Writing Through the Wounds: How the Psalms Reveal the Power of Written Exposure Therapy

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🌿 Introduction – Writing As a Path to Healing

Long before therapists guided clients through trauma with writing exercises, a shepherd-king poured out his soul onto scrolls. That king was David, and his writings—known today as the Psalms—mirror what modern therapists call Written Exposure Therapy (WET). 

WET is a short-term, evidence-based method of healing that invites people to write about a painful experience. The goal isn’t to erase pain—but to process it, integrate it, and step forward in freedom.

For the Christian believer, this concept might feel new—but it’s not unbiblical. In fact, David’s Psalms reflect every stage of this therapeutic journey. He faced his fears, wrote his wounds, and through that process, met the presence of God.

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🔹 What is Written Exposure Therapy?

WET is a five-session therapeutic model that helps individuals process trauma and distress by writing about a specific painful memory repeatedly over time.

Its power lies in these elements:

• Facing what hurts instead of avoiding it

• Naming the emotional and cognitive impact

• Writing and rewriting to move from chaos to clarity

• Reclaiming authorship of your story—not just what happened, but how it’s integrated

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🔹 David, the Psalms, and the Therapy of Writing

David’s psalms are not polished praise pieces—they are often raw, disjointed, emotionally intense outpourings.

Let’s explore how several key Psalms reflect the emotional arc of WET:

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🖋️ WET Session 1: Emotional Exposure

Goal: Begin writing about what happened—honestly and without censoring
Psalm Parallel: Psalm 55
David writes of betrayal, fear, and anxiety:
“My heart is in anguish within me… Fear and trembling have beset me.” (Psalm 55:4-5, NIV)

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🖋️ WET Session 2: Revisit and Expand

Goal: Re-express the event—what stands out now?
Psalm Parallel: Psalm 31
David reflects on past distress, but also begins to speak of trust.
“I am forgotten as though I were dead… But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” (Psalm 31:12,14, NIV)

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🖋️ WET Session 3: Identify Emotions and Impact

Goal: Name what the experience did to your thoughts, identity, and body
Psalm Parallel: Psalm 42
David engages in deep self-reflection:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:5, NIV)

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🖋️ WET Session 4–5: Integration and Reframing

Goal: Reflect on what was lost—and what still holds true
Psalm Parallel: Psalm 13
From despair to hope in six short verses:
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1, NIV)
ends with:
“But I trust in your unfailing love…” (Psalm 13:5, NIV)

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🔹 Writing As Worship. Writing As Witness.

David didn’t write to get published. He wrote to survive. He wrote to pray.
He wrote because it was the one thing that made sense in a world where nothing else did.

And so can we.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Stillness doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means pausing long enough to name what’s real—and trust that God is already present in it.

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🔹 The Power of the Pen in God’s Hands

For believers who have experienced trauma, grief, or overwhelming emotion—writing may become a pathway to healing.

Not a substitute for prayer, but a form of prayer.
Not a replacement for faith, but an act of faith.

“Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
—Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

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🙏 Closing Reflection

You don’t need to be a king or a poet.
You don’t need to show anyone your pages.
You simply need a willing heart—and ten quiet minutes.

Try it.
Write what you haven’t spoken aloud.
Write as David did: with tears, trust, and truth.

Radical Acceptance and the Will of God: Finding Faith in DBT

🌿 Introduction: Where Faith and Therapy Meet

For many believers, the thought of stepping into therapy can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory—especially when it comes to therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). One of its most well-known principles, radical acceptance, may even sound at odds with faith.

But what if it isn’t? What if radical acceptance is actually an invitation to trust God more deeply?

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🔹 Holding Two Truths: Grace and Change

DBT teaches clients to hold seemingly opposing truths in tension. For example:

• I am doing the best I can, and

• I need to do better, try harder, or be more motivated. 

This mirrors a core tension of Christian living: we are fully accepted by grace, and yet called to grow in holiness. It is in this tension that God often does His deepest work.

