World's Okayest Pastor

08/15/2026

A paper about a pastoral theology of anxiety that integrates both biblical and psychological insights.

Anxiety is best understood as a whole-human experience involving spiritual, emotional, cognitive, relational, and physical dimensions. Therefore, faithful pastoral care should neither reduce anxiety to a purely spiritual problem nor a purely clinical problem. Instead, pastors should seek to integrate biblical wisdom concerning trust in God with appropriate psychological insight. Obedience to Philippians 4 is not primarily the immediate elimination of anxious feelings. It is the continual practice of bringing anxiety before God in prayer, thanksgiving, and dependence. As believers continually return to God, they receive the promise of His peace, which guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Anxiety is best understood as a whole-human experience involving spiritual, emotional, cognitive, relational, and physical dimensions. Therefore, faithful pastoral care should neither reduce anxiet…

08/09/2026

Earlier today, I preached on Psalm 18:1-6. In part of my sermon, I shared how anger can entangle us and drag us away from God, our refuge. It was a great service and a decent sermon. And as I drove home, I glanced at my phone to see this notification.

This image is a small glimpse of some of the anger that has attacked me this year. People are not happy with decisions that I have made.

There have been times when I have wanted to respond in anger. It’s a default response for me. But I am learning to let go of my anger.

In Ps 18, David uses the imagery of ropes and snares entangling him and dragging him away from God. But he cries out to God and God hears his cry.

“God, free me from my anger. And free this person who is angry and is taking it out me. Free us both so that we can continue to serve you.”

It’s difficult to let go of anger. Especially when you feel right about your anger. But I trust that God will hear my cry and rescue us both.

*******

“I called to the Lord in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

07/31/2026

PRoL Day 04

I needed to give my joints a rest.

07/30/2026

Day 02-03 of my PRoL assignment.

One word that I have been focusing on the last few months is “enough”. Enough is a lie of shame that I have bought into.
“Did I do enough?”
“Was that good enough?”
“I didn’t try hard enough.”

Lies that I listen to and cause me to doubt who I am. But God is enough. Always.

07/28/2026

For the next 3 weeks, as part of my class on personal wellbeing and ministry effectiveness Bethel Seminary, I have to practice personal rule of life (PRoL). This is a 1 hour practice that engages heart, mind, and body through spiritual disciplines and practices utilizing aspects of solitude, silence, and stillness.

My PRoL includes early morning walking, a repetitive listening to Scripture, reflections, journaling, and a gratitude journal.

07/02/2026

Today’s homework assignment involved spending a couple of hours making a spiritual life map. Our sanctuary was the coolest and quietest place on the campus to do this.

A spiritual life map is a visual representation of your spiritual journey, highlighting key moments in your life where you encountered God‘s relational presence through the different relational capacities of your soul, including your heart, mind, and embodied presence.

05/22/2026

I got to spend the a few days in Richmond with other senior pastors in the district. It was great to worship, learn, and grow with these guys.