“It’s just not my gift to witness to other people about my faith. I get all flustered and nothing comes out right. Other people can do it, but I just can’t.” Have you ever said something like that? I don’t know if I’ve ever said it, but I’ve certainly felt that way. After experiencing those … Continue reading The myth of incompetence
sympathy
A tactless conversation starter
There was a Bible College in the city where I was living forty years ago. At that particular time, there was an emphasis in this school on overcoming the inhibitions that would prevent one from freely following the leading of the Holy Spirit. At least that was the intention. A lady in the church my … Continue reading A tactless conversation starter
Is anybody listening?
Christians who suffer from depression or other emotional or mental distress often face disapproval if they try to find help in psychologists and pills. It is true that there are dangers with both. What kind of help are we offering them? “Why do Christians shoot their wounded?” was the title of a book published some … Continue reading Is anybody listening?
Imaginary Sympathy
Around 50 years ago The Readers’ Digest carried an article suggesting that the word “sympathy” had become so degraded in common usage as to make the word unacceptable to many people. As I recall, the writer felt that “sympathy” had taken on too much of a connotation of superiority towards the person one felt sympathy … Continue reading Imaginary Sympathy
Flatlander Faith 