It Cuts Both Ways

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older, he will not abandon it.” Proverbs 22:6 NASB “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” James Baldwin Gotta say I internalized some very harmful images and beliefs fromContinue reading “It Cuts Both Ways”

Empathetic Witness

 The Absence of an Empathetic Witness “Who will rise up for me against the wicked?    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?Unless the Lord had given me help,    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’    Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.When anxiety was great within me,    Your consolationContinue reading “Empathetic Witness”

Fickle Feelings Lead to Bad Decisions

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 NASB “You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew.” – Albert Einstein Most of the problems I’ve had were terrible decisions. Feelings were the determining factor andContinue reading “Fickle Feelings Lead to Bad Decisions”

Anger or Gentleness?

“He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.” Berean Standard Bible “We need to be able to deal with doubt lovingly, helpfully, and especially without ever scolding or shaming anyone for doubting. We must allow people to beContinue reading “Anger or Gentleness?”

You Belong

“I will call those who were not my people, ‘My people,’ and I will call her who was unloved,‘My beloved.’”Romans 9:25 NET “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one!” C.S. Lewis Being a Christian means we belong. We belong toContinue reading “You Belong”

Let Go or be Dragged

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Let go and let God.” And don’t let go of God.Continue reading “Let Go or be Dragged”

Denial is Exhausting!

“And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, ‘Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75 NIV “The attempt to escape from pain is what creates more pain.” ― Gabor Maté A wife was caring for her husband in the hospital and liftedContinue reading “Denial is Exhausting!”

Phonies

Goody-Goodies, Snake Oil Salesmen and Other Pretenders “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” Galatians 6:3-4 NIV “Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. ConceitContinue reading “Phonies”

Plank in the Eye-Ouch!

Or there but for the grace of God go I. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time thereContinue reading “Plank in the Eye-Ouch!”

Shame! Shame! Shame!

Ashamed of Shame “They looked to Him and were radiant,And their faces were not ashamed.6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,And saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,And delivers them.” Psalm 34:5-7 NKJV “Shame is the most powerful master emotion. It’sContinue reading “Shame! Shame! Shame!”