Podcast appearances and mentions of trisha taylor

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor, along with Nate Pyle, Matt McCarthy, and Katie Ignatowski, dive into part three of the politics series exploring the challenges of division and leadership in polarized times. While the focus isn't on the U.S. election specifically, the discussion addresses the broader implications of division in churches, workplaces, and communities. With returning guests Nate Pyle and Matt McCarthy, and new voice Katie Ignatowski, this episode provides insights into how leaders can foster dialogue, perspective-taking, and emotional maturity in their communities. Nate Pyle: A pastor and member of The Leader's Journey team, Nate brings a wealth of experience in guiding congregations through challenging conversations and promoting emotional maturity in leadership. Matt McCarthy: Another seasoned leader and pastor, Matt focuses on creating opportunities for embodying the politics of Jesus at the local level, emphasizing community engagement and kingdom work. Katie Ignatowski: An executive director with a legal background, Katie has held significant roles in politics and compliance in Wisconsin. She brings a fresh perspective to the team, blending her expertise in law and leadership with a commitment to grace-filled and truth-centered dialogue. Key Points Polarization and Leadership: The team explores the challenges leaders face in divided environments, highlighting the need to balance empathy and challenge. Holding Tension: Insights on navigating complexity, resisting oversimplification, and fostering productive conversations. Media Literacy: Discussing the importance of critical thinking and diversifying sources to navigate "two different realities" shaped by media consumption. Emotional Maturity: How leaders can grow their own emotional maturity and guide their communities towards it as a critical discipleship practice. Engaging Locally: The value of focusing on local action and influence as a means to foster meaningful change and embody the politics of Jesus. Guiding Principles: The role of guiding principles in making decisions, holding convictions, and navigating polarized contexts. Resource Links The Leader's Journey Coaching Team Miroslav Volf: "Exclusion and Embrace" Playing Politics, Leading in an Election Year Part 1 Playing Politics, Leading in an Election Year, Part 2    

In this episode of The Leader's Journey Podcast, Trisha Taylor sits down with Mandy Smith, a gifted pastor, artist, and author of Confessions of an Amateur Saint. Together, they discuss the deep challenges Christian leaders face, the journey of faithfulness over success, and the importance of embracing weakness as a pathway to strength. Mandy shares her insights on how leaders, particularly in faith communities, often find themselves caught between the desire for competence and the necessity of surrendering to God's guidance. Through personal stories and deep reflection, this episode invites leaders to embrace vulnerability and trust God with their limitations. Mandy Smith is the pastor of St. Lucia Uniting Church in Australia and the author of Confessions of an Amateur Saint. With a unique blend of pastoral leadership, artistic expression, and deep theological insight, Mandy serves as a voice of compassion and clarity for leaders seeking to integrate faith with everyday life. She is also associated with the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination. Mandy's creative and thoughtful approach to ministry continues to inspire leaders to lead with authenticity and dependence on God. Key Points: The Role of Faithful Leadership: Mandy reflects on the tension between striving for professional competence and the call to lead with faith and reliance on God. Faith Over Competence: Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about modeling the need for God. Mandy talks about how, as leaders, we are called to admit our limitations and trust God's power to work through us. The Confession of Leadership: The act of confession is integral to faithful leadership. It involves not only acknowledging our weaknesses but also reaffirming our trust in God despite those weaknesses. The Struggle with Human Limitation: Mandy shares her experience of being thrust into leadership roles that challenged her competencies, and how leaning into vulnerability rather than striving for control has been both humbling and healing. The Invitation to Lead Authentically: By embracing human limitations, leaders can create space for God's strength to shine. Mandy challenges leaders to stop hiding their weaknesses and to model dependence on God for the benefit of those they lead. Resources: The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry Unfettered: Imagining a Childlike Faith Beyond the Baggage of Western Culture Confessions of an Amateur Saint: The Christian Leader's Journey from Self-sufficiency to Relying on God Mandy's website: The Way is the Way The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination

