In light of this week's beloved and hated holiday, I want to share some thoughts. This is yet another topic that divides Christians, and like many other points of disagreement, it is not a simple one. Our theology directs us to one side or the other on the subject of Halloween. An oversimplification may set … Continue reading What’s Your Take on Halloween?
Challenges
Church – It’s Complicated
I have to confess something. I have a love-hate relationship with the Church. It probably goes back to childhood, around the Sunday dinner table, when we had roast preacher each week, along with mashed Sunday school teacher, and tossed board chairman. I love Jesus a lot more than any denomination. I know, I know. I’ve … Continue reading Church – It’s Complicated
Fault-finding Fallacy
I did it again. I watched him sigh and leave the room. He didn’t snap back. He just removed himself from my criticism. He used to throw a quick response back, but not so much anymore. I immediately felt guilty, because I knew I fell back into the familiar pattern of fault-finding. My motive is … Continue reading Fault-finding Fallacy
Dental Floss for the Soul
I’m thankful for social media. I’m thankful that I finally gave in and joined the party. I’ve met so many nice, interesting, faith-filled, smart, funny people – everyone doesn’t necessarily have all five qualities. I’m doing the #DailyGratitude challenge again this month on Twitter. It’s a great spiritual discipline to make the first post of … Continue reading Dental Floss for the Soul
Lives of Desperation
Nobody checks themselves into a mental health facility just for the fun of it. Desperation is usually the motivation. For several years, I was a therapist for a partial hospitalization program. Many of the patients were middle aged adults who were in desperate situations. Our partial program served people who had dual diagnoses of mental … Continue reading Lives of Desperation
Agree or Disagree, That is the Question.
I intend for this post to stir up more questions than answers. In our very polarized society, it's easy to find a cause or position and to identify those on the opposite side as our enemies. Instead of finding some equilibrium in our discourse, the pendulum seems to be swinging further apart on either side. … Continue reading Agree or Disagree, That is the Question.
Lessons in Tisha B’Av
This weekend (Aug. 10 – 11, 2019) our Jewish brothers and sisters are coming to the end of “the nine days” before their day of fasting and mourning on Tisha B’Av - the Ninth day of the month of Av. Tradition says, on that same day, the first and second Temples were destroyed, 656 years … Continue reading Lessons in Tisha B’Av
