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Description: An LGBTQIA+ rainbow sheep stands outside a church full of sheep and asks them, "So you're free to be who you are but I'm not free to be who I am and that's fair how?" THAT'S FAIR HOW? I can hear some gospel enthusiasts proclaiming, "Who said the gospel is about being fair? It's about being RIGHT!" Nah. It's about being fair. We're approaching Advent when we are reminded of the restoration and establishment of balance, justice, unity, and fairness in the world. It's the prophets' predictions become promises. If it's not fair it's not right and it's not good news.

Description: A graph. On the left hand side, "Suffering". Along the bottom: "Stupid explanations". The red arrow goes up to the right. Stupid Explanations Don't you find that? The more severe your suffering, the more stupid are the explanations people give for it. I bet you can offer some examples of ones you've heard. I'll start: "You have tinnitus (constant ringing in my ears) because God wants you to listen only to him!"  

Description: In the first frame, “The back of Sophia’s body”, we see Sophia’s bare back. In the second frame, “The back of Sophia’s spirit”, we see her back but with bloody lashes and bruises. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SPIRITUAL WOUNDS This cartoon, “Sophia’s Back”, is one I treasure very much. It depicts a reality I know exists. I think every therapist should have this hanging in their office. Here’s why: Just because your hurt can’t be seen doesn’t mean it’s not real. Just because your wounds are invisible doesn’t mean they don’t exist. We should all know by now that...

Description: A woman leaves a church and says to the pastor on her way out, “You will never see me again because I refuse to be abused any longer!” 3 STEPS TO END BEING SPIRITUAL ABUSED We end our spiritual abuse series with some practicalities.  Like: “How do I know if I’m being spiritually abused? What can I do about it?” Here are 3 easy steps that I think are most important: 1. Tear back the mystique surrounding your abuser. Reject the idea that a pastor is a holy and untouchable being, who lives in a different moral atmosphere, can never...

Description: A pastor inside a church points to a woman who left and he says to those still with him, “Good riddance! She was so uncontrollable anyway!” BE UNCONTROLLABLE! I’m uncontrollable. What I mean is I do not like being controlled and so I do things to escape being controlled. I was a compliant child growing up. Even as a teen I was compliant. But underneath I was planning my escape. I did when I was 18 when I went to college. But it’s interesting because there have been times I’ve ended up being controlled by an authoritative, charismatic leader. ...