Learning Trauma Care from Jesus for Survivor or Helper
Some people who are deeply hurting have found the body of Christ to be a safe haven, a refuge from…
church
If Your Christian Life Isn’t Working, Here’s What’s Missing
If you’ve been in church for any time at all, you know people who you wouldn’t want to spend an…
Where Is God in Trauma? Jesus’ Message to Survivors
Trauma is a hot topic in culture today. Even if that word is perhaps overused, the statistics are clear; a…
What Messy Families Tell Us About the Kingdom of God
Family is messy! You don’t get to choose your parents, your siblings, or your extended family. Any parent will tell…
5 Things I Wish the Church Knew About Single Christians
Many single Christians find the single life really difficult. And I’ve experienced that myself during the many years I lived…
Three Characteristics of Toxic Religion
Do you ever get a queasy feeling when thinking about your church or ministry experiences? OK, you’re “supposed” to connect…
When God-Talk has Brought Pain to Your Sexuality
Love it or hate it, sex is a big deal. God cares about your sexuality, and the Bible has a…
The Loneliness Epidemic Got You? How to Find Peace and Connection
You can feel lonely in a crowd or a friendship or a marriage, and you can feel perfectly happy and…
Throwing Down the Idols of Marriage, Singleness, or Parenthood
Relationships are usually complicated. And the church has usually idolized one particular relationship status to the detriment of another. It’s…
Being the Family of God Whether or Not You Have Earthly Family
Family. Love it, hate it. Want it, can’t stand it. Family is messy because family is made up of, well,…
What You Can and Can’t Expect Church to Do for You
Church was Jesus’ idea. I pray your experience of church has been, is now, and will continue to be wonderful.…
Why Religious Activity Misses the Goal of the Christian Life
Why do you go to church, read your Bible, or pray? Why try hard not to sin? To feel better?…
Are These 8 Myths About Marriage Harming Your Relationship?
You imagine “I do” should lead to “happily ever after.” That may happen in fairy tales, romance novels, and cheesy…
When Pain Makes it Feel Impossible to Connect with the Family of God
After being deeply hurt in church or experiencing spiritual abuse you want to hide. Your body and soul may recoil…
Good and Not so Good Reasons to Leave Your Church
Over the last few weeks I’ve heard from many of you who have experienced church hurt. Such wounds usually come…
What to Do If “God” has Become a Bad Word for You
When you think of “God,” what is your internal experience? Are you afraid, wishing you could hide behind some fig…
5 Things I Wish the Church Taught About Marriage
Is your church serving your marriage and relationship well? Are you satisfied with what the church has taught about marriage?…
To Those Who Have Been Hurt in Church
Church hurt is real. There’s no use pretending it’s an anomaly or that true followers of Jesus should simply forgive,…
Where Did You Learn About Marriage?
You may have thought you entered marriage with a clean slate. You and your beloved were going to live happily…
Confronting the REAL Reason You Go to Church or Not
Feelings around church can be complicated. And the Covid-19 pandemic has made it even more complicated. You might be one…
Feeling on the Outside as a Single Christian
Walk into your average church and you might get the impression this is not a place you belong. Intellectually you…
5 Reasons to Leave Your Church
Going to church is something most Christians assume they should do. It’s fashionable for some people to quote Hebrews 10:25…
