Tackling Church Wounds with Christy Boulware
This is my second post with some of the questions and answers from when I was interviewed by Christy Boulware for her podcast. We looked at spiritual abuse and women in ministry.
Church Hurt Podcast with Christy Boulware
I join Christy Boulware on her podcast to kick off her new series on “Resilience in the Pews: Tackling Anxiety and Church Wounds. In this post I answer a few of the questions that she posed to me about spiritual abuse.
Talking Grief: Anderson Cooper and President Biden
In November of 2023, Anderson Cooper sat down with President Biden to talk about grief on Anderson’s “All There Is” podcast. Take time to face your grief and let God use it to change you into the person you are meant to be.
Is God Really Weak? Unpacking the Power of Vulnerability
No one likes to be weak. And no one wants God to be weak. But sometimes God shows up in his weakness as well as ours. An Advent meditation.
The Weakness of God: An Advent Meditation
Advent…the season when we reflect on God entering the world through a baby, reveals a side of God that we might not expect: weakness. How might the “weakness” of God encourage you this Christmas?
Set Boundaries to Prevent Spiritual Abuse
People can easily find themselves caught in the web of a spiritually abusive church. How does that happen? And how can you prevent that from happening again? This post offers practical steps that you can take to protect yourself by setting boundaries.
How to Write a Better Story for Your Life
If you don’t like the way your life is turning out, perhaps it’s time to take control and write a better, more fulfilling story for your life. This post provides four practical steps to help you begin crafting a new and improved life narrative.
Low Self-Worth Makes Enemies of Friends
Does low self-worth turn your friends into enemies? Learn how the fear of being seen as worthless can sabotage your closest relationships and how to stop pushing people away. This post offers solutions with the help of Henri Nouwen.
What Scoreboard Measures Your Self-Worth?
Too often we measure our self-worth by how many “points” we are putting up on a scoreboard. Stop playing the game of self-worth. Find out why your value isn't something you earn—it's a gift from a loving God that you already possess. This post draws on wisdom from Henri Nouwen.
Six Keys to Overcoming Tragedy and Setbacks
Rob Summers was a baseball phenom with a promising future ahead of him. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver, drastically altering the course of his destiny. Explore six essential steps he took to recover from this devastating tragedy, offering valuable insights to help you overcome your own setbacks and find healing in difficult times.
How Can Churches Help Trauma Victims Heal?
How can churches effectively help individuals recover from trauma and begin the healing process? This post marks the final installment in a comprehensive four-part series focused on Post Traumatic Spiritual Growth.
What Is Post Traumatic Spiritual Growth?
Ready to turn your trauma into a positive force? This conversation reveals how you can move past painful experiences and find a new purpose through Post Traumatic Spiritual Growth. This is part three of an interview about trauma and Post Traumatic Spiritual Growth.
Facing Your Trauma With God's Help
Many people within the church community often fail to fully recognize or understand the significant impact that trauma has had on individuals. This article presents part two of an insightful interview with F. Remy Diederich, focusing on the concept of Post Traumatic Spiritual Growth and practical steps toward healing and recovery.
Trauma and Post Traumatic Spiritual Growth
Many people experience trauma but they aren’t able to bounce back. It’s like something gets broken inside of them. Their focus turns inward and they can’t seem to recover. But if people can reframe their loss and see things from God’s perspective, they can often experience a dramatic change. This is Part One of an interview with F. Remy Diederich from the Life Above mental health conference looking at trauma and post traumatic spiritual growth.
Could Poverty Help us Forgive? Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen takes a radical look at both hospitality and forgiveness. If you have nothing, you are free to give and forgive everything. A reflection from his book, Show Me The Way.
Guilt That Leads You Away From God: Henri Nouwen
There are two kinds of guilt: one that leads you to God and one that leads you away. Henri Nouwen takes a look at a guilt that leads you away from God. A reflection on his book, Show Me The Way.
Overcoming Temptation: Learning from Jesus' Triumph in Matthew 4
Discover powerful insights on overcoming temptation from the story of Jesus' victory in Matthew 4. Learn how to find strength through God's word and resist temptations in your weakest moments.
Ten Essential Sermon Tips For Pastors
If your sermons lack the impact and appeal that you’d like, these ten essential sermon tips may be just what you are looking for.
Ten Reasons Why People Fail to Leave a Toxic Church
Many people suffer from spiritual abuse in toxic churches. But they often struggle to leave. Why is that? Here are ten reasons why people fail to leave a toxic church.
When GOSSIP becomes a spiritually weaponized accusation
Spiritually toxic leaders often weaponize the accusation of gossip to shut down complaints. But what does the Bible say about gossip? Accusing someone of gossip is often a tactic of spiritual abuse.