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🔹 Radical Acceptance: A Mirror of Biblical Surrender

Radical acceptance in DBT isn’t about giving up. It’s about acknowledging reality as it is, so we can respond with wisdom rather than resistance.

This sounds very much like what Jesus modeled in the Garden of Gethsemane:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
—Luke 22:42 (NIV)

Jesus didn’t deny His pain. He acknowledged it—and surrendered to the will of the Father. That is radical acceptance in its purest form.

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🔹 “It Is What It Is” — and God Is Still There

DBT often uses the phrase “it is what it is” to reinforce radical acceptance. It’s not fatalistic—it’s freeing.

So is Psalm 46:10, which calls us to this:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Being still does not mean doing nothing. It means recognizing what is real, laying it before God, and remembering that He is sovereign—even over the pain we can’t change.

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🔹 When the Brokenhearted Sit in the Chair

DBT acknowledges pain honestly. It gives clients tools for distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. None of these things contradict Scripture. In fact, they echo it.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

In every counseling session where a believer wrestles with trauma, shame, or anxiety—God is near. Therapy is not a detour from discipleship. It can be part of the path.

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🔹 A Word from Marsha Linehan

Dr. Marsha Linehan, the creator of DBT, has spoken publicly about her Christian faith and the role it played in her own healing. In a 2011 interview, she shared:

“I decided to be a nun when I was in the hospital, and I made a vow to God that I would get out of hell and help others get out of hell, too.”
—Marsha Linehan, New York Times Interview

Her therapy model was born not from secularism, but from suffering, silence, and spiritual surrender.

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🙏 Closing Reflection

Radical acceptance doesn’t mean abandoning hope. It means facing life as it is, not as we wish it to be—and trusting that God will meet us there.

You’re not weak for needing help. You’re not unfaithful for seeking therapy. You are human. And God is not far from the wounded places.

📖 Closing Scripture

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

🙌 Final Word

You can embrace healing without abandoning faith.
You can accept reality without giving up hope.

You can sit in a therapist’s chair—and still walk in the presence of God. 

Capturing Every Thought: Biblical Truth and the Blessing of CBT

By Alex Moghadam | Counselling with Conviction

🧠 Introduction
In today’s world, where stress, fear, and emotional struggles seem more prevalent, many are searching for tools to bring clarity and peace to the inner life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one such tool. It is widely respected in mental health for its effectiveness in helping people change harmful patterns of thinking. What may surprise some is how deeply this approach aligns with biblical truth—specifically with the words of the Apostle Paul:

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
—2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

The battle truly begins in the mind. CBT and Scripture both affirm this truth—and both offer a path toward healing and renewal.

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🧩 What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that our thoughts influence our emotions, which then affect our behaviors. If we can learn to recognize and challenge distorted or unhelpful thoughts, we can experience real change—not just in our actions, but in our emotional and spiritual well-being.

Unlike therapies that focus heavily on the past, CBT equips individuals to focus on the present and take practical steps toward mental and emotional health. At its core, it is a method of intentionally identifying unhealthy thought patterns and replacing them with truth.

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✝️ Scripture Supports This Framework
Long before modern psychology identified the power of thought, Scripture had already spoken to its importance. In 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Paul speaks of a spiritual battle—not one fought with worldly weapons, but with divine power:

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
—2 Corinthians 10:3–4 (NIV)

Paul understood what CBT now confirms: destructive patterns—whether emotional, spiritual, or behavioral—begin in the mind. By taking “every thought captive,” we align our thinking with God’s truth and begin to demolish strongholds like fear, shame, or bitterness.

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🔄 The Spiritual Practice of Mind Renewal
Another powerful verse that echoes this concept is Romans 12:2:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
—Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Renewing the mind is not a one-time event—it is a daily, intentional practice. CBT provides practical steps for this process, while Scripture offers the spiritual foundation. Together, they equip us to reject lies and cling to truth.

