Category: Spiritual Formation
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When We Don’t Have What it Takes
One of the most damaging aspects of the culture that I grew up in is the concept that I am sufficient. Whatever challenges I face, the necessary resources to overcome them are to be found within. I am capable. I am strong. I am creative. I am resilient. I am god. Most people don’t usually…
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When We Don’t Want What God Wants
One of the foundational Bible passages in my theology is Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. To me, this…
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Burnout
Let me begin by saying that I know my life is relatively easy. There are countless millions in this world who face burdens on a daily basis which make my life look like a walk in the park. But I think most of us struggle at times with our lot in life. At some point,…
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Unmet Expectations
Are you frustrated with the pace of your spiritual journey? Does it seem sometimes like you’ve lost the fire of your early walk with God? What kind of analogy do you use for your experience of becoming a child of God? Do you see it like The Pilgrim’s Progress, a long, arduous journey through unfamiliar territory? Do…
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Baptism
I’ve been thinking a lot about baptism lately. I wonder if the modern church is missing some of the profound significance of this sacred rite. As I understand it, the argument splits the church into two factions – those that believe the act of baptism is salvative, and those that believe baptism to be a…
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When Tragedy Strikes
“If you need anything, please let me know.” We’ve probably all said it. Someone we love experiences a devastating loss, and we want to support, encourage, and love them with a tangible expression of sympathy and devotion. But pain and grief cloud the mind. They appreciate the offer, but there’s nothing you can do. We…
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Choices
We are our choices. Jean-Paul Sartre Back in my teaching days, one of the most impactful classes I took was Child Psychology. I found it fascinating to think about how we begin to process information and learn how to learn. I believe we find ourselves as adults making massive assumptions about how children make decisions,…