Book Review - Truth and Repair - By Judith L. Herman, MD - Publication Date: 14 March 2023

 Truth and Repair's "full name" has the following tag, "How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice".  This is exactly what one will learn about from Judith L. Herman, MD, the authoress.  The trauma survivors' perspectives rather than the perpetrators.  This is very necessary instruction for one and all, I'd say.

This book has broadened my understanding of victims of violence and what they wish could be done for them so that they are not repeatedly violated, by the "so-called," justice system, post the time of trauma, should they wish to sue for justice through the courts.  Key terms are "Survivors' Justice" and "Survivors' Agenda".  Details of active and potential ways to put the focus on the victims and their healing, rather than on pampering the perpetrators, are so much more helpful and reduce re-victimization of the already deeply and traumatically injured party, I learned.  Makes good sense to me.

The range aspects for the Survivors' Agenda appear to be comprehensive, covering such areas of the why's and wherefore's of the tyranny of dominance (male) over subordination (female); acknowledgement of the act of tyranny, accountability, healing, restitution, prevention and more. 

I believe this is a well thought out, log of survivors' concrete wishes and hopes, and how bystanders, who also have responsibility, can be instumental in making or breaking the victims in achieving some modicum or more, of justice and healing.

People who have been violated, know there is help and hope for you, you can find out more through reading this book.  If you are someone who knows someone who has been violated, read this book and help your loved one or friend.  If you are the perpetrator of violence, read and find out how one of your victims feels.  Spend time in their shoes.  See what you have done.  Also, know how you can make a huge difference when learning to live a life of accountablity for your actions.  If you are a bystander who would like to 'do something' to help the sufferer, educate yourself by reading this book towards attaining greater truth and repair work that you could act upon for the good and benefit of those who have been sexually violated and in more ways than one; catch the trauma survivor's vision for justice.

                                            ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                           September 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and Basic Books publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Jesus, Fully God

 Our God is forever an awesome God and we can never stop saying as much.  In fact, in eternity to come it will be unending praise for the One who made salvation through Jesus Christ possible.  The one who sent Jesus to earth, who is fully God and fully man, He is our Savior.

When we look at John 5:22-21 we see that we can have an attitude that purposes to honor Jesus:  number one, because of all He has done for us, and number two, to honor Jesus in just the way Jesus honored His Father God.

The perfect example for the disciples of Jesus Christ is always Jesus, for knowing how to live our Christian life.  The manner in which Jesus was always obedienct to His Father God's will is the big hint of how we can achieve such honoring.

Jesus honored God by obeying God's commands - the most high impact one being to go all the way to death on the cross to earn our salvation.  He always took time out, away from the crowds and busyness of the day to talk with His Father in prayer, engaging pro-actively in this way in maintaing their relationship - keeping the connection strong and vibrant.  He went from towns to villages preaching about the Kingdom of God, which anyone interested to know more, can read about in the gospels:  that is, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Again, as followers of Jesus Christ, we can do the same in order to honor Jesus.  We can worship Him, not just weekly in a church service, but every day at home.  Honor can also come in the form of living with integrity on the job, growing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives such as love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, to name some.  Time, effort and energy collectively flourishes and blooms into honor as one consistantly strives to show their respect and reverence of Him.  Trusting Him with our lives and depending upon Him is imperative.  You can think of all this as a perpetual thank offering for all Jesus has done for us, keeping the main goal as an aura about us; that of honoring Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior in all I do and say.

An earthly example will also help us picture this love, respect and honor of Jesus.  In a family there are often house and family rules.  Each member knows them, from oldest to youngest.  This is the way this family will operate and behave.

If the parents go out, leaving the children at home there is a 'true test' of how well the children have learned, or rather, of how willingly obedient they are to the family's modus operandi.  If the children want to respect and honor their parents, they will behave accordingly.

Similarly, when they are at a friend's house, at school, or hanging out outside somewhere else, the things they do or don't do will reflect how much they'll honor their parents.  For example, there once was a young teenage girl whose father adamantly said that dancing was not for Christians.  Her school had what they called a "sock hop" at lunch hour every now and again.   Basically it was a dance in the school gym.  The students were only allowed to wear socks, not shoes, so that the gym floor would not be damaged by all the 'hopping'.

