Read These 10 Novels and We Can Be Friends

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Jackie Lea Sommers

I break out in a cold sweat when I try to define my top 10 novels, so I’m not going to give these that label … but such a list would be pretty darn close!

I consider myself a strong curator, and I am telling you that you just absolutely cannot go wrong with these ten. These books are ones I will always, always suggest– and I will always, always want to talk about them too. And I will always, always wish I wrote them.

So, what are you waiting for? I challenge you to systematically read these ten novels, let them work you over and change your life, and then let’s talk.

Noticeably absent: the Harry Potter series (because if I were to choose just one, I would choose #7 Deathly Hallows, but I would also never recommend that one read it without reading the rest of the series); The Last Battle and the rest of the Narnia books (because, again, I chose just one, and I think it’s the best story of the seven, though The Last Battle has possibly/probably been more important to me). See, this is what happens when I force myself to make such list. Caveats! Caveats, I tell you!

OCD Scrupulosity: Is ERP Sinful?

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Jackie Lea Sommers

Sometimes people with religious scrupulosity fear that ERP therapy itself is sinful. It’s true that ERP therapy will definitely ask you to do things outside of your comfort zone, things that will probably make you sick. (This is how ERP works, and it is crafted specifically around your own deepest anxieties.)

But once embarked on this ERP journey, I think it’s unwise and counterproductive to try to convince yourself (or convince others … or let others convince you …) that your therapy is not sinful. (After all, the whole point of this therapy is to embrace the uncertainty!)

If you are a Christian and concerned about ERP therapy, I suggest you say a prayer like this then dive in headfirst:

Lord, I am terrified about what I am being asked to do through this therapy, and I worry that it might be sinful. But there is at least some part of me that believes this is connected to OCD, so please cover over all I have to do with your grace. I am doing these things in the hopes of restoring my right and healthy relationship with you. Please be honored by my therapy and my choice to fight for my freedom (which you won on the cross) and my relationship with you (again, made possible by the cross). Be glorified in my therapy, and cover anything sinful with your incredible grace. Make me strong enough to complete my exposures. Provide the strength I need to press through this scary therapy, and let these hard exposures and choices (that may sometimes seem wrong to me) glorify you. Amen.

There were definitely times when I (and others– wow, that was hard!) wondered if I was doing something wrong with my ERP exposures, but in my heart of hearts, I knew that this was my last and best chance at freedom and health and hope. I held onto that and pressed through, and I will tell you this: every. single. thing. in my life is better post-ERP, in particular, my spiritual life is now thriving and health

y. I am growing in my faith. I have the joy of salvation. I trust Christ more.