javenbear

Life in Phoenix ’24

I am very excited for this new year. I’ve begun cataloging posts by year as well as by topic (see below), and it’s remarkable to realize I’ve been writing on this website for about 8 years. Most of what I write falls into the essays and articles category, and probably not enough goes in theContinue reading “Life in Phoenix ’24”

The Gifts of My Childhood Church

On this Christmas evening, I am reflecting a bit on the church. Anyone who’s read much of anything I’ve written may now sigh at the inevitable forthcoming gloom, surly observations, vexation etc. But no! It is Christmas, and this is more cheerful. My last article was about the roles and nature of the pastor andContinue reading “The Gifts of My Childhood Church”

The Pastor & the Psychotherapist

Introduction One night, near the end of our class time, the professor had a pastor speak to us about bereavement and end of life care. After she signed off, the class discussed the roles of mental health counselors in conjunctions with and opposed to pastors in providing care. My classmate remarked that the church isContinue reading “The Pastor & the Psychotherapist”

Deconstruction of Small Gods

*the use of the cover art for this piece was generously permitted by John Kennedy: www jedika.com A Funny Scene There’s a funny scene I imagine sometimes in which I get to the afterlife and meet God after a life on earth. And God tells me, “Sorry pal, you were wrong. I’m actually not quiteContinue reading “Deconstruction of Small Gods”

Asking Jesus Into Your Mind

This is an attempt to ponder what might be happening from a psychological perspective when a very theologically oriented event takes place.

Ava Li

Ava Li has joined us on the earth. I’m sitting here in a cream colored chair, and she is sleeping in a baby rocker to my left, and Teddy is sleeping on the floor left of her, and Aleisha is eating a salad on the couch across the room. Ava Li, this is the account,Continue reading “Ava Li”

“Big Egos”

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a real distaste for people who are arrogant and overly self-confident, or whom I perceive that way. It’s partly because I dislike and fear bullies and partly because most of my life I’ve felt quite the opposite: self-doubt, insecurity, a bit shy and afraid of lookingContinue reading ““Big Egos””

5 Calls for the Church

This is a condensed version of a piece I wrote one year ago yesterday. It was the conclusion of the 28 comic strips I posted in February of 2022 called “Fundamentals” which can be read here. (1.) Women must be allowed to worship in freedom Women are gifted by God (and who would say otherwise?!)Continue reading “5 Calls for the Church”

We Bought a Home

Once upon a time this site was used to post pictures of what was happening in my life and the places I was visiting. Today it is again – here are a bunch of photos of Aleisha and I. Phoenix is a long way from our hometown. So when we go back, we get toContinue reading “We Bought a Home”

The Etiology of Addiction

etiology – the study of causation or origination This paper was written as coursework for GCU’s CNL-527: Principles of Psychopharmacology Etiology of Addiction This paper will explore the etiology of addiction and provide insight into different models which explain addiction development. The interplay between nature and nurture which often presents as genetics vs. environment is noteworthy inContinue reading “The Etiology of Addiction”