Now, this girl would so have loved to go sock hopping.  However, her father let his opinion about dancing be known so well, it was more a less a forgone conclusion that he would not be happy with his daughter going to even such an 'innocent' dance.  It was like he had given a command that she was not allowed to take part.  Yet, she thought, he'll never know one way or another if she went in and had some fun.  Then again, she feared, he always finds out.  So due to fear of her Dad, she spent a very lonely lunch hour outdoors on the front steps of the school whenever there was an ongoing sock hop.

This sounds more like actual fear though, and not really out of respect for the father's wishes.  Fear of incrimination and punishment should the dad find out about potential disobedience, is not really honor.  If it had come out of and understanding and an agreement with the dad's view, then there would have been more true honor.

We know that Jesus is kind, gentle, gracious and forgiving even when we disobey and sin.  He says that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive, purifying us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).  Due to this, I believe it is easier to honor Jesus than any human being whether a parent, boss, or even others in authority over us.  Keep in mind that Jesus honored His Father out of love and reverence for Him, and not fear of punishment.

However, I hope the illustration does have some merit in showing that even in the absence of the authority figure, we will follow the family rules.  "Jesus" is in Heaven but we can still honor Him by our holy living and praising Him because He loves us.  Let's do honor Him with offering Him our thanksgiving for His love and care.

I believe that Jesus is who He has said He is.  I believe and am fully convinced that He is God.  He said,

"I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).

He was equal with God.  He is God.  This upset the Jewish leaders of the time to no end.  They felt it was total blasphemy.

How could a mere mortal man say such a thing!!  

You see, they only saw Jesus as an ordinary flesh and blood human being.  They did not stop to consider all the signs, wonders and miracles Jesus had done.  The blind saw, the deaf came to hear, the lame walked, the demon possessed had the demons cast out; the dead were raised to life in Jesus' name and by His authority and power.  How could Jesus be "just a man" with all this evidence shouting otherwise?!

These leaders did not want to accept or admit Jesus was more.  Many people today are often of the same opinion.  Yet each individual must stop and consider!  Is Jesus really who he claimed to be, or is He a hoax, a fraud?  

If you believe He is truly God, then what are you going to do about it?  This is the crux of the matter.  Will you accept Him into your life?  Two choices are before you:  accept or refuse and reject.  The Jewish religious leaders rejected the possibility, accusing Jesus of blasphemy.

In those times, and among the Jewish people, this was a serious offense - an affront to God.  It came with the penalty of being stoned to death (see Leviticus 24:15-16).  So they wished to open fire on Jesus, evidenced by their picking up stones to hurl at Him (see John 10:22-33).

I love that even though Thomas, who at first doubted about Jesus, did eventually declare, 

"My Lord and my God" (John 20:24).  

Jesus was no ordinary man to him.  Then there was Peter with a mirrored affirmation about Jesus which we saw earlier, 

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:15-16).

My prayer for each person who reads this blog entry, is that you will be fully, 100% convinced that Jesus is fully God (as well as fully man).  Also, once you accept this fact, that you will come to Him, asking Him to be your Lord and Savior.  After that, (or if He is already your Savior), that you will honor Him by living a life of obedience to Him, from this day forward until He carries you up to be with Him.  

                                                           ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Navigators Book 1, Chapter 1, Knowing Jesus Christ; Qs 7-10.  

Verse references:  john 5:22-23; 10:22-33; 20:24-28 NIV.

Sing, Totally God and Totally Man along with Carrickfergus Baptist.

See also, Jesus, Fully Man.

Warga Emas

 

One of David's many prayers had to do with apples.  Are you surprized?  Look at the prayer he wrote in Psalm 17:8 (NIV),

"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."

The other day I was lined up at a local government clinic to be registered for my appointment.  Almost every time I visit they have new arrangements and rules - it must help keep their brains nimble but it kind of confuses the patients to have to get up to snuff at the latest switch-a-roo.  Some arrangements are more efficient than others.  Yesterday's was not so, however, I was tickled pink to see the queue line label was for the "warga emas".  Sheepishly, I admit, I qualify - this group is for the aged 60 and up folks.

