Month: May 2017

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your … Continue reading What is My Calling? →

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5) Recently I had the opportunity to talk to around fifty teens about labels. I'm convinced that no one understand being labeled quite like teenagers. … Continue reading Everyone Has A Label →

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) We are in constant need of grace reminders. It is so critical that we refresh our mind with such thoughts. Within the context of grace, Jesus … Continue reading End of You and The Start of Him →

I was listening to comedian Aziz Ansari speak on success in his profession and something he said struck me. Aziz actually feels better about his art when his comedy is bombing than when the entire audience is laughing. He explained that when he fails, he knows it is because he didn't play it safe and … Continue reading What Aziz Ansari Taught Me About Risk →

Lord, you were favorable to your land;     you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;     you covered all their sin.          (Selah) 3 You withdrew all your wrath;     you turned from your hot anger.  (Psalm 85:1-3) I woke up frustrated today. Well actually the frustration came when I did something out of character … Continue reading Facebook, Anger, and Why I Need Coffee →

And if you don't believe the sun will rise, stand alone and greet the coming night in the last remaining light - Chris Cornell "The Last Remaining Light" I was in eighth grade when I heard "Black Hole Sun" for the first time. It was a surefire hit. Being a newly minted teen perhaps helped gain … Continue reading Suicide and the Burden of Living →

Blessed is the one who trusts in you! (Psalm 84:12) As I sunk into the all too comfortable couch in my newly found counselor's office, I felt my walls begin to lower. As I worked quickly to catch her up on the last eight months of life, she listened with a trained but awkward silence. … Continue reading Lessons From My Shrink →

"God will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others" - Oswald Chambers Your pain has purpose. The struggle you face in each 24 hour span of time can be redeemed. More than this, it is observed by the many who surround you. In the nothing is wasted economy of … Continue reading God, What Are You Doing? →

Mothers day at Western Reserve are always great. There is no population of human beings more overlooked than moms and it is refreshing when the Church, in however small a way, can recognize this. Of course a free ice cream sundae, tuned down mimosa, and a devotional can never repay or even represent our appreciation … Continue reading Moms Are Kind of a Big Deal →