Encouraging one another, all the more
Safety has been on my mind lately – perhaps yours as well. At every turn, safety becomes one of the first criteria I use to make a decision. Should I go into this store? Should I spend time with this person? Should I go home and visit my family? Should I stop to get gas […]
2020 has had a ROUGH go of it thus far. There is a lot to say about the suffering happening around the planet, but I don’t want to say any of it. Not today and not in this medium. Instead, I thought I would share the only realization that is getting me through this time. […]
In counseling, we emphasize several key points to clients for goal-setting to be more successful. Two of the most important are some of the most simple – and challenging. First, if possible, goals should be framed positively. For example, “I want to stop drinking” (negative) vs. “I want to be sober” (positive). Or, “I don’t […]
We know that community is important to God. He is one God, with three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He made Adam and Eve because it was “not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) He sent out the disciples two by two. He reminds us to “not neglect meeting together.” (Hebrews 10:25) […]
This piece is primarily addressed to my fellow White American brothers and sisters. When I was little, I would revel in the collection of stickers. I always loved finding pretty ones and shiny ones. I loved the ones with special characters and big vinyl stickers and traditional gold stars. I always had high hopes for […]
In any healthy relationship, we have to recognize our own sin and our own harmful contributions to the relationship and be a spouse/friend/employer/church leader marked by repentance.
What do I do when I feel I’m about to compare my troubles to someone else’s?
On November 8, 2016, I curled into my bed at 3 am repeating, “No, no, no, this can’t be,” as my friend attempted to console me. We were glued to our TVs late into the night, witnessing the surprising win for the 45th Presidency of the United States. In 2016, I would be called an […]
“Be still my soul”…easier said than done in this present time. Worrying has been a daily presence in my mind–the health of my loved ones, the jobs of my family and friends, my own job, my students, the future in general, being completely isolated if I get the virus. How am I supposed to keep […]
“Without me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 This simple line of scripture has felt relevant over, and over, and over again since March 16th. Lacking Control – COVID-19 Edition Like most of you, my life has been put on hold, turned sideways, and restarted again on a much slower setting in the three weeks […]