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In: Abuse, God's Character, Lament

If you haven’t read the modern parable the title alludes to, it’s here: What Are You Hanging Onto? Would you ever look at a sobbing child who is being bullied at school and yell at her for crying, telling her that’s why no one likes her? Would you ever say those words to a child you love dearly and have authority over? A child who respects you and looks to you for guidance, protection, and comfort? I was that sobbing child. The person who uttered those words never remembers saying and doing such hurtful things, but those words were uttered, for they burned deep into myRead More →

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In: Abuse, Children, God's love

Since the introduction to this blog’s new series referenced the fact I’m a child abuse survivor, I should start there even though I’m “done” talking about that. Since I didn’t have those talks with you, through a long, difficult, painful process, God’s squeezed about every drop of bitterness out of me. Though, we’re probably still working on the toxic feelings I’ve misdirected towards myself. Whether I’ve forgiven my abusers depends on whether forgiveness is compatible with staying out of their drama when I’m not yet strong enough to be in relationship with them without getting drawn into it and it pulling me down spiritually. Christ,Read More →

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In: Notices, Prayer and Devotions

For quite sometime, I’ve had serious blogger’s block that is negatively impacting other areas and I’ve finally figured out why. God had called me to break my personal rules of being professional. Note I’ve been defining being professional defined as presenting one’s self as an expert who is perfect, has it all together, with no problems, weaknesses, or struggles. That is, to risk being vulnerable in public, making people uncomfortable, and destroying my reputation by losing people’s respect. In other words, my rules of professionalism look a lot like the rules of an abusive family on keeping silence on the abuse and presenting yourself andRead More →

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In: Abuse, Bible and Theology, Dreams and Spiritual Warfare, Idols, Legalism, Morality, Post-Modernism, Sin and Holiness, Suffering

Dear Andrea, Some fellow Christians I know and love have said critical things about Christians having their own “Christianese” language, their own books and movies,  their own methods for finding a spouse, etc. They accuse fellow believers who try to live according to the Word and defy the ways of our secular culture of living in a bubble and can be so harsh and condemning. It is hurtful and confusing when Christians say such things. What should I do? Yours, Gentle Reader Dear Gentle Reader, Christians having their own Christian culture isn’t wrong. In fact, the Bible says we are a holy nation, citizens ofRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's love, Legalism, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,  but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children,were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.  But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,  to redeem those who were under the law,  so that we might receive adoption as sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer aRead More →