In North America depression is on the rise. But why? It’s a complicated topic, but psychologist Martin Seligman says we have replaced church, faith, and community with a tiny little unit that cannot bear the weight of meaning—and that tiny little unit is “the self.” What I think he means is that when people used … Continue reading You’re not starting at ground zero
faith
Uffgevva
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how individualistic our society has become. Basically, “individualism” is a way of thinking. It’s living like your own immediate needs and wants are more important than the needs of the wider community. It’s a Me-Myself-and-I way of life. I’m not saying your own needs aren’t important. But they’re … Continue reading Uffgevva
Continuous partial attention
We live in the information age. And there are some positive things about that. But there are some negative things too. Linda Stone, a former senior executive with Apple, coined the phrase “continuous partial attention.” She writes that we’re “much more motivated by not wanting to miss anything… we want to be part of this … Continue reading Continuous partial attention
I just can’t do it alone
We live in a highly individualistic society. Let me tell you what I mean: 1) Automobiles and changing, busy patterns of life can result in less time in our own neighbourhoods and fewer meaningful relationships and connections with the people around us. 2) Harvard professor Robert Putnam says that much of our free time has … Continue reading I just can’t do it alone
Against the noise
I once went on a monastic-style retreat. There was a lot of silence. I mean, a lot. Other people seemed to instantly enter into a state of relaxation and calm. But for me it didn't come so easy. When I tried to calm my mind and enter a time of Christian meditation or prayer, things … Continue reading Against the noise
Never trust your self-defeating thoughts
I think there can be a darkness within each one of us that loves to reach up, take hold of our confidence, and pull it down into an abyss of self-pity. You know the days. The bad thoughts or feelings start to steamroll. It’s the opposite of positive momentum. You feel deflated. Then you catch … Continue reading Never trust your self-defeating thoughts
Shocked and saddened, but not afraid
A friend posted this on Twitter: “When will all this crazy stuff stop?” He was referring to the 10 deaths and 15 injuries that resulted when a man drove over pedestrians in Toronto. But the backdrop includes the Humboldt Broncos tragedy. And the shooting in Nashville. In the midst of this, I think there are … Continue reading Shocked and saddened, but not afraid
The Esau complex
In Genesis 25 we read about the ever-clever Jacob who was cooking some stew. His brother Esau came in from the fields famished and desperately wanted to have some. Seeing an opportunity, Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.” In exchange for some stew, Jacob wanted Esau to give him his rank and rights as the … Continue reading The Esau complex
Newsflash: Things WILL go wrong
When I was young I dreamed about the perfect day. Pancakes in the morning, no school, road hockey all day… Such is the imagination of a 7-year old boy. When we grow up we still dream about what a perfect day might be like. But, of course, it rarely happens. Yet that doesn’t stop us … Continue reading Newsflash: Things WILL go wrong
Someone who needs to know they matter
When most people hear the word “hospitality” they think of the “hospitality industry” where guests of some sort are treated well. But hospitality comes up in the Bible too. Romans 12:13 (NLT) says, “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” But it doesn’t mean being … Continue reading Someone who needs to know they matter
