God, I hate uncertainty. I don’t like not knowing what’s coming next, not having a plan, not being able to make a well-informed choice about a long-considered path forward. I grew up in a church community that trained us well for certainty. To be sure about what’s right and wrong, clear about what happens when […]
If you’re in the wilderness, you are not alone!
Are you feeling the discomfort of living in between? Something is coming to an end or may already be done. What’s next isn’t clear. Before now the path was apparent, but now? Not so much. Options multiply. It’s hard to know which road is best. In this landscape, goal-making isn’t easy; sometimes, it doesn’t even […]
How a driven performer has found healing in a mystical prayer. (A Reflection on the Anchor Prayer)
I rest in faith, trusting Father.I walk by faith, following Jesus.I hear in faith, obeying Spirit.In You, I remain. These 22 words have shaped me over the past two years. They have become how I “pray without ceasing.” They are often a diving board into deeper conversation with the Spirit. They’ve become an ongoing reminder […]
Why this pastor talks about emotions so dang much.
I’ve worn glasses for a long time. Since 4th grade, I think. Without my glasses, the world beyond ten feet or so blurs into an indistinct mosaic of colored blobs. Not very safe for me to be out and about! Each morning there is a moment of transformation when I put on my glasses for […]
The Chapter I forgot to write.
It’s been a little more than eighteen months since The Wisdom Of Your Heart hit the shelves. In that time, I’ve had a lot of conversations with people about the book, and how it connected for them. Or how it didn’t. I’ve learned a lot. I learned that we need to talk about emotional health […]
4 Clues You Need Emotional Growth (TAW018)
Episode 018 – 4 Clues You Need Emotional Growth I went through a major crash that was the result of emotional immaturity and brokenness. But it shouldn’t have come as a surprise. There were clues that I ignored. Maybe some of these clues are in your life as well?
Did you know your Christian hero was a theological mess?
The internet has made two things very clear about the Christian community. First, a lot of us love to be right. Second, we feel especially right when we can castigate someone else for being wrong. Somewhere we got this idea that the thing God cares about most is that all of our theology is correct. […]
Can I Handle this Present Moment? Practicing Presence and the release of my Audiobook.
Today is just another day. People are living their lives, going to work, enjoying (or not enjoying) their kids. They are facing (or avoiding) their problems. They are enjoying the sunshine (today in Portland!) or whatever the weather is where they live. It’s just another day, but every normal day also carries the possibility of […]
You can meet God in your anxiety.
Not long ago I sent a question to the folks on my email list. I asked, “What questions do you have about emotions and faith?” The flood of responses surprised me. Clearly, this is a real-life struggle for many of us. One particular topic surfaced repeatedly. It was summarized best by this line from Errol […]
What’s an Inner Life, and do you have one?
The Hustle Lifestyle tells us that what matters most is the hard work we do to reach our goals. Other voices declare something else is the most important thing: our status, our income or our career. Or going deeper, maybe what matters most is our family, our relationships, or our inner sense of satisfaction? But […]
You’re NOT the only Jesus they’ll ever meet.
“You’re the only Jesus they might ever meet.” Wait… what? If you grew up in particular parts of the church world, then you’ve heard that statement before. That, or another version of it. “You might be the only Bible they’ll ever read.” Well, friends. Let’s be honest. Those statements right there? They’re manipulative bunk. Manipulative […]
When Christianity seems like just too much.
Christianity is about all of life. We get this, right? We’re no longer trying to live a compartmentalized life with a little side portion of faith. We understand that following Jesus impacts every part of our lives. Not just our morals and beliefs, but also our relationships, our vocation, our finances, and even our politics. […]
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 […]
Can Gratitude Save Your Life?
Thanksgiving happened not too long ago. We only just finished all the leftovers in the ‘fridge. Maybe, at your house, too. Perhaps at your gathering, people went around the table sharing something they were thankful for. If you went to church that week, undoubtedly the sermon was about gratitude. But then Black Friday came and […]
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