How to Worship Amid Untold Stories of Sexual Abuse with Mary Demuth
A conversation about sexual abuse and restorative justice with Mary E. Demuth
PRESCRIPTIVE PASSAGES VS DESCRIPTIVE PASSAGES
We read about three important, yet difficult stories, throughout the books of 1 and 2 Samuel: Mychal, Bathsheba, and Tamar. And the one thing we realize when we read them is that these women's stories mattered to the Holy Spirit.
The passages surrounding these passages are not prescriptive. They are not passages to direct us about how to live today (unless it is to do the opposite). They are descriptive, meant to describe what happened to these women and the effect it had on all involved, and the Holy Spirit required the biographers to include them rather than gloss over them.
In spite of the pain, in spite of the struggle, and in spite of the abuse that we find there, we still see a God who cares, a God who redeems, a God who looks down from heaven and desires justice, a God who heals, and a God who loves in all of it.
This week, we are continuing to reflect on some of the themes in Session Four of Selah: Worship Invites Resilience in the Wilderness.
TODAY WE'RE REFLECTING ON ROMANS 12:15 ESV
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
A WOMAN YOU SHOULD KNOW
Today, Ty and I get to close out this season by featuring one woman who has impacted both of us. Today, I have the great joy to introduce you to Anisa L. Wesley, a best selling author, licensed clinical social work, and podcaster. Get connected to her because she is definitely a woman you should know.
MEET MARY
Mary DEMUTH loves Jesus. And really that’s the most important thing about her. It’s not writing or speaking or praying or mommying or any other -ing you can find. She flat out loves Him. Why? Because he has utterly, truly, completely re-storied her.
She’s been writing for 30+ years–half of them in obscurity. She mentored many writers during that time, and continues to do so through the Rockwall Christian Writers Group and some of her instructional books. Since then she has written over 45 books, translated into five languages. You can see a listing of all her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Lifeway and Parable.
Mary pioneered a literary agency in 2022, Mary DeMuth Literary, where she shepherds writers toward traditional publishing.
Today, we are talking to Mary about how to worship amidst untold stories of sexual abuse.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Want to find out what was going on in King David's life when he wrote the psalms He's known for? Grab your download here.
