Wounds are real, not imagined. They need to be processed responsibly and not ignored. To be hurt is to be human and to heal requires the help of God and his healing community.
Read moreDrinking Poison
I recently heard a statement that painted a vivid picture of what it can be like when we choose not to forgive. "When we make the decision not to forgive someone, it's like us drinking poison and expecting the one who offended us to die."
Read moreMaking Disciples: Is Love Enough?
It felt impolite, even rude, to tell my friends about Jesus, as if I were breaking some unwritten rule or law. Telling people about Jesus, outside the context of a mission’s trip to a foreign country, had become something only the weird Christians did – and no one wants to be a weird Christian. Sound familiar?
Read moreLent – “The Joy of Being Cleaned Out” By N.T Wright
A long time ago, when I had just learnt to drive, I ran out of petrol on a lonely country road. I gratefully accepted some fuel from a nearby farmer. What he didn't tell me was that it was a mixture designed not for a car, but for a lawn mower. I got back home all right, but the next day the car behaved like a sick animal, coughing and spluttering.
Read moreLent: What is it and why celebrate it?
In our secular culture, we may be much more familiar with the season of time when Tim Horton’s offers the ‘Roll up the Rim’ campaign. I never seem to win – but that’s besides the point. ‘Role up the Rim’ often runs beside the season of Lent – depending on how the calendar falls each year. I think Tim Horton’s historically decided they didn’t want us to fast coffee!
Read moreGenerous Hospitality
The word ‘hospitality’ is commonly used in the restaurant, or hotel industry. It comes from an Old French word that is related to ‘hospital’ – a place where people are given excellent care! At its root understanding is the idea of being an ‘excellent host, who provides friendliness to guests!’
Read moreMaking Friends with Ourselves
The Enneagram is an ancient study of the nine different types of people. They are our family, friends, students, co-workers and team mates. The Enneagram helps us understand our predisposition towards certain behaviors, or what motivates us toward certain actions. Building thriving relationships requires mutual understanding and respect. Becoming a student of human personalities can provide huge benefits across all of our relationships.
Read moreLaughter: The Glue that Sticks us Together
There is an old Yiddish proverb that says; “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.” Good physical hygiene should lead us to pick up a bar of soap each day to give our bodies a thorough cleaning. Is it possible that laughter can have a cleansing, therapeutic impact on us that leaves us feeling clean at a soul level?
Read moreSlowing Down to Fast
Fasting has been called a ‘disciplined abstinence!’ The words ‘discipline’ and ‘abstinence’ don’t typically inspire most people! Freedom and indulgence seem to be words that better captivate our imagination; yet these former words are the precursor to a disappointing life. Saying “no” to ourselves is actually really good for us!
Read moreTraveling Light
I have a tendency to take too much when I travel! I open up my suitcase and end up only using half of the clothes I packed. This idea of ‘taking less’ on my next trip has inspired me to save a few bucks!
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