Entries by lori
What Will You Do With Me?
God will never shame you into anything. He only draws. I grew up a preacher’s kid. My dad pastored for most of the time I was growing up, so every week was filled to the hilt with church attendance and activities. This was the time of wearing your Sunday best (never jeans), so I was […]
Why does it seem like things get worse before they get better?
Theologian Thomas Fuller knew this when he wrote, “It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth.” From an astronomy perspective, this metaphor isn’t true-eth. The darkest part of the night is actually around midnight. But it does capture the emotional truth of struggle. The clash between dark and light that occurs just before dawn […]
Tiny Bubbles to Hack Huge Feelings
A teenage client once told me that blowing bubbles helped her manage anger. She said it was hard to stay angry and blow bubbles at the same time. “It can’t be done,” she said. “Bubbles are happy by nature. You have to let go of anger to blow a bubble.” 🤔 Now that I have […]
Evil is a Spiritual Problem
The last several weeks have brought unconscionable pain. The sociological and psychological reasons vary. The common thread is evil. We can’t wrap our heads around what’s happening because we now live in a time that tries to explain evil away. We laugh at the idea of a foe so steeped in pride and beauty he […]
How I Recognized Fear Dressed as Calling
This time last year I was ready lock, stock, and barrel to go back to school to get a Master of Divinity degree. I was convinced I had a strong call to study the Word and ministry even more deeply. I’m a pastor’s daughter and have been in ministry with my husband for much of […]
Mental Health’s Value Problem Is Selling Conversations, Not Solutions
The mental health industry doesn’t know what problems it’s trying to solve. We talk a lot about increasing access and reducing stigma. But when someone asks, “What specific problems will therapy solve once I get in the door?” it’s hard to give a clear elevator pitch for that. We default to vague statements about “a […]
Breathing Beyond the Mask
I’ve spent years softening myself to seem more palatable to other people. I tend to hide the more raw version of me behind a mask I think they might like better. Honestly, I think we all do this to some degree. We want to bring our best selves to our lives and relationships. That’s a […]
Will AI Replace Your Therapist? The Uncomfortable Truth
One of the bigger discussions happening right now is whether or not AI will replace your mental health therapist. Many industries are asking similar questions, and are already witnessing AI models doing a pretty good job of handling the most routine aspects of their work. It’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Make […]