Empathy is what makes us human. Empathy is the ability to share in another person’s emotions—from within the other person. When you feel empathy, you feel suffering from within another person’s heart. When empathy is felt, there is no distinction between you and the other; it is oneness with the other. Our brokenness is the … Continue reading The Broken Have Special Power

It was during a very desperate time in my life, a time when happiness had been ripped out of me leaving only a void of pain behind. It was during this time that somehow I sensed an inward urge to volunteer. So I did a google search and on the first page an ad popped … Continue reading Decision

One day, as I was preparing to teach a Prison Fellowship job readiness class, I noticed approximately ten men missing. Worried about these trainees, I asked the group what happened. Steve, an intelligent, sweet-spirited young man spoke up: “The substance abuse class time changed. The new time interferes with our class.” Substance abuse is a … Continue reading Void

A few days after doing a blog post to honor the anniversary of my mom's death, my dad unexpectedly passed away. I can't keep up with life right now, and don't have much strength left for this day, but cannot sleep tonight. I was thinking about the conversations we shared over the years, when I was taken … Continue reading What is Greater?

My mom believed that God sent her signs. When she received one, it made her happy and alive. It was so precious and inspiring to hear her stories. They sent chills down my spine. I never met someone so close to God. She knew what God’s voice sounded like; she knew of His comfort, of … Continue reading Signs

Our Prison Fellowship re-entry class once discussed knowing and loving ourselves. To illustrate a point, I took an extra name tag and wrote what others said about me. I reflected on my childhood, then took a name tag and wrote “Poor Reader.” I took that tag and placed it on my shirt, just below my … Continue reading Labels

There are moments that transcend time and space—moments when we feel entirely alive. At the entrance of these delightful awakenings, we suddenly find ourselves caught up by the beauty and wonder of existence. Wordsworth called these moments “spots of time.” Everyone has these occasions of flashing clarity. With each spark of awe, the atoms of … Continue reading Reset Button