I want to talk briefly about what we should do when we find ourselves battered and bruised and how we should respond to set-backs.  What do we do when we find ourselves tired? Alone? Fatigued? Battered? Bruised? Facing the reality of loss? First of all, it would be impractical and even foolish to pretend asContinue reading "Grieving our losses and nursing our wounds"

Dear Pastor, If you’re anything like me, you can keep going so long as you can either see progress or if you believe (by faith) that progress is being made “behind the scenes”. The hardest part is when it seems that everything you see/perceive is telling you that you are not only NOT making progress,Continue reading "Progress"

Dear Pastor, Whatever you are going through on any given day, there is tremendous help, hope and strength in meditating on the nearness and goodness of God. Far too often we entertain unhealthy, accusatory and fear-inducing ideas (such as “Here we go again”, or “I don’t have what it takes”, or “This is so hard”).Continue reading "Practice saying this"

Dear Pastor, One thing I know about life and ministry is that you carry a heavy load. You carry it for yourself, family, friends and for your congregation. Somedays, by the amazing grace of God, it seems like the load is so light that you forget it’s even there and thank God for the joyContinue reading "Heavy Loads"