All of our favorite characters on journeys of higher purpose find a band of allies along their way — the people who encourage, support, celebrate, guide, and shape them. Likewise, if you want to live a life beyond the small and ordinary you need allies. Vince passes on some wisdom for filling out your band of allies, and zooms in especially on what to do when we experience loneliness.
Read MoreJust like our favorite fantasy stories and myths, Jesus’ message of the “Kingdom of God” is an invitation to us to leave our ordinary worlds, and step into a bigger reality that is outside our comfort zone and includes threats and danger, BUT will transform us into all we’re meant to be if we stay the course.
Read MoreMost of us spend a lot of time being self-critical or self-punishing, and that sucks! Vince shares about his number one self-kindness practice over the last 5 months: contemplative prayer, how that helps him “get out from under the waterfall” of his endless thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and how the simple words “of course” can revolutionize your prayer life.
Read MoreKyle takes us to some familial conflict from the life of Jesus, and suggests some ways we can learn from and experience healing from the God who knows what it's like to come from a family.
Read MoreThis week we learned about and tried our hands at contemplative prayer, from one of the foremost experts on it: Fr. Richard Rohr (in video form). This kind of prayer is not about solving problems, making judgments, answering questions, or processing stresses. It’s about — in Fr. Rohr’s words — “a long, loving look at the Real” of our lives.
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between bad authority and good authority? Fake news and journalistic integrity? Misappropriation of the Bible and appropriate use of the Bible? It’s the difference between unquestioned authority and interactive authority. Vince unpacks this difference by looking at some personal stories, an episode from the life of Jesus, and the broad brushstrokes of church history.
Read MoreJesus has some hard, countercultural-feeling encouragements for people, like "give to anyone who asks" or "give up your status". Should we follow Jesus out of duty or courage? Or, as Jesus himself instructs, should we follow him because he has our good health in mind? Isn't that a bit self-interested, Jesus? Maybe not...
Read MoreModern research on what leads to healthy, whole-hearted living (from the likes of Dr. Brene Brown) shines light on the importance of Jesus' encouragement to care for children as a way to connect with God and have the "greatest" impact by being among "the least".
Read MoreFollowing the trail of where my money goes can, maybe surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly), help me make self-discoveries about what sorts of things my heart is invested in. And, if that's true, maybe my money gives me an opportunity to awaken in me genuine passion and inspiration and spiritual alive-ness.
Read MoreCounselors wisely tell us that the judgments we pronounce say more about us than about who we are judging. Jesus' words on forgiveness, understood properly, offer surprisingly practical advice along these lines.
Read More
