What I don’t like about war is that somebody dies. My identity is not to fight in a war, destroy and kill. That sounds like the agenda of Satan. I am a life-giver; not a life-taker. … More Two Characteristics of Christian Identity
[Excerpt from my memoir coming in November 2020] When I was 15 years old, my sister Pearl was 16 years old. We were doing an errand for my parents. We lived in the capital of El Salvador. We were walking behind the American Embassy on a sidewalk. The Embassy took the entire block. Two large black … More Resilient Narrative
All my fears and insecurities surface when I write. I question myself: Who am I to write? Why would anyone listen to me? Who do you think you are? I come face to face with my struggle to embrace my self-worth. This is an opportunity to journal, think and grow. I challenge these thoughts that surface. Yes, I talk back to the voices in my head. … More Four Things I’ve Learned as a New Blogger
I believe in a powerful God. He is good. But we have been watching one bad situation after another unfold on our TV screens. It seems like change is not coming, no matter how much we pray and believe. I don’t know about you, but I feel tension between what is and what should be. … More Living in Tension
Guest post by Shelly Lubratich. She talks about resilience during a time of loss.
“When grief drowns my heart, I walk outside and look at the Zinnias. Papa God touches my heart with His love. They are His smile, His eyes and His touch on my life.” … More Still Blooming by Shelly Lubratich
We all long for a richness of relationships and depth of connection. This happens when you open the door to your heart. This takes courage. When you share your real story, you are giving others an invitation to love deeply. … More Vulnerability is Strength
Capacity to love and to endure pain are connected because if I can’t enter pain, I can’t love others when they are vulnerable. What do I do when others are vulnerable? … More What Not to Say When a Friend Suffers
Think about another use of questions, not as a test but exploration. Relationship is not like the typical school environment where the teacher is searching for a specific right answer. In a relationship, there are several directions that one can take. The key is to stay connected. So, go ahead and ask the hard questions. … More Christianity is not a Test; it’s a Relationship
In the American culture we value people who are certain in their faith. While this can be inspiring, it hinders the spiritual growth process. Could it be, that the unwritten Christian rule, never question, is more a reflection of American values rather than Christian values? … More Are Faith Laws Killing You Softly?
Three thoughts about doubt.
1. It’s honest.
2. It makes room for mystery and paradox.
3. It’s part of the process of thinking deeply … More How Doubt Helps Me Be Teachable
I don’t want a fake-it-until-you-make-it kind of relationship with God. I want a real relationship that goes deep. I want to be real with God. I think he wants it too. If I have questions, I ask them. If I am wrestling with something, I say it. If I am hurting, I bring it to God. And If I’m angry, I’m honest about it. … More Silence that Kills
In intimate relationships, we practice honesty. I think of my kids. I know when they are struggling with something, but it means so much to me when they come and talk to me about it. I want to hear from them. And if they are mad at me, I especially want to talk so that we can clear the air. I want them to know I love them. No matter what. Why would I think it would be any different with my Heavenly Father? … More Confessions of an Outlaw Christian
A platitude given without the wrestling part feels empty, shallow, and clueless in the complexity of the struggle and the mixture of emotions.
When you give platitudes before the wrestling, It’s the result without the process. It’s the glory without the price. it’s like wanting a mountain top view with paying the price of hiking. … More Everyone uses platitudes: here’s why I don’t
He put his hand on the Bible and said, “If you don’t believe everything that is in here from start to end, even the homosexual part, then you are not a follower.” Leane is new to the faith and she thought to herself, does this mean I have to hate my aunt? … More Is Hating Expected?
This is reblogged from: Tim’s Blog. I don’t believe in men having power over women. It’s contrary to the idea of servanthood and laying down your life for another. A good read. Most people reading the Nashville Statement recently published by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) will notice the repeated uses of … More Reflections on Nashville Statement
Change the way you look at adversity. The simple challenge is to take adversity as a test of inner strength. In adversity, you stand. You rise for the occasion. … More Viktor Frankl: Adversity as a Challenge
I believe God is good. Evil that happens in the world doesn’t represent God. But a tragic event can shake me up. I need a practice that gets me back on solid ground. For me it was in silence and meditation. I return to a positive outlook on life. This brings my mind back in control. … More Three Levels of Resilience
In a crisis, some things are out of your control. A disaster is like a wave. You must be humble enough to know when it is time to step aside and ride the wave that you can’t control. Ride it until it’s over. Then take control when it’s over. In a way, a crisis teaches you how small you are and yet how powerful you can be. The resilience comes at the end. You take back control over your life. You don’t have to be a victim; instead be a survivor. … More The #1 Question I’m asked: How are you so resilient?
Growth happens in seasons. For a time, you are searching for and discovering truth, then that season fades and it seems like you are nurturing and growing spiritually. The human spirit is radiant and can be nurtured and developed or ignored and neglected. Perhaps your growth started with relationships and connecting to people is easy for you but growth in truth still alludes you. Or you struggle the most with love, especially self-love. It doesn’t happen all at the same time but each phase transforms you. … More 4 Phases that Explain Spiritual Growth Perfectly
My spirit is always at peace. It’s not shaken by world events or violence. Not shaken by incredible odds. I access my spirit in silence. I wait and listen to what my spirit will say to me. It’s there that I find strength, not by seeking strength but by seeking peace. … More Best Tip Ever: Finding Peace in Chaos
In the narrative of hope, the outcome is in my favor. If I am passing through a dark valley right now, I don’t allow myself to be swallowed by the darkness. I am not of the darkness. I am light. It’s going to take toughness on my part in this moment. I will get through this to the other side. I keep my eyes on the light, not the darkness.
Originally posted on Mystic Mama Storm:
Sunday night I was up throughout the night writing dreams and visions I had through the night. I believe these dreams tie together and have a message from Papa we can all learn from: FRIENDLY FIRE OF WAR: ?I had one first with my daughter where I was walking…
Sometimes we preach a distorted Gospel that has no resemblance to the good news that heals the broken hearted and sets the captive free. Here is a satirical piece about Christian mindset of fighting. … More The Good Fight? First Mindset Shift
By declaring war, the church created a new identity and role in the world. Instead of completing Jesus’ mission to heal the broken hearted, church has become a place to fight and argue about what is truth. … More Change Old Mindsets – Part 1
Belinda Perez McDanel 