Forgiveness 201: Do I Have to Let My Offender Back In?

Forgiveness 201: Do I Have to Let My Offender Back In?

It’s real. Someone hurt you, badly. There was a betrayal of trust, a callous insult, a rejection or an abuse. Now, you are seething with anger inside. Since the incident, bitterness has become your constant companion. Pricey We’ve all heard that forgiveness will free...
Jail Break: Getting Free from Unforgiveness

Jail Break: Getting Free from Unforgiveness

I witnessed it just the other day. Someone’s name was mentioned, and it touched off a firestorm in the woman next to us. Her face hardened and her voice lowered. Veins began to pop in her neck. She had no idea how bound she was by bitterness, but those around her...
A Christmas Story, Circa 1998

A Christmas Story, Circa 1998

It happened when our kids were very young. The three of us, two-year-old Zach, nine-month-old Jane, and very old Daddy were on a quest to get “the Christmas picture.” Somehow Mommy had conveniently scheduled this for a time when she was working.   The Picture...
The Holidays and You, Happier

The Holidays and You, Happier

Each holiday season comes with expectations of a warm home coming, good food and joyful celebrations. Unfortunately, these cultural assumptions only accentuate what many long for and don’t have. It’s no secret that struggles with loss, anxiety and depression often...
For Those of Us Who Do Too Much

For Those of Us Who Do Too Much

Frankly, I didn’t know which way was up. After an intense season of details and deadlines, my soul was fried. I suppose that’s why these words didn’t make sense. Be. Be still. Be with. Be in. They composed the counsel my spiritual director gave at...
Why You Feel So Tired

Why You Feel So Tired

“They’re just tired.” I kept hearing this off-handed comment from pastors and leaders with little explanation. When it showed up in three coaching conversations in four days, I realized something deeper was going on.   “Could you tell me more about that?” I...
Monday Manna – What We Do Best

Monday Manna – What We Do Best

It was just another Sunday. Ten-year-old Valeria and her family attended church as usual, but then the unexpected happened. A Bible verse sparked something in Valeria and wouldn’t let her go. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which...
After Uvalde

After Uvalde

Uvalde, a town mostly unknown until last week, is now seared into our collective consciousness. It’s branded there by an inhuman horror that has occurred – again. How does this happen in America? At Robb Elementary School, kids had dressed up for “Footloose and...
Who Have You Been With Lately?

Who Have You Been With Lately?

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. -Jesus, John 15:4 (NRSV) Abiding. It sounds like a good thing, Certainly, Jesus thought it was important, but is it even...