Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it. It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:8-10

I hope this first day after Easter finds all my readers in a warm and secure place in your faith journey.

At my church, we had done a study during Lent about the life of John Wesley- founder of the Methodist movement. He was a strong and dedicated follower of Jesus, and his renewal movement spurred incredible revival of the Christian faith in England, the United States, and eventually around the world. 

His understanding of a response to Jesus was a holistic one- one that encompassed “head, hand and heart”. By that I mean, he recognized that our faith could stand the scrutiny of logical and cognitive examination- it makes sense. Further, our hearts would be changed into loving others as ourselves as Jesus taught.

Finally, as a result of those changes in us, our hands- the ways that we reach out to others- would be activated out of that love for others. I find this completely integrated approach to life, transformed by the Holy Spirit through our humble acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus, to be particularly appealing.

So, keep it simple. Our faith must be one that reaches our mind, our hearts and our actions.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the ways that you send teachers into our life, Amen

Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.  It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:8-10

I hope this first day after Easter finds all my readers in a warm and secure place in your faith journey.

At my church, we had done a study during Lent about the life of John Wesley- founder of the Methodist movement. He was a strong and dedicated follower of Jesus, and his renewal movement spurred incredible revival of the Christian faith in England, the United States, and eventually around the world.  

His understanding of a response to Jesus was a holistic one- one that encompassed “head, hand and heart”. By that I mean, he recognized that our faith could stand the scrutiny of logical and cognitive examination- it makes sense. Further, our hearts would be changed into loving others as ourselves as Jesus taught.

Finally, as a result of those changes in us, our hands- the ways that we reach out to others- would be activated out of that love for others. I find this completely integrated approach to life, transformed by the Holy Spirit through our humble acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus, to be particularly appealing.

So, keep it simple. Our faith must be one that reaches our mind, our hearts and our actions.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the ways that you send teachers into our life, Amen

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16

So, have you seen the images from the Webb telescope? To say that they are amazing is a disservice to the word “amazing”. The Webb telescope is taking us back to almost the earliest days of creation- the “Big Bang” if you will. Those images show us the vastness and beauty of the creation of the universe.  If that is not a miracle, there isn’t one.

This universe did not just spontaneously come into being. There was a design for it from a timeframe that we cannot understand. That Creator, the God Almighty, laid out his design and spoke the universe into existence.

Easter is based on the premise of a miracle- the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. In my way of thinking, that is not very hard to fathom in light of the creation that Jesus was part of from the beginning of what we know of as “time”. God, of course, is timeless. He is not bound by our conception of time. The past, present, and future, as we know it, are all one with him. (Yeah, don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure that one out).

If God wanted a plan where Jesus would come to earth, live among his creation, then redeem it, and at the same time overcome death, that was a veritable piece of cake compared to the creation of life and the universe.

So yes, this Easter, revel in the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus, but it is just one of the miracles that God has shown to his creation.

Happy Easter!

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the miracles that you bestow upon us! Amen

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

In yesterday’s blog, I talked about pushing on, to not give up trying, and to continue to work our program for health, even when it is difficult. Then I posed the question about depression. When one is clinically depressed, lack of hope and lack of motivation are hallmark symptoms. How does one go about keeping up with challenging disciplines when one is depressed?

I have had severely depressed clients who shared with me that it is difficult at times to even get out of bed. Getting dressed becomes a chore. Simple household duties become overwhelming. Work feels out of the question. Then what do we do?

When people experience that level of depression, medical intervention is imperative. A thorough physical examination is in order first to rule out various illness or hormonal causes of the depression. Clearing that hurdle, a psychiatric evaluation is in order to consider antidepressant medication. Supportive counseling is also a key therapeutic element.

Then we come to some behavioral work. It is important to validate to the client that what they are experiencing is real, and that they are truly suffering. Then I may begin to suggest the smallest behavioral tasks- maybe getting out of bed a little earlier than they did the day before; doing one household task per day- the dishes perhaps.

