A lot of paper was ripped in the past four days. And with every tear, I pray that something in the world was stitched up.

I flew to Denver last Thursday.  It was the fourth trip I've been on in a month.  This spring has encompassed another country, another county, another state, and all different kinds of amazing events and people at every stop.

The three events scheduled for this past visit flew by, but not without moments to pause, to meditate, to share, to laugh, to rip, to cry, and to heal. I met over 30 women this past week (and even more up north in Modesto) who are longing to find depth, connection, and growth in their communities and with themselves.

continue reading

“There's this saying: ‘They are the nicest people you’ll never know,” my girlfriend said in a somber tone.  “I’m not sure how to meet people.”

She was reflecting on her recent move to a new town and I was her conduit of encouragement from two states away.

“Have you thought about a different church?” I replied in an upbeat, proactive voice, hoping that my revelation might help. It didn’t turn out to be much of a light bulb though because of course my wise friend had already ventured down that rabbit hole.

“We’ve thought about it, but all that’s here are glossy mega-churches or tiny congregations where people have been for years.” My translation of my gracious friend’s words: We don’t want to hang out with only senior citizens.

continue reading

The good Christian answer is that inner beauty is all that matters, but if you pay attention to society, some Christians might be fooling themselves.  Actions speak louder than words in this case.  Looks have become everything and I'm not even talking about body image -- I'm talking about our relationship with food.  Food has taken center stage lately with documentaries like King Corn, Killer at Large, and Food, Inc. courting the topic like a celebrity. Food has been around much longer than the age of celebrity, but since WWII it has taken a similar detrimental route. Just like the pin-up girls in war times were lusted over and pined after (and now has become a multi-billion dollar industry) so can a person lust, want, crave, indulge, and become addicted to food.

continue reading

Bathing suit season is almost over. Women everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief.  They are letting their stomaches out again while stuffing their latest 2 piece in a drawer until next year.  The crock pots, slow cookers, and stews are about to make their annual appearance next to the pumpkin spice latte.  

 There is a feeling of change in the air: New year of school, new season, new you.  It is very "in" right now to be exploring yourself and your identity (I'm all for it). Part of that is to try out new ways of healthy living. What amazes me as I reflect on what I've heard this summer during my travels is how the church is responding.  More and more churches are adding "Biggest Loser" type programs complete with weigh-ins and dieting plans. I'm all for the church encouraging healthy habits, but is this it? 

continue reading

Jealousy. Envy. Anger.  As the heat of the summer keeps baking us alive, so do emotions overwhelm us.  The most break-ups and arguments happen in the summer.  It’s as if we sweat conflict out of our pores.  My emotions were definitely directed towards the Bachelorette this summer as I reflect on The Most Dramatic Season yet and my tirades of the false reality of TV romance.

I spent the weekend with a dear friend and the topics of jealousy and envy were brought up a couple of times.  As we dove into the issues while barbequing, we reflected on our three year friendship that has been deeper than some of my lifelong relationships.  It was decided between us and our slightly older friend who has 20 years experience as a therapist and spiritual director that the problem is not that we’re jealous creatures, but it’s what we do with the jealousy that matters.