New Book

Perhaps the Psalm painting the clearest imagery of forgiveness is Psalm 32. Grab your Bible and read the entire Psalm. Verse 1 begins, "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." In verse 7 the Psalmist David beautifully weaves the Refuge with forgiveness, "You are my hiding place;  you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Although the topic of forgiveness is often referred to, it is rarely understood and practiced in the manner it is intended by God to transform people's lives. Many misunderstandings have stifled and robbed our ability to find refuge in forgiveness. My hope is that some of these misdirected beliefs can be cleared up through a new book I have authored called Escaping the Pain of Offense: Empowered to Forgive from the Heart.   The back cover will read:

Offended?   Learn how to stay free!

Escaping the Pain of Offense reveals how forgiveness and reconciliation are linked to a person’s spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health. This insightful book combines Bible knowledge with the findings of experts in the counseling field and provides solutions that can change lives. It leads us through a process of removing blocks and becoming free of entrapment to a cycle of offense. Conflicts are resolved by positively impacting core beliefs about God, self and others. Hersh shows us how to surrender to a loving, personal God as our ultimate authority and judge.

Through Escaping the Pain of Offense, you will be equipped to:

·        Discover and break active cycles of nagging discouragement, frustration, or anxiety

·        Discern truth from fallacy about forgiveness

·        Find rest and peace in the inner being

·        Resolve conflict to enable harmonious relationships

Stay tuned for more information about how to understand and practice forgiveness.  The book will be available within weeks and I hope you can obtain a copy.  Although I thoroughly researched and authored a book on this topic, I consider myself forever a learner, and look forward to unceasingly fresh revelation in the Refuge of forgiveness.

My soul finds rest in God alone

In the 150 chapters of the book of Psalms, the word refuge is explicitly mentioned 43 times in 34 different chapters (New International Version). Defined as a place of shelter, protection, or safety, refuge as a concept, is used many more times in the Psalms.  Refuge is a key theme throughout the entire Bible. 

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him (Psalm 62:1, NIV, 1984).

The Psalmist David found a refuge in God for the human soul. According to the central theme of the Christian faith, this Refuge  is ultimately expressed in God sending His Son Jesus to provide salvation for the human soul. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:14,16).

I am initiating this blog to discuss themes regarding refuge of healing and hope. My first book called Escaping the Pain of Offense: Empowered to Forgive from the Heart, is forthcoming.  I will soon be posting more about the book. My hope is that it helps the reader find rest and healing in the Refuge.