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Grace is Messy

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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 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 05, 2016

How I Found Radical Grace in a Facebook Group

I have found a virtual community, via Facebook and this blog, which expresses love in...

August 03, 2016

Our World Needs Superheroes: A Look at the 2016 Olympics Refugee Team

Beginning August 5th in Rio, the world will be introduced to a new group of...

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 30, 2016

How to Stubbornly Abide in God’s Truth

When I was seasick as a teenager, we would immediately start looking for the sandbar....

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 29, 2016

How Jesus Taught Me That Compassion Can Look Like Outrage

We often read things about the blessed peacemakers. But when it came to broken people...

July 26, 2016

24 Ways I Know I’m Not Jesus

I'm not Jesus. And for good reason. What would your #25 be?

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 25, 2016

Don’t Kick the Catfish: Thoughts on the 23rd Psalm

When I was fifteen, we took our annual trip to the beach. There I was,...

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 19, 2016

Have You Ever Wanted to Punch God in the Face?

My daughter passed away five months ago after a three year battle with a one...

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 12, 2016

A Sorry-Ass Christian’s Guide to Tragedy

I haven’t checked on my friend Kevin Garcia in at least two weeks. His prediction...

July 11, 2016

How to Make Space at the Table

The stories throughout the book are absolutely wonderful. This is a father/son duo who obviously...

July 09, 2016

How to Win a Scholarship for My Online Recovery Group

The Grace is Messy Spiritual and Religious Recovery Group last four weeks. It includes a...

July 08, 2016

Mark Twain, Jesus, and MLK on Love and Hate

I don’t think there’s anything anyone can truly say to make any of this better....

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...

July 02, 2016

One Simple Way to Support Grace is Messy

In 2010, I started blogging, speaking, hosting a radio show, and getting in front of...

July 01, 2016

The One Powerful Gift of My Weakest Moments

I’m not called to have it all figured out. I’m not called to have wise...

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

Join Us! The Church and Mental Health

I was privileged to be a part of a very helpful (and hilarious chat with...