Chris Ball

Lost My Place

“Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer.” ~ Simone Weil      In the last two centuries, globalization has exploded. Communication, collaboration and relocation are accessible in unimaginable ways. Opportunities to connect with others are endless. Ways to work together...

The Purpose of Scars

John 20:24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the...

So Much Depends on the Weather

“And I feel, so much depends on the weather.” Scott Weiland As I sit at home, entrapped by another apocalyptic snowfall occurrence in the South, my mind is drawn to the extent our moods are impacted by the weather. According to the DSM-V, Seasonal Affective Disorder...

Gracing with Your Presence

When a person comes seeking help for some sort of relational or emotional issue, our mind quickly shifts into problem identification mode. We analyze their life searching for patterns or themes, attempting to find snug categories, and then implementing the appropriate...

The Lost Art of Solitude

“Solitude does not pull us away from our fellow human beings but instead makes real fellowship possible.”  ~Henri Nouwen “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”  ~Augustine I’ve become increasingly aware of a pervasive...

Pursuing Holiness in Community

Counselors Reflect on Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp A Series to Care for the Care Takers of God’s People     Pastor, make sure you are being pastored the entire time you are pastoring others. Seek out a mature and reliable person with whom you can share...