thoughts on life and faith
"Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality." - Alfred Painter Gratitude is an act of defiance. In this world, there is more to loathe than to be thankful for. When we see past the mountain of negative, much of which we are powerless to change, we see circumstances differently. It takes … Continue reading Thanks Through Gritted Teeth
53 That is the number of half started posts I have tucked away in the comfort of a hidden online folder, never to see the light of day. Some are only a handful of sloppily pasted words, while some have a paragraph of furious writing before fading into an unfocused haze. Many were written through … Continue reading What Inspires YOU, The Christmas Story, and My “Hidden” Folder
"We can all see God in exceptional things, but it requires the growth of spiritual discipline to see God in every detail. Never believe that the so-called random events of life are anything less than God’s appointed order. Be ready to discover His divine designs anywhere and everywhere." - Oswald Chambers Many of us bounce back … Continue reading God Isn’t There, Is He?
For me, the past week has been spent swimming in teen culture and studying the science of adolescence. I hope to share a lot of it on here, as it is fascinating and applicable for our understanding the world around us. One thing that has really stood out is the idea of risk. My job … Continue reading Healthy Risks
This month we "come together" I have been doing a considerable amount of time reflecting on that phrase and I feel as befuddled as when I begun. To think that any of us connect with anyone else at any point of time is nothing short of miraculous. For a certain half of people - those … Continue reading Come Together, Coffee Helps
1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you . . . - Psalm 9:1-2a Faith demands all of us. There is no room for any reservation or dual motivation. Worship works best when we let all … Continue reading Your Best Days Are Behind You
21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. - Romans 12:21 It is easy to become overwhelmed. While this has always been the case, it seems like the time we live in is just different. Recently, I talked to my doctor who lamented the stress people feel. She explained how endless news cycles, … Continue reading Good vs. Evil or Real Coffee vs. Decaf
"The best time of preparation for future ministry, are times of unemployment and a regrouping from past ministry." - Random man as Starbucks (paraphrased) The amount of spiritual conversations I have at random Starbucks by my home, would make you believe God prefers to interact with me over coffee than over confession. Last week, after … Continue reading God in the Waiting
4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. - Psalm 4:4-5 The word for "angry" can also be translated into "agitated" here. While we might not be sold on our anger, or with us being … Continue reading Go Ahead, Be Angry
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head - Psalms 3:3 It has been my experience that the Psalms are where God meets His creation in the grit of life. These have been an incredible source of comfort for me in the past days. I came … Continue reading The Lifter of Our Head
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