Expressively publishing on the open web since 1996.
Entranced by Portland, Oregon since 2017.
Synchronicity: those mysterious moments when inner and outer worlds collide. Do they prove there's some sort of purpose at work in the universe? I'm not saying that (but I'm not not saying it either). In my personal experience, an eye towards synchronicities can have a profound effect on well-being.
Where I've landed in my quest for a purposeful spiritual path after leaving the tenets of Evangelical doctrines behind.
This year I want to make a bold statement with what I do and how I live—only this time not as a desperate attempt to appease a deity, but as a way of expressing the core values that make me Me.
My writing habit really got derailed this year—especially as the coronavirus sent the world into a tailspin. Here's what I've learned during my time off.
“ If the Apostle Paul were here today, he might have a few thoughts about how to be a better netizen. And, of course, he would utilize the very latest in modern communication styles, which probably means he would grab a tablet (iPad, of course) and post…a listicle.
You’re welcome.
I haven’t blogged over at Simple Praxis in quite a while, so what better way to kick off my latest stint there than to draft a humorous take on what is quite honestly one of my favorite passages of Scripture. #comedy #spirituality
“No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God.” –Paul
#quote #portland #spirituality
“ Grace can only be trusted by an equally graceful human nature. Our work is merely to till the fertile soil, knowing that the Indwelling Spirit has already been planted within, and She is the One who “teaches you all things and reminds you of all things” (John 14:26). Many Christians have tried to pile a positive theology of salvation on top of a very negative anthropology of the human person, and it just does not work. The human self-image is too damaged and distorted within such a framework.
In my personal experiences of dealing with mental health issues and stuggling with shame and self-worth, I’ve come to the conclusion that the doctrine of “original sin” is dangerous, deeply problematic from a “Jesus’ ministry”-centric viewpoint, and at the end of the day not even necessary for an incredibly rich and vibrant Christian faith.
For more observations on this topic, I’ll point you to my interview with Danielle Shroyer, author of Original Blessing.
There’s a lot of really bad religion out there. Social media makes this seem even more outrageous. Here are a couple of clues to help sort things out:
Does your faith compel you to become more compassionate towards others, or more embittered?
Do you regularly shake your head as you worry about those (X) people groups doing (Y), or do you see each person as a unique individual human worthy of respect?
It was my idea to attend. Nobody forced me. Why then did I feel like such a spy?
Living daily as if everything around you is representative of constant warfare is a recipe for emotional and mental disaster. Trust me, I've been there.
This is my story of discovering the joys of Christian mindfulness meditation, and a comparison between two comparable but ultimately very different spiritual practices.
Feeling like you've fallen behind on your meditation habit? Overloaded schedule got you feeling anything but mindful? These helpful suggestions will get you revitalized and back on track.
Scholars have long taken notice of the many similarities between Christian moral teachings and Buddhist traditions. Here is a piquant example.
Given how many books, sermons, podcasts, and blog posts have been written about how to "do" church, it's curious how easily we forget some pretty basic stuff smack dab in the heart of Paul's epistles.
A Guest Post by Dr. Amy Oden, Professor of Early Church History at St. Paul School of Theology
