Category: theology

Posted in discernment, theology

Sisters, be careful who you follow (not Rachel Hollis); and I’m sorry if you’re grieving today

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I wrote earlier today of the sad news that author Rachel Hollis and her husband Dave are seeking a divorce. Both parties put out separate announcements on their Instagram accounts.

Rachel said in her announcement that they have been struggling “endlessly for three years to make it work”, and Dave said that “our marriage has run its course”.

I’d written in the above essay that divorce is painful (and a sin) and that I felt empathy for the couple and sad for the children who will now come from a broken home.

There are two other sadnesses and griefs I did not mention. This essay is about those 2 griefs. Continue reading “Sisters, be careful who you follow (not Rachel Hollis); and I’m sorry if you’re grieving today” →

Posted in divorce, theology

Rachel Hollis, author of ‘Girl, Wash Your Face’, announces divorce

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

A follow-up blog essay on this topic is here

Yesterday Rachel Hollis posted the following on her Instagram-

Annotation 2020-06-09 113719

Guys, I have some hard news to share and the honest truth is, I have no idea how someone announces something like this, so I’m just going to say it. Dave and I have made the incredibly difficult decision to end our marriage.

We started out as best friends 18 years ago and the truth is, that core friendship and the parts of us that work so well, have become a band-aid for the parts of us that don’t. We have worked endlessly over the last three years to make this work and have come to the conclusion that it is healthier and more respectful for us to choose this as the end of our journey as a married couple. We remain dear friends as we raise our family as co-parents and run our company as partners. We are choosing joy—even though, I’ll be honest, the last month has been one of the most awful of our lives. I want to be strong and bold and optimistic for you now, but every ounce of my energy is reserved in being those things for my children.

That said, having been such an open book to this beloved community, we hope that you can allow us a human moment. We hope you can understand our need to process these changes away from social media. We graciously ask that you respect our privacy so we can focus on what matters most, our four kids and the next chapter of what our family looks like now.

Rachel’s husband Dave posted the following- Continue reading “Rachel Hollis, author of ‘Girl, Wash Your Face’, announces divorce” →

Posted in theology

What is the necessary thing? Plus, The Storm has Gathered…and Burst

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Sisters, let Christ instruct your soul.

We all know the story or Mary and Martha. Mary was at Jesus’ feet, listening and learning. Martha was scuttling around the house preparing food and serving the guests. She complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping. Jesus responded that Mary was doing what was necessary, and for that, her part will never be taken away. (Luke 10:38-42). Which indicates that Martha’s part will be taken away.

Not that serving is bad. We are instructed to put doctrine into action. Being busy for the Lord is a good thing. But too busy? To the exclusion of all else? No. The things that Martha did to serve that day are not remembered. But what Christ said on that day is remembered. It’s the spiritual things that are eternal. Continue reading “What is the necessary thing? Plus, The Storm has Gathered…and Burst” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Joy in renewed church going

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I appreciate my elders and the crew that sets up for church and cleans up afterward, with my greatest thanks to Jesus of course, our Head of the Church!

You see, yesterday was the second Sunday in a row we have returned to gather for church services. We’ve been in a shelter-in-place/lockdown/quarantine during this weird coronavirus-pandemic time. May 31 was the first time since mid-March that we have been allowed to gather.

We all felt the dearth of the fellowship. We felt dry due to no word being preached. We longed to sing. We wanted to do it all in person, not virtually on a Zoom screen. Continue reading “Joy in renewed church going” →

Posted in prophecy, theology

They will know that I am the LORD

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We read the phrase “then they will know” 21 times in Ezekiel. Nineteen times the phrase is repeated “Then they will know that I am the LORD,” and twice we read “Then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

When you read Ezekiel straight through you can’t help but notice the refrain.

What is it exactly that they will know? And who will know it?

To those living in the mountains and hills of Israel, they knew that it was the LORD who laid waste to the towns and the high places demolished. He said, ‘Then they will know that I am the Lord.’ Continue reading “They will know that I am the LORD” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Throngs around the Throne

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’d written on Twitter the other day the following. There are character limits on Twitter. So I’d like to expand on it here.

I said- “I don’t like what’s happening in the US right now, but I believe it is ‘good.’ In the same way that what happened to Job was ‘good’ or to Tyre, even tho they were bad events, the Lord purposed them, and He is Good, everything He does is GOOD. ‘may the name of the Lord be praised.’ ”

The last sentence is a quote from Job 1:21b where Job recounts his woes but ends with a praise to the Lord. Even in calamity we praise Him. Especially in calamity, we praise Him! Continue reading “Throngs around the Throne” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Guest post from younger sister: The Amazing Exchange

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’d mentioned in yesterday’s blog post that some of the younger people were seeking answers to the mayhem that is everywhere today. They want to sort out what is happening. Their consciences are tender and their heart moves easily. So I’d compiled a list of theologically solid podcasts so that anyone seeking answers would hopefully be steered to good resources.

Yesterday I was contacted by one of the younger sisters in my church asking for a review of a post she intended to publish. She wanted it looked over to see if it contributed to the discussion, was absent any virtue signaling, and was faithful to scripture. She’d also listened to the recommended Just Thinking podcast. My heart immediately soared. There are still young people who care deeply about being a dew drop of grace in His name, and not a clamoring, shouting secular rioter, and who proceed with caution before speaking. Continue reading “Guest post from younger sister: The Amazing Exchange” →

Posted in theology

Current events podcasts discussing George Floyd, racism, social justice, and of course, books

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Yesterday was the watershed day for me. I try not to watch news, read news, or discuss news. A headline or two here and there just to see of the world is still spinning, and I’m good to go. Yesterday even the limited amounts of time I spent scrolling was too much. I came away with a darkened mood and a sad soul. So I decided that after today I’m going away from the current events for a while.

With that though, I know there are people, especially younger brothers and sisters, who have questions. They want to sort out what is happening. Their consciences are tender and their heart moves easily. Yet there is a quantity of material out there which is not edifying, and just adds to the clamor. There is also an encroaching wave of false liberal theologies infiltrating the church. So I put together a list of podcasts that in my opinion edifies and helps cut the Gordian knots of confusion and adds to one’s biblical understanding. The list below is intended to be helpful, and I hope it is. Continue reading “Current events podcasts discussing George Floyd, racism, social justice, and of course, books” →

Posted in prophecy, theology

America has lost its mind. Here’s why

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’m reading through Ezekiel. It’s rough. Chapter after chapter after chapter of doom, rebellion, threats, dire warnings, idolatry, profaning the pure, and more. The Israelites were a bunch of rebels, for sure. Even in exile in Babylon where Ezekiel prophesied, they refused to listen. (Ezekiel 2:5). What God promised to do to them if they refused to hear is very hard to read about, especially in these current days. But they kept right on, and on, and on.

I’d often stop reading and look away from my Bible with tears in my eyes, pleading for the long-gone Israelite rebels, “Why, why do they do such things?’ Then I’d ponder the nature of rebellion and the power of sin. I’d take a deep breath and return hesitatingly to the page to absorb more heartbreak. Continue reading “America has lost its mind. Here’s why” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Seeking His face as the solace for turbulent times

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We live in scary times. This isn’t anything new…the ’60s were scary, a civil & societal revolution took place between generations. Plus, there was the Viet Nam war. The 40’s were scary, WWII. The Great Depression and the Great Migration in the decade before that. And before that, the Great Influenza. And so on. Any times we have of peace and prosperity are illusions that exist between the turbulence. It’s the turbulence that’s normal. Continue reading “Seeking His face as the solace for turbulent times” →