All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger. Psalms 44:15-16 While some of the psalms exult in joy and praise, many others describe the more challenging aspects of the human experience—including shame….
How Anglican Liturgy Stewards Our Emotions
As someone raised within the charismatic tradition, I grew up believing that emotions played an important role in Christian worship. However, after seeing numerous worship leaders and pastors use certain practices to fabricate an emotional atmosphere within worship, I became disenchanted with certain worship styles and their façade of authenticity. I later had the opportunity…
Ancient Words in a Crisis of Faith
The pandemic was lonely, scary, and anxiety-inducing for many people the world over. For me, it was even worse because I felt like the bottom fell out of my life, and the pandemic was the icing on the cake. In 2018, I had finished grad school and moved back in with my parents to start…
Spiritual Attack or Mental Illness?
As a priest, people often share stories with me about a loved one, friend, or acquaintance who is behaving in a dangerous, unusual, or self-destructive manner. They wonder if this is a spiritual problem or a mental health problem. They want me to help them decide which one it is. Is my loved one facing a…
