Category Archives: Divided heart

Moving Beyond Polarization into Mission

January 23, 2012

I’m moving on. I’ve spent the last decade-plus in the midst of a sad and frustrating polarization.  In other posts, I’ve talked about it as the Emergent-Resurgence polarization.  It’s the newest episode in a long series of polarization-episodes.  We, Christians, … Continue reading

Why Penn State and Syracuse Matter…

November 28, 2011

At the Leadership for the Church in Mission conference the week before last, Prof. NT Wright ranted against the media obsession with the Penn State scandal.  I get it.  For Wright, the American news media is quick to jump on … Continue reading

To all the women who feel crazy with a narcissist…

November 2, 2011

Dear “Crazy”: Yes, I know you’ve heard that word over and over again.  Remember the night you just couldn’t take it any more?  He wouldn’t listen, but he sat there sitting with that look…you know the look…as if to say, … Continue reading

On Self-Deception

September 27, 2011

Demosthenes once said, “Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.” Listening to James K.A. Smith speak to our Newbigin Fellows this past weekend, I was reminded of the importance of … Continue reading

on self-compassion, inner critics, and becoming the beloved | 3

September 6, 2011

I heard an interview with a struggling baseball player the other day.  The radio personality interviewing him said, “It must be tough right now.”  The player said, “It’s always tough.  We work in a profession where succeeding 3 out of … Continue reading

On Self-Compassion, Inner Critics, and Becoming the Beloved – Part 2

August 21, 2011

I love this poem by Fleur Adcock.  Take your time and read it.  I’ll share some thoughts after it… Weathering My face catches the wind from the snow line and flushes with a flush that will never wholly settle. Well, … Continue reading

On Self-Compassion, Inner Critics, and Becoming the Beloved – Part 1

August 19, 2011

I’m beginning a new series of blog posts on self-compassion, recently requested by some friends and clients.  It’s an odd concept, particularly if you’re a Christian.  In fact, it may ring of a kind of secularized bastardization of God’s love.  … Continue reading

On Christian Hypocrisy 1 :: Who are We?

August 15, 2011

Dear Skeptic, Thomas Merton once wrote, “All sin starts from the assumption that my false self, the self that exists only in my egocentric desires, is the fundamental reality of life to which everything in the universe is ordered.” If … Continue reading