Alethia is the Greek word most often translated “Truth.” I will probably write more about this soon… but its technical and literal meaning is “not hidden.” This is the perfect name that embodies what we are all about at our counseling offices… coming alongside people to help them uncover and engage with the truth(s) that…Continue reading Our Counseling Office is Moving!
Category: Personal
Singing in Saint Ann's Church
This was my third time to take a pilgrimage in Israel – to walk the paths of the saints and prophets… There are few places in the world that truly “still” me. Two or three of them are there. Arbel is the first and most potent. Maybe I will write more on that someday. Another…Continue reading Singing in Saint Ann's Church
A new way of thinking about Emotions?
Emotions – a new understanding I have written that recently my understanding of what emotions are has grown – or maybe, rather, shrunk… My understanding has grown simplified. I think that our emotions are largely our heart and soul communicating with our bodies. I have written more about this part of it… here The basic…Continue reading A new way of thinking about Emotions?
My Israel experience with a Hamas missile aka how I learned to appreciate the iron dome
At about 4:30 (Israel time, that’s about 8:30am Texas time, ya’ll), the Womenary group (from Tyler Texas. www.womenary.com) Israel trip was walking near the ancient port in Jaffa. Maybe you remember it as “Joppa” from Sunday School – the town where Jonah fled to find a ship to Tarshish, seeking to avoid God’s call to…Continue reading My Israel experience with a Hamas missile aka how I learned to appreciate the iron dome
Thoughts from Israel
I guess I should explain that I am in Israel right now, in Jerusalem, helping guide a tour for the Womenary ministry that I am a part of… we are on day 6 of a 7 day tour! First, to calm fears… Yes, there was some rioting in Jerusalem today and some people were…Continue reading Thoughts from Israel
Boundaries, Abuse and Terrorism
Good Boundaries, Healthy Relationships, and Terrorists One of the greatest signs of an unhealthy relationship is when one person takes on the responsibility for the bad conduct and strong emotions of the other. This is common in unhealthy relationships, by the way. An abused wife often finds herself in a constant frenzy in…Continue reading Boundaries, Abuse and Terrorism
Making People Dependent
There are a lot of old stories about Joseph Stalin. Like most tyrants, he inspired legends and tales. Who knows if this one is true? If you don’t know who he was, just consider than under his leadership, probably 4 times as many people were murdered by his government than the people under the…Continue reading Making People Dependent
Favorite Soundtracks
While I work, I listen to movie soundtracks (and some other classical music mixed in). I regularly get asked about them, so I thought I would offer these and see what kind of responses I get back, too! The movie may be important – and sometimes the memories of cool or powerful scenes connected to…Continue reading Favorite Soundtracks
Thoughts on smoking pipes… I recommend this site for some thoughts.
on Christians smoking pipes.
Rites of Passages – How our Family does them – Part II
Rites of passages plans for for my sons: Age 7 – Page (following the medieval knighthood model)…event: trip to Medieval Times with another friend and dad. Gift: Leatherman (kept in a drawer that they get permission to carry.) Message: you are not just a child anymore, but a contributing member of the family. You are…Continue reading Rites of Passages – How our Family does them – Part II
Upcoming Speaking and Events!
I will be speaking some to our FBC South Youth August 29th at 6:30pm Pine Cove Labor Day Conference Labor Day Weekend at the Woods www.pinecove.com Sept 5th – Womenary Starts! 9-11am Systematic Theology (great time to start Womenary) www.womenary.com Sept 5th – FBC Tyler South – How to read the Bible – Dinner at…Continue reading Upcoming Speaking and Events!
Rites of passages – how our family does them – Part I
I have spent many years researching, speaking and writing about, and engaging with Rites of Passages. I think of rites of passages as being events or activities meant to communicate (within a given relationship or community) a change in status, responsibility and/or identity. I know that sounds technical, but it isn’t. In fact, it feels…Continue reading Rites of passages – how our family does them – Part I
The Taming of Fantasies
I have a good friend who is publishing a book on the errors surrounding the role of fantasy in the lives of Christians. When it comes out, I will tout it here! She asked me for my thoughts and one powerful concept came to my mind that I wanted to link to my conversations on…Continue reading The Taming of Fantasies
Upcoming Speaking dates
Preaching at FBC South Campus: June 3rd – Weird Things Christians Do: Tell others. June 17th – The Theology of Adoption June 24th? Maybe then too. 3 more (including tonight) Wednesday nights for men. Tonight: Husbands. Next: Brothers… then our final session for this year – May 30th.
Men Be Motivated – challenge from EVERCLEAR
Watch This First. Many of you have seen this already, I know… Men, please be motivated by this. Are we angered by what angers God? Are we moved by what moves Him? I am filled with what feels like rage when I watch this, if rage is pain and anger mixed with grief. We MUST…Continue reading Men Be Motivated – challenge from EVERCLEAR
Greatest Musical Intros of all Times – Part II "The list"
20. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (53 seconds). I don’t particularly love this intro or song, but it is so iconic that I cannot imagine leaving it out. Plus the many “cult” references to it (like “Wayne’s World”) make it a must… but don’t play it in the guitar store. 19. Angel by…Continue reading Greatest Musical Intros of all Times – Part II "The list"
Greatest Musical Intro's of All Time – Part I
Greatest Intros Ever. Every rare once in a while, I like to write about something totally trivial. Ironically, those are the ones that usually get the most responses. I really like lists of “best” things. Years ago, I used to try to use two VCRs to create one great movie tape of, for example, the…Continue reading Greatest Musical Intro's of All Time – Part I
Spiritual Parenting – Part II
In fact, if we examine the lists of what a parent is/does, it seems clear that the main role of a parent is to be an example of God’s love and devotion to us. Parents are essentially shepherds, disciple-ers, and ministers in the order of Christ: Sacrificial, intentional, and all the rest. From this perspective,…Continue reading Spiritual Parenting – Part II
Perfectionism – Part I
My sister has asked me to write an article about perfectionism… and I am going to write it entirely from my perspective. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do have some thoughts. Before I go any further, I will tell you think I generally consider “perfectionism” a type of “life rule” or…Continue reading Perfectionism – Part I
Upcoming Speaking Events
FBC South Campus: Wednesday evenings. Dinner 5:45, teaching at 6:30. How to make a church a place where people feel like they belong. Please come join us! Grace High School: Feb 6th – Teen issues, focusing attention on the role of addictive things and Marijuana. Pine Cove “Romance Me” weekend Feb 3rd weekend. www.pinecove.com Womenary…Continue reading Upcoming Speaking Events