoid the trap of treating only the symptoms of the sickness.
August 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
What would it look like for the Church to confront the daily injustices in our world while also reclaiming its role as prophet & pastor in the valleys of dry bones that produced these dark days in the first place?
We have to avoid the trap of treating only the symptoms of the sickness.
We have to avoid the trap of treating only the symptoms of the sickness.
From a scriptural point of view, an argument can be made that using people as props as you write your own story is one of the most egregious things we can do in the eyes of God.
August 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
From a scriptural point of view, an argument can be made that using people as props as you write your own story is one of the most egregious things we can do in the eyes of God.
If your country is funding policies that end with children holding empty pots and dishes through a fence hoping for some rice or stew, you’re NOT on the right side of history.
July 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
If your country is funding policies that end with children holding empty pots and dishes through a fence hoping for some rice or stew, you’re NOT on the right side of history.
So, how many of you went back to Twitter eventually because engagement was abysmal everywhere else?
July 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
So, how many of you went back to Twitter eventually because engagement was abysmal everywhere else?
Modernity taught us to eschew the mystery in exchange for scientific methods.
You can’t find the beauty of birdsong by dissecting the bird.
You can’t find the beauty of birdsong by dissecting the bird.
July 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Modernity taught us to eschew the mystery in exchange for scientific methods.
You can’t find the beauty of birdsong by dissecting the bird.
You can’t find the beauty of birdsong by dissecting the bird.
