Should I pursue happiness? Am I happy? It is a question we have all grappled with, and even some spiritual communities look down on happiness and tell us it is not holy and we should not pursue happiness. And maybe they even get cute with the language and say things like “You need to pursue […]

A few months ago, after a long 2-year project I had been part of, involving consulting companies, flights back and forth to Orlando, and countless hours of work, I found out my position was being eliminated. My position, which I have grown into over the last 10 years, will be reallocated, and I will have […]

I sat in the sanctuary of Vernon A.M.E. Church on Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa on Wednesday, August 19th. We had just finished a tour of Tulsa, recounting the site and historical moments that led to the Tulsa Race Massacre. Vernon is the only building that withstood the fires and bombs that torched the historic Black […]

I went to the Lake with my girlfriends this weekend. We bought big, colorful inner tubes, seven to be exact. Three of us brought pumps: two hand pumps and one electric pump that plugged into the car. Fancy. We stood in line to pump up our inner tubes so we could do what 40+ year […]

I started doing long walks in addition to running. I have felt like there are days when I need a gentler interaction with life, and this has become a way to extend grace to myself and rejuvenate. I usually listen to music or a podcast and allow myself to be inspired. Steven Furtick is my […]

The last few years have been so challenging. I never expected some of the things I would face after being married for 19 years and the marriage ending; I knew it would be hard. But you just do not know what you do not know. For every person that has made the life-altering, soul-wrenching decision […]

Yesterday was a big day. I led worship Sunday morning with an amazing team at Bartlesville First United Methodist Church. I then stepped in for our youth minister and led youth group that evening with a lesson and worship through song. In addition, throughout the day I received 150 pictures from Jackie A PACK A MONTH. She was sharing […]

I am reading “Strong Ground” by Dr. Brené Brown, and she begins the book by talking about paradox. And how hard it is for humans at times to hold the tension of paradox. The brain craves absolutes, yet so much of life is found in the tension of the yes/and. Not the either/or. “Only the […]

I spent 20 years working through fears, growing, reading, going to counseling, praying, practicing, reading more, growing more, and my marriage still ended. Life isn’t fair. I would have never chosen this path for myself. This was not what I wanted for my life. Who would? My kids and the struggle of two households, wanting […]

I got a text with bad news at 9:45 a.m., right before Sunday morning service. I had trouble breathing from that moment forward. I led our Sunday service and led an Unplugged Acoustic Worship Service that evening. Our opening song at Unplugged said this: “Don’t let your heart be troubled Hold your head up high, […]