For believers, CBT becomes more than just therapy—it becomes a spiritual discipline. With prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can transform toxic thinking into life-giving truth.

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📝 Practical Application: A Simple CBT Exercise
One of the foundational tools in CBT is called thought journaling. Here’s how it works:

• Identify the Triggering Event: What happened that stirred up negative feelings?
• Notice the Automatic Thought: What immediately went through your mind?
• Evaluate the Thought: Is it true? Is it helpful?
• Reframe It with Truth: What does God’s Word say instead?

Example:
• Event: You made a mistake at work.
• Automatic Thought: “I’m such a failure.”
• Evaluation: That’s harsh and not entirely true.
• Biblical Reframe: “Though I stumble, I will not fall, for the Lord upholds me with His hand.” (Psalm 37:24, NIV) 

Over time, this practice of capturing and reframing thoughts can lead to lasting change in how we see ourselves and the world around us.

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💬 Closing Thoughts
CBT is more than just a therapeutic method—it is a blessing, especially when rooted in biblical truth. Scripture invites us into the daily work of renewing our minds, taking thoughts captive, and replacing lies with truth.

If you’re battling anxiety, shame, or inner turmoil, know this: God cares deeply about your thought life. And He has provided both spiritual guidance and practical tools to help you find freedom.

May you walk in the hope and healing that comes from a renewed mind—and may you experience the deep blessing of capturing every thought in obedience to Christ.

Faith and Therapy: Where God’s Grace Meets Evidence-Based Healing

Many believers deeply love God but quietly struggle with the idea of entering therapy. They may ask:

“Does seeking counseling mean I don’t have enough faith? Am I relying on the world instead of the Word?”

But what if therapy isn’t a rejection of your faith—but a tool that God can use for your healing?

As someone grounded in Scripture and shaped by both seminary and counseling ministry, I want to affirm this truth:

Evidence-based mental health therapy is not opposed to the Gospel—it may very well be part of God’s provision for your healing.

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🧠 Therapy Is Not a Replacement for Faith—It Can Be a Companion

Throughout Scripture, we see God working through human vessels to accomplish divine purposes:

• He heals through physicians

• Provides through farmers and workers

• Protects through community and leaders

So why not also heal hearts and renew minds through trained, compassionate counselors?

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
—Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

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🧪 Evidence-Based Therapy Is Wisdom in Action

CBT, EMDR, DBT, and other clinical modalities aren’t belief systems—they’re tools. They use what we’ve learned about the brain, trauma, and behavior to bring relief, clarity, and healing.

This isn’t contrary to God. In fact, it’s a reflection of His creative wisdom.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…”
—James 1:17 (NIV)

If a therapeutic method has been tested, refined, and shown to reduce harm, restore function, and rebuild dignity—is that not a good gift?

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✝️ God’s Presence in the Process

God is not limited to pulpits and pews. He shows up in hospital rooms, quiet offices, and even virtual therapy sessions.

• When a trauma survivor finds language for their pain—God is there.

• When shame begins to unravel—God is there.

• When identity is rebuilt on something more solid than failure—God is there.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
—Romans 12:2a (NIV)

Yes, that renewing can happen through prayer and Scripture. But it can also come as the Holy Spirit works through memory work, reframing techniques, and a counselor’s listening ear.

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🕊️ Therapy Can Strengthen Your Faith

Many people come to therapy thinking they’re setting faith aside—only to discover that healing frees them to trust God more deeply, not less.

When anxiety calms, faith becomes clearer.
When trauma is processed, Scripture becomes personal.
When shame lifts, worship becomes heartfelt again.

Therapy doesn’t erase your faith—it can restore it. 

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💡 Final Encouragement

If you're a Christian considering therapy, hear this clearly:

• You’re not betraying God.

• You’re not weak.

• You are seeking healing in a way that honors the wisdom and mercy of your Creator.

You’re stepping into a space where God can meet you in new ways—ways that are both clinical and spiritual.

