Footnotes

He came to [b]a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place.  Genesis 28:11 NASB A certain place– Do you read the footnotes?  Or do you think, “Well, those are just references or…

Blinded by the Light

Now it came about, when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” And he said to him, “Here I am.”  Genesis 27:1  NASB Too dim to see – The Akedah is the turning point of the entire story of the…

Removing Trauma

“ If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night.” Genesis 31:42 NASB Fear – We are a fragile audience. At least that’s what the…

Removing Trauma

“ If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night.”  Genesis 31:42 NASB Fear – We are a fragile audience.  At least that’s…

The Road Back

“Why is this place [where I am safe] so hard to describe?  Because human beings are hardwired for connection, and we are hardwired from infancy to find safety in relationships . . .  Trauma breaks this connection.  Trauma interferes with the feelings of safety associated with connection.  Reconstruction of trust is the first task of…

The Most Frightening Thing on Earth

As for me, I said in my alarm, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to You.  Psalm 31:22  NASB My alarm– So scared you can’t move.  Petrified by fear.  Traumatized.  Ah, when did that happen to you?  Maybe it was so bad that you really…

Why Should I Believe?

For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  Luke 7:47 NASB She loved much – What path did you follow in order to come into God’s presence? Before you answer, consider this: each one of us…

Imaginative Living

but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NASB Not entered – How’s your imagination doing today? Is it robust and visionary, ready to explore all…

Disconnection

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Romans 7:24 NASB Wretched – Have you been taught that this verse is a cry for personal salvation? Are you the product of Augustine’s error, claiming that this is Paul’s personal pre-conversion state of mind? Do you employ theological categories when…

Tribal Identity

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1 NASB May it never be! – “me genoito” writes Paul. “Impossible!” “Don’t even think like that!” “No way!”   Has God rejected Israel and put the Gentiles…