I wanted to write sooner—to update you, to process—but fear (and writer’s block) held me back. Fear of vulnerability. Fear of being honest about what the recovery process has...

A Poetic Response to Acute and Chronic Suffering

Last month, I fell after getting out of the car. My kneecaps dislocated, locked, and then dislocated again. My body has had a mind of its own for a while now. As a writer with...

On a Reminder of God’s Return (Matthew 12:36)

Last night, I was reading Luke (my plan is to get through Luke-Acts as they are both written by Dr. Luke, a friend of the apostle Paul) and my commentary brought me to the...

The Danger of Romanticizing Suicide

“Suicide isn’t logical,” J. told me, matter-of-factly, in a recent session. I was sitting on the comfy couch in his office, sinking into its cushions, flabbergasted he would...

Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace, Even If You Panic

A few years ago—February 11, 2019, to be exact—I tried to kill myself with sleeping pills on a lazy afternoon. Obviously, it didn’t work. I fell asleep, not wanting or...

Unveiling Psalm 17: The Quest for Divine Satisfaction

I’m currently reading Warrior Poet: Before David was King by Timothy J. Stoner and through this Biblical fictional tale, my appreciation for the Psalms is increasing. Case in...

by Rulonda JaBrey

Christian Life

Culture

Difficult Passages In The Bible

Love Your Enemies (Reflections on Luke 6:27-28)

Last Friday morning, I awoke early (like before the crack of dawn early!) and meditated on a well-known, often-quoted-out-of-context passage of Scripture. I’ve read these...

Viewing God Through the Lens of Trauma

Earlier today, I read through Michael Patton’s post “On Leaving My First Love” and found similarities between where he was years ago and where I find myself...

by Rulonda JaBrey