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Magical Thinking: Does God have a magic wand?
So far, we have reviewed the sin, truth, and experiential models of human growth. Finally, the supernatural model, while it has lots of variations, focuses on a type of magical healing and deliverance—the Holy Spirit will make things change if you just believe. I like to refer to this model as the magical thinking “poofing” model! It wasn’t until recently, and a bit before we started the How People Grow (Cloud & Townsend, 2001) Bible study, that I recognized how much magical or fairy tale thinking I have relied on during my life. I loved to read as a kid, anything and everything. Most of the books in my house…
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The Experiential Model: I am my experience.
Last week we discussed the truth model of human growth, as discussed in How People Grow (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). This week we will cover the experiential model. The experiential model urges you to find the pain in your life and deal with it. When I think of this model, I picture laying on a fainting couch and having Sigmund Freud hypnotize me to find long-buried memories of how my parents or loved ones tormented me in my youth and past. While this isn’t quite what this model espouses, much of the model does rest in rooting out pain and resentment and processing it out of the body. Again, as…
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The Truth Model: The Truth Will Set You Free
Last week we discussed the sin model of human growth, as discussed in How People Grow (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). This week we will cover the truth model. The truth model argues that if we just understand truth, we will be set free from sin and struggle. The underlying premise behind the truth model is that if you don’t experience “freedom in Christ,” you lack or don’t understand the “truth”. The solution? Read, study, and memorize scripture. If you do this enough, eventually, you will be set free and know the truth not just in your mind but also in your heart (Cloud & Townsend, 2001). I can see this…
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The Sin Model: The limits of confessing sin.
My mother, sisters, and I have recently started a bible study together. I ran across a study called How We Grow by Henry Cloud and John Townsend (2001). I have previously worked with and used materials related to boundaries created by this duo and was interested in reading more of their information. As licensed psychologists and believers, their work focuses on bringing biblical truth to light regarding personal and relational issues. The study, so far, has been enlightening, and I plan on sharing a few of our insights from the study over the next few weeks and months. The first enlightenment I received was four different models of how people…
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January Devotional
Scripture: “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.” Psalm 3:5 Thought: This verse is part of a psalm of David where he cries out to God for safety as he flees from his son Absalom. Imagine the state David might have been in, overwhelmed by his enemies, including his own flesh and blood. Whom could he trust? Where could he turn? How could he find rest for his spirit and body? Verse five of this psalm says that he lay down and slept. Imagine the trust David had to lay down and rest despite the danger around him. Action: In what area of life…
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Welcoming a New Year
“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are as a shadow.” Job 8:9 As we close 2022 and look to 2023, may we be reminded of that each day is a blessing. We hope that you have enjoyed the many perspectives, thoughts and direction that we have provided to you this year. We have amazing things planned for 2023 and can’t wait for you to join us on the journey. Blessings, The Ladies of Rhubarb & Rubbish–Jessica Clemens, Liz Hunt & Carrie Guthmiller
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Christmas Devotional
Scripture: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 Thought: Immanuel means “God with us.” Stop for just a moment and think about the significance of that meaning. God with us. God isn’t somewhere out there. He is here, now, in this moment. Can you feel Him? Do you hear Him? Application: So often, among the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, we find ourselves without time to “be” with God. We are doing a lot, but not being a lot. We might have those brief moments of connection, a Christmas…
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Singing Together During the Holidays: Musicians Make It “Singable”
I am a huge music lover. I have played piano since I was five and am a decent amateur church pianist. I look forward every year to hearing the sounds of traditional holiday music, both church and some secular. For years, I played with the church praise and worship team. One of my essential requirements for playing with a team was that the team chose songs with meaning and songs that the rest of the congregation could easily sing. What does this eliminate? Most of the radio versions of popular Christian music. Why does this eliminate them? Because most of the songs on the radio aren’t singable by average churchgoers…
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Preparation and Prayer: The Advent of Our Lord
Today I am home waiting out a winter storm that may bring us up to 18 inches of white fluffy snow. As I sit looking out the window, my mind has been absently thinking about the details of the upcoming holiday season. Have I ordered this? I should start working on that. Hmm, I wonder if so and so is going to stop by? As a woman and mother, planning is a big part of my life. And, I tend to over plan! However, this year my planning is taking a somewhat different perspective. I’ve been thinking more and more about advent. Christmas gets most of the attention, and for…
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December Devotional–The Book of Luke
The Book of Luke “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” Luke 12:31 It is important to spend time in the word every day. Some days are busy and just more challenging to get that accomplished, but that doesn’t mean on those busier days we can’t just spend more time in prayer. As we are in the beginning of December it is sometimes so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This is the time…
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Sunday School–Part 3: The Shortcomings of Application in Today’s World
Moving Forward So far, we have touched on how Sunday School started and how churches are teaching it today. Unfortunately, we continue to see the decline of churches and congregations everywhere. We see churches allowing things that do not reflect what God tells us in the Bible. All of this causes us sinners to further question our faith and where we can find leaders, pastors, churches and fellow believers that truly follow the words of the Bible. We now live in a time where we are seeing not one, not two, but three and four generations of people who have not grown up reading the word. They have no understanding…
