I remember a skit from when I went to university in the '90s. I was in Campus Crusade for Christ (I even emceed our big meetings for a good while), and this play featured a silent Jesus following a college student everywhere they went--studying, partying, going to church, etc. The point, as I remember it, being: … Continue reading Love is Everything and Everywhere
Have you ever seen a message notification in passing, and created a whole storyline around it before actually reading it ... only to have none of what you imagined probable/possible turn out to be true? I got a FB message from a pastor friend about a shocking death 😮 with a link to an article about it. Since he'd never messaged me … Continue reading The Power of the Stories in Our Heads
Not knowing the struggles we’d face in August; I named my yoga class this month “Kindness Warrior”. There’s something magical about moving through life’s struggles, storms, and even sweetness, with kindness. As fate would ironically have it, we’ve gotten to live this mentality “out loud”, as we’ve faced some major challenges and stressors! Yet, isn’t that how life … Continue reading Being a Warrior for Kindness
Do you ever struggle with doing something you know you should, and even want to do? That was me when it came to being kind and compassionate, and caring well for others, until about 15 years ago. What changed me? Like drill sergeants of kindness, the people of Valley Bible Fellowship spoke, displayed, and invited … Continue reading Love is a Gateway Drug
There's a light inside you that's you that can't go out. There's a kindness within you as warm as the sun. Wholeness and wellness are more intrinsic to you than your first and last names. An original goodness animates you from the inside out. Your radiant, inborn beauty shines brighter than stars. The flames of the … Continue reading A Love Letter to You
As fear of COVID-19 and the divisiveness of a presidential election sweep across America, I'm reminded how very political Jesus was in pretty UN-American ways. At a minimum, I believe the Christ invites people of any, or no, religion to a new, incredible way of being human. One marked by togetherness, interdependence, caring for all, … Continue reading The Politics of Christianity
Has anyone ever said or written something to/about you that made you feel like your heart had been literally stabbed? I got an email like that the other day. Ouch! I've come to realize the thing that tears me apart the most is when someone inaccurately thinks or speaks poorly of my character, nature, intentions, … Continue reading What I’m Doing with a Hurtful Email
When my wife and I saw "Just Mercy", a movie based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson fighting for people unjustly convicted or sentenced, my eyes teared and heart ached the entire movie. We have this "interesting" human tendency where instead of doing the hard work to face and heal an issue head-on, we put … Continue reading Just Mercy: Healing Ourselves and Our Country
One of the big blessings of growing up as an Army brat, was I got to live in Germany. From the git go, this helped me realize the beauty of otherness and value of different perspectives. So, when a friend said something about praying as a command/statement instead of a plea or request, because that's … Continue reading The Flow of Prayer
Growing up, and as a young adult, giving money/time to charity, church, or to help others was like pulling teeth. I did it ... reluctantly. My now teenage daughter, though, gleefully had a garage sale to raise money to get 25 Christmas presents for less fortunate kids. My sister and brother-in-law are joyous foster parents. … Continue reading The Freedom of Shifting from a “Got to” to a “Get to” Mentality
Grace and Peace Yoga 