Status Updates From The Emotionally Healthy Chu...

With a nod to the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit, the emphasis on this chapter ends with Jesus’ question to the paralyzed man: “Do you want to get well?” Then forms group and begin to do personal (therapeutic) work.

The Annie Dillard story of the frozen British explorers is a good parable for many theological and academic giants who don’t know how to relate to the ‘little people’. A 3-yr journey requires more than a month’s supply of coal (across 3 ships), 1,200 books, chocolate, and sterling silver.

Good point on grieving as a precursor to acceptance of a new leader (even when or especially when the old leader created difficulty and loss like Saul). David allowing time for grief of Jonathan and Saul was in keeping with the Psalms - there’s one for every sigh.

Grieving as interruption - forgive and forget. Grieving prevents “redeeming the time”. Inability to mourn. Child replacement as a way of ‘getting over’ miscarriage.

The losses described are real. Loss of justice and three generations of family because a jury can’t decide if the drunken driver that obliterated life was the husband or the wife. Grieving the loss of “small-town community life” while ministering to the cacophony of 8 million souls in NYC.

Not much of a fan of Eugene Peterson, but “ecclesiastical pornography” is a great summary. Churches are not free from problems, no matter how many great leaders and programs are implemented. And a failure to accept limitations is grasping for God’s position.

The parable of the self-centered man jumping off a bridge while requiring another traveler to hold the rope (restraining death, barely) might be the best part of this book. Agreed re: setting expectations so that others’ ever-expanding ‘needs’ don’t drain out your own calling and walk.