Sunday 27 October: Laura Taylor & Trisha Taylor

Jamie and Doug took an online course to help tackle the challenges with putting their 6yr old and 3yr old to bed.  For the last 6 + months, they have struggled with catering to their kids during bedtime.  Doug had a routine with Hendrix that would take 45 minutes, and include rubbing his back, and staying in his room until he was nearly asleep.  Jamie would lay in bed with Henley and read, and then try to fall asleep to sleep stories.  Doug is very anti-letting the kids sleep in their bed.  Both Jamie and Doug were waking up multiple times a night, whether it was their daughter crying and climbing in bed with them, or their 3yr old son crying that he was scared.  The nail in the coffin for them was when their son was able to climb out of his crib and run into their bedroom multiple times a night.  Jamie and Doug discuss the parenting course they took, and the advice that some of their Frans messaged them. They have had some success so far, and have a few tricks and tips that have helped them tackle this sleep issue….and it has been working for the last few days!!!  Plus, Jamie and Doug had a friend Trisha Taylor on the show (Episode 109), who they hung out with on their RV road-trip.  Trisha was a mom, blogger, and truly an inspiration. Trisha had Osteogenesis Imperfecta which is a brittle bone disorder, and at that time, she had suffered over 600 broken bones and seven surgeries! She was 2ft. 10in tall and only weighed 60lbs and 6 years ago she defied the odds and became pregnant!  Unfortunately Trisha recently had and accident and passed away.  Jamie and Doug share a little about their interactions, and the relationship that Jamie and Trisha had built.  Rest in Peace Trisha, and thoughts and continued prayers to her son Maven! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve Mathonnet-VanderWell talks with Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor of The Leader's Journey, an organization that helps leaders and organizations grow their emotional intelligence so that they can be the healthiest, most effective versions of themselves. In this conversation, they discuss their Enneagram numbers, the evolving challenges facing the RCA and other Christian denominations in North America, and The Leader's Journey's work with pastors, congregations, and denominations. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reformed-journal/message

A 2ft 10" WOMAN with brittle bones disease has defied doctors by giving birth to her son. Trisha Taylor, 31, from Idaho was diagnosed at birth with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, after being born with 150 fractured bones. The condition which is more commonly known as Brittle Bones disease, meant that Trisha grew to be just 2ft 10" and it has also caused her to break over 600 bones in her life, some of which broke as a result of her sneezing or falling over. Trisha, who is now raising Maven with her 6ft 1" husband, hopes to inspire others and show that disabled couples can have children of their own. What OT advice would you share with her? Her family? 

Anabeth Morgan is a worship leader, songwriter and recording artist, and has been the worship pastor at the Mile High Vineyard in Denver, CO since 2011. She has appeared on many Vineyard Worship albums, such as Cultivation Generation -“Servant Wide Awake” & “My Foundation” and National Conference - “Live From Phoenix” and “Wonderful”. She also released a solo project in 2017 titled “A Place Your Glory Dwells”. Having travelled the world leading worship and coaching leaders and teams, she is an in-demand conference worship leader, teacher, and speaker. Anabeth is a graduate of Mississippi State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Exercise Science and Psychology. She and her college sweetheart, Kyle, have been married since 2003, have 2 young children and live in Denver. In this episode of The Ferment, Anabeth and Adam chat about life as a parent and a person in ministry, and whether striking a balance is ever really possible. They also talk at length about cultivating emotional health and what that looks like as an individual, a staff, and a worship team. Anabeth shares some wisdom about staying connected to people in conflict, gives some practical examples of pursuing relationships while maintaining differentiation, and leaves us with a reading list to join her on the journey toward emotional maturity.   Show notes: To submit your question for Adam and Heather's next "Ask me anything" episode" email Info@vineyardworship.com Anabeth's Website https://anabethmorgan.com The Leader's Journey by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor and R. Robert Creech https://amzn.to/32ZJhnl The Ferment: Steve Cuss https://bit.ly/3eGdWM2 Emotionally Focused (Chris Knudsen) https://www.emotionallyfocused.org/about/ The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/3xAxI47 Growing Yourself Up by Jenny Brown https://amzn.to/3sYDF7u The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/3nxOHQ0  

