How to Break the Busy Badge

In our society, we wear busyness like a badge of honor. How many conversations go like this: “How are you doing?” “Oh, I’m so busy!” “I know, right? Me too!” Ever have conversations where you try to out-busy the other person? Where whoever is the most busy wins? Somehow, I think we’re missing something here. […]

The 4 Things You Need to Thrive

Thriving. Not just surviving. Is that even possible? Believe it or not, yes, it is possible. And it’s actually not that hard, which is really counter-intuitive when you’re just trying to keep your head above water in survival mode. But you can’t get there by trying harder, which, although counter-intuitive, is really good news. Thriving […]

How to Partner with Your Body and God to Get the Sleep You Need

Sleep is a spiritual practice. Honoring the sleep your body needs is a spiritual non-negotiable. It’s stewarding the temple of your body well. But honoring your season of life is also a non-negotiable. And in some seasons of life, like parenting small children, sleep seems like a luxury. These non-negotiables can be at odds with […]

How to Live by Faith While Having Doubts

Having doubts doesn’t mean you don’t have faith, in the same way that having fear doesn’t mean you aren’t courageous. What?!? You can’t be courageous and fearful at the same time, can you? Yes, absolutely you can. Having courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. In fact, the brave person and the coward both feel the […]

Why New Year Is in the Dead of Winter

It’s fascinating to me that our New Year here in Western culture occurs in the dead of Winter. I know other cultures’ New Year occurs at different times of the year, and that’s great. I’m sure God is speaking to all cultures with the timing of their New Year celebration, but I’m only qualified to […]

Photo by Ron Lach

God Is Anti-Formula and Pro-Partnership

Although there are principles and guidelines clearly spelled out in the Bible, God is intentionally anti-formula. In fact, he goes out of his way to avoid patterns that we could turn into a formula. Because he values something so much more. Partnership with us. Old Testament: Every Battle is Different In the Old Testament, there […]

Why Trying Harder Doesn’t Work and What to Do Instead

“I’ll just try harder!” How many times, frustrated with yourself, have you doubled-down and said that? I have. When we’re not getting the results we want in our job, our relationships, our body, and/or our spiritual life, we commit to trying harder. Doing all things. Harder this time. “It’ll work this time because I’m going […]

3 Types of Fear

Fear is a signal. We don’t want to be controlled by it. But we don’t want to ignore it either. Fear is a God-given emotion. But fear is scary because it can overwhelm us so easily. Don’t Put Duct Tape on the Oil Light Negative emotions like fear are the idiot lights on the dashboard […]