We were built to build. We were made to make. We were formed to form. At one point, there was nothing. Then, there was something. Something happened between nothing and something. The Bible calls it God. He spoke. He created. He brought existence into existence. And then he breathed into humanity the same ability. We speak and name. We create. We bring into existence. We see a desired future and we move towards it. We see a reality not yet realized and bring it to be. We take

Somewhere along the line, I picked up the idea that doubt was big, bad and scary. It sure would be nice to blame someone, but I don’t know who that would be. I don’t remember a conversation or a sermon or a specific church teaching. And even if I could blame someone, that might let me off the hook a little too easily. Anyway, I don’t know where I got it, but I believed that doubt and questions were to be avoided. I don’t think I ever intentionally chose this position, but non

I remember the first time somebody “got it”. They heard my thoughts on faith, doubt, belief and mystery and they understood. It was a magical experience. I didn’t feel crazy. Many times questioning is seen as challenging and is met with resistance. It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s okay to question. It’s okay to doubt. It’s okay to live in mystery. And it’s better to do so in the context of community. We’re all on a journey. Sometimes we don’t need answers, we need listene

Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible. – Paul Klee Art doesn’t attempt to quantify. It isn’t always literal or accurate. It isn’t explicit. It can be. But it doesn’t need to be. It resonates on a deeper level than that. It speaks to the soul. It shakes our preconceived ideas. It moves us. It changes us. It invites us to lean in. It rewires our brains. We don’t just observe it, we experience it. Art requires us to inspect, to probe, to explore, to look d

When you abandon clarity in favor of questions, it can be difficult. No guarantees. No certainty. No establishment. Just openness. Space. The search. There are moments when this makes you feel alive. There are no limits, only a horizon to chase. Then there are moments when those former limits look really comforting. They provide structure. Comfort. Home. But the questions are still there. Nothing has really been answered in any satisfactory way. So the search continues. Navig

Most people think they are above average. Think about that. It’s pretty funny. There is literally no way it can be true. We think more highly of ourselves than is factually warranted. It makes sense. I think we see it everywhere. We’re a pretty confident bunch. We’re fairly certain that what we believe is “right”. Otherwise, we wouldn’t believe it, would we? Reflecting on this, I’m reminded not to get ahead of myself. It feels good to proclaim what people “should” believe or

Sometimes it is necessary to throw out some things. But almost never do we need to throw out everything. The bathwater can go, but the baby should probably stay. It would be hard to explain how the baby disappeared anyway. So, in this process of sorting through what stays and what goes, let’s be patient. It can feel like revolutionary change is the way to go. Maybe. Or maybe not. Maybe there is a way to stand in the gap. Maybe there is a way to hold people together instead of

Questioning, by nature, causes people to think more deeply. When we ask questions, it spurs contemplation. Questions unlock thoughtfulness. Questions create intentionality. Questions must be followed by the seeking of answers. Even if answers aren’t found, the seeking is the point. Consciousness and the ability to reflect on our lives is humanity’s gift. It’s what makes us human. Questioning spurs us onward. It makes us reflect. It forces us to notice and take notes. It begs

We’re all in this together. We are the human tribe. We’ve all shown up on this planet without a roadmap. Side-by-side, we’re piecing together the answers to life’s big questions. Your journey is helpful to me. It encourages, it teaches, it challenges my understanding. My journey is helpful to you. We can compare notes, swap stories and share experiences. We have a responsibility to each other. I learned the idea of “T.E.A.M” in first grade gym class. Together, Everyone Achiev

Some people don’t understand. That’s okay. They ask, “Why?” I wasn’t exactly sure for a while. And I still haven’t “nailed it.” But I have some thoughts. For thousands of years, people have asked life’s biggest questions. Why am I here? How did I get here? What is the meaning of life? What is a good life? How does one live a good life? What is good and right and moral? How do we know what is good and right and moral? These questions inspire religions, art, science, and virtua