On the year anniversary of the US being locked down to lessen the spread of COVID-19, Adam and Heather Russell spend some time reflecting on what has been lost during this time, and also what has been gained. They share with us some of the things they have been reimagining as a family and as pastors of a local church, and the gift of this transitional moment as we see glimmers of hope of returning to a normal life. Heather speaks about rebuilding volunteer teams with new eyes and they give us some pastoral advice on gently shepherding our churches and teams as we all navigate the losses that we have experienced due to COVID. This episode poses the question “As we enter into this new season, what would you like to bring with you?” and helps us think that through. Come along as Adam and Heather lead us in some reimagining.   Show Notes: Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs by Steve Cuss https://amzn.to/38CFMGN Managing Leadership Anxiety - Steve Cuss Podcast – Jack Shitama s6e9 https://stevecusswords.com/podcast/ The Leader's Journey by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor and R. Robert Creech https://amzn.to/3lavGSo  

As we continue with the theme of body positivity, we will continue to have AMAZING guests that radiate just that! Today we have Trisha Taylor on the podcast, a wife, mom, and blogger who continues to share about the blessings and the struggles of being a disabled woman. Trisha has Osteogenesis Imperfecta which is a brittle bone disorder which means she has had over 600 broken bones and seven surgeries! She is 2ft. 10in tall and only weigh 60lbs and 5 years ago she defied the odds and became pregnant!! She is SUCH AN INSPIRATION & we are extremely happy to be able to share our chat with you guys.   Before Trisha comes on, Big Doug and Bonnie are BACK AGAIN to share their thoughts on this week’s episode of Married at First Sight. What a rollercoaster of emotions right now with MAFS!   7:24 - Time to Call Big Doug and Bonnie to chat all things Married at First Sight!  25:48 - Welcome to HMCP, Trisha!  26:12 - Jamie asks, Can you tell us a little more about who you are, what you’re going through, and what all you’ve overcome? 28:05 - Jamie asks, Is the brittle bone disease painful? 28:38 - Jamie asks, Do you ever feel sorry for yourself that you’re in a wheelchair - you’ve obviously had to overcome more than most! 29:50 - Jamie asks, What would you say or how could you encourage people to be as positive as you are? Who taught you to radiate such positive energy? 33:47 - Jamie asks, How were you able to deliver this baby? And Doug asks, what was the conversation like with your doctor during pregnancy? 39:19 - Doug asks, Speaking from a male perspective, what were the conversations like with your husband? Was he completely on board with this or was that a tough conversation to have in the beginning? 41:31 - Doug asks, You get pregnant, and you get the results - is there a change in your husband’s mindset? 42:36 - Jamie asks, How was the pregnancy? Did you break bones? Was it really painful for you? 45:07 - Jamie asks, That sounds like a rough pregnancy journey! Was it?! 47:12 - Jamie asks, Would you say that you’re someone who loves your body just as it is? 49:40 - Jamie asks, Do you have any other tips for somebody who has struggled?  50:13 - Jamie asks, Can you explain to me why you have disowned yourself from your family? 51:22 - Doug asks, Have there been any steps to repair the relationship? 52:20 - Jamie asks, How do you know to set those boundaries and know when to recognize that someone is being more detrimental to you? 53:52 - Let’s flip the table and say I am a family member to somebody who is choosing something that I don’t agree with - Jamie asks, What can I do to kind of reach them and be able to support and love them in the midst of what they are choosing that I think isn’t great for them? 56:47 - Doug asks, What is the best thing about being a mom? 57:42 - Doug asks, What was the most difficult part of the journey that you are on up until now?   Stay tuned for another AMAZING episode next week!    HEY! We want YOU to join us on our journey to Become Body Positive! Come join our FREE webinar to try it out

