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Book Review: Cradled in the Arms of Compassion: A Spiritual Journey from Trauma to Recovery by Frank Rogers Jr.
In Cradled in the Arms of Compassion, Frank Rogers Jr. offers a deeply personal spiritual autobiography, recounting his journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse. As a spiritual director, Rogers blends personal experience with professional insight, exploring how spiritual practices and the embrace of compassion helped him move from trauma to recovery.
The book is a powerful testament to the transformative power of compassion, both from others and from within. Rogers’ honest and vulnerable narrative provides hope and guidance for anyone dealing with trauma, emphasizing that healing is possible through spiritual practices and self-compassion.
Recommendation: This inspiring and heartfelt memoir is a moving guide for anyone seeking healing from trauma. Rogers’ story offers both personal insight and spiritual wisdom, making it a valuable resource for those looking for hope and recovery.
Link-Love:
Cradled in the Arms of Compassion on Bookshop
Frank Rogers’ Website
#CradledInTheArmsOfCompassion
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Guest Post Series: Five Questions on…Exercise (with Anonymous Guy)
Exercise
with Anonymous Guy
1) Describe your relationship to/experience with exercise. If it has changed over time, describe the change.
Consistency is my challenge. Exercise perpetuates more exercise for me and inactivity perpetuates more inactivity. Staying somewhere in a healthy middle ground by exercising a few times a week is the toughest. I’ve gone weeks where I exercise 12-14 times for the week and then I’ve gone through a couple weeks where its hard to do anything.2) How has that relationship/experience affected the way you think about your body and/or your self-image?
Body image is largely a control issue for me. It’s been something I could control and when things have been beyond control in life, my mind has thought “well at least I can control how the body looks” and that anxiety is projected outward to the flesh. Being conscious of this idea has helped to be healthier and more moderate, though past emotional damage will always pervade my mindset in some way.3) How has that relationship/experience affected the way you relate to others?
If I am not confident in my body, I am not confident. My mind goes into ultra-introvert mode and I feel a sense of embarrassment being around others. Shame is a nasty attachment that maladaptive mental habits can create and perpetuate. What I act like on the outside is always a picture of how I’m processing internally.4) How has that relationship/experience affected your spiritual life?
When shame abounds, grace is the last thing I want to accept because something inside me tells me I’m not good enough – that I need to earn it. Of course, with my theological understanding of God, I know better… but the emotional and the rational/intellectual absolutely wage war between each other sometimes and that can adversely affect my overall being and spiritual life.5) What word of wisdom or encouragement would you offer other people on a similar journey?
Learn to love yourself. Don’t hold yourself to an impossible standard, but, instead, a standard that is one of integrity, health, and happiness – and accepting of the grace offered to us. Body image is never ever a primary issue… but it’s symptomatic of other things happening. If you ever feel not-so-confident physically, look beyond that at your mental and emotional workings. And remember that Jesus loves models as much as the chubbiest of chubby people. Grace is as far away as we allow it to be.What about you?
Have your own answers to these questions? Why not share them? Email your responses and a recent picture to bodytheologyblog at gmail dot com. You can also post anonymously if you wish.
Death and Life
My friend’s grandmother just died. In the last few days, I’ve been remembering how I grieved when my grandfather died back when I was in college.
We are marked by the passing of those we love.
Death and grief — painful and necessary as they are — can be catalysts for new awareness, growth, and even hope for the future.
All day I’ve had this verse in my head.
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. – 2 Cor 5:4
Selah, as it says in the Psalms. Pause, and quietly think about that.
Holistic Body Theology 