by Beth Swain Relieved, I watched the counselor gather his papers without asking me that dreaded question. Then, as if an afterthought, he asked, “Oh, was there any sexual abuse?” There it was. “You mean with me?” I asked, attempting a casual facade. Still, my quivering voice betrayed me. “Yes, with you.” His kind…
Author: nowwhat
Midst Roses and Concrete
Finding forgiveness for the deepest hurts. by Shirley A. Reynolds On a concrete bench in a mausoleum courtyard, I tried to muster courage. Shaking my fist at the foliage, I said, “I’m not leaving until I’ve emptied my heart of this anger toward my mother.” Oh Mama, I thought. Why did you use a…
Holy Hypocrite: Need a Change?
You can have the kind of change Don Cox experienced by confessing the sins that often overtake you and placing your full trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of all your sins (Romans 10:9). Changes in your attitudes and actions can be immediate, as Don’s were. This is especially true when the Spirit has…
Helping Victims of Domestic Violence
When ignorance isn’t bliss. by Bette Nordberg When Nita moved in across the street, Susan was delighted to find that her new neighbor was also a full-time mom. Over time their friendship grew to include carpooling duties and occasional morning coffee. Though Susan had never known anyone in a violent relationship, it wasn’t long…
Helping Victims Resources
Contact by phone National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFENational Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 303-839-1852Northwest Family Life Learning & Counseling Center: 206-363-9601*Center for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence: 206-634-1903* Books Women, Abuse and the Bible. Catherine Clark Kroeger and James R. Beck, editors. Baker, 1998* (out of print; check at a library) Healing…
The Power of Pain
The suffering of Christ gives newmeaning to a suffering man. by Douglas Hainer as told to Marguerite Tustan My earliest memory is being struck in the head with the butt of a rifle. It was my fourth birthday. My older sister, jealous of the attention I was receiving, hit me so hard that I…
The Ugly Truth: Recommended reading and resources
I often recommend the Web sites of my articles: “Feelings, Forgiveness, and Peace” and “Moving On From the Past”: www.christianwomentoday.com/parenting/feelings.html www.christianwomentoday.com/closet/movingpast.html Accept Jesus Christ as Savior:http://www.journeyofjoy.com Gainvictory over a bad temper: www.christianwomentoday.com/spiritfilledlife.html “Dr. Muriel” Web site:http://www.christianwomentoday.com/advice/advice_qa.html Other recommendations Child Help USA for persons who were abused sexually as children: 1-800-422-4453 Children’s Center child abuse…
What You Should Know about Child Abuse and Neglect
What can we do about this modern crisis? by Jill Davis Remember the H1N1 flu virus that President Barack Obama called a national emergency in the fall of 2009? Once 1,000 people died from the disease, the World Health Organization warned of a worldwide pandemic. Our health care system quickly mobilized as the public…
Healing for the Hateful Heart
A woman learns to cut loose the ties the bind. by Lynne Collins* as told to Muriel Larson I was twenty when it happened. One evening I was washing dishes in the kitchen sink. The sound of the television in the living room kept my baby content; I could hear him banging his toys….
Honor My Mother?
A new adventure of biblical truth. by Betty Smith Sixteen-year-old Angela struggled to find the chord among the piano keys. She pressed a combination. The sound made me cringe. “It’s okay,” I assured her. As I reached for the keyboard, I felt my heart quickening. My hand trembled as it hovered over the keys….