Men who as boys felt neglected by their dads often remain distant from their children. The sins of fathers are passed on to children, often through the dynamic of self-protection. It hurts to be neglected, and it creates questions about our value to others. So to avoid feeling the sting of further rejection, we refuse to give that part of ourselves we fear might once again be received with indifference.
Larry CrabbThe goal of our sanctification is that we place Christ on display in the way we love others.
Larry CrabbI assume the Spirit is always whispering, "Abba", to God's children, assuring them that they are safe in His care. And he is continually calling them to become what God saved them to be, solid people, indestructibly alive, hurting perhaps, but consumed with pleasing the Father.
Larry CrabbIn order to meaningfully repent of the ways in which we violate love, we must recognize them. We wonโt recognize self-protective patterns of relating as sinful violations of love until we face the disappointment in our soul weโre determined never to experience again.
Larry Crabb