My Place on Earth
By Katie Choi Comfort can come from unexpected places. I just finished a book, and when I started it, I didn’t want to keep reading it because I knew it…
Knowledge
by Brock Bondurant 2 Peter 1:2-3 – 2May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. 3His divine power has…
Non-Sequitur Living
By Matt Gordon Yesterday someone canceled a meeting with me. Or, said another way, the universe gifted me an hour. No plans, no obligation, I was untethered from time and…
The Six (Enneagram)
What best describes me? Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty That might sound familiar I have to stay true to my roots, guess what number I am? I already gave you a clue…
Holding Grief and Hope
By Kelly Wright I find myself saying, “Our hearts weren’t created for this” more and more. You see, according to Ecclesiastes 3:11, God has put eternity in the hearts of…
Confessions of a Counselor: Falling Off the Tightrope
By Kelly Wright It was a snowy, quiet morning – an absolute gift of peace and space. My kids, in anticipation of a day off school, were invited to stay…
Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
The All-Inclusive God. Listen to a few simple thoughts on brats, baseball, and the better treasures which lead Matt to a simple prayer: To live in light of the promises…
Jury Duty Calls
By: Matt Gordon Few things get me as hyped as a good old-fashioned jury duty summons. And yesterday, it came. I was summoned! Courted, if you will. While the popular…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXX – Hot mows, the Derby, and the Blues – the guys get their Heckle and Jeckle on during this episode of SPORTS! 0
This is the Day
By Matt Gordon I recall that Easter more than most because it was the day my wife agreed to have a child. As weird as it is, fatherhood had become…
God is a Comedian
By Nygia Chapman Nygia Chapman is a Client Connection Specialist at Veterans United. She also is a Praise and Worship Leader and Liturgical Worship Dancer. She’s a certified life coach…
Book It: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Want more Book It? Click here. 0
Praying for Revival
By Brock Bondurant Psalm 24 I long for a great move of God in my city, state, and country. Some call this revival, or corporate renewal. In the 18th century,…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXIX – The guys talk sports, for once! NBA, broken elbows, baseball, hockey playoffs, cursive, cake, and more this week on SPORTS!!! 0
Better-Made Realities
By Matt Gordon This week I had to give a speech about leadership. Since I couldn’t stand in front of a crowd and say that probably a good deal of…
Infertility Awareness
Infertility was something I was not prepared for. I wish I had some fancy phrase or words to get started on this topic, but the truth is that I don’t.…
Confessions of a Counselor: I Don’t Know What I Need
By Kelly Wright Wants and needs – two words we use quite often, even interchangeably. But wants and needs are very different. I need water, oxygen, food, shelter, clothing, and…
Messy Days
By: Matt Gordon The other day I went to lunch with a friend. It was a long lunch and conversation topics included: hockey, management, work fulfillment, faith and the church,…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXVIII – The Survivor theme song, hummed by Matt, to start the show. It’s all downhill from there this week folks. JK. Well, just check it out for yourself.…
Phases
By Walt Walton Uncharted, unseen, unbalanced No parental control, can lead to adults being so childish Living in the world, apart from the world, can be such a challenge If…
Where Is God?
By Morgan Stoecklein There’s been a point in your life, where you’ve wondered, “Where is God?” I know it. Whether through one of life’s greatest griefs or after circling downtown…
The Snake’s Last Gasp
By Brock Bondurant Mark 14:36 – And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you…
Ozzie Smith, God, and Memories that Make Us
By: Matt Gordon I’ve read that human beings only use a small portion of their brains and that we really remember everything. The trouble is in the recall. But further details…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXVII – The guys talk trees, their love of mowing, and the dangers of getting too willy-nilly with a good deed. Oh and they also talk some SPORTS! 0
The Five (Enneagram)
By Walt Walton Alert, insightful, & curious Introverted, but yet I study the world with due diligence I’m self-sufficient, calm, & focused Always learning, defeating my conflict, & staying…
The Four (Enneagram)
By Walt Walton Behind me there’s a mystery, I want growth for me and potentially There’s no convincing me otherwise, I can be self-absorbed & for that I apologize Let…
Confessions of a Counselor: The Body Never Lies
It was a perfect day for the pool. A warm day, but one where the heat wasn’t abrasive. A day the water was delightful and didn’t make you cringe as you entered into the pool.