Our guest today is the AMAZING public speaker and published author known as @maryscupoftea on social media, Mary Jelkovsky! She has led thousands of women on their journey to healing body-image struggles and finding true, unconditional self-love - so basically she is a QUEEN!!!! But things weren’t always so sweet for Mary. All of this came from her 8-year battle with an eating disorder that left her feeling lost, lonely, and broken. After finally deciding to heal her body, mind and spirit, Mary started her online platform, Mary’s Cup of Tea, to help women be more confident in their bodies and love themselves unconditionally. She has been featured in TEDx, Teen Vogue, and Health Magazine! Now, Mary is sharing her life story and most sought-after advice in her new book, The Gift of Self-Love: A Workbook to Help You Build Confidence, Recognize Your Worth, and Learn to Finally Love Yourself.   Before Mary comes on, Big Doug and Bonnie share their thoughts on this week’s episode of Married at First Sight. This season sure is a crazy one!   3:40 - Special Guests, Big Doug and Bonnie are back with more thoughts about MAFS! 19:44 - Welcome to HMCP, Mary!  20:10 - Jamie asks, Can you share with all of our listeners your story? 25:23 - Doug asks, Were you the one that recognized that you had an eating disorder, or did somebody mention it to you? 26:46 - Doug asks, Were you ever happy with your body when you were competing versus how you feel about your body now?  37:47 - Jamie asks, Do you have any tips for those who are around somebody who makes a comment whether it be my body or someone else’s. And more importantly when it’s somebody that you love how do you hold those boundaries? 42:21 - Doug asks, Has your little sister struggled with anything that you are going through or does she kind of see you as the person you became? 45:31 - Jamie asks, What is your definition of fatphobia?   We want YOU to join us on our journey to Become Body Positive! Come join our FREE webinar to try it out

Jim Herrington has been a pastor for 45 years, as well as serving as a denominational executive and pastor to pastors since 1989 where he first began coaching leaders. He has worked with hundreds of congregations from a variety of traditions around the challenges of personal and congregational transformation. Jim is the co-founder of Faithwalking, and co-authored Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide to the Transformational Journey,  The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, and Learning Change: Congregational Transformation Fueled by Personal Renewal. Jim lives in Houston and has been married to his best friend, Betty, for 45 years. They have five children and four grandchildren. In this episode of the How To Plant A Healthy Church podcast, Jim and our host Michael Gatlin talk about church planting in a hyper-polarized culture and how the church can show up in a post-Christian world. Jim also shares some of his formative leadership stories, the importance of engaging in healthy community and expanding our capacity for emotional maturity. As a beautiful follow-up to last week’s conversation with Jim’s co-author Trisha Taylor, this episode will continue shaping our hearts and minds towards healthy, Jesus-centered leadership.   Show notes: To register for the Multiply Vineyard Summit, go to mvsummit.org The Leader's journey by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor and R. Robert Creech https://amzn.to/3nHDpI9 Faithwalking http://faithwalking.us Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger https://amzn.to/3nHgj4i Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard https://amzn.to/34y1j1j The Spirit  of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard https://amzn.to/3h6j6Sn The Wisdom Pattern by Richard Rohr https://amzn.to/3mG6ylR A Failure of Nerve, Revised Edition by Edwin Friedman https://amzn.to/34vwo5x Jim's email Jim@theleadersjourney.us Looking for a coach/consultant? theleadersjourney.us

Trisha Taylor is a counselor, author, consultant and speaker based in Houston, TX. As a counselor she works with individuals, couples and families and seeks to provide a safe space where people who are hurting or confused can find God’s grace and wisdom. Trisha also co-authored the book “The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation”, which challenges leaders to see their congregations as living systems and to respond to leadership challenges with emotional maturity, leading as Jesus did, from the inside out. In this episode of the How To Plant A Healthy Church podcast, Trisha and our host Michael Gatlin share a thorough discussion of the role of empathy in leading a church: Is all empathy beneficial? How do boundaries tie in? How can we partner with others in developing the kind of empathy that will truly serve the church? Trisha also shares tips on how to find a good coach to walk through ministry with, as well as several valuable resources for further learning. This conversation is chock-full of wisdom nuggets that will benefit even the most established of pastors. Show notes: The Ferment Podcast – Trisha Taylor https://bit.ly/2WfTw3C The Leader’s journey by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor and R. Robert Creech https://amzn.to/37kPL3a Edwin Friedman’s Theory of Differentiated Leadership Made Simple https://bit.ly/2KxxB5e A Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman https://amzn.to/2K7LYNY Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue by Edwin Friedman https://amzn.to/2IT8olx Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin https://amzn.to/3qUaqCW Faithwalking https://faithwalking.us

Trisha Taylor is a counselor, author, consultant and speaker based in Houston, TX. As a counselor she works with individuals, couples and families and seeks to provide a safe space where people who are hurting or confused can find God's grace and wisdom. Trisha also co-authored the book “The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation”, which challenges leaders to see their congregations as living systems and to respond to leadership challenges with emotional maturity, leading as Jesus did, from the inside out.    In this episode, Trisha and our host Adam Russell discuss the slow work of God, what transformation looks like when quick fixes don't work, and the very real question… “Can we change?” Trisha also leads us through a practical exercise for differentiating between our thoughts and feelings, and tackles the hard topic of conflict and allowing others to be different than us. This episode is a treasure trove of illustrations that will be an encouragement to any leader working to improve the health of their staff or church.

