The answer isn't to compare pain or place it on a relative scale of suffering, but rather to address pain as pain, in context, regardless of the source. Yes, we absolutely must kick into gear the moment we hear a word like "cancer" or "death." But I hope we can also mobilize ourselves to respond with similar compassion to words like "frustration" and "fear" and "chest cold." [Click title to read more.]
Tag: faith and growth
Oranges and Others-Focused Thinking
When my mind is on myself, it literally prevents me from seeing outside myself: I lose my ability to think of the world in an empathetic way. I lose my ability to see the world the way others might, to understand their needs and their perspective. [Click title to read more.]
Perfect Outside, Rotten Inside
Appearances can be deceiving. And sometimes a shiny, polished exterior is enough to deceive us completely - especially when it comes to faith. [Click title to read more.]
The Simplicity of Stars
The Christian life is really pretty simple. Simple like true darkness and stars. But as believers, I think sometimes we'd prefer it not to be. [Click title to read more.]
The Concept of “Christian Business”
What do we mean when we call a business or an enterprise "Christian"? The difference between definitions can be striking. [Click title to read more.]
My First Ash Wednesday
This season, as we look forward to Easter, my desire is this: to hunger for holiness year-long, and to make love the outward adornment that sets me apart. [Click to read more.]
No, Satan Is Not Responsible For Your Hangnail
In certain places, the following philosophy is prominent: Satan is responsible for all the bad stuff and everything that doesn't happen how it should. This way of thinking has bothered me for ages for two primary reasons: 1) it relieves humans of responsibility and agency for their own actions and 2) it reduces Satan in some cases to a merry mischief-maker, the Dark Lord of Inconveniences. [Click title to read more.]
Brutal Faith
Faith is not the belief that one day God will validate and explain everything that has ever happened to us. Faith is trusting that God is who He says He is, and that He knows what He is doing, and that He acts toward us in love. That's it. That's all. [Click title to read more.]
You Don’t Need All The Answers
God speaks and can speak through specific signs and symbols, and even through random-selection Bible verses. What interests me is that Christians can be tempted to rely on those things in an effort to dispel uncertainty and mystery from our lives. [Click title to read more.]
Yes, The Parable of the Prodigal Son Is Unfair and Uncomfortable.
I'd like to be honest and say that if the parable of the prodigal son doesn't sometimes irritate you just a little, you might be missing another truth inside it. [Click title to read more.]
Samaritan's Song 