Category: Faith in the Struggle

My Family Dysfunction

Leah conceived and bore a son . . . Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” . . . When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. Genesis 29:32-3:1 In my…
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My People

Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Genesis 29:17 A while back, my wife and I were sitting in church when a couple of guys walked in late. Everyone noticed because they were what you might call rough around the edges. My wife leaned over and asked if I knew…
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All the Pain You Cannot See

So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah . . . Genesis 29:30 During my journey through outpatient and eventually inpatient addiction treatment, I met with multiple counselors who asked me repeatedly about Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs). Those counselors wanted to know if I’d suffered verbal, physical, or sexual…
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When I Do Something Hurtful

And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”  Genesis 29:25 Over the years, my wife and I have learned to tactfully ask this question – How would you…
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Love What You Do

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Genesis 29:20 I remember the days when I woke up, dreading going to work. The job wasn’t the problem. I was. I was miserable no matter what I was doing and…
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Why I Flirted with Her

Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Genesis 29:10 I’ve previously mentioned that it was love-at-first-sight when I met my…
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The Dad Tax

And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you. Genesis 28:22 I’d like to say it was only when my kids were little, but I still do it. Whenever we get ice cream, I don’t get any for myself – I’m trying to eat healthy – but I still…
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Coffee with God

And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! Genesis 28:12 With my kids far away in college, I’m thankful for the technology that allows me to communicate with them.…
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The Fake Cable Wire

So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father, Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son. Genesis 28:8 Twenty-some years ago, we bought a house and were in the process of moving in when we discovered…
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This Can’t Be Happening

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran . . . Genesis 27:43 A buddy and I went to a movie last night in which one of the main characters, in pursuit of wealth, gradually got himself deeper and deeper into a life of crime. As his misdeeds…
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