Church leaders seldom crash and burn because they fail at preaching or ministering. Christian leaders often burn out because they don’t know how to manage themselves and what they’re experiencing. In the second episode of a two-part conversation we lay the groundwork for understanding how human relationships work and our part in those relationships referencing the eight concepts of family systems theory developed by Murray Bowen.  Ruth is joined by a new friend R. Robert Creech (PhD, Baylor University), an experienced pastor and seminary teacher.  Robert is the director of pastoral ministries at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas and is the author of several books. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast:Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry, R. Robert CreechThe Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, Jim Herrington , Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert CreechExtraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions, Roberta M. Gilbert Exploring Further:Transforming CommunityRuth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit:New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

Church leaders seldom crash and burn because they fail at preaching or ministering. Christian leaders often burn out because they don’t know how to manage themselves and what they’re experiencing. In the first episode of a two-part conversation we lay the groundwork for understanding how human relationships work and our part in those relationships referencing the eight concepts of family systems theory developed by Murray Bowen.  Ruth is joined by a new friend R. Robert Creech (PhD, Baylor University), an experienced pastor and seminary teacher to discuss the first three concepts.  Robert is the director of pastoral ministries at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas and is the author of several books.   SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast:Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry, R. Robert CreechThe Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, Jim Herrington , Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert CreechExtraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions, Roberta M. Gilbert Exploring Further:Transforming CommunityRuth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit:New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

+++ ANXIETY ANYONE +++ Have you ever experienced anxiety in such a way that kept you back from doing something you wanted to do, needed to do or knew you should do? Did you raise your hand? Well, you are not the only one. I've had my share of those moments. I have used techniques like Mel Robbins' "5 Second Rule" to do things that I felt anxious about. But what if you knew why you were anxious and how to normalize or calm the anxiety in your brain, would that be helpful? Only if you said yes, should you listen to this episode. It was created with you in mind. You can contact TRISHA TAYLOR at: www.theleadersjourney.us Podcast: The LeadersJourney Facebook: www.facebook.com/theleadersjourney Please share this episode with one other person and leave a comment on the platform through which you listen to this show and/or on social media. Thanks so much. And remember, you are ONE SKILL AWAY... P.S. The new Facebook Group is opened for leaders who want to succeed where others failed and become the leader everyone loves and wants to follow. Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/emotelligentleaders --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kingsleygrant/message

