Recently I had a huge aha moment about loving our enemies that is still difficult to put into words. Those kinds of moments usually are. For several years now I’ve been studying and teaching how the brain works in relationships. I’ve gained much understanding of many Bible verses and come to look at life through […]
This is How You Do It: Good Shame Messages
Giving and receiving good shame messages at age 7 and 5? Yes! Check it out. I am not sure you readers are going to believe this, but it’s a testimony to Joy-Filled Parenting. I have to give some background, so bear with me before you get to the stories. Lauren is the mother of two […]
Spreading Joy
Around here we are spreading joy by starting other Joy Groups. In addition to my three groups, we have a couple’s group, a young people’s group, a new women’s group, and an online group. Last October, three friends started one in another area of Atlanta. As we were spreading joy, we saw the need for […]
How Can We Help Narcissists?
I am helping Dr. Jim Wilder with his upcoming book on Facing Narcissism. We are learning that high-hesed identity groups are the way to help narcissists. Hesed is the Hebrew word for God’s sticky love. The book will contain FAQ, one of which I get to answer. This is my answer to “What do I […]
Why Letting Go Feels So Difficult
When we struggle to let go of something we think we can control, that path to letting go feels so difficult. It is a painful struggle that we often have to wrestle down. Maybe this will help if you are in that struggle. Letting go feels callous and uncaring. As we struggle with the learning […]
On Pushing Pearls: from The Divine Conspiracy
I love reading in Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy. I have read it several times. Lately I have been pondering and sharing his insights on pushing pearls (Matthew 7:6) (Pages 228-230). Growing up I most often heard this verse interpreted that we don’t waste our time sharing–pushing pearls–with some people because they won’t listen and […]