Fear is ubiquitous in our culture. I’ve struggled with it in many ways, but my aquaphobia best illustrates how prayer eases fear. Had I known sooner, I might have enjoyed many fun times in the water with friends and family. The chance to snorkel with my ten-year-old would not live in the land of regrets. I Came by My Fear Honestly We have a saying in my family. When someone exhibits a trait or habit, we might say, “She comes... Read more
My first boyfriend raped me when I was a 14-year-old virgin. I wish I had known God heals shame, because being raped felt shameful. I should have told someone, because what he did was wrong. If I had told just one person, maybe it wouldn’t have taken me 30 years to realize God cared, He did not blame me, and He wanted to heal my feelings of shame. Perhaps I wouldn’t have spent so long believing people would doubt my... Read more
God is good. In the face of bullying, He gave me the wisdom and opportunity to be a defender for my child. Bullies come in all shapes and sizes; sometimes they are teachers. When God needed someone to defend the Israelites against Goliath the giant Philistine, He sent David. (1 Samuel 17). This was long before David became King and a true mighty warrior. He was only a boy, a shepherd who tended flocks of sheep. But he was exactly... Read more
Welcome to the first column for Dreaming of Justice and Mercy. Are you in search of God’s redeeming love in a world full of suffering, trials, and oppression? Then you’ve found the right place. I Understand How You Feel Suffering and spiritual oppression have been my frequent companion—sexual assault, the death of loved ones, depression and PTSD, chronic fibromyalgia, betrayal, and more. I felt stuck in a bottomless pit of pain. But God . . . I love those simple... Read more
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