Thayil Thoughts
“You think I should write this down somewhere?” (Professor Thayil, exact date unknown because he didn’t write it down).
Where Faith Meets Mental Health
Articles
It starts with what’s called emotional intelligence which is the ability to monitor one’s own emotions and the emotions of others with the purpose to “identify and use this information to guide one’s own thoughts and behaviors” (Zhao et al., 2020, p. 2022). In other words, emotional intelligence is the competence to sit down and break down the feelings one has, as they experience them, and to note the situations that draw them out.
So the obvious question is: how exactly does love, faith, and hope replace shame, pain, and fear? The first thing to realize is that true love, true hope, and true faith is authored by the One from whom it originates. In other words, we cannot manufacture these three inside of ourselves, they must come from God directly and be defined by Him. It’s a tricky thing though because so many use love, hope, and faith within a framework of the Curse and that’s why many of us don’t experience the peace that we should.
The idea works this way: the humans sinned and then experienced shame, fear, and pain which are depicted for us in Genesis 3 and explained at the end of my last article. It is my belief and my contention that ever since that time, every human being has been afflicted by this curse. It doesn’t matter if you are Indian, Cuban, Nigerian, Chinese, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, or Atheist. We all share this affliction and because it was not part of God’s original design for our existence and it is the result of sin; it qualifies as a curse.
Some would say: “there’s nothing unusual going on, it’s just people being people”, while others would give credit to the ability of social media to popularize normal and mundane events. Others would blame the media for sensationalizing stories and even creating what they call “fake news”. While I think there may be an element of truth to each of these positions, I think there’s more that needs to be said from a psychological perspective and then from a biblical one.
On the day I wore that C.O.P.S. t-shirt, she tapped me on the shoulder and asked “Reggie, you’re a Christian?”.
I suppose the crux of ThayilThoughts will be the sharing of these discoveries over time but this particular writing will start with a story about a woman and a robe.
I am Barabbas Podcast
Weekly Torah Readings (October 2024-October 2025)
From Moses to Messiah, the story of God’s redemption continues. Discover how divine purpose passes from one generation to the next and what that means for your calling today.
Leadership changes, but God’s mission never stops. In this teaching, Reggie unpacks how Moses’ legacy flows into the Messiah’s mission, showing that every generation is called to carry forward the same divine purpose. Explore how Scripture weaves together continuity, covenant, and calling in God’s unstoppable plan.
Journey through the timeless songs of Moses, David, and the Lamb, discovering God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness from Sinai to heaven’s worship. See how Scripture’s themes of covenant and redemption echo across the ages.
In this week’s episode, we explore three timeless songs: the Song of Moses, the Song of David, and the Song of the Lamb. Each reveals God’s justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness from the wilderness of Sinai to the worship of heaven. Discover how Scripture’s themes of redemption, praise, and divine faithfulness echo across the ages.
📖 Readings:
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 32:1–52 — The Song of Moses (Shirat Ha’azinu)
Prophets Portion: 2 Samuel 22:1–51 — The Song of David
New Testament Portion: Matthew 23:37–39; Revelation 1:4–8; Revelation 15:1–4
⏱ Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Introduction: Songs of Moses, David, and the Lamb
00:01:58 — Torah Portion: The Song of Moses
00:27:10 — Prophets Portion: The Song of David
00:38:40 — NT Portion: Yeshua’s Lament and the Song of the Lamb
00:49:12 — Closing Thoughts
🌐 Learn more and connect:
www.thayilthoughts.com
www.iambarabbasglobal.org
Explore God’s presence with His people through the Feast of Sukkot—from Jacob’s first sukkah to Yeshua’s words and Revelation’s New Creation. Discover hope, joy, and the promise of God dwelling among us.
In this week’s special teaching on the Feast of Sukkot (Leviticus 23:33–44; Numbers 29:12–16; Zechariah 14; Revelation 21:1–8), we trace God’s promise to dwell with His people. From Jacob’s first sukkah, to Zechariah’s vision of Messiah’s reign, to Yeshua’s words in the Gospels, and the New Creation in Revelation, we discover the hope and joy of God’s presence.
Timestamps 00:00:00
Introduction: Jacob the first Sukkah Builder
00:06:34 Torah Portion: Leviticus and Numbers
00:13:52 Prophets Portion: Zechariah 14
00:20:39 Sukkot in the Gospels
00:31:28 NT Portion: Revelation 21
00:37:50 Closing
For more teachings: 🌐
Discover the meaning of the Day of Atonement through the lens of Leviticus and the Zadok calendar. Explore its call to repentance, renewal, and restoration with powerful biblical insights.
This teaching unpacks the Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus, connecting its ancient rituals to God’s ongoing work of forgiveness and renewal. Following the Zadok calendar, we reflect on the significance of this appointed time—repentance, release from sin, and reconciliation with God.
In this week’s special Sabbath reading, we explore Moses’ final charge in Deuteronomy 31, prophetic calls to repentance and restoration in Hosea, Joel, and Micah, and the hope fulfilled in Messiah through Romans 1. Discover how God’s mercy and covenant faithfulness bring strength, hope, and renewal.
