Names are important in all societies. They can tell us about a person’s job and some names like Miller and Cooper speak to a family’s historical occupation. Other names represent a family history, all our girls are named after a past member of our family and a Christian attribute. This week, I want to look at the importance of of names and specifically look at the names of God found in the Abrahamic traditions as we consider the name that... Read more
Embracing Balance and Moderation Being a therapist and at one point, a pastor, I get to hear a lot of stories of suffering and despair. The reality it is all around us. When we tie in the impact of social media and armchair professionals, the exposure can be overwhelming. The Swedish concept of lagom, pronounced “lah-gom,” offers a refreshing alternative. Meaning “just the right amount” or “not too much, not too little,” lagom is about finding balance in every aspect of... Read more
Remembering Martin Luther King On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy announced the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. to a crowd in Indianapolis, delivering a heartfelt speech that called for peace and unity in the face of anger and grief. His remarks are considered one of the most significant speeches in American history, as they helped prevent riots in the city that night. He offers these words to the crowd that night: What we need in the United States... Read more
Bultmann’s Mythology of Jesus As we move towards Easter 2025 and we celebrate the life and ministry of Jesus and ultimately his death on the cross, we must consider who Jesus became after death. This week, I want to explore the life after Jesus and the theology and the religion that arose after his death. What I am going to discuss this week is very nuanced, controversial and needs more than 1000 words to cover. I am only going to... Read more
An Exploration of Wesleyan Tradition and Theology This week, in my analysis of Wesley’s Ordinances of God, I aim to reflect on Wesley’s perspectives regarding the Last Supper. As we approach the celebration of Easter, it is essential to contemplate the significance of the Last Supper. When I gather with my family around the kitchen table, I am not only present in their conversations and laughter but also reminded of past family dinners. These reminiscences include my grandfather’s jokes and... Read more
Lectio: Reading the Bible Reading the bible or any sacred text is an act of devotion and contributes to the spiritual practice of devotion. Reading sacred texts as a spiritual practice of devotion involves engaging deeply with the text through methods like lectio divina, which includes reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. This practice helps individuals connect with the divine and fosters spiritual growth and transformation. As a practice devotion is a spiritual discipline that involves regular rituals or actions aimed... Read more
Grace in Times of Stress As the world continues to spin and geopolitics continue to make no sense, I see a lot of stress in my clients and the people around me. These times and the stressors many are going through require more than resilience. We need more than MacGuffins to get us through. What we need is a certain amount of Grace- a calm and composed demeanor that can weather the storm. Finding this grace often means looking inward... Read more
The Power of Prayer I want to explore in my second post this week’s prayer. I love the idea of prayer and how it connects us to something greater. Wesley on Prayer John Wesley emphasized the importance of prayer in a Christian’s life, stating that “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” He believed that prayer should be a continual practice, reflecting a loving attitude towards God and a desire to please Him. In his sermon... Read more
We are social creatures. We thrive when we are in community and community is one of the events that makes us human. Community challenges us to grow spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. This week, I want to explore John Wesley’s ordinance of God that focuses on public worship and reflect on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, “Life Together”. I want to demonstrate why public worship and public gatherings of engagement for faith and intellectual development is crucial for our own personal growth,... Read more
I came across a quote last week that posited the idea that the historical Jesus would not be considered a “real man” or a “Christian leader” in today’s society. Clearly, if Jesus walked into a room of MAGA supporters, he would be dismissed outright. To be fair, the left would probably do the same thing. While he beefed with the religious right of his time, he still reflected the standards of his Jewish faith and was not afraid to put... Read more
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