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The Grace to Listen
My son called me on Father’s Day just to say hello. Julian, my oldest son, is traveling on a national tour of Saw, a musical parody of the slasher film by the same name. He had already forbidden his… Continue reading
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Finding Hope: Nurturing the Child Within
I want to put something out in the universe with the hope that offering what I have will be a way of hope to those who struggle with trauma. I do not intend to write a tell-all book. That… Continue reading
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Building God’s Kingdom: The Importance of Community
“You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5 CEB). This morning,… Continue reading
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Lessons from the Woman at the Well: Embracing Forgiveness
This coming Sunday, I will preach on one of my favorite Biblical stories, “The Woman at the Well.” I find myself attracted to the Biblical passage for several reasons. First, having a strong woman at the center of the… Continue reading
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Refilling the Soul: Lessons from a Restful Vacation
Today is the last day of my vacation. I will return to my pastoral duties tomorrow, grateful for a wonderful and restful retreat. As I processed the week I spent in Texas, I feel overwhelmed with love and appreciation… Continue reading
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Finding Balance Through Intentional Gratitude
Diana Butler Bass’ book Grateful highlights the idea that gratitude is not simply a feeling, but an intentional state of being in the world. In other words, we must choose to practice gratitude as a spiritual discipline. It is… Continue reading
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Navigating Trauma and Gratitude: Insights from a Winter Retreat
This weekend, I visited with a good friend on Saturday morning and then traveled to Austin. A cold front blew through on Saturday evening, and when I woke up, the seminary grounds were covered in snow and ice. The… Continue reading
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Reflections on Gratitude: A Birthday Celebration
Today marked the 62nd time I circled the sun. I spent most of the day with my sister, then picked up a cousin to visit one of my aunts. When I walked into the room, she smiled, and I… Continue reading
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My Second Day Adventures
The fantastic food at Pico de Gallo in San Antonio, Texas made my first night and the start of my second day memorable. As my late mother-in-law taught me to say, “Mi panza llena en mi corazon muy contento.” The… Continue reading
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The Road to Rest: Insights from Audiobooks and Faith
Today marks the start of a week spent visiting family, celebrating my birthday, joining a retreat in Austin, and taking time to sit quietly and connect with God. Since I spent much of the day traveling by car, I started… Continue reading
From a Pastor's Point of View 