This topic of ‘safety’ and ‘safe space’ addresses those emotional and physical realties that hurt; and involves such issues as verbal abuse, domestic violence, work place bullying, and cultural insensitivity. The definition of what is ‘safe’ is growing broader, and interestingly, this increasing sensitivity to any and all distress, is starting to have a backlash. […]
Dec 20 2016
Goof Bravely; The Joy Of Making Mistakes
The fear of making a mistake is common. It is the result of unrealistic perfectionistic thinking; like the notion that making mistakes will lead to some terrible consequence, or that making mistakes is a sign of weakness or incompetence. The fear of making mistakes is insidious. It can be almost unfaithful because it undermines us, […]
Dec 20 2016
Generosity: Sometimes A Difficult Pill To Swallow
It is true that it is better to give than to receive, nonetheless, in my experience, it is often more difficult to receive than to give. If it is an effort to graciously accept praise, gifts, favors, support, and such, you have receiving issues. I am currently transitioning into a new parish. My former parishioners […]
Mar 11 2016
Are You Entitled ?
“Contrary to belief, nobody owes you anything.” Too many, too often, fall into the subtle trap of believing that life inherently owes them because of who they are or what they have done. This sharp trap holds them screaming for fairness. Many of you read about the entitlement generation. An entire generation a young folk […]
Feb 29 2016
Back To Center
Don’t you hate those days when you’re spinning and can’t seem to hit the mark no matter how hard you try! It feels like something has got a hold of us and were not the person we want to be. Our decisions seem to make things worse. And we become impatient, perhaps even disappointed, with […]
Feb 8 2016
The Wisdom In Staying
When I was trying to make my way as a young (er) cleric with idealistic intentions, I did so within an institution that is inherently slow to change. Many parishioners were well integrated into what was and always has been. And consequently I was ‘corrected’ (often). It was a time of learning in which I […]
Jan 2 2016
The Storm Before the Calm (A New Years Reflection on Change)
The Storm Before the Calm (A New Years Reflection on Change) Over the last few months we have been talking about healing, particularly the healing of deep wounds so that our lives are released from their effects on our choices. In this article I would like to address the issue that this healing process can […]
Nov 10 2015
The Place of Wounds: Part 3
In my last 2 articles I have been exploring the healing of our past wounds. These wounds are the result of our past hurts and they comprise everything from genetic predisposition to abuse and hardship later in life. Some understand this as our ‘holy brokenness’. Leading to compassion and developing character. I agree, but…there is […]
Aug 18 2015
The Place of Wounds (Part 2)
Last month I pointed out that Wounds shape our lives. By wounded I mean bruised and hurt by circumstances (often out of our control). Many of our choices arise from the needs our wounds have created because every hurt leaves a scar, every hurt leaves a memory, and consequently, every hurt molds our thoughts and […]
Aug 18 2015
The Place of Wounds (Part1)
Our wounded self shapes our lives in big ways. By wounded I mean bruised and hurt by circumstances (often out of our control). And going as far back as the womb and encompassing everything from genetic predisposition to abuse and hardship. Wounds are inevitable. Though perhaps the more tragic ones are preventable. Wounds burrow deep […]
