A question to prompt reflection of the word “complementarian.”
![A grey, cloth-bound book rests open atop a blue, cloth-bound book, which in turn rests upon a mahogany wood table. You can tell that it will smell of old books. The pages are aged and the top of the text fades into the background. The bottom two lines are decipherable: "Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen."](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_0792-850x638.jpg)
Books of 2022 – Quarter Two
Books I read in the second quarter of 2022, with some thoughts on each. Include history, ADHD, Newberry Award, and social/political commentary.
![A green-grey book with the title "Something's Not Right - Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse and Freeing Yourself from Its Power" lies with a pencil on an open notebook. A blurred image of a spiderweb is in the background of the cover.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_1243-850x638.jpg)
Review of “Something’s Not Right” by Wade Mullen
Review of a book that aims at “decoding the hidden tactics of abuse and freeing yourself from its power.” A thorough book that is insightful and hopeful.
![A black butterfly rests against a red flower. The butterfly's wings are translucent and partially open as its proboscis drinks nectar from the flower. The background is a smudge of green plant life.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/101_0755_hq-850x638.jpg)
My Faith Reconstruction Journey – How A Miscarriage Prepared Me to Endure Spiritual Abuse
How the grief and identity crisis experienced after a miscarriage grounded my faith in Jesus, preparing me to endure the shock of spiritual abuse at the hand of church leaders.
![A close-up of a round hole, encircled by brown scar tissue, in the frond of a green cactus. Nearby spines point outward.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/101_1766_hq-850x637.jpg)
… And Their Manipulative Response
Demonstration of how an elder manipulated documented facts to avoid accountability for his actions. And how an associate and senior pastor remained silent in the face of his lies.
![A close-up of a round hole, encircled by brown scar tissue, in the frond of a green cactus. Nearby spines point outward.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/101_1766_hq-850x637.jpg)
Our Resignation Letter to a Former Church…
Tracing unhealthy patterns in this local church and connecting the dots to unhealthy patterns documented at the organizations where leadership received training.
![A white bookmark-charm cross hangs from string tied in a Korean knot. It rests on the cover of a dark blue, leather-bound Bible, inscribed with a cross inlaid with Celtic knots.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_1108-850x638.jpg)
Who is the Gospel For, Anyway?
A situation faced by a pastor with his teenage daughter forces the question, who is the gospel for, anyway?
![A close-up view of raindrops on the bough of a pine tree.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/101_1903_hq-850x637.jpg)
Jesus Weeps with Us
For those who mourn. A reflection on grief and the death of Lazarus.
![A close-up view of an infant's closed fist, nestled in a white swaddle blanket and resting against a sage green pillow.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/P1020549-850x638.jpg)
Better Resources for Exhausted New Moms (or Dads)
After having evaluated John Piper’s (problematic) advice for exhausted new moms, an actual mother offers other resources that have proved more helpful over the course of parenting young children.
![A close-up view of an infant's closed fist, nestled in a white swaddle blanket and resting against a sage green pillow.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/P1020549-850x638.jpg)
Better Advice for Exhausted New Moms (or Dads)
After having evaluated John Piper’s advice for exhausted new moms, an actual mother offers her own words of encouragement and advice.
![A close-up view of an infant's closed fist, nestled in a white swaddle blanket and resting against a sage green pillow.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/P1020549-850x638.jpg)
John Piper’s Advice for Exhausted New Moms
An actual mom evaluates John Piper’s advice for exhausted young mothers. While some advice is deemed actually helpful, the words “awkward,” “creepy,” and “negligent” all make an appearance in the evaluation.
![A small bug with a red head, black thorax, six red legs, and outsized black antennae clings to the petals of a pink flower. The background is blurred strips of green and grey.](https://www.whyhavewefasted.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/101_1410_hq-850x637.jpg)
Introducing “View from the Pews” – Part 2
An attempt to pierce the echo chamber of church leadership and the ivory tower of theologians by providing a view from an ordinary pew-sitter. Wrapping up with an article on spiritual abuse by Mike Cosper and one on orthopathy by Tish Harrison Warren.