When the night season descends upon our lives and we find ourselves surrounded by sorrow and trials, we would all like to imagine that our faith will hold us fast and that we will feel God’s presence more strongly than ever. But the reality is often more confusing than this. Traumatic experiences take us out … More The Trauma Survival Guide Part 3: Are the Father’s Arms Really Safe?
What’s the difference between trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder? Is it possible to go through traumatic events without them leading to PTSD? In this second video in my “Trauma Survival Guide,” I explore some of these questions, as well as how the definition and understanding of trauma has evolved over the years. I will put … More The Trauma Survival Guide Part 2: What is Trauma?
I’ve decided to venture out of my normal comfort zone (writing) to do a video series called “The Trauma Survival Guide.” After going through my own experiences with the Israel-Gaza war, as well as other stressful events that have happened over the last few years, I have realized that there are many tools that can … More The Trauma Survival Guide Part 1: Learning How to Thrash
Over the last week, as details have emerged of the terrible tragedy of seven international aid workers killed by Israeli missiles as they attempted to distribute food to civilians in Gaza, I have been filled with horror. My heart breaks for the families and friends of those seven aid workers. John Chapman, James Henderson and … More The Tragedy of the Gaza Aid Convoy
For several years now, God has been teaching me about trauma. As I have accompanied our adopted children on their healing journeys from a background of risk, and as I have experienced various painful situations myself that could be described as traumatic, I have often had the sense that God is preparing me in some … More Faith in Times of Trauma
Living here in Israel in the aftermath of 7th October, I sometimes feel like a rocket has landed right in the middle of my own life and sent all my foundations flying. Of course, this is an exaggeration. When I really think about it, I can see that plenty of solid foundations remain very much … More Is Depression a Moral Failure?
Yesterday, The Israeli Opera released a powerful adaptation of the song “Somewhere” from West Side Story, sung in Hebrew, Arabic and English with lyrics re-worked to capture a heart-longing for peace between Jews and Arabs in the face of this devastating conflict. I wept for the duration of the video and felt as though it … More Human Life is Precious to God on Both Sides of the Border
I know I’m not the only one in recent weeks who has watched the throngs of demonstrators across the so-called-civilised world taking to the streets, demanding the obliteration of Israel, who has felt a deep sense of bewilderment at how on earth we got to this point. Disagreeing with the policies of the Israeli government … More The Frantic Quest for Scapegoats in a Topsy Turvy World
When news first broke of the terrible massacre that was unfolding in southern Israel and we suddenly found ourselves plunged into the middle of a war, I had no words to pray. All there was inside me was a deep sense of horror. It was too raw to even articulate. I didn’t want to look … More Underneath are the Everlasting Arms
Even though I’ve lived in Israel for nearly 15 years, conducting my day-to-day life in Hebrew and doing important things like buying a house and adopting children in the Hebrew language, I am still dismayed at how often I find myself saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand!” How, after all this time in the country, … More I’m Sorry, I Don’t Understand
Higher Than Me 