The journey to become Missy’s mama started when I was seventeen years old, when Cindy Whelchel — my best friend in high school — and I led our youth group Bible study through the theme of adoption in Scripture. We made a pact to adopt babies that no one else wanted when we grew up. We were as sincere as…
Trouble in Paradise: Tell the Truth
From the beginning of creation, God has asked for honesty — not perfection. I suppose it was easy for Adam and Eve to be honest with God at first, because they had not yet disobeyed Him. They had no secrets or hidden agendas, only full transparency with each other and with God. But after…
When You Believe in God But Are Ashamed of Your Past
It’s Always the Shame As a pastor, I’ve discovered that many people are dying slowly in a secret tomb of shame. Some are ashamed of their poor financial condition, plagued with guilt about their irresponsible spending and debt. Others are ashamed about sexual sin from their past. Many carry extreme guilt with them into their…
Serving God: You’re Not Done
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things… so that no one may boast before Him. — 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 Did you know that dead trees…
The Jacob Money Type: Embrace the Desire to Bring Beauty to the World
Without Jacob types, the world is just a bit drabber. You’re often looked to as one who can turn an intense situation around, or perhaps come in with a fresh and innovative perspective on how to make a project, home, or situation turn toward beauty. Others may look at the way you relate to money…
Jesus Is Our Shame Remover: No Longer Gomer
He romances you. He draws you back to himself. He speaks tenderly to you. Where you had trouble, you will once again have hope. That which has been stolen will be replaced. Doors that have been locked will be thrown wide open. What shame has broken, He will restore. No matter how shame has wasted…
An Eviction Notice: Kicking Shame Out
Shame’s Lie: I cannot experience freedom from shame. Overcomer’s Truth: God is able to evict shame from my life. Kicking Shame Out The following list includes some of the first meaningful steps I took in my attempt to surrender my shame to God. It would be amazing if I could tell you something like, “Follow these four easy steps and…
Breaking Shame and the Lie of Not Enough
As soon as Adam and Eve messed up, the Enemy started speaking shame over them, and he’s been doing it ever since then. Guilt, that sense of conviction that comes over us when we do something wrong, is healthy and moves us toward positive change. Shame, however, drives us into a never-ending cycle of trying…
Toxic Shame vs the Holy Spirit
You know that mom at the grocery store? The one we all promise ourselves we’re never going to turn into? The lady yelling at her kids, causing a scene, and basically saying farewell to every last shred of cool she may have had. I’m not talking about the cute mom in kitten heels and 7…
The Shame Monster
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1 The reason it is so hard for us to admit to the secrets hidden in our hearts is that we’re ashamed of them. We think that if we keep denying our ugly stuff, then maybe we’ll look better than we…
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