hidden idols

A lighthouse stands on an island near other tiny, scattered islands.

Toxic church – and a promise of real belonging

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:Healing from Toxic Church Trauma and Grief
Post last modified:October 26, 2025

Long ago and still today, God promises his traumatized, grieving, scattered people: I will be a sanctuary to you. I will protect you. I will gather you back.

Divorcing: Orange-handled scissors cut apart a marriage certificate with a long-stemmed orange-yellow rose lying across it.

Divorcing: When God does what he hates

Post published:July 7, 2023
Post category:Knowing and Going with God Trauma and Grief
Post last modified:October 2, 2025

Repeatedly, in Scripture, the Lord reveals the anguish that divorcing his people causes him. Yet at times, he’s responded to nonstop betrayals in just that way.

Celebrity! An appealing haze of sparkles, bubbles and baubles obscures whoever and whatever might actually be in the picture.

Celebrity culture in the church

Post published:May 11, 2023
Post category:Healing from Toxic Church My Story
Post last modified:October 26, 2025

It’s so enticing, and so much a part of evangelical church culture. Yet the lure of celebrity can deceive us into agreeing with much that is not God.

Closeup of person's hand, holding a black pen and making a lengthy checklist on graph paper

Checklists, idols and loving God

Post published:July 7, 2020
Post category:Healing from Toxic Church
Post last modified:June 8, 2025

The preacher urged people to love the Lord with all their hearts. Yet, tragically, he himself did not know how to do it. He could only offer a checklist.