wholeness brokeness Archives

Faith of the Everyday

Posted on January 27, 2023February 6, 2023 by Michael Rose

Once upon a time, there were two carpenters; framers to be precise. Each day they would arrive at the building site to pound nails, erect walls. The first, a glum man, was asked what he was doing. “I hammer nails,” he replied, looking sour. “Every day, hammer nails and more nails. Day in, day out,…

Walking in the Dark

Posted on December 6, 2019December 4, 2019 by Michael Rose

The above quote stirred me deeply today. “Do not be afraid” is a constant mantra through the scripture (some 70+ times) … and from personal experience, I can understand why. I continue in a season of a long dark shadow. A dark shadow cast by my beloved’s journey with Cancer. These past 6 months…

What does Love see? An Ode to failure

Posted on August 1, 2018August 1, 2018 by Michael Rose

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single person contemplates it, bearing the image of a cathedral within. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery Ode to failure: a life that hasn’t turned out the way one had hoped. If we genuinely believe that nothing is wasted, that God is the ultimate…

Games we play to Avoid Dealing with Emotional Pain

Posted on April 19, 2018September 28, 2018 by Michael Rose

I’m a little Tea Pot… when I get all steamed -up hear me shout! A familiar nursery rhyme but what an interesting allegory when we are talking about heart-wounds, stress and emotional pain. Picture yourself as a tea-pot (or kettle). Add some water, some heat, and when water boils, steam (energy) is released through the…

Lament

Posted on November 21, 2017June 26, 2018 by Michael Rose

There was a tradition in a segment of Psalms referred to as the lament psalms. It was the pouring out of one’s grief with all its ugliness to God. It was often in response to great loss, death, war, captivity and often gave voice to great despair and anger. In all the rawness that could…

Renewing of our Minds: 8 Deadly Thoughts

Posted on February 27, 2016June 23, 2016 by Michael Rose

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Rome and encourages them in a new way of living – the way of love. To do so, Paul suggests we need to renew of our mind by embracing Kingdom values, specifically love, and no longer conforming to the patterns of the world. This renewing of our…

The Lesson I have Learned from a Stuffed Rabbit

Posted on September 18, 2015June 23, 2016 by Michael Rose

Being free to be truly authentic is a genuine desire for many people. To be known and still loved. Folks are also looking for authenticity in those who lead them, but this is contrary to many conventional leadership styles. It can be dangerous to be authentic because some see it as a weakness, and,…

Freedom: Making Freer Choices

Posted on June 29, 2015November 21, 2016 by Michael Rose

“If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” – Jesus Who the Son sets free is free indeed! I so love this scripture from John 8. Christian freedom has been long explored,…

Cracks – A Spiritual Exercise

Posted on October 10, 2014August 1, 2018 by Michael Rose

The following is a short spiritual exercise that will help you engage a little deeper with God. Take a couple of deep breaths and in prayer, invite Jesus into this time. Begin reading the poem below entitled “Cracks” by David Bookless. This first reading is to help you get a sense of the entire piece. Now, read…

Which Jesus?

Posted on July 15, 2014April 6, 2018 by Michael Rose

“What are people saying about who the Son of Man is? ”They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of…