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Category: Featured

Grief During the Holidays

Posted on December 15, 2024December 15, 2024 by Michael Rose
AH! The Holidays!! - the gift buying, the busy social schedule, and financial pressures. These aside, for many people, the holidays seem to make the grief we feel with the loss of a loved one extra fresh. This grief can undoubtedly be a result of losing a family member or close friend to death, and...
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Deconstructing your Faith? A bit of what I learned during my Deconstruction.

Posted on November 28, 2024November 28, 2024 by Michael Rose
About 20 years ago, I began my personal deconstruction - this involved stepping away (dismantling)from Big Box ministry. It cost me friends, notoriety, my ministry equity and reputation, my false sense of certainty about all things God, and … a paycheque. I write about it in my 2012 book “Becoming Love. Avoiding Common Forms of Christian Insanity.” ...
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No, God Doesn’t Choose Bad Leaders

Posted on November 17, 2024November 17, 2024 by Michael Rose
I promised myself I wouldn’t write about the recent US election. Frankly, I’m tired of it all and unsure if the frenzied energy and attention are helping or hindering. But still, I will brush up against the US election results without actually writing about it. In this instance, folks who tend to lean to the...
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Why Love?

Posted on November 6, 2024November 13, 2024 by Michael Rose
I’ll state the obvious. I’m an idealist(not to be confused with lazy passive optimism).  The novel and the beautiful capture me. However, my idealism can be double-edged, for sure.   As Stanley Kubrick’s character General Broulard profers, “You’re an idealist, and I pity you as I would the village idiot.”1 Maybe he’s right to do so.  Perhaps I’m...
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You’re In when you Feel Most Out

Posted on October 30, 2024November 13, 2024 by Michael Rose
Many of us are familiar with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  You know, Blessed are the poor.  Blessed are the ... .  There are two words that translate into "Blessed" in first-century Judaism. The first, in Hebrew beraka (and the Greek eulogeo) and this word isn't used in the Beatitudes. This word is used in prayer, asking for a blessing. For...
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Lifting the Light

Posted on October 16, 2024November 13, 2024 by Michael Rose
This story opens a host of possibilities for engaging in life awake. It’s not about over-the-top heroism by making a single seismic difference; rather, it’s about a lifestyle of being aware of the everyday opportunities for healing the parts of the world that you come in contact with as a part of living your life.
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What is Spiritual Direction?

Posted on July 18, 2024July 18, 2024 by Michael Rose
Spiritual direction is an ancient practice where an individual seeks guidance and support in their spiritual journey from a qualified and experienced spiritual director. "Director" is kind of a misnomer. It's more like spiritual companionship or a "soul friend." It involves a safe one-on-one relationship with a spiritual companion who offers a compassionate presence and listens attentively as the individual shares their spiritual journey.
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Beginnings & Endings

Posted on September 11, 2023September 11, 2023 by Michael Rose
I was struck by the juxtaposition of new beginnings and endings. Celebration and grief inhabiting the same space in time, in the lives of my family, and in my own heart.
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Trauma Bond

Posted on August 18, 2023September 11, 2023 by Michael Rose
Jesus as a trauma bond rings true (in degrees) in my experience/work but the phrase sets me back on my heels.
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Awakening in Christ’s Body

Posted on August 4, 2023September 11, 2023 by Michael Rose
Relationships are as varied and unique as people themselves but constitutive of what it is to be human (to exist). Relationship is a powerful dynamic between us, others, the world and our source (God).
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My Blog – Articles

  • I Smell Like Sheep Poop: Spirituality of Work
    August 16, 2011

    I Smell Like Sheep Poop: Spirituality of Work

    I got a call from a friend a couple of days ago. He has a small sheep herd of about 100 head and he was needing help sorting them. Some had to go to market. Some had to be tagged and tattooed. And some needed to be culled off for shearing. I love a day...
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  • Pastor Burnout
    December 5, 2011

    Pastor Burnout

    If ever there was a career path that was uniquely vulnerable to burnout, it is the pastor/minister. It is estimated that 40% of pastors and 47% of pastors spouses report suffering from burnout.  According to some sources, 33% of pastors experience burnout within the first five years of ministry.  Other sources suggest 1500 pastors per...
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  • Power of Wonder – Secret to Deep Faith
    August 12, 2014

    Power of Wonder – Secret to Deep Faith

    An often overlooked aspect of faith is wonder.   When we talk about wonder we are thinking specifically about three postures; standing in disbelief, standing in the question itself and standing in awe or amazement of something. Wonder positions us to be open spiritually - this doesn’t mean non-discerning but an openness to learn, to...
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Care for the broken hearted

Loved Dust

March 1, 2026

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Whole Humans Need Whole Care

February 24, 2026

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Love Builds Here

February 18, 2026

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Talking About Death Without Losing Hope

February 12, 2026

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A Christian with Asterisks

February 2, 2026

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Loved Dust

March 1, 2026

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Whole Humans Need Whole Care

February 24, 2026

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Love Builds Here

February 18, 2026

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Talking About Death Without Losing Hope

February 12, 2026

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A Christian with Asterisks

February 2, 2026

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