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🙏 A Prayer

Lord, if You are the God who heals, then I trust You can heal through any means You choose—including therapy.
Help me lay down fear, pride, or confusion.
Lead me to the right help.
And remind me that You are always with me—even in the therapist’s chair.
In the Name of Jesus I pary, Amen.

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📖 Closing Scripture

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
—Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Soldier Onward

Humility is nothing if it has not left you void of pride. What we dare to think of as confidence is often an enemy putting on his best sheep costume in order to laugh at you. Sometimes I can get so indignant about the situation that I put my foot down in protest as if to say, enough, I do not get treated like this. Privilege stands in the way of progress but it is often the only tool I know how to use. How does someone become proficient with a weapon they did not know they were wielding? How can the unmighty be privileged? You cannot occupy both the beggar’s and chooser's positions at once. Is it as black and white as it appears? Feast or famine; hit or miss; dead or alive; these are the contrasting phrases of human history and yet they echo and ring true with the Words that come from heaven.

I suppose there has never really been a platform for having one foot in and the other out. We, I, am either humble and at rest in God’s favor or I have crossed over into pride, there is no middle ground and there never has been. I feel called to trust beyond limit or ability. I say limit because anything I have previously understood to be adequate has fallen very short, not only in God’s glory but in efficacy as well. I say ability because I am a collection of lessons learned and this feels “new”. My youthful zeal may have helped me enjoy the moment but did little to prepare a heart for sacrificial living.

One side of me knows this very well and can accept only the negative portion of the story. It seems to get top billing. In fact, it acts like a huge billboard sign that is no longer above the road but obstructing it. “You have failed, yet again Alex.” “Do you remember when you thought failure was fun because it brought God glory?” “How do you feel right now?” Feelings may just be the sharpest instrument used by our common foe to strike at the thought of humility. Should you still be a Bible reader, you may have noticed what I have over the years: Humility is powerful. It should be feared by an opponent but like any weapon, if you have yet to master it be careful you do not cut yourself and harm those around you. Do the work and be a workman who can correctly handle the Word of Truth. 

Where is God in all of this turmoil? Well, it turns out He does not change like the shifting shadows and He remains the same today, tomorrow, and forever. This grounds me to the notion that since God does not change neither has His expectations of me and for me. They are written down in an unchanging book with Words that were inked with blood and eternity. Awesome, what does that have to do with pride and humility. Nothing, in many ways not much. In the same way, having great golf clubs makes you a better golfer. They do not… I’ve looked into it. However, should I work on my skills and compete at the same level as my opponents, then good equipment becomes an advantage.

That is to say, I have been in the desert for many years but during that time my staff has been refined and strengthened, my sandals never gave way, and my understanding has developed. This appears to be of no advantage to the world and I hear the voice of my brother Asaph cry out, “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.” Unlike Asaph, I cannot claim my heart was correct in claiming, ‘I have kept my heart pure.’ Yet equally I am forced to grow up and see my own arrogance in my complaint about the arrogant. The desert has trained me to know where arrogance leads. It has but one destination but when you travel by way of luxury, the destination does not seem so important.

I must soldier on in complete brokenness with Christ. This will be hard and I will face persecution. In fact, to deny it is coming is by itself an act of, ignorance at best, but arrogance in the end. Knowing “their” end is an Old Testament remedy so I am choosing to hold to the New Testament calling, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I must know my final destination because I have a Savior in this world and He has given me salvation in Him. That is where all my loyalty must be and this will rub everyone the wrong way. Hold true to your conviction, Jesus is Lord! Allow Him to be your gauge for humility. Do not allow yourselves to be polluted by the world. Humility is a powerful tool in anyone’s hands.

Why Do We Not Trust God To Direct Science?

 

Why do we not trust God to direct science?

Anthony Eberhardt

When the vaccine first came out the divide between Science and Religion became immediately evident, and both sides ignored the fact that the vaccine was born in the mind of a Christian Scientist 40 years ago.

