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 Change Old Mindsets – Part 2 Christian Identity, Role and Destiny
Christians, you come across as mean-spirited. Here are two things to do to make sure that doesn’t happen with you. … More Change Old Mindsets – Part 1 (Re-blog)
Harriet Beecher Stowe started by connecting to the broken heart of mothers who were separated from their children due to slavery. … More Harriet Beecher Stowe: Courage to go Against the Grain
Ever get that dreaded phone call? The one that makes your stomach drop. The one that says something major is changing in your life and it’s not good. It’s hard to find words in a moment like this. Like the moment you hear that we are going to war, or we bombed a city, or … More Elie Wiesel: Sitting Honestly in the Mess of Life
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 to the occasion. What if you gained something from adversity? … More Viktor Frankl: Adversity as a Challenge
I can’t get healing until I have a brutally honest conversation with myself about how I feel about myself. Story of the silver vase is me being honest with myself. … More Brave Conversations with Yourself
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
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
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?
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?
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.
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 