Religious guilt is a faith killer — This is going to be a hard piece to write, but I think it’s important, so I’ll try. I’m a Christian, but I’ve found myself getting more and more frustrated with other Christians lately. It feels like so many Christians don’t live in the real world. My mother used to…

I’m still recovering — I have a hard time reading Christian themed stories, devotionals, etc. That may sound strange, considering I am a Christian, but it’s true. I find it hard to read religious themed writing without feeling condemned. I grew up in a Christian home with a very strict religious father. My dad’s…

And set you free — Yesterday, I went to a new church for a second visit. I enjoyed last Sunday’s message and decided to go back. Well, the guy who spoke last Sunday was not the pastor. Unfortunately. Last week’s message was a heartfelt one about purpose and hope. It was about holding on through…

Are your thoughts making you feel worse? — “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.”—Philippians 4:8 I’ve been very anxious lately, and today this Bible verse came to mind. …

I needed an encounter with a loving father — Your faith is supposed to mature as you age, but I had more questions and doubts than ever when COVID-19 hit in 2020. The world had been turned upside down, and I didn’t know what to believe anymore. How could a loving God let this happen? Like everyone else, I…

But it created more questions than answers — Like many Christians, I’ve been watching The Chosen. I had held off on Season 3, and decided to binge watch on Easter weekend. There is a lot of good in season 3, but there is one scene, and recurring theme in the season, that troubled me greatly. …

Instead of Ash Wednesday — Today is Ash Wednesday. In case you don’t know, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. It’s a time to reflect and prepare your heart for Easter. Even though I grew up Methodist, I don’t remember celebrating it in my church. When I switched to Lutheran…

An ugly comment made me decide it is time — Update: Since writing this, I have reported this comment and blocked the author. She also left an ugly reply to another writer who left a comment. I also reported her comment to him. Jesus made it simple. Love God and love people. …

Comfort for those experiencing loss — Tonight, on this longest night of the year, I attended a Blue Christmas service at a church I’ve been trying out. I found it a very comforting experience. It was a low key service with quiet music, prayer, and scripture readings. What impressed me most was that the pastor told…

Your worth and value are not based on what you do. — I’m tired. After the past two years, most of us are. Besides the pandemic, I had to manage my mother’s care for dementia. She died three months ago, and now I’m working to settle her estate. I should also mention that I have CPTSD, chronic pain, work freelance only, and…

A different perspective on this story — If you come from a Christian background, you have undoubtedly heard the story about the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda whom Jesus healed (John 5:1–15). It’s one of those difficult passages that makes you stop and wonder why Jesus said what he did. Do you want to be…

Bring a little comfort to my heart — My mother loved to work with her flowers, and she had quite the green thumb. She had a flower vine on a trellis by the side door to her house that she could never get to bloom. …

And I don’t blame her one bit — My father died in 1990. After his sudden and shocking death, my mother stopped going to church. She disconnected from many people and became more and more reclusive. I understand that now. My mother died last Saturday after a long battle with dementia. I have written extensively about that here. …

I can’t even believe this happened — My pastor really stepped up and was there for me Saturday when my mother died. He committed to do her funeral, and between Sunday and this morning, I made all the arrangements—by myself. I got everything scheduled for Wednesday. It was a lot of work, but I got everything coordinated…

I never believed this. Now, I’m not so sure. — I’ve never been a “law of attraction” or “name it and claim it” kind of person. But recent events in my life have made me reconsider. Is it possible that our beliefs and desires cause us to unconsciously make things happen? I think so. My recent experience Consider my recent break-up with my…

Trying to stay sane in a world I don’t recognize anymore — I think it’s safe to say that the past two years have been hell for everyone. As someone who deals with depression and anxiety, it’s been near unbearable. When did a nightmare become the “new normal?” Chaos Covid has been unfathomable. On a personal level, watching my mother descend into dementia…