Historically, science and religion have alternated between mutual support and bitter malice. Although religious doctrine assisted with the birth of the experimental method centuries ago, faith and reason soon parted ways. 

Galileo, Darwin and others whose research challenged church dogma were branded heretics, and the polite way to reconcile science and theology was to simply agree that each would keep to its own realm.

But as science grew in authority and power beginning with the Enlightenment, this policy broke down. Some of its greatest minds dismissed God as an unnecessary hypothesis, one they didn't need to explain how galaxies came to shine or how life grew so complex.

Carl Sagan concluded, there was "nothing for a Creator to do," and every thinking person was therefore forced to admit "the absence of God." Today the scientific community so scorns faith, says Allan Sandage, that "there is a reluctance to reveal yourself as a believer, the opprobrium is so severe."

Yet some clergy are no more tolerant of scientists. A fellow researcher and friend of Sandage's was told by a pastor, "Unless you accept and believe that the Earth and universe are only 6,000 years old [as a literal reading of the Bible implies], you cannot be a Christian." It is little wonder that people of faith resent science: by reducing the miracle of life to a series of biochemical reactions, by explaining Creation as a hiccup in space-time, science seems to undermine belief, render existence meaningless and rob the world of spiritual wonder.

This is no different than the debate we face today surrounding the vaccine issue. Somehow if you get the vaccine you are not trusting in God to take care of you, yet we are emphatically told time and time again in the Bible that God goes before us to make our way.

Deuteronomy 1:30 The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,

Isaiah 52:12 But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 45:2 “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

So why do we live in fear, especially when it comes to this vaccine subscribing to such illogical theories like the vaccine is the mark of the beast. The Bible doesn’t specifically address vaccinations as they were not available during biblical times. However, the Bible does give us great direction on being good stewards. As Christians, we are called to investigate, make informed decisions, and not take our life for granted. This is a good case for the COVID-19 vaccine and preventative medicine. Those who lived during biblical times did take what they had to cure illnesses and ailments. First Timothy 5:23 says, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” This points to the importance of preventative medication during those times.

It’s impossible to reach our God-given potential when we limit what God can do.

Psalm 147:4-11 says: He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

There is a reason God has given us science, and there is a lot of good that comes when we take science seriously. We do have the right to refuse the vaccination, but we also must accept the repercussions of these actions, not just in our own lives but the lives of those who matter to us. The same goes for when we choose not to vaccinate our children. If we choose not to vaccinate them, we will limit them from being able to participate in certain public institutions and could also be risking their safety. We must remember that we are responsible for the outcome of these choices.

God mandates that we love our neighbors as ourselves. When Jesus was asked “which is the greatest commandment in the law,” He answered with two commandments – to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. This means protecting your neighbor from sickness and harm. When a person chooses not to be vaccinated, they are risking the lives of their families and endangering the lives of all they encounter. Ultimately, being vaccinated puts your neighbor’s life first and is for the public good.

August 1st Reflections

August 1, 1999 I was baptized into the body of Christ. I remember everything so vividly. It was the best day of my life but there is simply no way to prepare an individual for what may lie ahead once on that path. A big part of the good news is that the path leads to glory but unfortunately it does not lead you there instantly. Instead there have been so many mountain top moments tempered with living life in the valleys. I want to share a little bit of the journey because it reminds me of how God helped the Hebrews not forget that He is our God.

The night that I was baptized into Christ just happened to be my first time attending church service in years! For my particular movement this was almost unheard of as we were a patient lot and truly believed in teaching the Scriptures first and foremost. I did not know the “lingo” so to speak but I continued to hear the terms “bro”, “kingdom”, and “amen” repeatedly and soon followed suit. Not only did I begin to speak like everyone else without recognizing it, I began to understand the point of view being given to me regularly. This is not and was not a bad thing in it of itself but there is something truly powerful and a bit frightening when telling someone these are the Words of God.

