Category Archives: Uncategorized

While walls look imposing and prevent neighbors from regularly interacting, they also work great to keep pets safe in our yards. Whenever we let our animals out, I ensure all our gates are shut so they can enjoy running free in a safe environment where other animals or people cannot access and where they cannotContinue reading “I Am The Gate”

As fires erupted in Southern California this past January, the discourse was riddled (and largely still is) with questions swirling around who is at fault. Every time I went to the news or social media to find out information about what was going on, I encountered more vitriol and accusations than actual news, and IContinue reading “That God’s Works Might Be Revealed”

If we show up at a party, in the different group dynamics, there will inevitably be someone who seems aloof and pulled away from everyone else in a group setting. Group dynamics dictate several thoughts that might run across our minds. Some might view the person negatively as “stuck-up” while others see it as aContinue reading “Neither Do I Condemn You”

Who are you? So many of us struggle to identify ourselves. We find ourselves not fully identifying with one group or another, because unlike what we see portrayed in media, most of us don’t perfectly fit into the boxes society tries to assign us. Unfortunately, when people learn a couple things about us, they mayContinue reading “I Know Him, I Am From Him”

Fear leads to anxiety and allows our minds to drift quickly to the worst-case scenario. We think about the myriad of things we might lose and have trouble discerning reality from the actionable things directly in front of us. Instead of focusing on the things we can control, we throw our hands up and yieldContinue reading “Do Not Be Afraid”

God has placed all of us in community with one another. However, one thing we do best is find ways that separate us and cause us to isolate ourselves from the community. The original purpose for a set of rules and regulations often has a place in determining how we can best work together andContinue reading “I Am Working”

Our society and organizations (including churches) have many unwritten rules about proper and reasonable actions. It is discouraged to transgress these norms for fear that we might have consequences and lose our status or authority in certain circles. My mind immediately goes to the person who comes in smelling bad and is dressed poorly andContinue reading “Give Me A Drink”

When we have been a member of a faith community for a long time, our thoughts might become enmeshed with the larger group’s thoughts and ideas about how we might live out our faith. However, in some situations, our tradition might lock in our thinking and turn it into something based upon tradition and notContinue reading “That The World Might Be Saved”

At a four-way stop, traffic flows smoothly and safely if everyone follows the rules. However, if someone disregards the stop sign, the chance of an accident increases significantly. If there are no consequences for this behavior, the likelihood of repeated offenses rises, creating a dangerous situation for everyone. Similarly, in many churches, worship has becomeContinue reading “STOP”