The Narrow Gate

The distress of my heart has grown great.  From my straits bring me out.   Psalm 25:17  Robert Alter translation Distress – What binds you?  What hems you in?  What makes you feel as if you have no options, no choices?  What propels you into the narrow straits?  All of these things are tsarot, the plural…

Polar Opposites (1)

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  2 Corinthians 4:8-9  NASB Not crushed – Paul’s list of benefits reads like a colossal blunder.  Do we really think that the opposite of afflicted is “not crushed,” or the opposite of perplexed…