When I was in high school I didn’t fit in socially. My days were consumed with being an “A” student, working to save money for college, and being helpful to my parents and four younger siblings. Looking back I can see that my perfectionism and internalization of stress made me anxious and depressed all the…
Our thoughts can be “like monkeys jumping around in a banana tree,” Henri Nouwen writes. (The full quote is in our article on “Solitude and Silence”.) Have you noticed any monkeys jumping around in your brain? Do you find yourself over-stressed, distractible, irritable, judging yourself or others, or anxious? That’s the impish monkeys! They screech…
I’m a Thinker. That’s a good thing. Jesus was a Thinker! But, unlike Jesus, I’ve gotten stuck in my head and needed help to learn how to engage my emotions. I want to share with you about being a Thinker who feels. But if you’re a Feeler, like my wife Kristi, I’m writing to you…
In a conflict situation it’s easy to get entangled in what the other person is doing that upsets me. But that’s not helpful — it only adds to my anger or shame and makes things worse. When there’s tension in my relationship with Bill or someone else I take out The Communication Wheel. It’s simple…
Often in marriage or another relationship we think we have an intimacy problem when really it’s more about a boundary problem. Boundaries between people get blurred if either one tries to share their “feelings” by sharing their perceptions of the other person. This blurs boundaries and leads to conflict. Instead, if you share your personal…
“I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing.” In Genesis 12:2 God spoke these words to Abraham and, in doing so, laid out a principle for those of us four thousand years later who have chosen to live with Jesus as our Shepherd. Think about blessings God has given you… and how…
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wants to find and befriend your lost emotions. You probably know Jesus’ parable about the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that’s lost. (Luke 15:1-7). But have you ever put yourself in that story? Not only before you trusted in Christ for salvation, but also in your life…
Have you ever had a trauma from your past triggered? I have! “Trauma” may sound dramatic — I wasn’t in a war or abused. As an infant I required stomach surgery to survive. My mom wanted to be with me but wasn’t allowed, so it felt like abandonment. Recently, emotions I experienced as a baby…
Have you heard of “Immanuel Journaling”? It’s spreading like wildfire across America and beyond! Kristi and I have found it to be a wonderful and powerful way to foster a greater awareness of God’s care. It’s a helpful tool for praying through your stress, hurt, intercessions, or whatever you’re experiencing, and appreciating God’s empathy and…
As you may recall, for Lent I gave up judging others. Needless to say, it’s a grace-work in progress! Recently I was taking a prayer walk on the path around the lake and meditating on Jesus’ words “Do not judge…” Then I noticed a man in his late 20’s striding my way with bravado. I…