Double-checking with handy Google translate, I found that a literal translation of 'warga emas' equals 'golden citizen'.  Hah!  That compensates for the categorization.  

Actually, I already suspected thus, as I'd learned what the Malaysian language idiom of 'anak emas' means quite some time ago.  It's 'golden child'.  It felt good to have finally gotten  gold medal status in something.  Ha, ha.

A more fluent translation would be the English idiom "apple of the eye".    This means that someone or something is very precious to a person who refers to another person (or thing) as the apple of their eye.

Apples are a fruit that are the apple of my eye. Oh especially those grown in the Canadian Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia.  The crunch and the juicy goodness is definitely something to write home about.  Associating such apples with the idiom really works for me.

As mentioned at the outset, the Bible has used this idiom a couple of times.  God told the Israelites they were the apple of His eye and if anyone were to touch them they'd better watch out as they'd have to deal with Him (see Zechariah 2:8).

I like the idea that those of us who belong to Jesus Christ - His Church, collectively, are the apple of His eye, that we are precious in His sight and He loves and cares for us.  Bring that down now to the individual and say, "I am the apple of My Heavenly Father's eye and I am precious in His sight".  To me, this is something to be very thankful for because I am His child.

How does this make you feel when you claim this for yourself?

Hopefully it creates a golden opportunity to praise the Lord!

                                             ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Psalm 17:8; Zechariah 2:8; additional references to the apple of His/your eye:  Deuteronomy 32:10 and Proverbs 7:2 NIV.

Sing, Jesus Loves Me, along with Sing Hosanna, Bible songs for Kids.  I know this is a children's song but sometimes it's good to be reminded of how much Jesus does love us.

Praying, Watchful and Thankful

 I keep staring at the verse,

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2 NIV)

What does it mean?  Watchful of what?  Thankful for what?

One needs to read with some context, of course, so reading Colossians 4:2-6 gives a better idea where to direct our attention, consideration and action.

The apostle Paul, the author of those words asked for prayer concerning his one great passion and pursuit since he'd had his dramatic Damascus Road conversion.  He wanted more open doors and opportunities to proclaim the message of Jesus and the mystery of Christ.

Sounds like he was free to come and go at the time but he was 'in chains' when he wrote the letter to the Colossians.  Those of us who are free should be in prayer, alert and watchful to grab those opportunities too.  They're likely more abundant than we think.  Paul's chances were limited but he still wanted to be alert to grabbing them when they came his way.  We can then be thankful for them as he was in his time.

Prayer was also requested for clear proclamation of the gospel and for wisdom in his actions toward outsiders.  These are very key elements for ourselves to pray for too.  We need to have good testimonies that show Jesus is precious to us and that we fear God.  In this we would give evidence that we mean what we say and our walk equals our talk.

This is part of being watchful.  We are to "devote" ourselves to it.  

In the end, we can give praise to the one who died for us and those with whom we have opportunity to share the invitation to salvation through Jesus Christ.  For this, we can also be devotely thankful.

Does this answer some of those questions?

                                                   ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Colossians 4:2-6, especially verse 2) NIV Youversion [phone].

Verse image from YouVersion's verse-a-day.

Sing, Be Watchful and Ready, along with YES-LA, JRAY.

Book Review - Reasonable Cause to Suspect - By Sally Lane - Publication Date: 7 March 2023

 

This story blew me away.  What an ongoing ordeal this Letts family has had to endure, which has been sustained over so many traumatic years!  It compiles as an autobiography of frustrations, disappointments, betrayals, disregard, unconcern, not only by one goverment, but two!  Journalistic whistle-blowers got in on the shaming and defaming too, without varifying facts.  How can this family get their son Jack back?  

One stupid mistake had turned Jack into an alleged terriorist, and Islamophobia by governments and populace alike, corkscrewing the situation into an overwhelming mix.  "Guilty until proven innocent" seemed to be the verdict stamped upon the family by a large number of people.  Truly a horrendous situation!

Reading this story I could feel the mother's total anguish over her dearly beloved son.  The book reads somewhat like a journal, as mother Sally records many daily details of the continuing  tumultuous saga.  This does slow the reading down and one could get bogged down.  However, even though I skipped sections I could still follow the living nightmare and sympathize with the family's plight.