My husband and I took a break under the big red umbrella as our kids jumped off the diving board. As we watched one jump after another, I noticed the start of an aura migraine.
Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
Matt’s over-committed. He’s got a ton of talks to give! But underneath the doubtful, anxious thoughts are the hopeful ones. By holding both, a simple prayer emerges. 0
Odds and Ends
Week of April 18, 2022 0
The Treasure in a Field
By Matt Gordon In moments, I’ll take my sons to their first non-backyard Easter egg hunt. They, along with hundreds of other moppets from a local preschool, will squint-dash-and-squeal in…
My Tree-Hugging Theology
By Ellen Nimmo Tree-hugging. Have ye? Should we? Actually, I don’t have a passionate opinion on the hug thing, although personally I love a good tree-squeeze, but certainly there’s a…
Sustain Us Along the Way
By Kelly Wright Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” August 5, 2021 was the most heart wrenching day of my life.…
Odds and Ends
Week of April 11, 2022 0
Living Stones
By Brock Bondurant 1 Peter 2:4-5 – As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXVI – Mrs. Mast gives Zach some motivating words on “bop” and Matt is scheduled to give his own version of motivating words to an eighth grade lock-in. This…
Lead the Way
By Walt Walton Read Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 What a song/psalm! David gives such a distinct perspective and a proper view of God in the first verse. “Oh, give thanks to…
Abiding
By Sam Kruvand Sam Kruvand is a follower of Jesus who is passionate about spiritual renewal. He is a credit consultant and has been with VU since 2016. Sam and…
Confessions of a Counselor: I’ve Slammed Cabinet Doors
By Kelly Wright I grew up experiencing strong emotions that I believed weren’t okay to feel. When I was sad, I was encouraged to put a smile on my face.…
Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
Funerals, monsoons, accidents, the unexpected of life. Surely we can’t predict even the next hour, but we can rest in the knowledge all the unexpected events and moments of our…
Odds and Ends
Week of April 4, 2022 0
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXV- Orange Juice etiquette and other important tips. Will Smith, Chris Rock, bops, and also some sports. 0
Today’s My Birthday.
By Ellen Nimmo Today’s my birthday It ain’t much of a thing to me Cause birthdays come and birthdays go As anyone can see But what of those who die…
Restore the Way
By Matt Gordon I’ve never been lost. Not truly. A few times in the woods, I’ve been turned around. And there was that time I went to a concert by…
Toothpaste Words
By Heather Cox Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may…
Odds and Ends
Week of March 28, 2022 0
Sports!!!!!!!
A word on Kelly Clarkson’s child support, a helpful tip from Matt, “if you see twins bet on the twins,” March Madness bracket discussions, NFL, MLB, Werther’s rewards, and more…
Confessions of a Counselor: Why Would Anyone Go to Counseling?
By Kelly Wright September 22, 1997 Just got back from a trip home to Missouri. The trip back to Texas is filled with sadness – I miss my family so…
Show Me a New Way
By Brock Bondurant 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. I live…
Odds and Ends
Week of March 21, 2022 0
Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
Silence from the shower – terrifying . . . Listen to this short, simple thought on imitation and the simple prayer which follows. 0
Leading Bad Groups: A Lovelier Prospect
By: Matt Gordon I was talking recently to another person. Conversations always seem to go best in this manner. She shared with me about a group she was leading that…
The Three (Enneagram)
By Walt Walton Looking for a Three? That’s me. I’m so charismatic, I wear my heart on my sleeve No time for planning, I just go & achieve I so…
The Two (Enneagram)
By Walt Walton Hey, hello, howdy how do you do? It’s me, you know who I’m a Two, how might I be able to assist you? I’m generous, loving, helpful,…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXIII – Brady, Baseball, Basketball . . . the guys bounce into spring and embrace the madness of fake retirements, NCAA hoops, and the coaching carousel on . .…
Misguided Mantras
By Ellen Nimmo Have you ever had a mantra? A statement, a slogan, a thought, a refrain that you play over and over and over in your mind so much…
Provide the Way
By Walt Walton Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans…
Hypocrites
By Brock Bondurant 1 Peter 2:1 – So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and slander. Have you ever been called a hypocrite? I have.…
Odds and Ends
Week of March 14, 2022 0
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXII – Zach and Matt switch roles. They revisit BattleBots and ask the question: If you were to make a scented candle what would the scent be? Fan boy…
In the Zone
By: Matt Gordon I was in the zone the other day. My left blinker had gone out. For several weeks I only turned right. Eventually this led to issues with…
Food for Thought
By Walt Walton Oh, what a year we all persevered Some searching for peace, some searching for hope Some not searching for nothing at all, just trying to cope If…
Confessions of a Counselor: Take Your Own Advice
By Kelly Wright July 23, 1997 I told myself I was going to journal daily as I began my counseling practice. Well, six weeks have gone by and this is…
Teach Me Your Way
By Brock Bondurant Psalm 27:11 – Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path… We are prone to going our own way, even when we…
Simple Thoughts Simple Prayers
A Simple thought, Simple prayer about: Love. 0
Odds and Ends
Week of March 7, 2022 0
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode LXXI – Zach is feeling good, despite MLB lockout and no football. Yes, he’s smitten . . . with battlebots! Robots, fighting, in a DOME! Plus there’s so many…
Pearenting
children are beasts . . .
