Tyler Braun's Blog, page 33

Asking God New Questions

“God, which calling is more difficult, courage or contentment?”

This is the question I find myself asking God, because I used to think having courage through change and struggle is the most difficult calling God can give, but now I’m beginning to wonder.

The last two years of my life only one thing has been consistent: BIG changes.

In the summer of 2011 I was lining up my first book project.
As I was busy writing the book, I was working full time and attending seminary.
Then I finished the book an...

The Problem With The Sticky Pages

From Tyler: Today’s post is from CM Logan, a writer and pastor. While most posts here are written by me, I love getting the chance to share other writers with you. If you’re interested in posting read more here.

—

I was in college, and the pastor said we were starting a sermon series inNehemiah. He told us, “For those who aren’t familiar, it’s in the sticky pages of your Bible.” Those words lied dormant for years in the dark recesses of my little brain until I realized I hadn’t heard a single m...

Don’t Wait till 30 to Change the World

20-somethings are making an incredible impact in our culture at a rate unlike any time in modern history. The internet has opened the door for anyone of any age to forge their own path. Just look at this short list of 20-somethings who started something in their 20s that changed the world:

At the age of 20 Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard and cofounded Microsoft.
At the age of 21 college dropout Steve Jobs co-founded Apple.
By the age of 25Charlie Chaplin had appeared in 35 films.
At the age of...

Living an Instagram Kind of Life

People who don’t use Instagram rip on those who do all the time. I’ve heard the comments such as, “people showoff a glamorized picture of their lives.” That’s absolutely true. Or the comment of, “those filters make every picture look washed out.” Also, true. And finally the comment, “a picture never tells the whole story.”

All of these comments are true. Pictures don’t tell the whole story, they can only share one perspective on a moment. Most people try to take pictures that glamorize the mom...

Can You Love Jesus and Hate His Church?

It’s a common argument many have made: Jesus is sweet, but Christians, and the churches full of them, are lame.

Not long ago a video made the rounds nearly everywhere that explained why a relationship was better than religion. It was another jab on the church and a plus one for Jesus.

On the one hand this seemingly common understanding of Christianity should cause Christians and churches to reflect on how they can be more like this Jesus people are drawn to, while on the other hand we must also...

Why You Should Never Aim to “Arrive”

Once you can buy this car then you’ve arrived. Once you get married, then you’ll be happy. Once you become the key leader in your organization, then you’ll be important. Once you get a raise, then you’ll be living the life you always wanted.

These are the lies we stretch ourselves to believe everyday. They’re the lies of “arrival”—once you do this one thing then you will be “there,” wherever “there” is. But is arriving somewhere the goal we should have in mind?

I published my first book 9 month...

The End of “RIP”

I see it all over Facebook and Twitter each time someone famous dies. In recent weeks two well-known Christian authors passed away (Brennan Manning and Dallas Willard) and I saw countless comments using the phrase. I hear it after someone at church passes. I heard it many, many times after my grandpa passed away: “May he rest in peace.”

RIP. Rest in peace.

It’s a common cultural thing to say “rest in peace” to the dead as a way of saying goodbye. I honestly don’t even think we know what it mean...

In Dating Relationships, Are Boundaries Enough?

I spend a lot of time with men and women who are in dating relationships. Once a new dating relationship begins I usually cut to the chase and find out if they have any boundaries in mind for the physical part of that relationship. I ask them about this I think boundaries are important for Christians to consider.

I’m a perfect example of someone who did all the right things in my relationships. I prayed with girlfriends, I did my best to center our relationship around God, and I always had the...

When Christians Fight

Several years ago, I got into a debate with a close friend and the conversation went quickly south. What began as a discussion about our theological and political differences ended up in a shouting match in which each person’s character was called into question.

I went into the argument with a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. Winning a disagreement was the only way I knew how to disagree, but what I lost wasn’t worth the victory. I said plenty of things I didn’t mean. As the saying goes, “I won t...

One Conversation Can Change Your Life

Email is a bad form of communication but I rely on it. Email is a bad form of communication because it’s incredibly stale. It lacks personal connection. A year ago I sent an email to 10 friends of mine who are prominent writers and/or authors. I heard back from 2 of those friends. I’m not mad at the other 8, mostly impressed by the 2.

One of those friends is Karen. She wrote back with one sentence, “Tyler, let’s talk about this on the phone.” And then she left her phone number.

So I called Kare...