In a previous series of blog posts, I tried writing weekly on healthy eating and living.  I want to pivot and return to this project, however looking at it through the spiritual practice of you.   Two quotes come to mind for me, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you ever can”. This is by John Wesley, the father of Methodism.  The other quote is “Live in such a way as... Read more

This week, we continue our exploration into the many ways gratitude is seen in the Abrahamic religions. This week, I will be looking at the Islamic tradition and the practice of Shukr. An Outsider Looking In From an outsider looking in, one may ask, “why do Muslims bow so much when they pray?” Understanding shukr helps answer this question. Again, it is important that I am an outsider, born in the blood of Jesus Christian and in no way is... Read more

         When I was still preaching, my favorite season of preaching was the Thanksgiving through Christmas seasons. I feel it is important to meditate on gratitude and  providence during this season.  I would like to spend the next four weeks looking at four perspectives of gratitude from the Abrahamic and Dharmic traditions. This week, we will look at the Jewish perspective of gratitude.   Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice  As a practice, gratitude enhances our satisfaction, our contentment... Read more

“Wonder is God’s way of getting our attention” – Joan Chittister   “When we wonder, we touch God”, Nontando Hadebe         Of the many modalities I use as a mental health therapist, Eric Erikson’s model of development leads my understanding of the clients I work with on a daily basis. As a pastor, I often and still use John Westerhoff’s developmental theory of faith development.   A Brief Overview of Development       Erik Erikson was a German psychoanalyst who would become... Read more