Join us for a special Sabbath reading that weaves together the themes of repentance, restoration, and hope. From Moses’ final words in Deuteronomy 31, to the prophetic promises of Hosea 14, Joel 2, and Micah 7, and the Good News of Messiah in Romans 1, we see God’s covenant faithfulness and His call to walk in obedience and hope.
Explore God’s covenant, the call to repentance, and how Christ fulfills Torah.
This week’s teaching covers Deuteronomy 29–30, Romans 9:30–10:13, and Isaiah 61, showing how ancient covenant imagery points to life, faith, and restoration.
In this week’s Bible study podcast, we explore covenant renewal in Deuteronomy 29–30, Paul’s teaching on righteousness through faith in Romans 9:30–10:13, and the hope of restoration in Isaiah 61:10–63:9.
We examine how covenant imagery mirrors an ancient betrothal, why Moses calls Israel to “choose life,” how Paul connects this directly to Christ, and how Isaiah promises God’s redemptive movement.
📖 Readings:
Torah: Deuteronomy 29:10–30:20
Prophets: Isaiah 61:10–63:9
New Testament: Romans 9:30–10:13
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction – Did the Rapture happen?
00:03:32 Torah Portion – Deuteronomy 29
00:23:37 Torah Portion – Deuteronomy 30
00:34:08 New Testament Portion – Romans 9:30–10:13
00:43:38 Prophets Portion – Isaiah 61–63
00:57:24 Closing
The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) calls us to awaken, repent, and prepare for Messiah’s return. In this episode, we explore its biblical roots, prophetic meaning, the Ten Days of Awe, and the trumpet of God in 1 Thessalonians 4.
Discover the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah). Learn about its Torah origins, prophetic shofar blasts, the Ten Days of Awe, and how Paul’s teaching on the “trumpet of God” connects to the hope of Messiah’s return.
Scripture readings include Genesis 21, Numbers 29, 1 Samuel 1, and 1 Thessalonians 4.
Discover the meaning of first-fruits, covenant renewal, blessings, and curses in Ki Tavo—and how these themes connect to Isaiah 60, Romans 11, Luke 21, and Ephesians 1.
In this week’s Torah portion Ki Tavo (“When You Enter In”), Moses instructs Israel on covenant renewal through the first-fruits ceremony, the third-year tithe, and the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 26–29.
This teaching explores how these themes point to God’s covenant faithfulness, reversing curses in Isaiah 60, extending mercy in Romans 11, cheerful giving in Luke 21, and spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1.
Explore 34 laws from Deuteronomy 21–25 and discover how God’s justice and mercy shape daily life. From family and marriage to neighbors, purity, and honesty, this teaching connects Torah, Prophets, and New Testament insights for today’s believers.
This episode explores 34 miscellaneous laws from Deuteronomy 21–25, showing how they shaped Israel’s daily life and continue to reveal God’s justice and mercy.
Topics include family, marriage, purity, honesty in business, and care for the poor.
We also connect these laws to Isaiah 54:1–10 and Matthew 19:1–12, highlighting God’s covenant love and Yeshua’s teaching on marriage and divorce.
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction: 34 Miscellaneous Laws on Domestic and Civil Life
00:01:41 Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 21–22
00:34:27 Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 23–25
01:06:24 Prophets Portion: Isaiah 54:1–10
01:11:50 NT Portion: Matthew 19:1–12
01:22:45 Closing
Referenced episode: Ritual Purity, Scale Disease & Yeshua’s Compassion
Explore how the Bible defines leadership through Judges, Kings, Priests, Prophets, and Officers — and how Christ fulfills each role as the perfect Leader of God’s people.
In this episode, we explore biblical leadership through the roles of Judges, Kings, Priests, Officers, and Prophets. Scripture reveals how God places responsibilities and limits on leaders to ensure justice, humility, and faithfulness.
📖 Readings:
Torah: Deuteronomy 16–21
Prophets: Isaiah 51:12–52:12
New Testament: John 1, 1 Corinthians 5
Together we’ll see how these passages point to Christ as the ultimate Judge, Prophet, Priest, and King who fulfills God’s design for righteous leadership.
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In Part 3 of Peace in a Noisy World, Reggie Thayil uncovers how lasting peace is found through community, vulnerability, and shared spiritual rhythms — revealing that healing was never meant to be walked alone.
Peace in a Noisy World – Part 3 concludes this powerful teaching series by exploring the social and spiritual dimensions of peace. Reggie Thayil reveals how God designed healing to occur not only within the individual, but within Christ-centered relationships grounded in vulnerability, presence, and shared practice.
Drawing from psychological research on co-regulation and social connection alongside Scripture, this episode highlights how community stabilizes the nervous system and nurtures the soul.
Viewers will discover how shared worship, accountability, Sabbath rhythms, and intentional presence cultivate environments where peace is sustained and anxiety loses its grip.
This teaching invites believers to move from isolation into embodied faith — where grace flows through community and peace becomes a collective experience shaped by Christ’s love and design.