[featured-image link=”null” link_single=”inherit” single_newwindow=”false”]Image courtesy of Coralie Mercier, licensed under Creative Commons[/featured-image] One of my main goals as a teacher, counselor, pastor, and writer is to help people who are really feeling lost on the faith journey. At the bottom of this post you will find links to posts that I believe might be helpfulContinue reading “A Primer for those Struggling with Faith”
Category Archives: GOD STUFF
Lessons in love from Dexter and Breaking Bad
If you have not watched either Showtime’s Dexter, or AMC’s Breaking Bad, chances are pretty good you have been living in a hole, but I’ll begin with a quick summary. Dexter tells the story of Dexter Morgan, a handsome, charismatic blood spatter analyst who moonlights as a serial killer, killing only the guilty who wereContinue reading “Lessons in love from Dexter and Breaking Bad”
Reading Scripture
A lot of people come to me, as a pastor, wanting to know if there are specific books they should read to help them study the Bible. Certainly those books are out there, but I think something else has to come first. People need instruction on how to read sacred writing. When I speak of howContinue reading “Reading Scripture”
Staying Open, Choosing Life
Today I was thinking about all the different perspectives people bring to the world. Some people are happy and optimistic. Some are always negative. Some believe if they work hard they will eventually succeed. Others believe in fate — that life is already laid out for them and there’s nothing they can do to changeContinue reading “Staying Open, Choosing Life”
Truly transformational counseling, prt. 2
Today I want to give you the last five of ten questions and issues you may end up considering in counseling that is deeply transformational. 6. Where is God in the darkest, nastiest places in your life? We know God is with us, so wherever you are, God is there too. But what is GodContinue reading “Truly transformational counseling, prt. 2”
Truly transformational counseling, prt. 1
Most counseling, if done well by the therapist, and taken seriously and applied by the client (both very big ifs), can be transformational on some level. But there is an approach that will dig WAY down, really help you uncover some amazing stuff about yourself, and help you get free to experience incredibly powerful change.Continue reading “Truly transformational counseling, prt. 1”
My Broken-Hearted Summer
[I normally try not to use a lot of scripture in my posts, because I have a lot of readers who do not relate to it. Please bear with me. This post, unlike most others, was written not primarily for my readers, but for me. Still, I really hope it speaks to someone.] This summer,Continue reading “My Broken-Hearted Summer”
A Body of Broken Bones, prt. 2
It is the rankling, tormenting sense of unworthiness that lies at the root of all hate. The man who is able to hate strongly…is the one who is…blind to all unworthiness in himself and serenely capable of seeing all his own wrongs in someone else. But the man who is aware of his ownContinue reading “A Body of Broken Bones, prt. 2”
Be the Change, prt. 5 — Presence
There but unaware Have you ever driven from one place to another and then realized that you could not remember actually driving? It seems like you were in a trance, like you stepped into the car at home and got out at your destination, right? You were there, but you were not present. Human beingsContinue reading “Be the Change, prt. 5 — Presence”
Be the Change, prt. 4
Scrapping the Presumption of Basic Rightness Bin Laden like you and me? How are Osama bin Laden and your angry, screaming boss alike? Answer: They both did what they did under the assumption that they were fully justified in doing it. In this way, most people are like bin Laden (please hear me out before theContinue reading “Be the Change, prt. 4”
Temp Arbor 