Jonathan Benz's Profile

I'm always fascinated how in culture we create God in our own image, and I suppose some of this is very inevitable for we must personalize a higher power on some level if we are to truly relate. But then... Continue reading

Posted 2 days ago at JonathanBenz.com

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The Violin and the Dark Night of the Soul

I watched this TED video earlier this week on a flight from NYC to South Florida and was so inspired. It took me to a deep place in meditation. I encourage you to listen to her talk, her violin, and... Continue reading

Posted 6 days ago at JonathanBenz.com

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Confronting Exodus

I've watched Our America with keen interest over the last three years as they expose the ineffectiveness and destructiveness of reparative therapy. A new chapter in this conversation will be airing on June 20 when the leader of Exodus International... Continue reading

Posted Jun 11, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Unfinished Business

I recently stirred controversy when I stated on a Facebook discussion page that we might carry our unresolved issues into the afterlife. Now for the Buddhist or Hindu this is not too troubling of an idea. In fact, reincarnation provides... Continue reading

Posted Jun 5, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Bringing India & Pakistan together through technology

I absolutely love this video from Coca-Cola on bringing people together in India and Pakistan. I undertand it's marketing, but if Coca-Cola gets it, why can't we? Furthermore, why won't we? We need more creative reconciliation initiatives in the world... Continue reading

Posted May 20, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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A Response from an Evangelical Reader: Christians need to be speaking about the love of God and stop the nonsense.

I have a lot of people reading my blog whom I don't know or haven't spoken to in years. I get different kinds of feedback, for the most part positive. Some say I make them think, even if they disagree.... Continue reading

Posted Apr 26, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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God Loves Ugandan Orphans

My Welsh friends Keren and Mark Riley of ReUnite have been living in Uganda the past several years resettling orphans to their families of origin. I'm very impressed by their work. They are people of faith who are doing an... Continue reading

Posted Apr 22, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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My coping strategy this week in light of terror, violence, and continued political divide

I have remained mostly silent on the subjects of terror, violence and gun control this week--mainly, because my heart has been so overwhelmed. I was asked yesterday by a mental health professional what I thought of the Boston bombings and... Continue reading

Posted Apr 18, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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God Loves Uganda

This week I went to a screening of the documentary God Loves Uganda at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. The film "explores the role of the American Evangelical movement in Uganda, where American missionaries have been credited with both... Continue reading

Posted Apr 12, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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A Christian Comes Out for Marriage Equality

Devon Skeens, a straight Christian, recently came out in support of marriage equality. Afterwards, he was accused of being gay and not being a Christian. It's interesting to me how many straight Christian people are coming out of their own... Continue reading

Posted Apr 6, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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What's your 200-year plan?

I love this idea from the Indian artist Raghava KK of creating a 200-year plan for your legacy. I plan on doing it! Watch. It's only ten minutes and quite engaging as well. Here are some take-aways I thought worthwhile:... Continue reading

Posted Apr 5, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Equality is a Given

There's been a lot of talk of equality the last couple of weeks. A lot of struggling, striving, arguing, debating. A lot of speaking up and speaking out. So much passion and sometimes not very civil. Facebook and Twitter went... Continue reading

Posted Apr 5, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Newtown Teacher Kaitlin Roig Talks About Life After the Shooting Tragedy

I was very impacted last night watching Diane Sawyer interview Kaitlin Roig, the teacher who hid her first-graders during the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT. Most profound to me was her quoting her school principal that lost her life: I... Continue reading

Posted Apr 3, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Dolly Parton: He's Alive!

No one can proclaim "He's Alive!" quite like Dolly Parton. Happy Easter! Continue reading

Posted Mar 31, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Living Your Legacy: Dream Activation Seminar

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail and had unlimited resources? On Saturday April 20 I'm presenting a new seminar, Living Your Legacy: Dream Activation. You will learn how to strategically: Connect to your Whispered Dreams Discover... Continue reading

Posted Mar 30, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Merton for Toddlers...and Us

I'm a big fan of the Merton Prayer: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I... Continue reading

Posted Mar 22, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Going with the Flow

If you follow my Facebook feed, you know that I've experienced some changes the last few weeks. I was unexpectedly laid off from my day job. The parting was on good terms, and they said they hated to let me... Continue reading

Posted Mar 15, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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It's Time to Live Your Legacy!

You are on this planet for a purpose. Finding your purpose and then living it is probably both the greatest challenge and greatest reward you may ever have. On Saturday March 16, I'll be hosting a seminar on Living Your... Continue reading

Posted Mar 1, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Counseling & Coaching

Need a little help? Want some fresh perspective? Could you use a new direction? I offer the following services by private appointment either online or in person: Spiritual Advising Addiction Counseling Life Transition Coaching Grief & Trauma Healing Public Speaking... Continue reading

Posted Feb 23, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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The Stuff That Really Matters

Last Saturday I felt compelled to write about the stuff that really matters. I spent the day with my family at my nephews' basketball games. We went to lunch together. My niece rode with me, and I introduced her to... Continue reading

Posted Feb 19, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Christian Extremism & Martyrdom

Another round of religious extremism seems to be cropping up in American, Christian circles. I witnessed some of it years ago when I was part of what is termed the "apostolic/prophetic/prayer movements." While I gained a lot from these movements,... Continue reading

Posted Feb 18, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Losing Religious Cliches

I have participated in a theological discussion class at my home church for the last several years. Our group is ideologically diverse consisting of conservative, liberal, moderate, evangelical, mainline, and progressive. You'll hear a variety of accents signifying our cultural... Continue reading

Posted Feb 12, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Please Jesus. Protect me from your followers.

A number of years ago my friend Misi gave me this refrigerator magnet. While it's in jest, I don't think I'm the first person to ever pray it with a bit of fervor. I learned early on that the devoted... Continue reading

Posted Feb 10, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Who's In & Who's Out

Much is changing in religious culture these days. Theological shifts. Societal shifts. Relational shifts. Things are changing because we are changing. Who is in and who is out is being re-defined. The idea that God favors some more than others... Continue reading

Posted Feb 6, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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Gospel of Intolerance

The following film recounts what happens when an evangelical sect in America partners with Ugandan Christians in a very unholy alliance of unchecked zeal and hermeneutical ignorance Related articles British Church Oasis Comes Out as Inclusive & Affirming The Strategy... Continue reading

Posted Feb 2, 2013 at JonathanBenz.com

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