Tag: faith in real life
Jesus’ Gospel is Confrontational
I have been thinking about some conventional wisdom – that one should stay away from talking about the contentious issues because they are a “no win”. That choosing sides will only get you embroiled in debates. It was suggested that staying clear of these debates will free one to talk about Jesus and his Kingdom. My…
We ARE Chosen
How many of us remember the ad-hoc choosing of teams in the school yard? “I’ll take Jimmy.” “I’ll take Jane” and so forth until there is a lone person left and chosen by default. There were times when I was growing up that I found myself the last to be chosen. It is an awkward feeling to not…
Don’t Mind the Mess. Jesus Doesn’t.
I had an aunt who was a neat freak. There’s no other way to put, and she would agree, if through gritted teeth and tight-lipped smile. I have a memory of visiting her home and my wife-to-be mistakenly walking into the freshly vacuumed family room. My aunt shrieked with panic as my betrothed’s socked foot…
The difference between Coaching and Spiritual Direction?
What an excellent question and while volumes have been written on Spiritual Direction and life coaching, it is important to understand the two are not the same thing as if Coaching is a more contemporary term for Spiritual Direction. Coaching Christian Life Coaching can be an incredible tool in real life of everyday people, but…
Defence Mechanisms – Hiding from God
Ever wonder why as rational and educated as we are, we still seem to play the silliest irrational games – avoiding, denying, rationalizing, spinning? Sometimes it all looks so screwy, but many of these are attempts to protect ourselves. Often, as a defence mechanism, we hide behind masks that, in many cases, have been carefully…
I Want to Win the Lottery, God!
Tom was a faithful guy. He loved the Lord and did his very best to serve God. One day, Tom was deep in a wonderful daydream. He was lost in the fantasy of winning the lottery. Oh, what he could do with a few million dollars. “I could pay off my debts and buy…
Resting Busyness – Grace to Sabbath
School is out for summer and for many, summer is the season for family vacations, and slowing the pace of life down. As a kid, I loved my annual two month sabbatical. My summers were filled with epic bike rides, camping, exploring the forests and orchard, building forts and pear fights with my buddies. Days…
Hypocrites: Always room for one more!
Is the Church full of hypocrites? I hear it often. It seems like an auto-response for many when describing the Church; “the Church is full of hypocrites.” I usually end up smiling as I remember an old friend when faced with the same response. He would smile and warmly reply “Yes! And there is always…
The Welcoming Prayer
Have you ever felt like you are being ambushed by stress, fear, worry, and anxiety? Sometimes the unpleasant feelings can be so overwhelming, making it very difficult to get a proper perspective, focus on the tasks at hand and make good decisions. Here is a useful tool for dealing with these feelings. The Welcoming Prayer…