PureTalk| Why Shame Hides and Grace Restores
Modern neuroscience shows that when we experience shame or rejection, our brains often respond as though our relationships, and even our safety, are being threatened. For much of human history, being rejected by the community could mean danger or even death. Our nervous systems still carry traces of that survival instinct today.
PureTalk | Why God Gave You Emotions
From the opening pages of Scripture, we learn that humanity was created in the image of God. Throughout the Bible, we see God expressing compassion, delight, righteous anger, grief, and steadfast love. When Jesus walked the earth, He wept with those who mourned, felt compassion for the crowds, rejoiced with His disciples, and experienced deep sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Looking Back
If we always look into the past instead of moving forward, we may feel anger, hurt, and bitterness about the life we expected to have but don't. Looking back at the past when God tells us precisely to move on could harden us, just like it did Lot's wife. We might feel that betrayal and bitterness continue to grow if we keep looking back. It hardens us.
God Reigns Supreme
I think chaos is still a problem in the world. As Timothy K. Beal pointed out in his book Religion and It’s Monsters, “Perhaps it takes a chaos monster to kill a chaos monster.” Beal describes the way monsters are lurking in the biblical texts, put there by God himself. Did God create chaos, or did it come because of the fall?
THE AWAKENING
When I was thinking about this verse, I thought about how I feel lying in bed with my eyes closed. If, someone turns the light on, this creates an urgency to open my eyes. I need to find the source of that light and see what is happening.
This is Me
As Christians that is our role. We must realize that life happens to us all. All people hurt others. Sometimes they can’t help it. When they sling bullets it’s due to their own pain. We must move past it and reach out for someone else who is hurting and save them.
Your Story Matters. Part 2
Last week, I told you about the man who asked, “What’s Your Story?” I want to tell you about when he asked me the same question.
Secret Garden
There is a secret garden,in my heart of hearts.Where all my hopes are hidden, where dreams are ripped apart.
