-
What Does it Mean to be Holy?
John 17:17-19 Sermon I prepared for Ordinary Community Church (OCC), May 25, 2025. Introduction I had pages of notes on holiness and perfection – notes from books, Bible commentaries, and sermons by other pastors. But none of it felt right. The message was spot on, but the delivery style was all wrong. So, I set…
-
Emotional Hangover | FaithFacts
I received an email yesterday thanking me for my contribution to an online forum depicting real stories of chaplain experience. To be honest, the email threw me because I had no recollection of submitting any stories to any forum. I had to look back through the email to see the date I sent the original…
-
The Great Awakening
*This is the longhand version of the sermon I preached on Sunday, March 16, 2025. I first write it out in longhand to organize and memorize my thoughts. I then create an outline from which to preach, backward from how most people write. I refer to my actual sermon as the cliff notes version. It…
-
The Disciple Whom Jesus Loves
John 16:26, 19:26 Written-out sermon delivered @OCC Sunday, January 26, 2025. Christianity is a therapeutic religion. It is alive, relational. It gives us hope and drives out fear. That was the theme of the welcoming sermon the night I arrived for my silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani. “What is the biggest threat to…
-
Gethsemani Journal
After cancer, I made a new birthday rule for myself. Every year, I would celebrate by either doing something I have never done before or something I fear. Post COVID, I expanded this to include taking a trip by myself, something reminiscent of trips I used to take to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky.…
-
Advent Hope
(Longhand sermon notes for the first week of Advent: December 1, 2024) I scrapped my sermon twice, once because it started to feel more like I was gathering research for one of my seminary theology courses, and again after I heard a new song. As I prayed about it, God gave me very clear guidance:…
-
Suicide?
Disclaimer: this post is about my personal mental health journey. It is not intended to be an in-depth or all-inclusive summation of suicide. If you or someone you love has an immediate need, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8 or visit https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help. The tragic death of a young celebrity recently ignited rumors about what may…
-
Audio Versions Now Available
I finally did it! All three of my completed works of fiction are now available in audio formats. The process was quite fun once I figured out what I was doing. I greatly enjoyed working with the producers. I loved listening to Life Before Me and One Step Away as Sawyer completed each chapter. I…
-
I Promise. I Am Fine
I write this for those with whom I love who got understandably stuck on the first portion of my previous post – especially those who have experienced the grief and trauma of losing a loved one to suicide. I hope this post sets their mind at ease. I hope those reading with mental health issues…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
TRA.Perspective 