Safe People & Safe Community

When people unexpectedly attack us, betray or reject us—overtly or subtly—our souls can become so discouraged that we’re tempted to give up. To withdraw. To hold back, fearful of opening up our hearts freely, unable to understand that just because someone in our past hurt us doesn’t mean everyone in our future will. But when we invite Jesus into our messy narrative, as we tell him about our story and about all our pain, as we extend forgiveness to,…

God made us for relationships—and he made relationships for us. He created us to be connected to him and to live our lives in community with others. Despite the fractures that can occur from differences of opinion or perspective, friendship is truly one of God’s greatest gifts to us. But this journey of following Jesus means that if we are going to keep our hearts open, soft, sensitive and connected to humanity, then we must realize that we are never going to be bullet…

The Israelites out-fought the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms … After a while, his arms were so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms … That’s how Joshua defeated the Amalekites. - Exodus 17:11-13 Standing on a hill with a staff over your head is not a strategic way to win a battle. And yet, that was essentially Moses’ plan when he instructed Joshua to go fight a…

“…that even winds and sea obey him?” If we ask that same question, we’ll start to see the bigger picture of who Jesus Christ really is. In Matthew 8:23-27 we experience a unique moment with Jesus’ followers. His disciples are panicked. Imagine the wind – which had been funneled through a narrow gorge – pushing out over the sea of Galilee, making the water turbulent. Waves breaking over the bow of the ship; certain doom is imminent.…

Walking the campus of my High School with K-9 units roaming the halls was a harrowing experience for a young teenager. It was the mid-70’s and America was at war. “Race Riots” was our descriptor. Fights broke out daily and police handcuffed more students than I can remember. Fear reigned in the hearts of us all - black and white. Knives and guns were confiscated regularly. Locker shakedowns - it felt like we were in prison. It was evident in our perplexed.…

“The health of any relationship or organization is a function of the lag time between identifying and discussing problems.” – Crucial Conversations Unity Not Division I am profoundly disturbed by not only the political discourse but the climate of hostility that exists today in this country. Especially when it’s played out on social media (which is neither social or media) and even more alarmingly between people who call themselves Christ-followers.…

God “speaks” to me in the shower.  I know, a little strange but it’s probably because my mind is settled there. Yesterday He decided to invade my world a little differently - standing over the sink - looking in the mirror while my electric toothbrush was buzzing around in my mouth. I was overwhelmed with joy and a sense of God’s love for me in an instant. I didn’t see it coming. As if I heard from on high, “I’m so proud of you;.…