How Second Acts Honor God and Cling Not to Our Pasts
Restoration – or second acts – is something my community really identifies with. In fact, our history is a source of pride, civic unity and – to be totally honest – we owe a significant portion of our tourism lift to that history. I’ve written,...
Must We Lament? How Can We Not Lament?
It’s good to lament. Or maybe not. Who knows? Maybe we better back up and first ask “what does it mean to lament?” To answer that, let’s consult Got Questions, where they say: To lament is to express deep regret, grief, or sorrow. We can lament through words or...
Being a Difference Maker When Justice Seems Unlikely
I gotta think we all would like to say we are a difference maker in some form. Whether it is in the lives of our children, in our careers or through our service to others, we make an impression. The type of impression, though, should be one of positivity and valuable...
Our Duty to Rescue and Rejecting the Bystander Effect
I was introduced to the concept of the Bystander Effect while refining my understanding of seeing individuals, not crowds. I have no doubt that you have seen it in action many times over. As have I. In the simplest terms, it is an unwillingness to speak up or take...
Our Spiritual Headphones And Where We Are Really Missing Out
A lot of people suffer from the fear of missing out, or FOMO. You see, we all like to be included and don’t want to be the one missing out on the good times, great experiences and epic moments. During a conversation with a worship leader, I was struck by her reference...
4 Reasons You Need to Fix it
You may be familiar with the phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s practical advice. Unfortunately, though, it discourages the taking of risks.I Iwas am reminded of a time when I was challenged along with a group of other like-minded individuals, to...
Facing Fears… and Trying Not to Throw Up
Facing fears can come in various sizes. There can be enormous fears, like getting out of toxic relationships because a fear of being alone outweighs the alternatives. And we can also be facing fears that some may consider silly, like spiders, clowns or traveling too...
When it’s Hard to Get Past Your Past
Letting go is never easy. This is true for many reasons – comfort with the familiar is one such reason. In this case, comfort holds us back. Of course, some things are easier to let go of than others. Yet, it’s important to know and remember that...
How to Be Available to God and God’s Calling
What’s it mean to be available to God? It’s a question I’ve pondered over the course of several years and really am just beginning to grasp an understanding of it. Over the course of January, it’s something we’re going to explore in more detail as we...
Securing Your Nest Against the Storms of Life
Every spring, my family looks forward to welcoming birds into our trees as they build their nests and begin their families. We are treated to “fostering” many robins but have also had doves and blue jays stay with us for brief seasons. It’s great to watch them...