What comes to mind when you think about the Holy Spirit? For some, they picture the Spirit of God as a type of force or power to tap into in order to see God do big things. Personally, for a long time, the Holy Spirit was the most mysterious of the Godhead, since I heard …
Category: Blog
The Trinity: Unity and Diversity
There has been a lot of ground covered over the last four posts and I want to attempt to put it altogether. Just as I started — if someone asks me about the Trinity, instead of looking puzzled and sidestepping the question, I would like to answer with what I do understand. There is mystery, …
Favorite Reads
Books to Challenge Cultural and Race Engagement For My Residency Dream with Me: Race Love, and the Struggle We Must WinBy John M. PerkinsI have much to learn about a lot of things, including race relations. I honestly think I will never stop being a student. I imagine in heaven when every nation, tribe, language …
Need Hope?
Hope. What do you need hope for right now? I imagine we can each easily call something to mind for which we need hope. Or, we can anticipate the times that will come when finding hope will be a challenge. As I continue from Psalm 23 in Need Peace, this last part has given me …
Need Peace?
One thing I wish was a constant in life is peace. On a superficial level, I just wish it wasn’t so busy during this season (and every season) of the year. I have to fight for moments of stillness and reflection. That sounds peaceful, right? Fight for peace! On a deeper level I think we …
Need Rest?
Life is crazy. I just expect this time of year to be this way. There is the shopping, the decorating, the bombardment of emails, the hosting, the baking… Unfortunately, often the Christmas season equals busy. To sidestep this I have been turning Psalm 23 over in my mind. Yes it is familiar, but timeless and …
Made Marvelous
I like the ring of this phrase- “made marvelous.” Maybe because “marvelous” is not a customary part of my vocabulary, or maybe because marvelous is just a good sounding word, I like it. This morning I read these two words and became curious. What about you? I want to know, what was “made marvelous?” It …
Questions for Pursuing Diversity
Updated note: This was written before many of the challenging issues that followed 2018. I realize how much I don’t know still. I am also reminded that the heart of this post is still true for all my relationships. Being a learner of others, hearing others, and listening is always a good place to start. …
Clarifying Discipleship
One of the most motivating parts of leadership is seeing lives changed. Life change is energizing and motivating even in the most trying times as a leader. On the other hand, it is discouraging when we question whether we are making an impact at all. Does what we do make a difference? Does it matter? …
Creating Solutions with Prayer
As a leader we solve problems. It is discouraging though when too many issues need a solution or need our attention. It can be a challenge to know which holes to fix. As I mentioned in the previous post, Identifying the Big Rocks, I came to to the end of the year and into planning feeling this …
Identifying the Big Rocks and Making a Plan
“What do we want to focus on so that we can see our goals reached?” Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just ask that question and rattle off our plan for the next year? Well, it can be a challenge for any of us to effectively identify our next steps for moving forward in …
The Beauty of Surrender: the Satisfied Life
Think about when you are most satisfied. Something important to you makes you feel good or happy. Yet this may not be the thing that actually satisfies our soul. We need “soul satisfying.” Soul Satisfying The satisfied life is a content life. Content does not equal happy, but rather it is a full life with …
Confession, the Gateway to the Satisfied Life
Part 2 in the Satisfied Life-Practically, in our everyday life we often treat God like a distant relative, or He is “up there” somewhere. We go for periods of time without talking to Him, consulting Him or thanking Him. We have more of a contractual relationship; if we do our part, He will reward or do …
What am I Depending on to be Satisfied?
What are you depending on? My conversations with others (and in my own head) of late have included this question. Or, I could say it this way, “What am I counting or relying on day-to-day to bring me satisfaction, fulfillment, rest, or reprieve?” As I reflect on this, I can see how much I anticipate …
Unraveling sin, one thread at a time
Easter week, Psalm 41: The anger could not be avoided. It was open for all to see and hear, as tables were turned and irate voices followed. “Impossible. Embarrassing. Unlikely. What right does he have?” These were the thoughts of the crowd. Others thought, “It’s about time. Finally. Serves them right! Who would have the …
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