Encouragement

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My sinfulness goes much, much deeper than I think. So says Dr. Larry Crabb, in his book Inside Out. But, when I take a deep look inside, admit I am unable to save myself from my dedication to my own well-being, and embrace my brokenness rather than trying to cover it up, then I am able to see myself as I am and I am able to relate to others honestly.

When I read Crabb’s book years ago I was already a believer, and I had cleaned up the public side of my life, but the private side was still a mess. I think sometimes God puts a book in your hands he wants you to read. It was like that, and I studied and read that book over and over.

Now when I find myself falling into old habits of self-protection and cover-up, I am usually able to see these habits for what they are, and am reminded again that no matter how much I dress up the outside, it’s what going on within me that directs the course of my life, and the course of my relationships.


Woe to you, teachers of the law, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean. – Mathew 23:25

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