Hey everyone! Things are going great in Northeast Alabama. Although I haven’t posted in awhile, I’ve been super busy writing in other areas. I expect to get back writing for my blog towards the end of April. Anyhoo, here’s a… Read More »Don’t Gaslight Yourself
The following is adapted from my friend Brian’s book A New Kind of Christian. There are two qualities that church leaders in transition must have: patience and compassion. Imagine that we are living in a beautiful mansion. We know the… Read More »Compassion and Patience – Two Qualities Needed for Change
If we walk by faith and not by sight, why is it that I need to be so certain about everything? Why do I need all the answers? Why do I need to know how it all works? Why do… Read More »Getting Comfortable With Not Knowing
It could be the weather, coming out of Winter break, or the stress of trying to finish the house, but sometimes it just gets tough. You want to write, but you can’t make your fingers work. You want to read,… Read More »It Gets Tough Sometimes
“[God], I can’t tell if I’m being insubordinate in exploring these thoughts or if I need courage to go farther. I feel that I may be falling away from my faith. But then again, if I hold back from honestly… Read More »When Pursuing Truth Feels Like Falling Away
When I was living in Piedmont in 2017, I didn’t see how I could ever be a minister again without starting my own congregation, something I somewhat attempted to do. That’s another mistake I made, but I might talk about… Read More »Paradigm Change: North Broad Church (pt. …)
“Now, someone might tell you that along with the devastating losses that accompany doubt, you will also lose some of your illusions, and that is a good thing. But disillusionment is only a good thing in retrospect. When you’re going… Read More »Paradigm Change: Reformation (pt. 6)
The water was warm and comforting, but my mind and heart were cold, chaotic, and in a state of despair. As I soaked in the tub, my soul was crying out to God for some kind of relief, some kind… Read More »Paradigm Change: Transition (pt. 5)
Several years ago we threw a surprise party for my wife. I’m terrible at keeping things like gifts and parties a secret, but I kept my mouth shut, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. Leading up… Read More »Paradigm Change: Disembedding (pt. 4)
When you grow up thinking that everyone else is going to burn in Hell forever and ever because they go to the wrong church, it’s quite destabilizing to find someone who so obviously bears the fruit of the Spirit. Having… Read More »Paradigm Change: Discontinuity (pt. 3)