The idea is to go slow, but to put reasonable, achievable tasks before them. One little success makes the next step easier and to seem attainable. Every little success builds to the next one. Taking behavioral charge is still important, even when the client may feel it is so small. Taking control of small actions gives the confidence that life can still be managed, even though at a slower, smaller level.

It reminds me of an old saying in counseling- “Change one thing, change everything”.

I think that’s a true statement.

Prayer: Lord, give us strength, even when we don’t think we can move forward, Amen

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.                                       Matthew 28:6

When I was growing up, the celebration of Easter was surrounded with some beautiful traditions. Midnight Mass on Saturday night before Easter was an experience of anticipation. The Resurrection was celebrated with ceremony that had been centuries in the making. The statues  of the saints in the church had been covered in purple drapes ever since Ash Wednesday- a mark of sorrow and sobriety anticipating the coming sacrifice of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday.

At Midnight, the bells, which had been silent all during the Lenten season, pealed out all over the church. The purple drapes fell from the statues, and the choir broke into joyous songs such as “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”. The joy and atmosphere were electric in the celebration!

Much of that liturgical richness has been lost, I think. Certainly, in many Mainline Protestant churches, such majesty has been absent. Yet, as I read social media, and speak to many Christians in several venues, I think that the younger generation longs for the rich liturgy of formal worship that has been largely stripped away in the past two or three decades.

Informal worship and seeker friendly services may not be as inviting as once thought. Many people long for their churches to have a more formal, participant-engaging experience in worship. Long beloved liturgies that embrace some predictability and comfort enhance the beaty of collective worship.

Formal choirs, familiar recitations of prayers by the congregation, and a predictable pattern of service are often very comforting in a world of incredible unpredictability.

I am not saying that we throw everything out. I am just positing that people yearn often for their church to be a place of comfort, so that when we are out in the world, living the Resurrection message, we can have the solid footing that we need every weekend.

Just a thought.

The more important message is that however we celebrate the miracle of Resurrection, we recognize that we stand in a line of centuries of believers who expressed joy at this marvelous Easter celebration. 

As this Holy Week plays out, I wish a blessed time of reflection my friends!

Prayer: Lord, how can we even comprehend fully the miracle of Resurrection? You have provided for us that which we cannot do on our own, Amen

“Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be found and brought to light.                                                                                                                                               Luke 8:17

Everyone has some things in their own mind that they do not want shared in public. Indeed, in many cases it might be inappropriate or hurtful to share it. Yet, there are some things that need to be shared in order for us to fully heal.

I have clients who have secrets that they have held for many years. Many find it too burdensome to continue carrying these hidden thoughts or behaviors. Often, after a difficult disclosure, I have heard people say, “I have never told anyone else this before…”

I feel privileged to have earned their trust, and to be a part of their healing. More importantly, it can be the start of a new free and unburdened life for them. I have had clients who held secrets about cheating on a spouse, a secret addiction, etc. At the time they tell these dark secrets, they can begin to heal.

I explain to them that carrying a secret takes a lot of energy. We are consciously, sometimes unconsciously, making sue that the words stay hidden deep in our memory, never to be let out. Yet, this takes a chronic mental, spiritual, even physical toll.

After disclosure, clients typically say “I feel so much better having gotten that off my chest!” The value of getting these things out into the open in a trusted space is an important aspect of healing. The saying that “Light breaks the power of darkness” is a true statement.

The truth sets us free.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make safe spaces for truth, Amen

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand                                                                                                Isaiah 41:10

I will often suggest to my clients that they pick some kind of visual symbol to remind them of the coping tools that we discussed. Tactile reminders can be helpful. Sometimes, people will carry a tiny cross in their pocket, wear a ring, get a tattoo, or place some other very visual reminder on their person that helps to remind and anchor helpful mental health tools.

I tell my clients that Orthodox Jews may wear Frontlets on their forehead. These Frontlets contain pieces of parchment on which are written Scripture verses. In other words, they took very literally God’s command to “always keep my word in front of you”.

Each of us needs to find ways to be grounded when anxious or depressed, and also to remember that God promised to never leave us. Whatever form that takes for you, consider finding ways to make that real.

