“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.” (John 11:38) These little verses come in the midst of the story of Lazarus’ illness, Jesus’ delay, Lazarus’ death, Martha’s and Mary’s...
Or, consider another option: On more than one occasion, I was told by some of those examining me for clergy ordination that I was not “self-aware” or I “lacked discernment.” They said this as if to say I didn’t...
(CAUTION: I realize this may be a controversial subject and not everyone is going to see it this way. I have worked with women from abusive backgrounds and in abusive relationships long enough to have heard a few of their reasons for staying or going back. In the...
This article on loneliness brings two things to mind for me. One, loneliness as a function of negative perception of social interactions suggests that there is a lack of ability or comfort in trusting others, including God. This is, at heart, an attachment issue. ...
Wounded or Broken? by John Coblentz (Gleaned from the June 1998 newsletter of Deeper Life Ministries) In the Bible we read about a “wounded spirit” and also about a “broken spirit.” In some ways the meaning of...
A severe mercy? “Practically speaking, disillusionment is the loss of illusion. In terms of larceny, then, it is the equivalent of having one’s high cholesterol or a perpetually bad habit stolen. Disillusionment, while painful, is evidence which shows the myths...