Spiritual Steps

Skipping the Sad

Jim, Pam, Dwight, Angela, Kevin and Creed. If you’re anything like me, you love them more than Dwight loves beets, bears and Battlestar Galactica. If you don’t recognize the names, they are characters from my all-time favorite show, The Office.  While these people may not be your crew, you’ve probably found a similar affection for other TV characters from Friends to Cheers, Happy Days to the Andy Griffith Show. When we watch characters for years…

Continue reading

Spiritual Steps

Ugly Orange Life-Vest

It was orange, goofy and uncomfortable.  There was no way I was wearing it. As I stood staring at the ocean in front of me, a kayak at my feet and a paddle in my hand, the thought of wearing this ridiculous life-vest seemed unimaginable. I boldly tossed it to the shore, confident in my ability as a swimmer. Three separate times I was tossed from the kayak. I remained in the deep water, paddle…

Continue reading

Spiritual Steps

Monday Morning Meditation

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”—Psalms 1:2  There are few outlets that can keep my attention day or night. Buzzfeed is one. It knows me. It draws me in…with the most ridiculous, random lists. 45 Things from Your 90’s Childhood You Probably Forgot. The 25 Most Loved One-Hit Wonders Ever.  31 Horrendous Pinterest Fails. When I think about living out this verse,…

Continue reading

Our Adoption Journey Uncategorized

Our Adoption Story: Part One

We’re adopting! It’s a journey that’s been years in the making, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be walking down this road together. Shannon and I knew having biological children might not be a possibility for us, so the seed of adoption was first planted during our dating years.  But, after three years of marriage we were blessed with a beautiful, red-headed boy. God was faithful. After a couple years of parenthood, we decided…

Continue reading

Spiritual Steps Uncategorized

Gummy Bears for Breakfast

I’ll admit it. I’ve been proud, arrogant and probably a little bit stupid. Blame it on seminary. Blame it on being raised in the church. Or, more likely, blame it on my tendency to float towards pharisaic tendencies. But, for the longest time, I have rejected the idea of devotions. All I needed was the Bible. One verse, a story and a sentence prayer wasn’t going to cut it for me. I needed meat.  I…

Continue reading