Brad Sullivan Trinity Sunday, Year B May 27, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 Trinityish Type Stuff: a.k.a. Restoring God's Shalom Without doubt and without fear, May you find some comfort here, May there be hope to help you cope When what you need Is nowhere near Make your mark unto these years, Shape your world with salt and tears, Carry on when your will has gone, Be it joy or sorrow Given time, given faith, Given courage to embrace Changes as they each take place, Be it joy or sorrow - Terri Hendrix, Joy or Sorrow That’s from a song called Joy or Sorrow by Texas singer/songwriter, Terri Hendrix. That song made me think of the life of Jesus, following the wind of the Holy Spirit. In good times and in bad, in joy or sorrow, Jesus had a profoundly beautiful life, being led by the wind, the Spirit of God. Jesus was fully connected to God and to creation around him with hope, with faith, embracing life as it came, be it joy or sorrow Now because of Jesus and because of the church’s dawning realization that he was God, living as an actual human being among us, the church, began over the centuries to develop an understanding of God as being one God who was also three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We developed this understanding of God because Jesus spoke to God, his father, who spoke back to him, and Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit of God. The three worked and moved together as one, even though they were each distinct. How’s that work and fit together, three persons who are one God and yet still three distinct persons while still being one God? I don’t know. After years of pondering and wondering, I simply think of I think of the Trinity in terms of relationship. Three persons bound together so perfectly in love for each other that they are one. From that image of God, we gain an understanding of the image of God in which we were made. We were intended to love others and be loved by others, to join with others so that we are one with them. That was Jesus’ prayer for his disciples, if you’ll remember from John 17:11, that they would be one as he and the Father are one. In good times and bad, in joy or sorrow, we were made to be like God, bound to one another in love, our loving unity creating shalom, the peace and wholeness of God. I’ve been reading Learning Change by Jim Herrington & Trisha Taylor, and they begin the book with idea of God’s dreams for us, that we would each bring about the peace and wholeness of God. “We were designed,” they write, “to dream of the epic life God created us for - the abundant, fully human, and fully alive life that Jesus lived. Along the way, we exchange that dream for a seriously compromised version, characterized by the pursuit of comfort and convenience...” “God [has chosen] us to partner with him in recreating and restoring shalom in our own families, our communities, and ultimately in the world.” Reading this book has reminded me of the dream I had as a youth of following the wind of God and having a purpose in my life to restore shalom. I lost some of that along the way, coming into adulthood and seeking comfort and security for my life. I lost that dream of partnering with God in restoring shalom, and since reading this book, Jesus has been calling me to make some changes, even if only in attitude and outlook, so that I can reclaim that dream of a life of partnering with God in restoring peace and wholeness. Restoring Shalom, the peace and wholeness of God, was Jesus’ life through and through, and partnering with God in restoring Shalom is the life Jesus was talking about when he told Nicodeums about being born from above. When we’re born from above, we follow the epic dream God has for us, partnering with him in restoring shalom in the world and following the wind of God. “Wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes,” Jesus said. Thinking of the wind blowing where it chooses in terms of the Trinity, I have this great image of the Father and the Son talking together and suddenly a mighty wind starts blowing, and the Son says, “Hey Dad, where do you think she’s going now?” “Are you kidding, Son, I never have any idea where she’s going, but it’s always on the grandest adventure.” …and together they follow the Spirit, the three bound perfectly together in love, their loving unity creating shalom, the peace and wholeness of God. Being born of the Spirit of God, following the wind, which blows where it chooses, we don’t know where it comes from or where it goes, and yet we find something beautiful in the life of that wind, and so we follow where the wind blows. Jesus calls us to surrender ourselves to follow God’s epic dream for us of abundant, fully human life. In that surrender, we let go some of some false security, comfort, and convenience, and we follow the wind of God, partnering with him in restoring shalom. Be it joy or sorrow, our lives were made for so much more than for securing our own comfort and security. We were made to be fully alive which does not mean that we’ll be perfectly happy with no tears ever. Both Joy and sorrow will still happen as they did for Jesus. We know that risking joy and sorrow is part of what it means to be fully alive, fully human. So is following the wind of God on whatever grand adventure she has in mind for us. We had two examples in our scripture readings today of people following the wind of God on a new grand adventure: Isaiah and Nicodemus. For Isaiah, he had this grand vision of God in his divine court with angels all around him, leaving little doubt that the grand adventure on which he was about to embark was the wind of God, in his case, a gale force wind. He had no idea what he was getting into, but as soon as God asked, “Who will go for us?”, Isaiah piped, “Sounds good, let’s go! What are we doing again?” There was joy and sorrow in his following the wind of God, but come what may, Isaiah was all in. Some folks have such experiences of a strong sense of God calling them to follow the wind on a grand adventure, and they can’t wait to begin. Others are more like Nicodemus. He was a little more subdued in his response. For one thing, the invitation that he received to follow the wind of God was less gale force and more gentle breeze, and he wasn’t at all certain that he wanted to follow. Having seen and heard Jesus, he saw something beautiful, and he felt the wind of God on his face gently beckoning him onward, but he thought, “This seems potentially great, but also very confusing and rather distressing; can I talk about this with you in private, Jesus?”. I love both of these examples of how we can say yes to the wind of God beckoning us to follow in the life of the Trinity. God lets us follow the wind as we can, as we learn to trust him and catch the beauty of the dream of God’s life for us. Where’s the wind of God blowing? I don’t know. Just ask yourself this: Who’s the next person you’re going to talk with or even look at while you’re here? That’s where you get to live the life of the Trinity and help restore the shalom of God in creation. Where’s the next place you’re going from here? That’s the next place the Spirit is inviting you to help restore the shalom of God in creation, and on and on. In your home. With you family and friends. At work. In your neighborhood. That’s where you get to follow the wind of God, to live the life of the Trinity, to help restore the shalom of God in creation. She calls: Without doubt and without fear, May you find some comfort here, May there be hope to help you cope When what you need Is nowhere near Make your mark unto these years, Shape your world with salt and tears, Carry on when your will has gone, Be it joy or sorrow Given time, given faith, Given courage to embrace Changes as they each take place, Be it joy or sorrow - Terri Hendrix, Joy or Sorrow

