I carry you with me, everywhere. The lines of my hands resemble yours. The wrinkles beginning to form on my face bear a time when you used to smile. I see you in my crooked nose; it looks a lot like your integrity. These types of recognitions stun me on [...]
Reader's Ask Andrew, My 20-year marriage ended in a rapid divorce last year. We share three children ages 9, 6, and 3. As a pastor's kid, I was steeped in patriarchy and lots of chaos in a dysfunctional family that over-spiritualized life and moralized disagreements to perpetuate enmeshment. I married [...]
God went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. She loved the water. It was cold and refreshing, though the salt made Her eyes burn. The water was dark and holy. She liked to be dunked under it by Her dad. Some call it baptism, God called it Her bathtub. She used [...]
As I observe the state of our nation, I am increasingly concerned, especially with the state of the faith community at large. Many folks call the U.S. a Christian nation, and yet, in practice, we are anything but. While we increase our spending on military machines, we not only don’t [...]
We Christians love a good story. We know that stories are powerful, and sometimes we get caught up in the craving for that power. I've told my life's story hundreds of times. In fact, when I was a pastor, I was applauded time and time again for the “power” of [...]
Come home, heart. Though you frighten me, I am ready for you to come out of hiding. I now know you are good, tender, and strong. I am secure enough to accept you, now. In the past I have grievously abused you. I mistook your softness, tore your sensitivity to [...]
Proud to have Dr. Jason Kanz as a guest blogger on my website this week. Jason is a neuropsychologist and writer. You can follow his work at JasonKanz.com For several years, I learned everything I could about shame. I read books, listened to lectures, and attended conferences about the [...]
A Therapeutic Rendition of Luke 18:9-14: 9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own piety and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men wanted to please God. One was self-sufficient, and the other was a broken man who needed help. 11 The self-sufficient man [...]
In stillness you, come. The quiet hits and you tear my pieces to more pieces, you mend my wounds with more wounds. Oh God of the still. Here I breathe in My constant headache loosens. You become tangible again. Someone, I taste and hold, yes, I smell you. I [...]
Dear Mr. Bauman, Thank you for your piece on men ruling the world, and thank you most especially for your amazing courage in acknowledging the sexual abuse you've suffered, as well as for your willingness to demonstrate compassion to women. I take issue only with your assessment that "the core [...]
I often receive questions from readers and thought this would be a good one to share, as I am sure many pastors are wondering how to handle sexual assault, abuse and harassment within their communities. Dear Andrew, As a pastor, I’m wondering if I am prepared to handle potential sexual [...]
Oh my River boy. You surprised us, son. 5 weeks early, narrowly escaping death, you, my son, are fearless. And what a terrifying gift you are. Your mother and I simultaneously wept and held our breath awaiting your first cry. And cry you did! It was loud, a voice of [...]
Pictures tell stories, both told and untold. This photo tells thousands. There are years I go without looking into its glory, but it always whispers back for my return. At times it is just too painful to peer into. Though nearly 30 years have passed since it was taken, there [...]
This past week I spent in Ashland, OR at the Masters Center for Transformation, facilitated by Dr. Robert Masters (http://robertmasters.com/) . It was some of the deepest psychospiritual healing work I have ever done in my life. I laughed, I yelled, I moaned, I sang, I mourned, I grieved, and [...]
A Brave Lament: a short film of life & death We are currently raising funds to complete our new film and book project. Please consider donating and sharing with your networks. During our grieving process, we realized authentic Christian resources were rare and lacking depth and emotional integrity. We wanted [...]
Our Glory & Our Depravity engaging the good & bad of what makes us most human By Andrew J. Bauman I tell my son often, “There are no such things as bad guys, just people with difficult stories.” He normally responds with a puzzled look and then continues on [...]
