The Bible reading plan I'm following landed in 1 Chronicles 20 today. Verse one felt familiar: At the turn of the year, the season when kings go out to war, Joab led out the army and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah, while David remained in Jerusalem. Joab smote Rabbah … Continue reading The Truth About Bathsheba
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Sanctuary Make-Over Counseling Notes
When the book, Sanctuary: Hope and Help for Victims of Domestic Abuse was in its beginning stages, it included notes for counselors. It was submitted for review and, desiring to be humble and teachable, I removed them from the book. Now, years and thousands of counseling sessions later, I have found the information accurate and, … Continue reading Sanctuary Make-Over Counseling Notes
Mercy and Grace
It is not uncommon for those who have been unjustly mistreated and oppressed to be told they need to offer the offender grace. After all, they reason, God is gracious to them, so they ought to be gracious to others. This may be an oversimplification, but I read this verse differently today and it gave … Continue reading Mercy and Grace
Differing Weights
We understand partiality, especially when we’re the recipients. Partiality is the use of double-standards, holding people to a capricious set of standards. Jesus used even weights—or the same standard—for everyone: Pharisees, tax-collectors, prostitutes, lepers. He applied mercy and truth in equal measures. The difference in His response was their heart.
Oh Be Careful, Little Feet, Where You Go…
One of the underlying causes of sin and oppression is a misunderstanding and misuse of authority. We are dependent beings. But when dependence is used and exploited for the benefit of some created beings at the expense of another, it is sinful and wrong.
When “Trust God” is Used to Silence Discernment
Trust is one of many biblical principles that, misused, puts individuals in harm's way and severely limits their God-given ability. How could trusting God be wrong?
An Ounce of Prevention
Some might say, "Be God's kind of woman and it won't happen to you" or otherwise infer that a woman is responsible for the words and behavior of her spouse. This is what I've learned (and what the Bible says):
Good and Angry
If grief is the normal response to abuse, anger follows honesty or candor. "How could I keep going back?" "Why didn't I ____?" "Who does he think he is?" Because anger is a response to moral failure, it reveals what we perceive to be right and wrong. In the case of abuse, anger is not … Continue reading Good and Angry
Where to Start?
Perhaps you've stopped in out of curiosity. You may be a family member, friend, or confused church leader/member. I've been that person--the one looking for help and trying to catch up to mile marker 402 for someone in need when I'm at mile marker 19....
Seeking Sanctuary 