Tag Archives: ministry

Who condemns you?

One of my favorite stories in all of scripture tells of a woman who was dragged in front of Jesus, being used as bait to trick Jesus into a no-win situation. She had been caught in sin, clearly guilty, but … Continue reading

Posted in burnout, depression, leadership, mental health, ministry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Rewriting my internal dialogue

This week’s assignment feels weird. I haven’t been able to do it yet. I get started and then think, “this is stupid” and then I give up. I like to write encouragement cards and send texts to others saying stuff … Continue reading

Posted in anxiety, counseling, depression, discouragement, imposter syndrome, mental health, ministry, pastor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How long will this take?

I finished my brain book. I think it was helpful but the last section with the practical tips seemed a bit too simplistic. Maybe “simplistic” is the wrong word. I don’t know what the right word is. Perhaps the practical … Continue reading

Posted in anxiety, burnout, counseling, depression, discouragement, hope, hopeless, leadership, mental health, ministry, pastor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Where are my memories?

You want to know something weird? I have zero positive Easter memories from growing up. I only remember one Easter when I was 15 years old and it was very negative. I’m 60 years old and I think of it … Continue reading

Posted in mental health, ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Shaking off the dropped balls.

I really could use some beta-endorphin and beta-lipotrophin from pedaling my bike today. The last I knew today’s forecast was for warmth and sun. Now it’s calling for rain and 48°. The endorphin thing is brain talk I’m learning from … Continue reading

Posted in anxiety, burnout, Christianity, counseling, depression, discouragement, exercise, hope, hopeless, mental health, ministry, pastor, peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Seeing a counselor?

On Sunday, March 12, I stood up in front of the church family I love and said, “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t continue like I am.” For the next 30-40 minutes I opened myself up and let everyone … Continue reading

Posted in burnout, depression, direction, discouragement, hope, Liver disease, mental health, pastor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Do you pray? How do you pray? When? Why?

When I was at my lowest, my prayers seemed intimate and somehow powerful. They seemed like a two-way interaction, I often sensed God’s presence and comfort like a sudden, warm, summer downpour – the type that makes you throw out … Continue reading

Posted in burnout, Christianity, hope, peace, recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Is it time to put it all behind me? Forget it?

I can’t help but be amazed by the passing of time and how it changes things. Last summer I attended two weddings and left both early. Both were major accomplishments for me since I was just weeks post transplant. Everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How is your eyesight? Your hearing? What do you see? What do you hear?

Have you ever sat and listened to the birds? I mean, really listened, not just, “woah, listen to those birds.” This afternoon I sat and listened. That’s not like me. Or, at least, it’s not like the me I used … Continue reading

Posted in change, Find God, Liver disease, relationship, religion, transplant, transplant recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’ve got the green light … Now what?

A week ago Josh and I walked through the doors at Lahey Hospital and headed to the transplant wing. When we walk around Lahey we do it like we built the place. We know where everything is because we’ve spent … Continue reading

Posted in change, Christianity, hope, Lahey Clinic, Liver disease, pastor, transplant, transplant recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why do I get to live while others die?

I just don’t get it. I want life to be fair but I don’t worry about “fair” when things are going great. Who does? Have you ever seen a lottery winner shake her head and say, “I don’t know. Life’s … Continue reading

Posted in burnout, chronic illness, Liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Top 10 Ways to say “I don’t give a CRAP about you!”

10. Isolate and whisper. Even turn your back to others. 9. Nonstop inside jokes are always good. Share memories and laugh loud about stuff nearby people didn’t experience. If they ask, brush them off with, “You had to be there.” … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, church planting, gospel, Jesus, leadership, love, pastor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Go to church less, be the church more.

My iPhone alarm woke me this morning, as usual, with the Newsboys singing, “Put on your backpack Throw out your road map God’ll use anything Check it and see He’s givin’ us more than we ever could ask for That’s the … Continue reading

Posted in change, Christianity, church planting, direction, gospel, Jesus, leadership, ministry, religion, Uncategorized, vision | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No one reads smoke signals anymore

I’d seen this video presentation before but this afternoon it hit me in a new way. Do you know how difficult it is to get church people to plan creatively? No matter what board or commission I’ve served on, no … Continue reading

Posted in campus ministry, change, Christianity, church planting, direction, gospel, Jesus, leadership, ministry, pastor, peace, religion, Uncategorized, vision | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment