Our distrust of God is what drives our trust in ourselves. We, in practice, believe that we can make better decisions, control situations better, and get the job done better than the LORD, even if we would never admit that. So too the Israelite leaders—priests and kings and counselors—thought they knew better than the LORD when Zechariah spoke around 500 B.C.
justice
Rachel’s Story: Tenacious Pursuit of Justice
When Rachel Black was struggling to make sense of her abusive pastor, there was no Christianity Today Mars Hill podcasts and seemingly no books on how an employee in a church is to respond to such disregard. All she knew was the "hairs on her arms stood up" as she sought to understand her boss.
Spreading Like a Tree: Grace to Rescue the Innocent
Forgive and forget. Don't judge. Remember we are all sinners. There are actually times when grace means to pronounce judgment and bring accountability.
The Long-Term View: The Lord is a Refuge for the Oppressed
We see our oppressors (as the Bible calls them) winning the battle. But that is only in the short-term. The LORD is my refuge.
Touch Not the Lord’s Anointed: Respect and Accountability
Is a church leader, by nature of the office he holds, the "Lord's anointed" as David calls King Saul in 2 Samuel 1:14?
Advocating: Our Necessary Compassion
Have you come to know of abuse? Has your friend told you a little of their boss or husband's abusive behavior?
Mia’s Story: A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break
Mia suffered under a leadership that was more concerned about following their church rules than the love of Christ. Their spiritual abuse was worse than her experiences of sexual abuses.
Sweet Vindication [of God]
Will the "evil" God returns to my abuser be in this life (through trials and tribulations), the end of his life, or simply in the final judgment? He says, in faithfulness, he will "put an end to them."
Amelia and Ethan: Reading the Signs
Ethan said there were red flags he should have seen, and to this day, several years later, lives with a certain guilt that he failed in his calling.
Margo’s Story: Playing Second Fiddle to a Wolf
Margo served her Senior Pastor well. Too bad he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.