Many of us are concerned about addiction, but struggle clinically and theologically to understand the phenomenon. To the family member, employer, or friend, it looks perplexing at best, and is often experienced as hurtful betrayal or outright defiance of a covenanted relationship. Civic society and social institutions have similarly wrestled with conceptualizations of addicted behavior […]
Healing
When people think of faith and healing, oftentimes images come to mind of charismatic televangelists summoning healing for people on a large stage. Maybe you think of Jesus encountering the man called Legion in the hills and summoning the unsettling spirits out of him, driving them into swine. No matter what image comes to mind […]
Called to Healing
“Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” – Mark 10:49 This coming Sunday’s lectionary texts contain the story of Bartimaeus, one which has taken on a particularly important meaning for me as I have learned to live […]
The Truth about Greatness
Trigger Warning: The following references sexual violence. It does not describe any events in detail, but names things that could be difficult for some readers. (reposted from Rachel’s Blog – Write out of Left Field) Jesus valued what society dismissed. He didn’t care which of his disciples could most accurately quote scriptures or put the […]
Reflections on a 30-Year Journey in Recovery
“For when a few years are past, I shall go the way of no return.”Job 16:22 This past Wednesday I celebrated 30 years clean. 30 years of not using alcohol or any illicit drugs. The years prior to this time were fueled by substance abuse that was accompanied by a co-occurring mental health disorder. It […]