On practicing healthy spirituality… Ten practical ways to cultivate your spiritual life.

I am a Christian, but as I continue on my faith journey I'm learning to appreciate other expressions of spirituality and disciplines of the mind, body, and soul. Spirituality is an essential aspect of human life that helps us connect with something greater than ourselves, find meaning and purpose, and navigate through the challenges of … Continue reading On practicing healthy spirituality… Ten practical ways to cultivate your spiritual life. →

Mighty Morphing Message! A review of ‘The Grace Morph’ by Tim Estes.

I’m a little over halfway through my copy of Pastor Tim Estes’s inaugural book The Grace Morph, and I find every page compellingly helpful and easy to read. Although some readers may cringe at the overabundance of exclamation points, I believe this speaks to the passion with which Tim writes about a subject he is … Continue reading Mighty Morphing Message! A review of ‘The Grace Morph’ by Tim Estes. →

With Fire and Ferocity (The Dream Personified)

Clothed with fire and ferocityHidden but to a fewI was there to seeA lone Black man stand and speak of me An unpaid debtAn uncashed checkUnrequited faithAnd unrelenting death YetHe spoke of me To those that looked like himAs this nation continued to sinAnd still to this dayin systemic and institutional waysbetrayed I remain But on … Continue reading With Fire and Ferocity (The Dream Personified) →

How good do I have to be to get into Heaven?

The Holidays in my family often offer opportunities for conversations about topics other families probably are wise to avoid. It has been a year since our dad passed away, and now me and my siblings are all adults, with me (the youngest) turning 52 this year. My two older brothers, my sister, and my nieces … Continue reading How good do I have to be to get into Heaven? →

Ten reasons why living in shame will derail your life.

I grew up in the American South, which has a culture that is based in honor and shame. This simply means that the culture is informed by the judgments of the family, the church, and other institutions that provide guidance for individual behavior. In many ways this can prove harmful to individuals who are outliers … Continue reading Ten reasons why living in shame will derail your life. →

Effective communication in virtual environments.

Debate, virtual environments, effective communication, scot loyd

With the arrival of the Pandemic in 2020, communication settings were forever changed. Most of communication moved online and into virtual environments, forcing communicators to confront the challenges of an environment mediated by technology. This got me to thinking about what communication skills are important in a virtual environment, because even as the Pandemic eases, … Continue reading Effective communication in virtual environments. →

The distance between “was” and “is”

There is a vast difference between “was” and “is.” A Grand Canyon stands between them, but few notice it, except those of us who are currently crossing the divide. Sometimes we speak of the dead as “was” forgetting that their stories remain present with us. For example, my father is alive in my heart and … Continue reading The distance between “was” and “is” →

When Trump runs again. A hymn of lament and resolve.

When Trump runs again The truth will still not be his friend MAGA’s will rejoice Election deniers with amplified voice and vitriol Will once again answer Trump’s beck and call Divisions will widen and the poor will bear the brunt Of the masquerading white nationalist front When Trump runs again When Trump runs again What … Continue reading When Trump runs again. A hymn of lament and resolve. →