"O, be he dead or alive, WHEN will Jack come home?!"

                                       ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                     December 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Lord's Day Devotion - Prayer - Trembling in His Holy Presence

 

Father God, You are the Most High, my Maker and the Exalted One above all gods.  Those 'gods' that are NOT gods but which people make into gods instead of acknowledging You as the One true God.  I'm humbled and blessed to be a recipient of your grace, mercy, love and salvation.  My brothers and sisters-in-Christ feel similarly, I believe.

It is we, Your children who bow down, kneeling before You in praise and to adore You.  Your splendor and holiness is to be revered above all else.  It makes us awestruck to realize how holy You are!  You are the perfect righteous one - the embodiment of holiness.

We can tremble before a Sultan of earth, so a person who has had such an experience will know the feeling in a very small measure compared to being in Your presence Father and that of Your Son Jesus Christ - the King of kings and Lord of lords.  There is need of respect, honor, obedience and reverence.

Even as the great King David or was it the meek man Moses before him, wrote in the Psalms, who had face-to-face encounters with You and felt the awesome aura of Your holy presence.  No wonder they would tremble.

Trembling in your presence, to me, seems an acknowledtement of Your holiness knowing our frail sinful humanity falls so short of Your glory.  Yet You still chose to do something about it!  You graciously gave us Jesus our Redeemer.  You imputed Your righteousness to us through Him, giving us great joy and wonderment of you.

As we partake of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine this Lord's Day in remembrance of Your redeeming act of love, know that it is with gratitude and thanksgiving, we bow before You as the psalmist of old did in acknowledging Your holiness and the imputing of it to us.  You deserve all our worship.  Help Thou our progressive sanctification as of today.

Okay, no doubt You chuckle Father over our human terminology about that sanctification but you know what we mean.  Cheer us on in our sincere feeble attempts at living to be holy as you are holy.  We really do want to be ever more like You.

In Jesus' Name I worship You, O Father God.

                                                   ~ERC March 2023~

Based on Psalm 97; 99:1-5; 114:7; 119:120 NIV.

Sing, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, along with Parkway Worship, The Hymns Project.

Two Choices

 

In life there are two pivotal choices, to accept or to refuse the gift of life.  It's a perplexing matter, no it's more than that, its a deeply concerning matter why life gets rejected.

The gift of life is what you receive at your conception in your mother's womb, and then in even greater capactiy once delivered into the 'womb' of the world at birth.  This life is sacred and should be clung to until the number of days God has given each human being is fulfilled.  He is the Author and Finisher of life.

There is another type of gift of life, and that is everlasting life.  This we can have through the redemption Jesus Christ bought for each and every one of us.  This includes forgiveness of sins along with the everlasting life and so much more.

The focus here is on the everlasing life and the two choices each and every one of us must make regarding it in our present life time.  They are:  to accept or to refuse.  When a person realizes just who Jesus is - God - and all His mighty and amazing power and authority that it is totally awesome and from such a Person, the question remains, how could anyone refuse His gift?

We can see His power in creation in the wind and waves upon the sea, for instance, and how that makes mighty crashes and splashes upon the rocks along the shore or how they toss the immense ocean liners as if they are but pieces of driftwood.

Jesus' authority to command those very waves and wind to "be still," astonishes when they obey.  His words and touches in healing the sick and disabled, immediately, gives pause.

Does it make you pause?  Pause and consider who Jesus is.  Know that He is trustworthy, that He is fully man and fully God.  Know that it is He offering this gift of life called, "salvation".  He poured His whole heart of love into it.

Are you touched by it?

The onus is on the person not Jesus.  As John 5:40 reveals, 

"You refuse to come to me to have life".

Jesus raised various people from the dead.  He gave them life in this sense as well.  This is profound.  Yet, even more profound is when He rose Himself from the three days of death and tomb internment.  His resurrection allows for giving everlasting life to you and me.  We have a living God who continues to give life to "whosoever will" accept His gift (see John 3:16).

The decision is in your ballpark, yours to make.  There are only two choices:  to accept or to refuse.

My prayer is that you choose to accept life.

                                               ~ERC  Febrary 2023~

Based on John 5:21, 40.

Sing, God So Loved, along with Hillsong.