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Grace is Messy

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Best of Messy Grace

Select a Category Anxiety Best of Messy Grace Current Events Depression Faith Family Featured Fiction lgbtq Marriage Mental Health Messy Grace Millennials Parenting Recovery Recovery from a Suicide Attempt Recovery from Abuse Recovery from Porn Addiction Religious Recovery Self Care The Struggle With Church This is My Story (series) Uncategorized Writing Help

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 June 2015 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 June 2013 April 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 September 2011 August 2011 May 2011 July 2010

August 2016

August 18, 2016

I Voted My Conscience for the First Time on Super Tuesday

What is one supposed to do, on the day they become a Democrat? I wondered....

August 15, 2016

One Hurting Group the Church Desperately Needs to Welcome

I long for the Church to echo the words of Christ, who said, “Come to...

August 12, 2016

Is the Holy Spirit Your Comfort…or A Crazy Cousin?

During my childhood, I saw people act forcefully on behalf of the Holy Spirit, but...

August 08, 2016

6 Ways to Recover from a Suicide Attempt

Since I’ve begun sharing how I went from a being a pastor to being hospitalized...

August 07, 2016

Jesus Taught Us How To Really Live a Blessed Life

The Bible says Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount once he saw his ministry...

August 04, 2016

How I Found Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse

He only took my innocence. Only. That’s one heck of a word. It was only...

August 02, 2016

Do You Know Everything Jesus Said About Homosexuality?

I've been reading the Gospels the past two weeks. I haven't read straight through in...

August 01, 2016

Five Lies My Grandma Told Me

Conventional wisdom isn't always real wisdom. Here's my take on five quotes I've heard all...

July 2016

July 29, 2016

It Really Sucks to be a Christian Right Now

I don’t like being a Christian today. Actually, I should say, I don’t like most...

July 26, 2016

How My Marriage Destroyed My Shame

Lindsey stepped into the circle with me. She recognized my shame and fear. She knew...

July 23, 2016

Why Donald Trump’s America Scares the Crap Out of Me

Donald Trump's America is anything but great. It is the home of the fearful and...

July 22, 2016

Trusting Through the Suck

Sometimes trusting God isn’t triumphant or glorious. Sometimes trusting God isn’t even a desire. It’s...

July 21, 2016

The Grace is Messy Top Ten Posts of All-Time

It’s my blogiversary! Six years ago, this week, I started blogging. It’s hard to believe...

July 20, 2016

What Will I do With My Straight White Privilege?

Earlier this week, I came face-to-face with my straight white privilege. I will never be...

July 18, 2016

9 Ways to Know if You’re in an Oppressive Church

For many people I know, Christianity has been boiled down to morality. It has become...

July 14, 2016

Here’s What God Can Do With a Wasted Life

The story of the Prodigal Son is a clear promise that God will restore the...

July 13, 2016

7 Surprising Gifts of My Mental Illness

I used to live in an I-have-it-together illusion. But waking up in ICU after a...

July 07, 2016

Should Your Life Come With a Warning Label?

WARNING: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE. That warning label is not uncommon. Do you have a gas...

July 06, 2016

Why I Stopped Hating the Church

Anyone who says church hurts are no big deal has no idea what they're talking...

July 04, 2016

Are you in Religious Recovery? Here’s Why Self-Care Matters.

In stopping my ridiculous search for fulfillment in the local church, I have found my...

June 2016

June 30, 2016

On Zombies, Trump, and Denying Jesus

Growing up in the Evangelical tradition, I was scared to death of denying Jesus. Countless...

June 29, 2016

Abuse, Addiction, and Recovery: This is My Story

I remember it like it happened this morning, every nasty detail. His name was Jeremy...

June 22, 2016

From Pastor to Psych Ward: Recovery from a Suicide Attempt is Possible.

My clients were concerned. When they couldn’t reach me, they called first my wife, and...

June 17, 2016

21 Things They Don’t Tell You in Pre-Marital Counseling

We've been married nine years today. During that time, we’ve done a lot of living....

June 16, 2016

How to Own Your Story in 5 Simple Steps

Do you want to tell the story of something really great you accomplished, but fear...

June 13, 2016

I Learned About Grace From a Gay Guy at a Gas Pump

It's who you are that counts. Your worship to God is the way you live....

June 12, 2016

How to Gain Independence from Your Mess: Join Me!

Are you ready to get to the bottom of your mess? Are you wanting exclusive...

June 09, 2016

What to Remember When You’re Pissed at Grace

I'm left in awe that God, in all of His splendor and majesty and beauty...

June 07, 2016

How American Christians Use the Bible to Keep Discrimination Alive

If your God is love but your church won’t accept the disenfranchised, those on the...

June 06, 2016

The What, Why, How, and Who of Messy Grace

Have you ever wondered how to live a more grace-filled life? If so, you've come...