When it comes to “soul talk” men in general are silent, due in part to not being familiar with the idea.  We often do not have the language or even the courage to talk about our inner life.  We need a “soul friend.”   Writing about such a friend, Eugene Peterson made this observation:  “Each of us…

John Cole in an article published in the “Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care” warns Christians about falling into “moral tempation.”  He defines moral temptation as “the attempt to deal with our spiritual failure, guilt and shame by means of spiritual efforts, by attempting to perfect one’s self in the power of the self.” …

Often when men gather for “wildman” saturdays the conversation will often turn to the struggle  men have with feeling inferior “spiritually”, especially to our wives.  I suppose this reflects part of our competitive nature.  That is why it is good for men to process their feelings about spirituality with other men, since most men have the same…

Richard Bode in his book “First you have to row a little boat” has this to say about life, “The day will come when I will die.  So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time.  I can remain on shore, paralyzed with fear, or I can…

For the men who regularly read this blob, you are aware that I missed a week.  I was gone for a couple of weeks with “my bride”, visiting our two sons and their families in Kansas City and Colorado Springs.  For me as a Dad, it has been rewarding  to watch both my sons grow in…

I am stuck with the relevance of the story of Jesus coming to the disciples on the water during a storm in Mark 6:45-52.  It a wonderful metaphor for men who find themselves in the midst of inner storms when things don’t go so well in personal relationships.  It can feel like chaos inside, because we are not able…

Larry Crabb in his book “The Silence of Adam” points out that when Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan in the Garden, it was Eve who spoke.  Adam was silent.  Adam was passive.  He was physically present but emotionally absent.  His sin began with his silence.  Crabb observes, “God’s speaking brought creation out of…

I participated in a “wildman” Saturday last weekend.  I was reminded again of the importance of becoming childlike in our faith.  As men we tend to complicate our relationship with God, analyzing rather than being able to simple receive and rest in the Father’s love.  We feel we must do something to improve our relationship.  Richard Rohr…

One of my favorite authors is Stephen W. Smith.  He has a new book out entitled “Soul Custody.”  Smith encourages us to take custody of our souls.  “Soul custody is taking back what we’ve almost lost in order to gain what we should never want to lose.  It’s doing what the word custody implies –…

One of the hardest realities for me to accept about myself is the fact that I still have childish responses to life situations.  There are times when I am fearful, angry and defensive, especially in relation to my wife.  It is very humbling, indeed.   It is in those situation that I realize that I still…