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There is something magical about this time of year. It’s the time where you see and hear your neighbors in their yards cleaning out debris left from the fall, and preparing for what flowers and foliage is peeking up and planned. The temperatures are rising, but it’s not yet unbearable to spend several hours deep in the soil or laying fresh mulch. I love the sounds of the birds and the many...

I am a big fan of stained glass – specifically stained glass that is used to enhance worship spaces in cathedrals and sanctuaries across the globe. The craftsmanship, the detail, and the various styles which depict the various narratives and notions of the Christian faith are captivating to me. I particularly appreciate unique stained glass that tells a story, but only if you are paying...

The climate where I live in Albuquerque New Mexico is referred to as High Desert Climate. The high desert climate is characterized by dry and warm summers, cold winters, and low rainfall. The topography is such that the Sandia Mountain range – which at its highest point measuring 10,678 feet – circles fast parts of the city with vistas reaching into what feels like uncharted...

It’s that time of year in the rhythm and ritual of the Christian Calander– 40-days; not counting Sunday’s – in which we prepare our hearts and minds for a season of introspection and remembrance. The time when we feast on King’s Cake and pancakes, plan for fish on Friday’s, and mark our days with considerations of giving up and taking up. I personally look forward to the celebrations...

One year ago, in accordance and affirmed by the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline, I began a 4-month Renewal Leave where I continued to represent my appointment in various annual conference, jurisdictional, and general church matters – but, I was no longer 24/7 with the local church. Effective July 1st, 2024 I began my full-time Extension Ministry appointment to Chrysalis Counseling...

This morning in church, the pastor spoke about the beauty and relevance in today’s world of the Beatitudes – which reminded me of a conversation I had a year or so ago with a colleague about the push to post the 10 Commandments in parts of the country in the public schools. Our conversation had turned to the question: “What if we as a society focused on the beatitudes and not so much...

This week, I was confronted by a dear friend with the term Performative Activism. This friend of mine – who does not claim Christianity but lives a more Christian life than many self-proclaiming Christians I know – contacted me to discuss what she has been witnessing as perceived Performative Activism demonstrated by countless activism walks and other signs of collective protest. To my...

For many reasons, this past week has been a painfully challenging week for me. In seeking consult and comfort throughout the various tosses and turns of the week, I have been reminded of the privilege and importance of both my voice, the collective voice, and the significant power and privilege of creative resistance. Throughout history, voice and creativity has been a force of defiance,...

I see myself as a curious observer to the human experience. I have always found a great deal of satisfaction simply sitting and watching as others engage in life experiences. An observation which always holds truth, is that we as humans tend towards being collectivist or individualist – although we can play in both spaces, we are more comfortable in one over the other. These two frameworks...

Last week, I was sitting in my therapy room with a client who spoke candidly about their habit of over-functioning and their understood lack of performing. I was reminded that in today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to blur the line between functioning and performing – and I have often fallen into the whole of functioning while convincing myself I was performing. While these concepts are often...