Learning to pay attention to your life is a spiritual discipline. Why? It’s hard to hear God speak, if you are never ‘here.’ Being present is an important part of a relationship with God. Don’t discount “mindfulness” as non-Christian or New Age mysticism. God is not present in your future or in your past. God […]
Quote – Growth is a Choice
Life happens to all of us. It’s what we choose to do with it that matters. [Tweet “Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice. -Bob Proctor”]
You Need a GOOD Bible. (How to Find a Good Bible, Part 1)
I’m a follower of Jesus. My own journey (and what I teach) is shaped by my experience with the Bible, as influenced by Christian theology and spirituality. Over the years this has narrowed like a laser to one focal point: Jesus. I purpose to be not just a believer, but an apprentice of Jesus. Saved by Jesus? […]
Quote – God is not about our comfort.
Brad is the lead pastor of LifePoint Church in Tampa, Florida. I don’t know anything else about him, but I love and so profoundly agree with his statement: “God is not about our comfort; He is about the development of our character.” So many Christians operate from an essential belief that God rewards strong faith […]
Quote – Avoiding Legitimate Suffering
Karl Jung is the inventor of analytical psychology. He’s not a theologian or even a Christian. But he thought deeply about the human mind and why we do what we do. This insightful tidbit his work “Psychology and Religion,” published in 1938. One of the things he wrote: “Neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate […]
Quote – Jesus’ Humiliating Lineage
Len Sweet and Frank Viola write an amazing book studying Jesus. This quote comes from the book. I highly recommend it. Check it out: “Jesus: A Theography.” The focus is the theological implications of Jesus’ life. Check out this insight. I think this is so powerful. “Jesus…came from a humiliating lineage…to show us no past […]
Quote – Wounded Faith
Wisdom often comes from the place of profound pain. Elie Wiesel is a Jewish-American writer who lived through some of the worst that World War II had to offer. His family was confined to a Nazi-imposed ghetto in Hungary, until they were interned at Auschwitz. From this terrible experience he was able to formulate some incredible wisdom, like this: […]
Quote – Treat People As If They Were
From 18th century German writer, statesman and philosopher, Goethe. Great relational wisdom: “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be & you help them to become what they are capable of being.” Wow. Our actions towards others cast a vision of who they can be. This is so deeply true for children, […]
Quote – Today I Shall Behave…
This one is from the well-known philosopher and theologian, Dr. Seuss. “Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” A great reminder. Who are we becoming based on the choices we are making in each moment? Our future and our character are built from the bricks of our momentary […]
Quote – The Irreligion of Religion
This one is from J.I Packer’s classic “Knowing God.” I am by no means Reformed or Calvinist in my thinking, but Packer can nail the details of self-righteousness better than most anyone. “There is nothing more irreligious than self-absorbed religion.” – J.I. Packer Religion so easily becomes a way that we hide from God. When […]
Jesus says you are not alone.
At this very moment a certain belief is tangled up in the threads of your heart. It’s woven itself insidiously into your consciousness. You’ve seen evidence around you suggesting this belief is true. As the evidence piles up, your heart has gotten heavier. Maybe this belief was the birth of your cynacism. Perhaps it’s taken the […]
Recovering Fundamentalist? What is that?
Writing a Twitter bio is an interesting experience. In 160 characters you attempt to summarize yourself. This is the first place that people on Twitter will look to make sense of who you are, and why you’re saying such crazy things. Some bios are littered with hashtagged bumper stickers of the #affiliations and #viewpoints! of […]
For when fear is holding you back.
When a brief overheard comment twists your stomach in knots, know there’s something there to pay attention to. Last week Tony Kriz did a reading for his new book, Aloof: Figuring out life with a God who hides. I’ve been getting to know Tony lately through a project we’re both involved with, and I wanted […]
Throwing out the vendors in your heart.
I was sitting in my office next to a man who was weeping. Terrible and selfish choices made years before had caught up with him. He lost his career, his livelihood, his family, and his dignity. He was absolutely certain that God was punishing him. He begged me to help him find some penance. He […]