We all need reassurance sometimes…  

Prayer: We need reminders that you will never leave us. Thank you for that promise, Amen

“I always knew that deep down in every heart, there is mercy and generosity. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

Nelson Mandela, (A Long Walk to Freedom)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.                                     John 13:34-35

I’ve been listening to a podcast about the human brain, and it is fascinating. Once again, I am struck by the complexity and grand design of our body, and especially the brain. The author talks about use of the word “hardwiring” that is sometimes used in discussing brain function. He says that “livewiring” is a better word, because the brain is always compensating to adapt to circumstances in our life. I cannot go into all the amazing details, of course, but suffice it to say, it got me thinking about learning.

We are learning all the time. We are adjusting and compensating for the things that life throws at us. Our brain is constantly giving us sensory messages about our environment. We can also learn more important emotional skills to navigate this world so that we can become more of what God intended us to be- loving people. We are not born hating other people. That, unfortunately is learned.

When we continually use a certain part of our brain- when we “overlearn” something- it tends to endure and almost become second nature. It comes easily to us after much practice. So too with doing loving things. The more we practice loving behaviors, the more we feel love.

You know my mantra if you are a regular reader of this blog- DO, THEN FEEL. If we do something enough, we will feel like doing it. If I act lovingly, I begin to feel more loving.

So, that is what we are called to do. Learn to love better. That is what we were created to do.

Prayer: Father, you have made us to love one another. Help us to learn how to do that daily, Amen

 The path of the godly leads to life. So why fear death?                                                                                     Proverbs 12:28 (Living Bible)

I recently went to a funeral visitation to support friends who had lost their near 90-year-old mother. Hers had been a life well lived, and the packed funeral home attested to the ways that she and her family had positively impacted their community. The funeral home was filled with laughter and smiling faces.

Yes, that is a wonderful way to fill a funeral visitation. People coming together to celebrate the life of one who has redeemed their time well on earth. The overall mood was joyous and friendly- the result of old friends and family coming together.

Of course, there was sadness in her passing. This family had just lost a mother, grandmother, aunt, etc. Yet the pervasive tone there was joy in one another present. Good memories of her life abounded. Family stories of her impact were shared. All these were good things, and while painful at times, they were events to be celebrated and passed into family lore.

We naturally want a long and fruitful life, yet we know that it will someday end. Our hope is that one day, when others gather at that funeral home for us, they can laugh and share great stories together, and have laughter fill the room.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us the gift of life, help us to cram it full of wonderful stories, Amen

My work is to prepare the way for that man so that everyone will go to him. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him—that is all.                                           John 3:28

In this passage, John the Baptist is testifying about Jesus, but also saying something about himself. John is being asked about his ministry, and he points out to people that he can only testify to what he sees and knows. He tells people that he must decrease as Jesus increases, because his job is to herald Jesus. His job is to be the messenger, not the message. He basically is saying this:

“Folks, if you are wanting to follow after me, you have missed the picture. I don’t have anything to give you but Jesus, the one about whom I testify. Don’t look for salvation in me. Look to Jesus, the savior”.

I think the use of the word “testimony” is interesting. It reminds me of our own judicial system. You see, I think that the best testimony comes from those who have no vested interest in making themselves look good or important. In a court room, the most powerful testimony comes not from the “expert witness”, but from the eyewitness. The eyewitness simply says, “Here is what I saw, plain and simple. Believe me if you want, or disbelieve me if you want, but all I can do is tell you what I saw with my own eyes”.

The expert witness tries to establish his/her own credentials as an interpreter of the truth, and they have something to gain or lose based on their testimony- their “expertness” and credibility. The eyewitness has no vested interest in making him/herself look better, but is interested in saying only what they saw or experienced. That person has powerful credibility in my opinion.

John the Baptist simply wanted to point to Jesus, not to make a name for himself. How good are we at simply being the witness that no one can refute, because we are saying, “This is what Jesus did for me!”

Prayer: Father, help me always point to you. Truth will always come from me if I am faithful in pointing only to you. Give me the courage to be the witness that you would have me to be. Amen