Category: Character
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I may not like you…
As a person of faith, I may not like everyone (I don’t), but I can and must treat all people with dignity and respect. I may not respect a person’s politics, their taste in music, the jokes they tell, their recreational choices, their affiliations and allegiances, their philosophical leanings, or…
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Spiritual Leadership
Somebody needs to be asking, “What is Jesus’ vision for our church? What is Jesus calling us to do and be? How is Jesus calling us to learn and grow? How does Jesus want us to spend these offerings? How does Jesus want us to use these buildings? Who does…
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“I am” or “I am not”
When I’m specifically asked about my association with Jesus – by friend or foe – I want my response to be consistently faith-affirming, truth-filled, love-laced, unwavering, and invitational!
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Lent, Yoga etiquette, and other opportunities for growth…
If we could just accept that everyone is doing the best they can – given their maturity, morality, manners, etc. – perhaps we would have more reasonable expectations and be a bit slower to judge.
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SuperSoul Question #4: “What do you believe is the purpose of life?” (Part four, of an eight-part series of posts, based on interview questions Oprah typically asks on her SuperSoul Conversations Podcast.)
We’re made to know and enjoy God. There’s joy in knowing, serving, and loving God. There’s joy in discovering our purpose.
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Exploring Shadows
Some of my recent study, for personal growth and development, has been around the idea of the “shadow.” Psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung believed every person has a “shadow-side,” where key aspects of an individual’s personality are consciously and unconsciously concealed. Proponents of this philosophy teach that we…
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“Stay focused! Disruptions are coming!”
I begin everyday with prayer and meditation. I start every day centered and spiritually grounded, or try to. But, as they say, “stuff” happens. Something on the news or social media irritates me. Someone misses an appointment. A driver offends me. I feel stressed by my “to-do” list. I spill…
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Look for the good
“Look for the good, even when it’s less than perfect. Affirm the good. Celebrate the good. Focus on the good, wherever you find it.”
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Fruitfulness
Recognize the goodness of a tree, by the good fruit in produces. Recognize a godly person by their character. Is a person’s character more like Jesus’, or like the Pharisee?
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Let it rain
My particular brand of Christianity is Methodist. One of my favorite things about Methodism is our belief that, following conversion, God begins a new work in us, growing us toward full maturity in Christ. We believe, with God’s help and our active participation, we will become like Jesus.
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