The One (Enneagram)
By Walt Walton Uno, I’m a Reformer over performer, living my life on a mission So that the human spirit can shine through, & make a difference Justifying my actions…
Worship During a Pandemic
By Jackson Samson Jackson Samson is a follower of Jesus Christ and recent college graduate from the University of Missouri. Currently Jackson works as a loan specialist at Veterans United…
Stories About Love
By Ellen Nimmo A couple weeks ago I heard five people share five true stories about love. My face surely must have appeared strangely contorted throughout that fateful hour, as…
The Way of Lent – Preparing for Ash Wednesday
By Kelly Wright Are you someone who practices Lent? Maybe you grew up in a tradition where every year you were encouraged to give up something in preparation for Easter.…
Odds and Ends
Week of February 28, 2022 0
Exiles
By Brock Bondurant Recently, I considered Dietrich Bonhoeffer. A scholar, Bonhoeffer saw turbulent times wash upon his cultural shore. Germany was at the cutting edge of the world, filled with…
Sports!!!!!!
Episode LXX – An apology, an amazing PowerPoint presentation from Matt, and some NBA talk, this week on Sports!!!!!!! 0
I Swear
By: Matt Gordon This week I attended a team training on Speed of Trust. It was a disaster. The company trainers leading it weren’t the problem—they were delightful and informative.…
God Will Remember You
By Nygia Chapman Nygia Chapman is a Client Connection Specialist at Veterans United. She also is a Praise and Worship Leader and Liturgical Worship Dancer. She’s a certified life coach…
Confessions of a Counselor: Everyone in the Room is Nervous
By Kelly Wright June 2, 1997 I am sick to my stomach and I wish it was a stomach bug. I have never wanted to be sick, but I wouldn’t…
Simple Thoughts, Simple Prayers
God, please don’t rain vomit from the sky. 0
Odds and Ends
Week of February 21, 2022 0
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode XLIX – The guys have a new toy and some hot takes. It’s sad trombone, Cooper Kupp, and more on this episode of SPORTS! 0
The Halftime Show and the True, Untrue Spectacle
the halftime show revealed to me that we don’t just shout about race, religion, politics, and pandemic. nope, we yell about everything.
Odds and Ends
Week of Feburary 14, 2022 0
Peace
By Brock Bondurant Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is peace… There’s an intersection in town that is pretty busy, and frequented by someone, or a group…
Sports!!!!!!!
Episode XLVIII – The guys talk Winter Olympics, falling down, and more on this episode of SPORTS! 0
New Comedy-Drama Based on Job Set for Release
The new Job musical looks lit.
Memories
By Walt Walton Time lapse soliloquy, bitter sweet poetry Several Melodies bring old memories back Sitting outside on the front porch, questioning God like, “Where you at?” Moms gone, &…
My Friend the Eating Disorder
By Kath Crane Kath Crane lives in Saint Louis with her husband Brandon and cat Benny. She works for VU as a Production Trainer and enjoys any opportunity to hear…
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