Bread For The Journey
And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched Elijah and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. (1 Kings 19:7–8)
For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)
The Lord, who knows our frame and our fragility, knows exactly what we need to keep going. Sometimes it is a snack, or manna just enough for the day. Other times he knows we need something that will fuel us through a longer ordeal.
Of course, God doesn’t need to use more words to carry us through a longer ordeal. In fact I vividly remember His promise, “I will be with you,” sustaining me through a season of dark months that turned into years…and that was just five words.
But in our framework here, we’re using “bread for the journey” as a place to wrestle with ideas in longer form. Think essays, more than blog posts. (Shorter pieces will go under “bread for the day.”) We hope some of this work is helpful to you in your own journey.
Vulnerability Among Pastors
In a previous post, we defined vulnerability as a profound awareness of our weaknesses, limitations, and failures, and the willingness to abide the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure of letting ourselves be seen. The gospel promises, “It is for freedom that...
Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence with Edwin Friedman – Part 2 of 3
How Good Intentions Can Lead to Unhelpful Outcomes In Part 1, we introduced Edwin Friedman and suggested that one of the most important books for leaders today was written almost 30 years ago by this Jewish Rabbi and family therapist. One reason we want to provide...
Vulnerability Reimagined
Vulnerability is scary. That’s how you know it’s not just a gesture. When it’s real, vulnerability always feels uncomfortable because it entails risk, uncertainty, and emotional exposure. Vulnerability goes beyond a sincere desire to be honest or transparent. You can be earnest, even disclosing about yourself, and still not…
Further Reading on Spiritual Direction
Reading books on spiritual direction is like reading books on prayer. They can be helpful, but there is no substitute for practice. The best way to learn is by doing, experimenting. Yet because there’s so much confusion surrounding it, here are some resources, from...
What is Spiritual Direction?
Last week I was in the car with our three children, ages 10, 12 and 14. Our youngest is an uncommonly sensitive, thoughtful young man. He has – I don’t know how else to say it – a different kind of prayer life than his dad. When he prays, it’s just different – how he...
Ten Reasons Friendship Has Declined in the Modern West
As part of our series on Friendship, which itself is part of a larger series on Five Things Every Leader Needs, we wanted to document a phenomenon that C.S. Lewis lamented more than a half a century ago: the decline of friendship in the modern world. What happened to...
Advent Under the Broom Tree
“You know the time…the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand.” Romans 13:11-12 “Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day.” 2 Peter...
Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence with Edwin Friedman – Part 1 of 3
As part of our series on Friendship, which itself is part of a larger series on Five Things Every Leader Needs, we wanted to document a phenomenon that C.S. Lewis lamented more than a half a century ago: the decline of friendship in the modern world. What happened to...
Inspiring A New Level Of Growth
In the last 30 years, 40 million people who used to attend church stopped their participation. Broom Tree Media exists for those who want to love the church – and who wish the church could do better and be better.
A recent study reported that 46% of pastors under the age of 45 say they are considering quitting full-time ministry. Broom Tree Media offers content and support to care for struggling leaders, and to imagine alongside them a model of leadership that leads to flourishing for leaders and their communities.
Research shows that 92% of individuals who actively engage with faith-based content online report a positive impact on their spiritual growth and connection with God. Broom Tree Media's online resources and content can contribute to the spiritual development and well-being of individuals seeking to deepen their faith.
Nurturing Faith. Inspiring Community.
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