Word for Word

Translators of languages approach their craft using 'word-for-word' and 'thought-for-thought' techniques. Bible translations tend to tip one way or the other. The most important thing is to get the message right. One Greek word for 'word' is logos. It refers to a message, reason, logic, or revealed wisdom. The scriptures are what God has to say in written form. Jesus is what God has to say in living form. It's quite possible to get bogged down in phrases (we call them verses) and miss the message. It's also possible to encounter the message and distance ourselves from it.

Tumbled Brick

Years ago, we had the chance to build a new house. The exterior was a combination of cedar and brick. For the brick, we chose an option that has been tumbled before firing, resulting in a more irregular texture. Unfortunately, our brick mason saw this as a flaw, and he discarded a significant number of my bricks. So many that I had to buy more! We tend to do this with stories. We don't know how to handle texture. For simplicity, we discard the messy parts, at the cost of interest and truth.

Forgiving Oneself

Forgiveness is about creating a space for reconciliation and healing. Sometimes we commit offenses against ourselves. We tell ourselves things God would never say. We foolishly put ourselves in harm's way, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Sin is a breach of faith⏤of trust⏤always against God, and sometimes against self. Relationship with self is one of the broken trust connections Jesus came to restore. In the same way you might gift forgiveness to another person, love yourself enough to acknowledge pain, release self-loathing, and move toward freedom, wholeness, and a new trustworthiness.