My Thoughts and Articles
Religion as Emotional Intensifier
We did some research awhile back on sanctification. Sanctification is what happens when a person gives something in their life sacred significance and meaning. We looked at forgiveness, and found that individuals who sanctified the process of forgiveness (i.e., viewed forgiveness as something important to their spiritual lives) were more ...
Cognitive Fusion in the Bible
When I read the Bible, I am amazed at the wisdom in the teachings of Jesus. I can learn a lot about how to live by putting his teachings into practice, and also by modeling my life after how Jesus lived. Sometimes I wonder, however, if some of the teachings ...
5 Steps to Re-Parent Yourself
None of our parents were perfect. Parenting is difficult, and your parents had their own issues that they brought to the table. Maybe they didn’t give you the love and affection that you needed. Maybe they were critical toward you. Maybe they were controlling and didn’t let you have as ...
Holding on to My Cherry Pie Too Tightly
When I was first dating my wife, we had a funny exchange that reminded me of our tendency to hold on to the things we value too tightly. We got home from dinner, and there was one piece of cherry pie left. My wife immediately grabbed a plate, fork, the ...
God, Bank Accounts, and Grace
At church, one of our pastors talked about how we often struggle to understand that God’s love for us comes without conditions. He gave a cool example that helped me understand this truth in a new way, and I’d like to share it with you. Bank Account He used the ...
Don’t Let Your Energy Leak Out Sideways
Our energy and drive as human beings can be an incredibly powerful force. But sometimes we struggle to focus our energy. Instead, we let it leak out sideways. It’s like a garden hose with a hole in it. The pressure is released, and some of the water is flowing out ...