***Last week (Part 1) we made the “awareness” case. This week (Part 2) and next (Part 3) we get more practical, sharing the remaining nine of ten essentials for reaching those who’ve been hurt or disillusioned by the Church. For a full version of this article see here. 2) Empathy: It’s at this point that we, as believers, have a … Read More
Reaching Those Who’ve Been Hurt by the Church, Part 1 of 3
***Friends, this is an article I just prepared for Care Net’s network. I broke it down into three parts for the purposes of this blog. Spirituality wrongly understood or pursued is a major source of human misery and rebellion against God.[1] —Dallas Willard Last year, God gave me the fire to complete a book — and a handbook for discipleship … Read More
On Praying to Saints
This week, a dear friend shared: “I believe that the saints (Mary preeminent among them as the first recipient of the Gospel and as a prime example for all Christians of how to bear Christ within themselves) are alive with Christ and rejoice to aid God’s work on earth. We can ask for the intercessions and help in our own … Read More
Ten Foundational Beliefs for Building a Christian Legacy, Part 2 of 2
Last week, along with going to a good church—where often one first learns to belong and then believe, we suggested ten essential beliefs for building a Christian life and legacy. In part 1 we noted the first five—hope, grace, humility, the fear of the Lord, and sin—and here are the remaining five: Spirituality, a word that can mean many things … Read More
Ten Foundational Beliefs for Building a Christian Legacy, Part 1 of 2
I often grieve for those who’ve fallen off the cliff of life and are in bad sorts, resulting from some unique cocktail of wounds, circumstances beyond their control, personal choices, and/or the chains of some addiction. The good news for them and for all of us is: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed … Read More
Choosing Dancing Over Depression
“Life is a gift. We must celebrate it. We have to dance to show God we are grateful to be alive.” Rosie played by Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbit Well, we’re over a month in on this crazy Coronavirus rollercoaster. Just three weeks ago, in the midst of trying to launch a book, I was struggling like many of you … Read More
Finding Peace in a Global Pandemic
So much has happened these last few weeks and things keep changing every day! Praying for all of us to stay safe, flexible, and know how to navigate our responsibilities and callings in the coming days. The practical angst related to an incredulous lack of toilet paper aside, the more difficult quest for most of us is the search for serenity… Be … Read More
The Book Launch Series, Part 4 of 4
The paperback is now available! Although I never dreamed I’d be releasing this during a pandemic, as a friend told me this week, at least reading is consistent with social distancing! Please stay safe and get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085RNKTXY I’d also be extremely grateful if you’d help get the word out. You can use the same previous link to … Read More
The Book Launch Series, Part 3 of 4
***One more week till the paperback is available! The Missing Lyrics I found out when I was almost ready to publish How I Became a Christian Despite the Church that you have to pay royalties for using more than one line of a song in something sold for commercial purposes. AND that you have to do this even if you … Read More
The Book Launch Series, Part 2 of 4
Well, this week I got everything uploaded for the paperback and a proof copy is scheduled to be mailed to me for review by 3.16! One of the books’ cool features is a suggested song playlist that you can create using Spotify, iTunes, etc.. Or you can enjoy all but one of the songs for free on this playlist on … Read More