By Ryan McBride. Years ago, when I was 14 I got a girl pregnant. We didn’t know she was pregnant until she was trying on dresses for her sister’s wedding. She had passed out during the fitting. Her mom was rightfully concerned. They took her to the doctor. They ran all sorts of tests and … More Loss, pain, anger and guilt.
There was a season in my life not too long ago when hope seemed to be my enemy. There was a series of hopes in my life, both large and small, that were born, grew, and then died. Sometimes it was a gentle death, filled with respect and kindness, but it was death nonetheless. Other … More Hope for the Second Half
At every level of our culture, there is a trend to avoid vulnerability at essentially all costs. Vulnerability feels scary, raw, and sometimes just too honest. Recently, I have been reading the book Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, and it has profoundly shifted my perspective on the purpose and potential of vulnerability. If you haven’t … More The Vulnerability of a Positive Perspective
It really is remarkable how much can be communicated in a moment of silence. I recall a few weeks ago when a significant announcement was made regarding a core family of our church and the silence that ensued as we heard the news spoke volumes in terms of the incredible value this family is to the … More Silence
I’ve always said I like change. I feel a renewed sense of energy, a breath of fresh air, and generally uplifted when I see purposeful shifts around me. Lately I’ve been learning that this is actually a very conditional attitude: I like change when it’s my idea. And while I can put a positive spin … More Transitions
Near the end of 2016 I found myself bombarded by articles, blogs, whiny memes and huffed chatter about how horrible the year 2016 had been. Most cited the numerous celebrity deaths and one celebrity turned president elect as the main ingredients for the concoction that made for a bad year. I would like to argue … More No Hope In 2017
I’m definitely much more of a thinker than a feeler. It’s easier to experience God through my mind than my heart. I do experience Him on an emotional level at times, but these are rare and honestly more often confusing than not. Intellectual analysis of a felt experience of God is, for the most part, … More Raised Hands
