Expressively publishing on the open web since 1996.
Entranced by Portland, Oregon since 2017.
The strength of character needed to perform the best work you can, to care deeply about the welfare of others, to admire the beauty of Mother Earth, and to stay in tune with your hidden self—finding that is true nobility.
A little late to the party, but I finally watched Shiny Happy People, the documentary series about the Duggar family and the fundamentalist Christian religious world they inhabit.
I have So Many Thoughts, as someone very familiar with this world circa 2004-2016. I hope to share my in-depth perspective soon, but for now I’ll just say this:
We need a LOT more “exvangelical” documentaries. We need more people telling their story. We need these stories represented in art, literature, and cinema. Given the #spirituality dimension we see in American #politics today, it has never been more important.
(Parting thought: we need to hold media accountable for promoting fundamentalism or at least giving it a pass. The Duggars should never have been given a national mainstream TV platform. TLC/Discovery should be ashamed of themselves.)
I have often wished people who aren't familiar with mindfulness or who have written it off as just more hokum could gain a better idea of what it actually is, and how it is actually beneficial. And nowhere have I seen this better depicted on-screen than in the 2023 film Barbie.
Synchronicity: those mysterious moments when inner and outer worlds collide. Do they prove there's some sort of purpose at work in the universe? I'm not saying that (but I'm not not saying it either). In my personal experience, an eye towards synchronicities can have a profound effect on well-being.
Where I've landed in my quest for a purposeful spiritual path after leaving the tenets of Evangelical doctrines behind.
This year I want to make a bold statement with what I do and how I live—only this time not as a desperate attempt to appease a deity, but as a way of expressing the core values that make me Me.
My writing habit really got derailed this year—especially as the coronavirus sent the world into a tailspin. Here's what I've learned during my time off.
“ If the Apostle Paul were here today, he might have a few thoughts about how to be a better netizen. And, of course, he would utilize the very latest in modern communication styles, which probably means he would grab a tablet (iPad, of course) and post…a listicle.
You’re welcome.
I haven’t blogged over at Simple Praxis in quite a while, so what better way to kick off my latest stint there than to draft a humorous take on what is quite honestly one of my favorite passages of Scripture. #comedy #spirituality
“No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God.” –Paul
#quote #portland #spirituality
“ Grace can only be trusted by an equally graceful human nature. Our work is merely to till the fertile soil, knowing that the Indwelling Spirit has already been planted within, and She is the One who “teaches you all things and reminds you of all things” (John 14:26). Many Christians have tried to pile a positive theology of salvation on top of a very negative anthropology of the human person, and it just does not work. The human self-image is too damaged and distorted within such a framework.
In my personal experiences of dealing with mental health issues and stuggling with shame and self-worth, I’ve come to the conclusion that the doctrine of “original sin” is dangerous, deeply problematic from a “Jesus’ ministry”-centric viewpoint, and at the end of the day not even necessary for an incredibly rich and vibrant Christian faith.
For more observations on this topic, I’ll point you to my interview with Danielle Shroyer, author of Original Blessing.
There’s a lot of really bad religion out there. Social media makes this seem even more outrageous. Here are a couple of clues to help sort things out:
Does your faith compel you to become more compassionate towards others, or more embittered?
Do you regularly shake your head as you worry about those (X) people groups doing (Y), or do you see each person as a unique individual human worthy of respect?
It was my idea to attend. Nobody forced me. Why then did I feel like such a spy?
This is my story of discovering the joys of Christian mindfulness meditation, and a comparison between two comparable but ultimately very different spiritual practices.
Feeling like you've fallen behind on your meditation habit? Overloaded schedule got you feeling anything but mindful? These helpful suggestions will get you revitalized and back on track.
Scholars have long taken notice of the many similarities between Christian moral teachings and Buddhist traditions. Here is a piquant example.