Mental Health

J.M. Nouwen’s life embodied meditation - deep and thoughtful consideration that sought not an empty mind, but one filled with God’s content. By filling it with the right content, and focusing seriously upon the kingdom of God within us, we can allow God’s spirit to master and transform us.

Daily Meditation and Spiritual Living: Review of You Are Beloved by Henri J.M. Nouwen

The word “meditation” stirs up many concepts, perceptions and thoughts when it’s said aloud. In fact, many Christians who fear allowing thoughts that might possibly dilute what they believe will balk at the word. However, the concept of meditation is a Biblical one....

read more...
Some people are seeking God in the wake of hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and personal Strife. He reveals himself not in the storm, but in the gentle whisper outside of it. If we genuinely are seeking God, we will come to know him as something more than an orchestrator of disaster and ruin.

Seeking God in Catastrophe and the Stillness After the Storm

When bad things happen, people often begin intentionally seeking God. I have thought a lot about that in the context of I Kings as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires are ravaging many lands. And, even as this is happening, citizens of the United States are...

read more...
A quitter knows the straight path can lead to a stale life, a misguided sense of priorities and keep us from becoming who we are meant to be.

Sometimes it Pays to be a Quitter

Quitter. It’s such a nasty little word. I am sure - like me - when you hear it, you immediately think to the refrains of “quitters never prosper.” Or perhaps, “quitters never win.” That’s advice that is well-intentioned, but perhaps is misguided. Looking back on my...

read more...
A balanced life is not an impossible ideal. Here’s some resources on focus, what it takes, and living Biblically while seeking a balanced life.

A Biblically Balanced Life – 7 Posts for Perspective and Wisdom

Gaining and having a balanced life is not an impossible goal. Of course, it’s not easy. It requires a lot of intentional focus and Biblical wisdom. Continuing in our Year of Listening up, here’s 7 resources. They'll show us how to focus, what it takes, and living...

read more...

Gaining a Heart of Wisdom – a Review of Street Smarts from Proverbs by Mitch Kruse

What does a life marked by wisdom look like? Does wisdom just happen, or must it be intentionally pursued? How is wisdom best applied in one’s life? What the heck is the purpose of wisdom? These are all questions I've personally pondered and they all are addressed in...

read more...
When your life balance is teetering, spiraling, fluctuating, and doing whatever it does for creating unbalanced realities, prayer to the one who restores should be our first action.

The Life Balance Myth and What You Can Do About it

Balance, life balance in particular, is something I am personally pondering during most of my days. It’s something I’m always aspiring toward and am always hoping to achieve for many reasons. Yet balance, life balance in particular, eludes me. I have pursued it in...

read more...
Veggie Tales had a legendary rise and just as legendary fall. Phil Vischer, through the experiences of it all, learned about setting our motives rightly on God and serving God’s will over our own. It’s a lesson he takes into his second act, focusing on deeper discipling and inspiring focused ministry.

How Phil Vischer’s Second Act Rises Above the Loss of Veggie Tales

As my home church was launching a young disciple's study from Veggie Tales creator, Phil Vischer, I was reminded of his Vischer’s own tale. It’s one of brokenness, challenge, triumph, defeat, loss, sorrow, regret, and coming back. I thought more about it and concluded...

read more...
When we seek healing to our pain, we have to know that hiding is not healing, that our response can determine how well we heal. And, even though scars usually will remain, we must ultimately release our pain before we are able to truly heal.

There’s No Healing a Wounded Spirit When You Run Away

When we need healing, we search all sorts of places to get the relief we seek. Of course, healing some events can be a more grueling process than others. Living in a culture where we expect immediate relief from merely taking a pill or syrup, it means we can be quite...

read more...
Are you facing trials or experiencing adversity? Have you found a silver lining or are you feeling desperate and hopeless. Take courage, beloved. For it is in our trials that we find meaning, we are refined, and - oh yes - God is glorified.

God Salvages a Silver Lining from All Your Adversities

Let’s face it: some things happen where there is no obvious silver lining. Sometimes, things just plain suck. Whether it is a one time event or a series of decisions or events that lead to it, life will have trials. We do and will continue to face adversity. And, in...

read more...

Join Our Community