GraceTruth Church focuses on authenticity and intimacy, encouraging individuals to be themselves without fear of judgment. Emphasizing the importance of knowing our purpose in Christ, the church fosters a supportive community.
James
Advocate, Teacher, Mentor, Stormer of Brains, Slayer of Sadness
Harnessing Chaos: The Light of a Structured Life
A structured, purposeful life serves as a beacon for others, proving that discipline brings freedom, meaning, and progress. Such a life inspires and guides others to find clarity and fulfillment.
Influencers are Not Influenced: An Idea that Rakes against the Scales of Social Marketing and Authenticity
The Ubiquity of Influence Influence permeates every facet of our lives. From birth, we absorb our environment like sponges, translating external stimuli into cognitive processes that shape our ideas and perceptions. This continuous exchange often occurs unconsciously, leading to the absorption of unexamined influences that can shape our thoughts and actions in ways we might…
You are probably not a narcissist.
Narcissism: A Theological Perspective “That person is just a narcissist.” I hear this constantly in counseling. I often hear many people’s self-confession of being a narcissist. In 2022, I sought out psychiatric care with this in mind, “I am a narcissist, and I’m not sure that I am worthy of human interaction.” I was wrong…
Barber Shop Wisdom
During my swim this morning, I pondered the “knowledge” I’ve amassed in life. People often admire those with vast information. Yet, the gaming world is replete with trivia champions. This made me consider: “What difference does my knowledge make?” Alliteration always affluent; I thought of these: In my childhood, campaigns like “Knowledge is Power” and…
Shame Has No Place in Christ
Pastoral Reflection on Overcoming the Bondage of Shame “I’m not good enough.”“Everyone will find out how flawed I am.”“I always mess things up.”“No one could ever love me if they knew the real me.”“I’m a failure.”“I deserve to feel this way.”“Why can’t I be like everyone else?”“I’m a burden to others.”“I’ll never be able to…
Psychobabble and Christian Fanaticism: Bridging Faith and Therapy
In the ministry, my impression of mental health care was negative from the beginning. My training contained nice little pejorative packages against it in both spoken and indirect ways. “What this person needs is Jesus.” “If someone can’t find the ability to enjoy life, then there’s something wrong with their faith.” “All you have to…
The Paradox of Power: Leadership as Servitude in the Example of Christ
“What is a leader?” This seemingly simple question provokes a cascade of images and ideals. Is a leader the loudest voice in the room, the one with the most charisma? Perhaps it’s the individual wielding the greatest power or the one with unmatched skills and talents. These common images suggest leadership is about dominating, outshining,…
Get to the Root of Us | Identity in Christ
In the quiet solitude of reflection, beneath the surface of our daily hustle, lies the fertile soil of our being—our Root. This isn’t just a place; it’s a sanctuary where our deepest truths whisper to us, gently or sometimes with urgency. Each of us carries within us this Root, dense with the tangled threads of…
God’s Unfailing Love: Embracing Grace in the Depths of Our Sin
In exploring the depths of God’s love and grace, it’s essential to articulate theological concepts accurately to avoid misunderstandings. A recent misstatement I made, “The worse you are the more he loves you,” could be misconstrued in ways that might suggest a theological error—that God’s love is dependent on our sinful actions, perhaps even encouraging…