In this Eighth Episode of the Thoughts from the Glen podcast, I reflect on local Christmas atmospheres that I experienced in Oklahoma, Colorado, Michigan, and Indiana, as well as on the various family traditions and ceremonies that we incorporated into our Christmas celebrations over the years. In addition, I consider why Christmas doesn't always feel like enough, or meaningful enough to satisfy our desire for something deeper. If you've got some traveling to do over this weekend, or you just have some downtime in your holiday schedule, I'd be honored if you'd share in my reflections on this important season. Merry Christmas!!!

Most of us have experienced intense fear in our lives, as children and adults. They can paralyze our ability to move forward in life, and fears developed can have lingering effects for years to come. In this episode I share some of my own fears that I faced as a child, and how I sought to cope in unhealthy ways. I hope that it helps at least some of you to walk through your own struggles with fear and to possibly see some new angles on how you may or may not be handling them in healthy ways. 
#Fear #Bullying #Darkness #claustrophobia #Christ #Jesus #Christianity #acrophobia #nyctophobia #daemonophobia #wiccaphobia

On this Thanksgiving Day, I just wanted to encourage you all, and myself, to remember our common condition....our common state of need before our Creator. Thanks for taking a few minutes to listen to some stories and quotes centered on the importance of gratitude in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, from our family to yours!! #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #Love #Hospitality #Grace #Truth #CommonGrace #Pilgrims #Vulnerability #Generosity #Friendship #Murica #America #PlymouthRock 

Capital Punishment has been controversial and debated within societies ever since the beginning of recorded history, it seems. To take another human's life, even as a punishment for their unlawful taking of a human's life, is for most an uncomfortable idea. And one could argue that if it isn't an uncomfortable idea, there might be something wrong with us! There is especially debate within Christianity on this matter. Many of us want to integrate the love of Christ as thoroughly as possible into every aspect of our lives, and we want to meet the requirements of what forgiveness and grace are supposed to look like in our actions. I can't explore, in this episode, every passage in the Bible or every controversy related capital punishment, but I hope to at least orient your minds towards a general posture that the Bible takes on these matters and how we can approach the tragic reality of capital punishment in a sinful world. 

Pictured illustration by Ernest Clair-Guyot

Before moving forward with a range of life's important topics over the weeks and months to come, I thought it best to introduce myself a bit more thoroughly to those of you who have no idea who I am. I realize that it's easier to understand opinions and perspectives when you know someone's background and journey. So, hopefully this more thorough introduction to major identifiers and events that shaped my life will help you to at least hear my perspectives more clearly. Thanks again for taking the time to engage Thoughts from the Glen. 

Halloween has had a unique place in the story of my life. It's been the source of great anxiety, jealousy, and violent inspiration. How should we as Christians relate with this mysterious day when the days begin to grow cold and dark and spirits are thought to be close at hand? How do we celebrate such a day....or do we? Here's a bit of my story for you to consider as you reflect on your convictions. 

Christian Nationalism is a hot topic on Christian Twitter right now, and for good reason. Our nation seems to be headed down a pretty dark path that is counter to many of the Christian values that most citizens once agreed upon in this nation. There's some fiery conversation going on as to how to move our culture back to a place where this nation images more of what Christians value. Terminology and branding are a big part of how we approach these issues, and plenty of thoughtful people are concerned about the use of the term "Christian Nationalism." But others see it as best representative of what they're hoping for. Within the broader culture war there's an internal war of who gets to steward the language of what Christians hope for and fight for in this nation.  I won't answer all the relevant questions in this episode, but I will share with you what I think people are concerned about and why it matters. Feel free to engage my thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

In a broken world, embodied by those who recognize and mourn that brokenness, few things are more routinely called for from our fellow image-bearer than compassion. But what is it, and what is it not? Do Christians have a distinctive understanding of compassion? Do we have to deserve compassion to receive it? I'll discuss these questions and personal story in this first episode of the Thoughts from the Glen podcast!