March 2020 “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Luke 17:3-4 Jesus sacrificed his life by suffering through one of the most […]
Read More...Remorse. The honest tears of a servant of God. written in November 2015 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 King David wrote this after Nathan the prophet confronted […]
Read More...After leaving I said, “I know how I was hurt. But tell me how you were affected. I’d really like to know your side.” But an answer did not come, not for me. “I’ll talk to your counselor or your new pastor.” But as In so many cases before, I myself wasn’t spoken to. […]
Read More...THE BEAUTY OF LIVING ROOM My first meeting of leading Living Room during this season of my life will be happening early next month. Yesterday, I met with the chaplain from the community where I’ll be volunteering. I felt I needed to warn him that I’m not the person I used to be—the person who […]
Read More...JUSTICE FOR ALL Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17 Biblical justice starts by seeing people as God sees them, made in his image, equally loved by him—and treated that way. Following Jesus means to pursue justice […]
Read More...January 2018 revised in October 2022 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot […]
Read More...THE EVIL OF DECEPTION November 2019 “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47 When I was founding the Living Room ministry in 2006, […]
Read More...ABUSED He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 Upon awakening yesterday, I remembered how it had felt to retire from nine years of dedicated service […]
Read More...What is Companionship? Companionship is a ministry of presence, a relationship responding to isolation and suffering and supportive of healing and recovery. Companionship welcomes the stranger, building a circle of care with individuals who are facing emotional and mental health challenges. Companionship is rooted in our natural capacities as human beings to be sensitive, compassionate and concerned. Courses coming up […]
Read More...© 2024 Marja Bergen
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