A healthy, full life of course has a strong element of inward reflection and being in touch with oneself. And, at the same time, a healthy, full life is also richly relational and never closed off. Life (and connection with God) are found in holding the tension of looking inward and outward.
Read MoreVince Brackett, Abby Dye, and Elizabeth Bertrand discuss the various ways we are prone to assume "God might be pleased with other people, but not me," and suggest some ways to leave this spiritual imposter syndrome behind.
Read MoreWhat’s the most spiritual thing you did in the last year? Chances are you have images of prayer or meditation or reading the Bible coming to mind. Those are great, but what about the last powerful new realization you came to? When you learned something, or discovered a new perspective, or changed your mind. Hayley wonders if God is in those experiences as much as anything in life…
Read MoreMay 23 is a day of action for our church, as we talk about justice for the unhoused, and organize a way that we as individuals can each provide relief to our neighbors experiencing suffering due to homelessness.
Read MoreExpectations and hope (and also maybe some fear and anxiety) are building as more of us become fully vaccinated and life’s many calendar invites for in-person gathering begin to return. Kyle wonders if we can take this as a “blank slate” opportunity, and offers a prayer/meditation practice for helping us wisely reintegrate into a less social-distanced life.
Read MoreFor black and brown Americans, the judgments of authorities too often lead to harm and mistrust (even death, as in the shootings of Daunte Wright & Adam Toledo). On the surface, the God of the Bible can seem just as cruelly authoritative, but what if God is actually the opposite? In our culture obsessed with determining guilt vs. innocence, judgment becomes a weapon people use against each other. On the surface, the God of the Bible can seem just as judgmental, but what if God is actually the opposite?
Read MoreOn the weekend of Valentine’s Day, Kyle and a panel of folks from our church help us relieve the pressure everyone feels about romance being what will complete us. (For single people, of course, but also for partnered people!) Unfortunately, churches have reinforced this pressuring message just as much as 90s Disney movies, pop music, Hollywood, etc, and just called it “Biblical”. But it’s not!
Read MoreFelt connection with God (not just going through the motions of religion) can be fleeting and hard to find one's way into -- even when we're not in the midst of a pandemic and winter -- and even for people who have had a prayer life for many years -- and even for people who have experienced it in the past but don't currently. Vince shares about an approach to prayer that can help many and that utilizes a tool we all have: our memory.
Read MoreFull recording of our virtual kid-friendly take on the traditional Anglican Christmas Carols Service — carols, readings, a brief reflection, and prayer.
(Art by Janet McKenzie)
Read MoreFor some of us, America's political divide hits very close to home. BLC's Christina Culver and Kyle Hanawalt discuss how faith can offer a way to feel hope about the future even if we never experience someone changing their mind. When is it right to say something, and when is it right to not? What are healthy boundaries to protect that hope?
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