What does the cross and Easter mean to you? There are SO many theories and such a variety of beliefs, it's almost as if the cross's impact is too poignant and powerful for words! In this year of seeing things clearly (2020), I'm choosing to meditate on and be enlivened by three main meanings Jesus gave it, … Continue reading Freedom, Celebration, and Unity: The Meaning of the Cross
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
I wonder if you can relate to this: In my mid teens I couldn’t wait to be able to drive. In high school I longed for college. At university I was anxious to graduate, move out of my parents’ house, and get a "real" job. As a single man I couldn’t wait to get married. … Continue reading How “This” is Heaven and “That” is Suffering
What do you do with your shame stories? When my dad was a boy his father, who he had a special connection with, was killed overseas. My mom was adopted and never met her bio parents. When I was a boy my parents divorced, and since my dad was in the Army, I was separated … Continue reading Finding Purpose and Healing in Shame
As embarrassing as it is to admit it, there have been plenty of times when I was so caught up in the hustle and bustle of DOING life, I completely missed that my wife was hitting on me. And even worse, I occasionally even got irritated Lisa was "interrupting" my dinner making, bill paying, blog … Continue reading The Preciousness of Pauses in Life
Sometime after Thanksgiving I noticed an unsettledness in my spirit, disquiet in my soul, angst in my mind, and ache in my heart. Interestingly, other people have shared they’re feeling similar things. With winter coming and the season of death approaching, I wonder if we’re experiencing a communal longing. Could it be that regardless of our … Continue reading The Soul Felt Its Worth
What does “heaven” mean to you? I put “heaven” in quotes, because in addition to what we usually think of when we hear the word “heaven”, I’m also talking about where do you want to be? What is paradise for you? What is the point and goal of life to you? More to the point, … Continue reading How Our View on “Heaven” is Wrecking Earth: An Observation on Global Warming and Salvation
Have you ever wanted to die? I distinctly remember sitting on a plane preparing for landing, when it hit a patch of turbulence that jerked us so violently it seemed we would crash. As the other passengers' faces turned to horror with loud gasps and cries, all I could think was: "Yes! Thank God I'm … Continue reading Who are YOU? How Finding Our Identity in Christ Saves Us
I've been a Christian my whole life. As a young adult and into the onset of my thirties, I was of the Evangelical and conservative sort, generally speaking. It seems as life happened and things got real, my beliefs shifted and changed. To make a long story short, and to greatly oversimplify for the sake … Continue reading A Letter to a Concerned Friend on How/Why Christ Still Means EVERYTHING to Me
We become what we think about. - Earl Nightingale Recently a friend of mine was having a REALLY hard day and tearfully shared with me: “What is WRONG with ME?” The story isn’t mine to tell, so I’ll just say my confidant was heartbroken and disoriented. As we talked for a while my heart … Continue reading A Case for Naming Ourselves “Beloved” Instead of “Sinners”: Shame Doesn’t Belong in the Reign of Love
Grace and Peace Yoga 