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...
A few weeks ago, during China’s weeklong National holiday in early October, I was faced with a quandary. After a tiring September, I very much wanted to take a week off for myself to veg, recuperate, and satisfy my introverted self. Around this time, however, I was asked to...
The Happiest Place on Earth isn’t so happy for me. Going to Disneyland stretches me in all of my painful places. In an effort not to use the h-word, I’ll just say I really, really don’t like crowds. I really, really don’t like blaring music. I really, really...
How are you doing with the challenge to unplug from media for two hours before bed each night? Like many people at The River, I’ve spent the past month making a conscious decision to turn off the computer, TV, and phone in the evenings. I’m not a big television watcher...
We've never had cable or satellite TV, so I figured The River's "Turn Off and Tune In Challenge" would be pretty easy for me. What I didn't realize is the amount of time, especially in the evening, that I was still connected to a screen. Through the Challenge, God has taught me a...
For me, this month of soul keeping feels an awful lot like going fishing. When I was a boy, my grandparents used to take me fishing at a little lake by their house in Tennessee. I treasured my time with Grandma and Grandpa. The fishing? Not so much. Summertime in Memphis is awfully...
One morning, about a month ago, I wanted to shop. There wasn’t anything in particular I actually needed or wanted. I just felt an itch. I am a HUGE bargain hunter, and there’s something about the process of browsing, looking for a good find, finding it, and getting a good...