Brad Sullivan Trinity Sunday, Year B May 27, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 Trinityish Type Stuff: a.k.a. Restoring God's Shalom Without doubt and without fear, May you find some comfort here, May there be hope to help you cope When what you need Is nowhere near Make your mark unto these years, Shape your world with salt and tears, Carry on when your will has gone, Be it joy or sorrow Given time, given faith, Given courage to embrace Changes as they each take place, Be it joy or sorrow - Terri Hendrix, Joy or Sorrow That’s from a song called Joy or Sorrow by Texas singer/songwriter, Terri Hendrix. That song made me think of the life of Jesus, following the wind of the Holy Spirit. In good times and in bad, in joy or sorrow, Jesus had a profoundly beautiful life, being led by the wind, the Spirit of God. Jesus was fully connected to God and to creation around him with hope, with faith, embracing life as it came, be it joy or sorrow Now because of Jesus and because of the church’s dawning realization that he was God, living as an actual human being among us, the church, began over the centuries to develop an understanding of God as being one God who was also three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We developed this understanding of God because Jesus spoke to God, his father, who spoke back to him, and Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit of God. The three worked and moved together as one, even though they were each distinct. How’s that work and fit together, three persons who are one God and yet still three distinct persons while still being one God? I don’t know. After years of pondering and wondering, I simply think of I think of the Trinity in terms of relationship. Three persons bound together so perfectly in love for each other that they are one. From that image of God, we gain an understanding of the image of God in which we were made. We were intended to love others and be loved by others, to join with others so that we are one with them. That was Jesus’ prayer for his disciples, if you’ll remember from John 17:11, that they would be one as he and the Father are one. In good times and bad, in joy or sorrow, we were made to be like God, bound to one another in love, our loving unity creating shalom, the peace and wholeness of God. I’ve been reading Learning Change by Jim Herrington & Trisha Taylor, and they begin the book with idea of God’s dreams for us, that we would each bring about the peace and wholeness of God. “We were designed,” they write, “to dream of the epic life God created us for - the abundant, fully human, and fully alive life that Jesus lived. Along the way, we exchange that dream for a seriously compromised version, characterized by the pursuit of comfort and convenience...” “God [has chosen] us to partner with him in recreating and restoring shalom in our own families, our communities, and ultimately in the world.” Reading this book has reminded me of the dream I had as a youth of following the wind of God and having a purpose in my life to restore shalom. I lost some of that along the way, coming into adulthood and seeking comfort and security for my life. I lost that dream of partnering with God in restoring shalom, and since reading this book, Jesus has been calling me to make some changes, even if only in attitude and outlook, so that I can reclaim that dream of a life of partnering with God in restoring peace and wholeness. Restoring Shalom, the peace and wholeness of God, was Jesus’ life through and through, and partnering with God in restoring Shalom is the life Jesus was talking about when he told Nicodeums about being born from above. When we’re born from above, we follow the epic dream God has for us, partnering with him in restoring shalom in the world and following the wind of God. “Wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes,” Jesus said. Thinking of the wind blowing where it chooses in terms of the Trinity, I have this great image of the Father and the Son talking together and suddenly a mighty wind starts blowing, and the Son says, “Hey Dad, where do you think she’s going now?” “Are you kidding, Son, I never have any idea where she’s going, but it’s always on the grandest adventure.” …and together they follow the Spirit, the three bound perfectly together in love, their loving unity creating shalom, the peace and wholeness of God. Being born of the Spirit of God, following the wind, which blows where it chooses, we don’t know where it comes from or where it goes, and yet we find something beautiful in the life of that wind, and so we follow where the wind blows. Jesus calls us to surrender ourselves to follow God’s epic dream for us of abundant, fully human life. In that surrender, we let go some of some false security, comfort, and convenience, and we follow the wind of God, partnering with him in restoring shalom. Be it joy or sorrow, our lives were made for so much more than for securing our own comfort and security. We were made to be fully alive which does not mean that we’ll be perfectly happy with no tears ever. Both Joy and sorrow will still happen as they did for Jesus. We know that risking joy and sorrow is part of what it means to be fully alive, fully human. So is following the wind of God on whatever grand adventure she has in mind for us. We had two examples in our scripture readings today of people following the wind of God on a new grand adventure: Isaiah and Nicodemus. For Isaiah, he had this grand vision of God in his divine court with angels all around him, leaving little doubt that the grand adventure on which he was about to embark was the wind of God, in his case, a gale force wind. He had no idea what he was getting into, but as soon as God asked, “Who will go for us?”, Isaiah piped, “Sounds good, let’s go! What are we doing again?” There was joy and sorrow in his following the wind of God, but come what may, Isaiah was all in. Some folks have such experiences of a strong sense of God calling them to follow the wind on a grand adventure, and they can’t wait to begin. Others are more like Nicodemus. He was a little more subdued in his response. For one thing, the invitation that he received to follow the wind of God was less gale force and more gentle breeze, and he wasn’t at all certain that he wanted to follow. Having seen and heard Jesus, he saw something beautiful, and he felt the wind of God on his face gently beckoning him onward, but he thought, “This seems potentially great, but also very confusing and rather distressing; can I talk about this with you in private, Jesus?”. I love both of these examples of how we can say yes to the wind of God beckoning us to follow in the life of the Trinity. God lets us follow the wind as we can, as we learn to trust him and catch the beauty of the dream of God’s life for us. Where’s the wind of God blowing? I don’t know. Just ask yourself this: Who’s the next person you’re going to talk with or even look at while you’re here? That’s where you get to live the life of the Trinity and help restore the shalom of God in creation. Where’s the next place you’re going from here? That’s the next place the Spirit is inviting you to help restore the shalom of God in creation, and on and on. In your home. With you family and friends. At work. In your neighborhood. That’s where you get to follow the wind of God, to live the life of the Trinity, to help restore the shalom of God in creation. She calls: Without doubt and without fear, May you find some comfort here, May there be hope to help you cope When what you need Is nowhere near Make your mark unto these years, Shape your world with salt and tears, Carry on when your will has gone, Be it joy or sorrow Given time, given faith, Given courage to embrace Changes as they each take place, Be it joy or sorrow - Terri Hendrix, Joy or Sorrow

