Mike, great article on Empathy and Involvement. You really described very well how things should be. However, I have a question. While I would say that I have a high degree of empathy, and it does serve me well in helping and giving encouragement and counsel, I’ve found that it has caused me enormous wear […]
Developing Involvement with the Counselee—The Difference Between Empathy and Involvement
If the counseling situation is as a pastor to a parishioner the level of involvement takes on a more robust attitude. The pastor should be very involved in the lives of his parishioners. He should pray for them, he should visit with them, he should marry their children to one another, he should go to […]
Continual and Habitual Sin
The solution is to take things one event at a time. Instead of thinking, “I’ve blown it so many times, I’m a failure,” think, “I’ve had a great night. Praise God!” And if you sin tomorrow night, instead of thinking, “I’ve blown it again and again and again.” Think, “I blew it. Please God, forgive […]
First Steps In Overcoming the Past
Dear Gary, This may sound like a simplistic question, but do you ever control yourself? You said the church folks think you’re a godly family, so you must control yourself in front of the church. You also mentioned that your family life isn’t always crazy, so you must control yourself there at times as well. […]
Be Grateful
“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Th 5:18). “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Eph 5:20). The only thing you can’t give thanks for is sin you are about to do. What a […]
Who Are You Following?
by Lisa Leidenfrost But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow […]
Where Is Your Focus?
by Lisa Leidenfrost It is helpful, when you find everything to be confusing and you can’t make sense of your situation or God, to always go back to what you do know. Stand on things that are fact and can never change. These things will give you an anchor for interpreting the confusion around you. […]
Complaint: A Lament for Your Loss
Many people find that the hardest part of the grief journey is simply getting started. Stepping on the trail by facing the pain and the hurt can be terrifying. All manner of questions arise. “What will I feel? Will I be able to handle whatever I feel? What if my thoughts consume me and my […]
An Ugly Covetousness
The worship of Jason’s heart was completely wrong. He idolized pleasure and personal comfort to the point that he was willing to sinfully indulge his sexual fantasies to escape his unpleasant circumstances. At the very core of his sexual lust was a heart of greed. His heart had become stubborn and demanding. It sought images […]