Many Christians feel they aren’t equipped to counsel. Yet, when our brothers and sisters in Christ encounter trials, suffering, and sin, we are called to help them “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” by speaking the truth in love. The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) provides training to equip Christians to minister God’s Word faithfully to those in their lives.
Shirley and I are watching a Paul Tripp marriage seminar video series based upon his book, What Did You Expect? Session 2 of the video was quite convicting. In about four dozen different ways, Tripp communicates the same convicting message: “My biggest problem in my marriage is me!” All of us as spouses, when asked […]
Who Is the Real Problem in My Marriage? It’s Me! Read More »
When I was engaged, my fiancé and I went for pre-marital counseling as most engaged couples do. I remember my pastor specifically emphasizing the idea of submitting to my husband as the leader of our home. My pastor looked me in the eye and said, “Howard has the final say over things.” But is
Who Wins? – The Final Say Read More »
My daughter was the only one without goggles. It was the first day of swim lessons, and, out of the group of children, she was the only one missing this essential piece of gear. We actually own goggles, but we hadn’t been able to find them before we left. My thoughts spiraled. “I
Mom Guilt and the God Who Sees Read More »
In the past two months, a really interesting study has been published by a group of researchers in the United Kingdom, including Joanna Moncrieff of the Division of Psychiatry at the University College London.[1] The article was the product of research that examined a large number of studies dealing with the chemical imbalance theory of depression.
Is Mental Health a Biblical Concept? Read More »
When Scripture indicates that Christians should be able to rejoice in their suffering (Rom. 5:3-5) because of the hope we have in the gospel, it can be difficult to accept. Some try to make the teaching more palatable by offering a variant definition of “joy;” others try to promise that the outcomes of how God
How to Find Joy “In” Suffering Read More »
I get it. Anxiety is real. Life gets tough, trials hit, pressure mounts, and our flesh takes over. Before we know it, we’re overwhelmed with worry. In fact, that is exactly how the dictionary would define anxiety. Thankfully, for those of us who trust in Jesus, we don’t have to wander aimlessly when it
How Do You Deal with Anxiety? Read More »
You’ve heard it said before… There are no perfect marriages. It’s true, all marriages go through hard times! The difference that exists in marriages is how the husband and wife decide to get through the hard. It’s not about how many differences there are between two spouses, it’s about how you handle those differences. The
How Can You Believe That There Is HOPE for A Broken Marriage? Read More »
Why Grief and Your Child? We often think about grief and adults, but what about when our children struggle with loss and grief? When they face life’s losses, how do they find hope when they’re hurting? In Grief and Your Child, I apply biblical principles of loss and hope to the grief experience of
Grief and Your Child: Four Parental Grief Principles for Sharing God’s Comfort in Loss Read More »
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13) Relationships are difficult. Interaction with others is essential-which means that someone will offend you. You may have experienced at least one of these statements in your lifetime:
Forgiveness: The Pathway to Freedom Read More »
Intentionally seeking and granting forgiveness is first and foremost about the glory of God. As we humble ourselves to His will and seek to imitate Him in our relationships with others, forgiveness serves as the foundation upon which relational and emotional healing may take place. “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke
Common Myths About Forgiveness Read More »