Becoming Yourself Before God : Self-Denial, Self-Erasure, and Becoming Who God Created Us to Be A Pastoral Essay Lawrence R. Taylor, M.Div., Ph.D. We instinctively genuflect to the obvious definition of self – it means me. And yet, does it? Of necessity, all of us develop personae in order to navigate the world. We take on roles, wear masks to be accepted, to get along, to succeed in life. There is nothing wrong with that. We all do it. We must do it. We don’t think about it or plan it....

Prayers. Prayers for family, loved ones, friends. Prayers for our departed loved ones. Prayers for the homeless, hungry, starving, displaced, incarcerated, mentally ill, sick, dying, institutionalized, marginalized, victims of hatred and racism and violence, the war-torn, and broken – all the least of Jesus’ siblings. Prayers for an end to corruption, grift, propaganda, fascism, war, and injustice. Prayers for righteous judgement on wicked leaders. Prayers for renewed stewardship,...

Bleak, concrete, steel Abandoned warehouses Boarded up, narrow alleys Strewn with trash Soulless highway overpasses Onramps, offramps, no exit Homeless derelict Rundown strip club Sad, addicted, victims Pretend smiles, soulless, empty Bodies without spirits Locked in a hell of guilt, Self-loathing, unworthy Dark world suicide, death Broken relationships Sinners and fools Spiraling, spiraling Soulless, lacking Energy, eros, life Awakening out of shadows She can lead the way out Pregnant...