Although we say we are practicing obedience to God’s voice, we may be practicing something else altogether.
All tagged listening
Pocket Phrases
The intent of these little pocket phrases is simply to equip you with a diplomatic way to open the lines of communication and to acknowledge that everyone has a point of view worth hearing.
Pursuing Silence
While sound can be a blessing, I do wonder if our need for and reliance on sound has hindered us. Sound keeps us moving regardless of whether or not we need to stop.
Our Presence With God
God deeply desires our presence. God never makes it difficult to experience His presence, but we can make it hard through our “spiritual A.D.D.”
Airplane Conversations
These conversations were gifts because, though strangers, we were able to connect as humans despite the vile history.
Noticing Beauty
If your biggest news is about an interesting insect whose path you crossed on your walk, then you’re onto something.
Defend or Connect: Pick One
People are desperate to be understood, and listening is the most validating thing you can do for another human being.
Love: It’s Time to Get to Work
Reflecting on years of teaching young students, I am reminded of exercises captioned “Listen and do.” Might this be a simple, yet awfully mature, set of ancient instructions?
Reflection Roundup: Stormy Bank or the River?
Can anyone else relate to the image of crossing a river, standing on stones you’ve just thrown into the river from the comfort of the riverbank?
Reflection Roundup: Beyond Language
Music, poetry, the vulnerable submission of our blind spots to the examination of trusted others, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to breathe it all in. These are my prayers as we camp in new perspectives and different rhythms for a bit.
I Got out of Bed
While the day was successful in terms of accomplishing my agenda, I realized that my greatest achievement on that day was that I got out of bed – despite the mental odds, self-doubt, and insecurities.
Reflection Roundup: “This is the way; walk in it” (Is. 30:21)
When at a crossroads, not knowing whether to go to the right or to the left, trust the voice of God who says, “Here is my way; walk in it.”
Five Steps to Restore Your Church’s Vitality
Sometimes, a health crisis hits a church squarely in the face. If the church possesses enough self-awareness, it then faces the choice to either make dramatic changes or else permanently lose health and vitality.
Reflection Roundup: Joining
Our ultimate powerlessness levels the human playing field yet serves to unite when we courageously join God’s movement, continually willing to dance the faithful steps of contemplation and action.
Turning Toward Resiliency
Sometimes being faithful is the order of the day. And for those of us who practice leadership in congregations, we may need some different practices.
Leadership Requires Listening
As we talk about taking initiative – getting things done quickly, efficiently, and innovatively – the reminder at the end is stark: learn to listen!
Where Christmas Starts
The first lesson of Christmas is to keep showing up even when your miracle hasn’t.
Are We Asking the Right Question?
“Why don’t they understand?” is not our best question in these moments as we attempt to understand our country’s struggles or our sibling’s perspectives or our child’s hurts.
On Spiders and Human Complexity
While the term spider connotes danger, it does not tell the whole story about the thousands upon thousands of species of spiders in all of their glorious diversity.
Leading from Grace—A Ministry of Presence
Leaders are present with their people. It sounds simply enough, but it’s difficult to put into practice.