Rhythm_of_Connection Archives

It’s Hard to Put into Words

There is an internal world to every one of us with words that need sharing, but it’s hard to put into words, so we need someone safe to help us. They wanted him to tell them what was going on inside, but it felt more like he was in the […]

Helping Others Mental health

The Beauty of an Empowering Question

I want to know, and because I want to know I will ask empowering questions. Ones that open up the treasure chest of the heart and mind. It felt more like an interrogation than an invitation. Questions poured out. Demanding, angry, harsh questions that sent me into a state of […]

Getting Well Staying Well Spiritual Practices

Being Formed as a Little Child

Being formed like a little child is something Jesus wants us to do, but how are we to do this as adults? Perhaps it’s by surrender to the potter’s hand. Probably the most joyous gift to our family over recent years has been the addition of a new family member. […]

Helping Others

To Listen to them, Be Quick Listen to Your ‘Self’

Listening to others can be frustrating, but when we listen to our ‘self,’ we might find the key to compassionate listening to others. Going deep, where life is indeed happening, requires us to stop and be slow. Be quick to listen to your self. I wondered why I was getting […]

Helping Others Spiritual Formation

Church and Mental Health. A place for the 5%?

Church and Mental Health? How about sitting with someone and being gently curious about the struggles of their soul. Now that is what I call ‘Church.’ I once sat in a church service and seated in front of me were two men. One was a highly paid lawyer, a partner […]

Spiritual Formation

A Church for Black Spotted Sheep

4 comments

I was always on the lookout for black wool. I raised on a sheep farm here in New Zealand and whenever shearing time came around I was in the shearing shed working alongside those lean muscular men, shearing our sheep.

Mental health

Why You Need to Welcome Ravens for Your Mental Health

2 comments

The rawness of the meat was either inviting or disturbingly unappealing. Stories shared, honesty held as holy, the powerless being empowered. For some it was too raw, too up close and uncomfortable for them to receive the gift God was offering. To take in this gift there would have to […]

Spiritual Formation

Five Ideas To Help People Feel They Can Be Known.

3 comments

Who Knows you? I know Raj down at the petrol station, I know his face, I see him regularly, and he possibly knows me at the same level. If I was to see him at the Mall, without his uniform, I might wonder where I know him from. Then there […]

Uncategorized

Are you a Good Listener?

2 comments

Stop, right now. Yeah, I’m talking to you the listener! Just stop! For a few seconds, just take a breather in your busyness, and listen. Hear the world around you, the noise, the clock ticking, creating pressure. Listen to the silence that must be filled with something, I suppose? The […]