First Things First: I’m Not a Good Guy… (AKA: In the Beginning There Was Spiritual Trauma)

First Things First: I’m Not a Good Guy… (AKA: In the Beginning There Was Spiritual Trauma) Hey! It’s been a while. I took a break. I’ve been working on myself and taking a "sabbatical" for some time now (always will...

So, What’s Up with the United Methodist Church: A Commentary from a Newbie’s Perspective

Okay, so I’ve wanted to write on this subject for a while now, but I didn’t feel like I had enough skin in the game to earn that right. I’m still not sure that I do, but I feel compelled...

Does THAT Love Still Exist?

Does THAT love still exist? Did it ever exist at all? I know I still love her, but does her love continue to breathe when she no longer does? Does THAT love still live? Did it ever live at all?...

My Thoughts on “Out of the Embers” by Dr. Brad Jersak (A Review & Teaser)

This week, I was privileged to join my friend, Daniel Rogers, on his podcast "Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace" to interview Bradley Jersak concerning his new book. Brad was gracious enough to send us a PDF copy of "Out of the...

Bitterness, Disagreements, and THOSE Holiday Family Conversations

Introduction: Many of you are dreading those conversations around the Thanksgiving and Christmas tables this year. I've been there. Fortunately for me, our family has become fairly healthy when it comes to communication these days. We can talk about just...

Navigating Faith Communities During De/Reconstruction Part 2

In the last article (see here) we talked about how some statistics say that up to 60% of those 43 and younger who grew up in the church or were converted to the church as a teenager or young adult...

Navigating Faith Communities During De/Reconstruction Part 1

I was reading a book the other day for a podcast interview I’m helping a friend with. It is a book by one of my favorite Christian thinkers, Bradley Jersak. It goes extremely deep into the journey of spiritual deconstruction...

Self-Care: Christians Put Themselves Last?

Our hearts were broken when my grandfather passed away. My mom and her siblings took his passing the hardest. Their relationship with their father was complex. You see, Grandpa was never completely present or honest with them. Up until his...

The Jesus Way: Be Kind to Others and Be Kind to Yourself!

I've heard others echo this sentiment before as well, but it is incredible to me how starved humanity is for things like words of encouragement, ears to listen, knowing they aren't alone, and transparent conversations. I've seen this principle in...

The Narrow Way, Bad Tree, and Bad Foundation (Matt. 7:13-29): “Depart from Me, I Never Knew You”

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and...