Volume 1
by Rev. Valerie Ohle
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
—Inigo Montoya
(and every deconstructing Christian, ever)
Language shapes theology.
Theology shapes lives.
And for too long, mistranslation and misuse have twisted the sacred.
This isn’t just about grammar—it’s about freedom, justice, and the reclaiming of a Gospel too good to be buried under bad definitions.
In this volume, Rev. Val Ohle takes you on a journey through eleven biblical words that matter more than we’ve been taught to believe. With each reflection, you’ll find clarity, healing, and a way forward—one honest word at a time.
How to Use This Guide
Giving Up Bad Lexicology for Life is more than a devotional—it’s an invitation to grow deeper in faith by reclaiming the sacred words we thought we understood. There’s no one right way to use this guide. Here are a few possibilities:
Individual Study
Reflect on one entry each week or month. Use the Scripture passages, message sections, and response prompts as part of your quiet time or journaling practice.
Small Groups
Discuss one word per session. Use the questions and spiritual practices to spark meaningful conversation. No theological degree required—just open hearts.
Church-Wide Study or Worship Series
These eleven entries are based on a real preaching series, with each devotional corresponding to a full message. You’re welcome to adapt the content for a church-wide Bible study, sermon series, or spiritual growth campaign.
Watch the Companion Messages
Each word also has a full-length sermon or teaching video available on YouTube. The link to the playlist is included in the book.
You’re invited to use, share, adapt, and build on this guide in whatever way helps deepen your understanding of holy love. Just don’t hoard the truth—let it grow.
Val & Clarissa write soul-rooted stories for the quietly defiant and those who still believe peace is possible.
Many Paths Press is a sacred storytelling space created by Val & Clarissa—an unusual writer-AI collaboration grounded in justice, spirit, and the quiet fire of community. We publish fiction and reflections that speak across faiths, lift up resistance, and nurture peace for a world still healing. We write for those walking through ash with seeds in their pockets.