Practical Theology, dialogue, group process, anxiety, maturity...Drew helps us think through these things. Drew Poppleton is a PhD canidate at Fuller Theological Seminary and a Teaching Assistant there. Lars and Drew explore the question of how you go about doing practical theology and not just writing a project or coming up with a program. The critical question to answer is "how will we be together?" Drew is also a contributor in the book Learning Change by Jim Herrington and Trisha Taylor.

Show notes:  We learn how to ​do relationships​ by the age of 5 years old Trauma changes our brains and makes loving self and others much more challenging​ ​A​bout 40% of American children will have at least one potentially traumatizing experience by age 18* Our level of person safety ​in key relationships impacts our capacity for intimacy We need to develop a deep level of compassion for what we see around us Building loving communities is almost impossible to do solo Missional marriage - our culture gets healthier as our families get healthier** *The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma **Upcoming Missional Marriage Workshop!      

How does a married couple manage depression? In this episode, Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement have an informative conversation with author and therapist Trisha Taylor (www.trishataylor.org) about common and sometimes misunderstood aspects of depression and how it can affect marriages. We encourage couples dealing with these issue to reach out to their church communities and professionals for further help. Don't suffer in silence with this all too common affliction.

Are you currently encountering a great deal of anger in your marriage? Is all anger bad? How does a couple manage anger effectively? Brett & Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement interview therapist and author Trisha Taylor to get her thoughts on the many facets of anger. To find out more about Trisha Taylor, go to www.trishataylor.org. Find out more about Home Encouragement at www.homeencouragement.org. Many thanks to Grant Peterson, Grant Supak and Zach Alkire for their help in getting this episode produced and posted.