When the Garden runs wild.

I’ve been working to remove unhelpful metaphors from my thinking these days. In our accomplishment-focused, hustle-paced world, many of our central metaphors are mechanistic. We’re thinking of our hearts and our minds like machines, or assembly lines, or computers. These metaphors, however, do us harm because we are not machines.

Consider Your (Inner Life) Gardening Tools

Hustle culture surrounds us. Coaches and motivational speakers offer the secrets to productivity. We’re motivated (or maybe warned) that we all have the same 24 hours! The implied question is, “Why aren’t you making the most of yours?” Even pastors and spiritual coaches, who you’d think would know better, add to the noise. Do more. […]

Your Heart is a Garden

Increasingly, the passage of time seems a blur. We’re already a month into 2023! These midwinter months push us inward. Blankets, sweaters, and hot beverages are tangible evidence of our desire for sanctuary and peace. Yet, instead of going into hibernation, this inward drive can provide a natural time for reflecting on who we are. […]

What is a spiritual life? Do I have one?

Few words are quite as squishy as “spiritual.” Some avoid using it because it’s open to so many interpretations. After all, the term is used by all sorts of people, probably even people who disagree with you! Yet, I think spiritual is a worthy and helpful word.  Note: This post is an edited version of an essay […]

1 reason that new spiritual program or spiritual practice might not be for you.

It’s not unusual to hear some practice or program billed as the next thing that will supercharge your spiritual life. Use this new small group curriculum. It will take you deep as you “do life together.” Take this insightful new personality inventory. You’ll really understand how God made you so that you can live more […]

The Spiritual Discipline of Minding Your Own Damn Business (TAW013)

Episode 013 – The Spiritual Discipline of Minding Your Own Damn Business There’s an important spiritual practice you might be overlooking. Lots of people are. But this one little thing can bring you a lot of peace. And I know you and me both could use more inner peace. That practice? Minding your own damn […]

Today’s the Day!

We’re still in January, the annual month-long festival of goals and new opportunities. I love new beginnings. A new chance is always good news, a reminder that everything is grace. But I also know this season of new-life-new-me declarations and goal setting can weigh heavy. After all, what’s our track record? Most resolutions fail. (See […]

Where is Jesus in this moment?

It’s a new year. If you haven’t already set some new goals and decided on new spiritual practices you want to try, you’re probably feeling pressure to do that. After all, it seems like everybody else is doing it! When we think about spiritual growth, most of us seem to think in one of two […]

Don’t Mistake the Trellis for the Grape (TAW010)

Episode 010 – Don’t Mistake the Trellis for the Grape Spiritual practices are crucial for intentional spiritual growth. They are so important that it’s easy to start thinking that they really are what matters most. But that would be a dreadful mistake. N0 matter how helpful our various spiritual practices are, we can never confuse […]

Worshipping as a Child.

I was reading in Matthew this morning and came across a little scene that sparked my thoughts.  It’s the well-known passage where the disciples keep some children from coming to Jesus, and Jesus corrects them. Here’s the passage, Luke 19:13-14. “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray […]

The Connection Between Gratitude and Worship

There are some things my parents used to say to me that I never thought I’d ever say.  But things have changed.  Now that I have a 4 1/2 year old and 3 year old running around the house, I’m starting to sound a bit like a broken record (or perhaps a sampled drum loop, […]

Declare Your Creed-In-Process.

I was reflecting on Matthew 16:15 as a part of my personal worship a few days ago. This is the moment where Jesus asks his disciples who they really think he is.  They tossed around the latest news – some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist back from the dead.  Others thought that perhaps he was […]

Write Your Own Psalm (v1)

Note: There is an updated version of this post here: Try This: Write A Psalm Christians know, of course, that the Bible is meant to occupy a central role in our lives and worship.  Many of us grew up with some kind of morning devotion or “quiet time” practice and we’ve all heard that we’re supposed […]