I have a not-so-secret secret: I am trying to get a book published. It took me about three years to write the manuscript, half a year to get a literary agent who would represent me, and another half a year to rewrite it in preparation of submitting it to publishers. Here’s my...

  Holidays: that magical time of the year when all of your family dysfunction is supposed to magically disappear and be replaced with smiles, laughter, presents, and good cheer. Bah, humbug! Just kidding. I’m not really a Scrooge. I enjoy eating huge meals and spoiling little...

  I often get the feeling from my friends of the more Protestant persuasion that liturgy is a boring, rote discipline mostly devoid of meaning. I know I’ve thought that for a while.  But in the past few years, I have come to appreciate more liturgical services. When we...

  One of my joys in life is to grab a cup of Philz coffee in the morning. I’m not allowed to do this every morning for budget reasons, of course. The magic is in going when there’s no line and the barista gets the cream and sugar levels just right. I hit the jackpot with...

  In everything, give thanks. Holidays, especially those at the end of the year, are not easy for me. It’s a time when memories of years past spent with family and thoughts of the future life without them intrude on the present, making it difficult for me to focus and be...

  I used to dislike celebrating Christmas. For me, it was a time of traveling to see people far off and managing my own and others’ expectations, followed by an emotional crash on December 26. My focus was not on an anticipatory waiting for the coming of Christ, but instead on...

  I was helping in Kids Community a couple weeks ago when the leader asked, “Does anyone know what Advent means?”  A fourth-grader replied, “It means 'waiting.'” Traditionally, the church defines Advent as “coming,” but the word waiting stuck...

    “God, grant me the serenityTo accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things that I can,And the wisdom to know the difference.” Image credit: Dawn Ellner During these past few months, I have been learning the art of surrendering. What...

   Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again, rejoice!   – Saint Paul from a Roman prison cell.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.          – Jesus on the...

  Many people know that, in addition to leading worship at the River, I have another life as a part-time practicing Christian therapist. Let’s pause here for a second. For those who haven’t been in therapy before, there are often many stereotypes that go along with it...