Reflections of a beloved son

" Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden? "  That was how Satan, the devil, the enemy introduced himself to Eve.  What an introduction, imagine that.  If someone came up to you and said "Did he really say..." instead of "Good morning, how are you?" or "What a beautiful day" or something similar, how would you feel?  I would feel awkward and not sure if I really want to engage this person in conversation. However, I'd still be cordial.  (With the enemy, we should never engage in dialogue) But this isn't about manners.  It's about something deeper.  It's about our life, our salvation. The serpent used what he knew was a lie to engage Eve in conversation.  He knew that God allowed Adam and Eve to eat of any of the trees in the garden but to not eat of the Tree of Knowledge.  So, the enemy was playing mind games with Eve, trying to make her question God's goodness and intentions. That is how he tr...

(Originally penned First Sunday of Lent, March 10, 2019) “ Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart…rend your hearts, not your garments ” (Joel 2:12-13). What came to your mind when you read the title?   How do you define brokenness?   What is sacred space to you?   How can brokenness be sacred space? Perhaps the term “brokenness” or “woundedness” can carry with it a negative connotation.   Maybe it means “messiness” or “trouble” or “guilt.”   No matter what your definition of “brokenness” may be, the reality is that we are all broken.   I am a broken man.   And, you too are a broken man or woman.   However, my brokenness is different from your brokenness.   One important thing we ought to remember is that we are not defined necessarily by our brokenness.   For one person, their brokenness could be the constant feeling of loneliness and the fears and insecurities that plague him or her.   For another ...