During this time I began to question certain things in my mind but would not dare to bring them out for fear that I might lose all that I had recently gained: a family. When you become part of my church you tend to drop all of your former “worldly” friends and contacts because they are not seeing the world as you do. So should you ever leave, or in my case, be asked to leave you find yourself in a desert with no friends and no place to go. Time certainly helps to heal this wound and the relationships that were built begin to once again come around but there is no mistaking that you are being held at a safe distance.

Some of the questions that I would often think of was the idea of our fellowship being the one true church or the kingdom of God. This was not a question for any sensible reason but rather it just struck me as odd that we would teach others that, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21) All the while reminding the individual that we are the actual church. To me this seemed like an obvious pointing to where the kingdom is, which went against my understanding of what was being taught in the Word. To my shame I made no mention of any of these things (and there were many) because I was selfish and immature. So many would encourage me towards greatness in Christ and that feeling cannot be compared to too many things on this earth.

Whatever I was asked to do the answer was always YES. Putting that commitment to the test I was asked to leave beautiful San Diego, CA for Las Cruces, NM. No hesitation was needed or present. I said yes because ultimately I was in fact learning to trust my Father in Heaven with my life. After many high moments in Christ as a campus minister I felt like nothing could stop what we were trying to accomplish and then it all came crashing down in a moment. I did eventually come to a point where I could ask questions and even disagree when I recognized action outside of the bounds of Scripture. This has a heroic ring to it but it led to my fall in the fellowship. I used to think I was a pretty popular guy at church and there was no lack of effort on my part to serve in any way I could to enhance this image.

Unfortunately, I found myself in a meeting with a woefully unprepared brother who sat and listened to me share my thoughts about the direction we were taking as a church and how I truly believed the Bible was not being given its place of honor during this time. It was confusing but I was asked to not come to church. I should mention this was not a disfellowship but rather a one man send off. I sat at that coffee shop for an hour in tears because I just lost everything I ever held dear to me. Not to mention I had to go home and tell my wife that I just got us kicked out of the one true church.

In an instant my friends were gone and I was not contacted to come back and talk or pray or the like. Some men told others that they came pleading to me but this is simply a lie and an attempt to say the right thing. What do you do now? You pray and develop an intimacy with your Father because although those close to me had forsaken me, my Father never did! To God be the glory for that! This began a time of trial for my family that I would not wish upon anyone, though it will happen when it needs to and they will come through with a faith that is based solely on the Rock and not church doctrine if they do everything they can to stand firm.

I made efforts, humiliating efforts, to reunite with the fellowship but I truly believe once you have a new wineskin you cannot put old wine back in. My wife was given advice to leave me by one of her closest friends but my wife is also a follower of Jesus so that was never a possibility. Ironically, I continued to counsel many of my brothers from the old fellowship but I always felt like it was done in the cover of darkness when no one could see. Again, time helped this as well and I have made peace with my brothers and sisters and more than that with my God.

As you can imagine much of this journey has been skipped for the sake of time and the fact that I have arthritis and cannot type for too long. A time of healing came when I started going to seminary. I saw with my own eyes men and women from different denominational understandings putting those things aside in order to praise God as One. My professors will never understand what they have meant to me. I would not even know how to thank them to be quite honest. They taught me about grace which sounds insane being that I was not only a follower for many years but was a ministry leader for most of that time. It sparked something fresh in me and set the Spirit ablaze in my heart again but this time my mind was fully engaged as well. This is not to say I was a part of a cult because I do not believe that but I was set free.

I write this down only as a reflection of how I and others that are in the same flesh condition have failed to be what we are called to be but that my God has always remained faithful to me even when I lost faith and others did not want me to have my faith. God is so good and although I am still in my flesh condition He has loved me; He has cared for me; He has and does want me; and He is my God, my Father, my Creator, and my Redeemer. Twenty years and I still believe Jesus is who He says He is and that He did walk this earth and was crucified for the forgiveness of MY sins, resurrected on the third day and now sits at the right hand of His Father. Jesus is Lord and He is my Redeemer. To God be all glory, honor, and praise!