Tyler Braun's Blog, page 10

My Take on 2017

My generation has grown up in a world that has increasingly operated on hyperbolic fear. It began when planes ran into towers and continued when shooters entered schools. This overwhelming worry about impending doom from exterior evil has been commodified by cable news networks that not only stir up fear but then leverage it for ratings.

Earlier this year I explored how fear often leads to anxiety, which can be a crippling malaise on people who struggle with it. Fear can cripple us to the poi...

Called Out Episode 005: Calling

Calling has been a subject of interest for me ever since I made the decision to enter seminary (graduate school for pastors) and pursue a vocation within pastoral ministry in the local church. I never had a moment where I sensed God distinctly say, “go there,” and I followed. Instead, calling has been a constant walk through the fog, destination unclear.

I often find myself frustrated by our formulaic conversations surrounding calling. Following the “5 steps to find your calling,” completely...

Called Out Episode 004: Tiffany Bulgin

This new episode on my podcast Called Out features Tiffany Bulgin, who founded Isaac’s Room with her husband Mark. People in my hometown of Salem, Oregon know of Isaac’s Room through the local coffeeshop Ike Box.

Tiffany and I talk about the backstory leading up to Ike Box starting, as well as talking about foster care and why people avoid it. Then we finish by discussing what it looks like to take in the long view with loving people who are used to being discarded and overlooked.

You can li...

Permission to be Honest With Yourself

When it comes to having a proper awareness of yourself our society pushes you in two separate and equally unhelpful directions:

1. You are a total disaster. You fail time and time again. You will never get better. You don’t deserve help from anyone. You are unworthy of God and his blessing.

2. You are awesome. You don’t make mistakes. You are the hero of the story. You are a gift to the world. God is blessed to have you on this earth.

In the first instance you are prone to depression, lack of...

Called Out Episode 003: Sharon Hodde Miller

I’m thrilled to share this episode with Sharon Hodde Miller, where we discuss her first book project, image management in the age of Instagram, and raising up women in the church.

Sharon has been one of my favorite connections in the past few years because she is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects with tenacity and care. Sharon lives in North Carolina with her husband and two boys, while also carrying the load of child number three, to be born soon!

You can listen to the full episode be...

My #MeToo Story

As a preface, here’s some backstory on #metoo and why it has gone viral in the past few days.

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I hesitate to share my #metoo story because so many women have been so brave, and I don’t want to come in and mansplain things here. However, the bravery of so many women has encouraged me to share my personal story connected to this.

Late in high school, a guy in his mid30s started helping as a leader at my church. He used a carefree attitude to suck in me & my friends. We can have fun at church?...

Covenant > Compatibility

Often in marriage compatibility is seen as the goal for a couple. Find your match, learn to love them, then commit to them for a lifetime. It’s not that compatibility has no place in marriage, but prioritizing it over the commitment of marriage misses the mark.

Walter Brueggemann phrases the prioritizing of marriage by saying, “We do not fall in love and then get married. We get married and then learn what love requires.” I’ve shared those words with every couple I’ve had the privilege of mar...

Called Out Episode 002: Brett McCracken

We are a society driven by individual curation. Just last week Spotify announced a new throwback playlist, created for every user based on their current favorite songs. Whether it’s a music playlist or your morning coffee or your daily news, everything is built around your preferences and interests.

2 years ago I had lunch with Brett McCracken and he shared with me about stepping into leadership at a church that he originally didn’t even like that much. It was foreign to all his previous chu...

The Balaam Trap

From Tyler: I write for a daily devotional, which you can pick up for $5 here. We’re slowly building to having it be a year-long devotional, so it’s well worth your money. Here’s a recent post I wrote for it. 

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“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.” 2nd Peter 2:15

Numbers 22-24 tells one of the funniest stories in the Bible. In the story we’re introduced to two main characters: Balaam and Balak.

Balak: k...

The Faceless Enemy

A while back I had the opportunity to see Dunkirk in theaters. While I thought the film was exceptional, I will say for a first watch it was difficult to follow. The film features three separate storylines that all connect in places, but the film has little chronological cohesion. Weaving between these three storylines makes it difficult to know the order of events taking place.

Where the film shines is in overwhelming the viewer. The lack of chronological cohesion, mixed with it probably bei...