I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable. I spend much of my time these days seeking creative ways to tell my story. In the past […]
Continue readingGod’s Version Of Special
Normal is a setting on the dryer. We’re obsessed with labels. Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, Christian, atheist—it seems that we’re intent on placing ourselves in neat little boxes and pretending that everyone in a particular box is identical. The big problem with labels is that they obscure ideas and individuals. Then we demonize, bash, and […]
Continue readingFoolish Wisdom/Wise Foolishness
“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” ~ Steven Covey I wonder if we’re not a little too distracted by what we perceive with our senses. The physical world has a way of deceiving us, getting us thinking that what we can see and touch […]
Continue readingWhy Do You Believe In God?
Why do you believe in God? The question stopped me in my tracks. I’m naturally a seeker and a questioner so I’m accustomed to reconciling the internal consistency of my faith, but such interactions occur with other believers. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this foundational question.
Continue readingDignity and Disrespect
The speaker made a startling claim: “Every individual deserves respect.” I’m afraid I missed most of what remained in the message.
Continue readingHypocrites, Hospitals, And The Hall Of Fame
Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes. ~ Martin Luther Those Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites. We’ve all heard it. We don’t like it. And it’s true.
Continue readingHow Should We Pray?
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” I try to avoid politics. Really, I do. I dislike partisan bickering and divisiveness that casts someone as the personification of evil simply based on party affiliation. I’m […]
Continue readingI Want To Remember This Time …
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. ~ Mother Teresa I thought I knew what I was going to write about this morning. I considered the topic, researched scripture, and found some relevant quotes. I had it all figured out. Then my email beeped. A friend’s teenage […]
Continue readingHow To Thrive
In preparation for a speaking engagement in May, I’ve been analyzing the qualities that help people thrive when faced with a challenge. So far I’ve come up with this list:
Continue readingThe Lure Of More
Big enough is big enough, biggest isn’t necessary. Seth Godin In an article titled Infinity: they Keep Making More Of It, Seth Godin describes the dilemma of our obsession with numbers. In a global, mobile world, there’s no practical limit to growth and, apparently, no such thing as big enough. Our culture defines churches, businesses, […]
Continue readingDeveloping Resilience: Optimism And The 8000/2000 Principle
An optimist looks at a piece of moldy bread and sees penicillin. Leonard was tired of my endless complaining. More than a year after my accident I still invested more energy in seeking sympathy than working to get better. He was sick of my lousy attitude. Leonard was the latest in a series of physical […]
Continue readingDeveloping Resilience: Creativity
“Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein. I’ve been thinking a bit (an unusual and dangerous development) about the notion of overcoming adversity. As a paraplaegic, I’m often asked questions like: How did you deal with it? How did you get past it? What helped you move forward?
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