DECONSTRUCTION AS PROGRESS There are misconceptions about deconstruction, which is the changing of our beliefs, the loss of our faith, and for many of us… leaving the church. Some of the misconceptions are these: We are correcting our mistaken spirituality. We are...
Are We Less Neurotic Now?
I pre-ordered a book because I was excited about it. I’m a fan of the Benedictine monk, Thomas Merton, and have read lots of what he wrote, but I’ve read all his journals. The book I just received is by Mary Gordon, On Thomas Merton. She’s a writer and she’s...
I Will Be Nice But You Don’t Have to Be
I WILL BE NICE BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE I realized a few weeks ago that I play a different role than many people online. Some claim I still have a “pastor’s heart”. What that means is I can’t help caring for people, thinking about them for the long haul, and giving...
Your Whole Life Doesn’t Have to Fall Apart
When I left the church in 2010 I was numb for about a year. I thought I was doing awesome when in fact I was completely unaware of how unwell I really was. I was going through a massive transition and my favorite way of dealing with stress is to turn off...
What’s the Meaning of Christmas Anymore?
"What's the Meaning of Christmas Anymore?" Lisa and I were relaxing over the Christmas holidays. I think we were having a glass of wine, listening to music, and reading in front of the wood stove. Ya. Nice. She abruptly asked me a question. She does this once in a...
YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY NICE
YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY NICE Maybe like me you grew up in a religious culture that valued superficial syrupy relationships rather than real authentic ones. It was our responsibility to be exceptionally nice, always forgiving, forever reconciling,...
Be Gracious With Yourself
Many people in TLS have gone through unbelievable ordeals. Some of you are still going through them. The chaotic confusion we experience when going through traumatic change is completely normal. Expect it! BUT... Is it possible to live so freely that you are not...
You are Perfect
This is something I’ve always believed to be true. It’s something I have taught many times before. But I always need reminding, and I love reminding others. So I’m reminding you right now. You plant a kernel of corn in the ground. You let it germinate. You let it...
Be With Me, Be With You
One of the things I came to learn over time as a pastor is that when you give people space, they will heal themselves. Some may do it quickly, while others may take a while. But it never fails: if people are provided a safe space and they desire wholeness, they will...
You’re Not a Failure!
You're Not a Failure! Recently, Lisa and I met a good old friend who used to go to my last church that I was the pastor of, and we had a little chat. I was telling her about that dream I had about my snowblower that I wrote to you guys last week. In a nutshell, one...
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