Straightforward in many ways, complex in others, he knew that he was tactless and readily admitted to being churlish, yet he was an admired pastor, a patient counselor and affectionate husband, father and friend. He shrank from violence, but his moral courage never failed. The contrast between sensitivity and his vehement denunciation of anyone of […]
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 […]
Power in Humility
“God gives us his power to obey when we believe that the blood of Jesus empowers our efforts at humility” (Heath Lambert, Finally Free). Sin is essentially pride being manifested in a particular area at a particular time. Humility is the opposite of pride. Pride is thinking highly, or only of yourself. Humility is not […]
He’ll Think I’m a Loser
“I can’t go to the counselor. He’ll think I’m a loser.” That’s what a lot of people say when confronted with a life gone nuts. They know they are in trouble, but don’t want anyone else to know about it. And they don’t have a clue how to “fix” things. I have two arguments against […]
What to do with the Word of God
You can listen to this sermon here. Introduction: In my counseling ministry, I always give home work. Usually this homework involves some Bible reading, okay a vast amount of Bible reading. But one thing I’ve noticed with both our church members and folks from other churches is that they read in a wooden, paint by […]
IS IT A SIN TO BE AFRAID?
Ed Welch has a great answer. He doesn’t answer the question, really, but he does put the command into a real life context that invites us to come to the God who loves us instead of OBEYING a harsh judgmental God. More great stuff.
Rest For Your Soul — Anxiety
Hi George, It sounds like you all are going through a pretty tough time. I’ll be praying for you both. I don’t know very much about CBT and hypnosis. I do know something about anxiety, God, and the Bible. If Sandy’s anxiety is not linked to the medication, but to the thoughts connected with the […]
What Dying To Yourself Looks Like
In the light of her comments about things not changing or getting better, I wonder if telling her the depression/mania situation will probably never change, like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, and that she’s going to have to learn to live with it would be helpful. I wonder if we need to help her see […]
Loving God
by Lisa Leidenfrost Math 22:37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” If this is the greatest commandment, do we love God with all our heart, soul and mind? We could respond, ‘Yes, but I do it […]