Author Archives: iamlearningtobreathe

About iamlearningtobreathe

I am passionate about people. From the time I was a child the places in life that held the most intrigue for me were places of meeting such as churches, hospitals and airports. I count such places among what some may call the "thin places" - where heaven and earth are closest. They are great places for people-watching. Now in adulthood I realize my fondness for such places is cultivated from the emotional charges, whether positive or negative, associated with the times my family would come together. Today, I spend much of my time in the thin places. My kind of work is all about meeting people in those thin places - where the air becomes thin and difficult to breathe, where life becomes abrasive. I am a chaplain working in a healthcare system. The space and time I share with people is precious and sometimes fragile. I often feel forced to play referee between faith and science, even life and death. I am confronted almost daily with some of life's most difficult questions. Sometimes I have a right answer. Sometimes we are asking the wrong questions. Since 2005 I have focused much in the areas of mental health and addiction recovery whereby I am blessed with the challenge of conducting therapy groups. I also volunteer as chaplain for my city police and fire stations. Once I had not believed myself to be a good fit for ministry, unable to emulate what I supposed it to be. Today I am learning through experience that it is a good fit for me. I am finding my way on the path to helping others navigate life. My current pet project forms the foundation for what will likely be a book manuscript, or two. Inspired by the urgings from my colleagues to formalize my hobby, I am contextualizing a reconstructed biblical pneumatology for the contemporary global mindset. In short, it is an undeniable verity about the human family and our spirituality. (The "Coexist" people would love it.) Trust me - it's interesting. I am a husband, father, brother, friend, supporter, writer, teacher, speaker, theologian, and philosopher. Otherwise, I am just learning to breathe like everyone else.