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When “To the Bride and Groom!” hurts...

I cry at weddings. For a tangle of reasons. Do you? It’s June: wedding month. If you’re like me, the tears during the ceremony are a mix of joy for them, sorrow for loves lost and roads not taken, and the overwhelming feeling that these kids have NO IDEA what they’re stepping into.

Liv Booth

June 4, 2024

This Isn’t How It’s Supposed to Be!

We both walked in the room—hearts heavy with unspoken words, problems with no answers. We tried to lighten the load by revisiting past hurts and talking about solutions. The weight remained. Emotions stirred. We were fragile.

Joy Hoot

May 28, 2024

Jesus is for me: The key to paying attention

My Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) was one of the most formative experiences of my seminary training. It taught me how to pay attention to what's truly important. Let me explain…

Peter Gammell

May 21, 2024

Attention: A Compassionate Diagnosis

The topic of attention has been running circles in my mind for the past few months. My interest is quite personal. You see, I regularly experience the brevity of my attention span and my proclivity for distraction. I also seem to have spread the malady around because many of my friends and family mention a similar struggle.

Peter Gammell

May 14, 2024

3 Stone Cutters

A story, comments from C.S. Lewis, and heavenly aspirations.

Brandon Booth

April 30, 2024

After Easter Feast we all have big buts 🤣

We are an Easter People, and “Alleluia” is our song! We don’t fear death, and we don’t fear judgment. God is unequivocally for us, who or what could possibly harm us?! Nothing! There is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus. “But…”

Brandon Booth

April 23, 2024

Getting Spam from God

I want to hear from God. Nothing feels worse than leaving voicemails for God, wondering if he even pays attention to me. Yet at times I get a little weary of hearing from God. Let me explain…Sometimes hearing from God feels like getting loads of messages in my spam box. All the messages seem to be about trying “this” to improve my spiritual formation or practicing “that” in order to finally get rid of that sinful habit.

Peter Gammell

April 16, 2024

Be a Stranger

When I travel in unfamiliar circumstances, as a stranger, it can feel awkward, lonely, even a little scary, but there’s also wonder and the opening of new worlds. When I embrace that I’m a stranger, I find it easier to live in the present: it’s ok to be ignorant, curious, ready to be wow-ed. Like a tourist expecting good things on their journey.

Liv Booth

April 9, 2024

Good news! We murdered God.

I was sitting with a dear friend as he poured out his anguish. The story of his horrific circumstances brought tears to both our eyes. After some silence he whispered, “I know God promises to turn everything meant for evil into good, but I don’t believe it! How can this ever be good?”

Brandon Booth

March 26, 2024

Seeking balance

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Arghh! I just wish I could find the balance!” Yeah, me too. It seems like every area of my life is always changing and leaving me feeling unsteady. So long as I believe I can find this balance, I feel a vague sense of guilt for not having it.

Peter Gammell

March 19, 2024

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