The Wrong Question
John 9:1 tells us that as Jesus walked along the road He saw a needy man, but the disciples saw a problem. The disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he would be born blind?” (9:2).
Continue reading“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
Theological Primer for Counselors: Anthropology
We continue our brief series covering the ten basic categories of theology and relating them to our walk with the Lord and to our personal ministry of the Word of God to one another. Today, let’s think about man, the
Continue readingTheological Primer for Counselors: Satan & Demons
We continue our brief series covering the ten basic categories of theology and relating them to our walk with the Lord and to our personal ministry of the Word of God to one another. Today, let’s think about Satan and
Continue readingTheological Primer for Counselors: The Holy Spirit
We continue our brief series covering the ten basic categories of theology and relating them to our walk with the Lord and to our personal, one-another ministry that we call ‘counseling.’ Today, let’s think about the Holy Spirit’s role in
Continue readingTheological Primer for Counselors: Lordship of Christ
Today, we continue a brief series covering the ten basic categories of theology and relating them to our walk with the Lord and to our personal, one-another ministry that we call ‘counseling.’ We have already thought about the doctrine of
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Theological Primer for Counselors: Bibliology
Today, we continue our series covering the ten basic categories of theology and relating them to our walk with the Lord and to our personal, one-another ministry that we call ‘counseling.’ Yesterday, we thought very briefly about the doctrine of
Continue readingTheological Primer for Counselors: Theology Proper
Today, I begin a brief series covering the 10 basic categories of theology and relate them to our walk with the Lord and to our personal, one-another ministry that we call ‘counseling.’ Theology Proper: The Doctrine of God One’s view
Continue readingAbandoning the ‘Mirage Hopes’
Here’s more God-centered encouragement from Paul Tripp’s book A Shelter in the Time of Storm. [O]ur inability to find security for ourselves is so profound that we’d never find on our own the One who is to be our rock;
Continue readingThe Tragedy of Ahithophel
[A couple weeks ago, Dr. William Varner, a professor at The Master’s College, posted on Facebook some brief, but very insightful thoughts from the life of David, particularly about a lesser-known figure named Ahithophel. I asked him if he had
Continue readingCounseling as Discipleship
Authentic biblical counseling is a matter of fulfilling our God-given command to make disciples, but what exactly is a disciple? The Great Command at the end of Matthew’s Gospel contains one main action: “make disciples” of Jesus Christ (28:18-20). A
Continue readingPerfect Security
Where should my sense of security come from? That’s a vital question. Here’s how Paul Tripp counseled me last evening. If you are God’s child, you are the object of the love of the Person who rules everything that there
Continue readingGospel Antibiotic for the Poison of Bitterness (Dave Coats)
As we continue to walk through the story of David and Absalom, in my preaching at our church, we are learning that it is by focusing on David that we see Christ through him and the godly response to betrayal
Continue readingHell Glorifies God
Hell glorifies God—that is the premise of Thor Ramsey’s book The Most Encouraging Book on Hell Ever, the newest release from Cruciform Press. It is very encouraging to see a Christian publisher (who consistently aims at the general Christian audience)
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Journey to Biblical Counseling: One Woman’s Testimony
[Previous editions of Journey to Biblical Counseling consisted of interviews with men and woman whom God is using as leaders in today’s biblical counseling movement. Today, we depart slightly from that format to publish an unsolicited testimony from one of
Continue readingTwo Very Different Ways to Treat Sinners
There are basically two different ways we treat fellow sinners. We either act like self-appointed judges who, like the Pharisees, act out of our supposed self-righteousness, or we act like needy sinners who never step very far away from the
Continue reading3 Benefits to Thinking about Hell
Fear is a powerful motivator. Granted, fear is often used by Satan to hold us in his grip, but fear—when connected to the fear of God—can motivate us to turn away from our sin toward Jesus Christ and God’s gifts
Continue readingChristopher Love: Glories of Heaven
Paul, the apostle, exhorts us as believers to set our mind on things above, “where Christ is,” rather than on the things of this earth (Col 3:1). This heavenly-mindedness empowers us to continue to live for God while we patiently
Continue readingA Resource for Parents and Counselors of Youth
Last week, I was pleased to receive a review copy of the just-released, updated and revised edition of Keith & Patricia Miller’s Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Youth. From abortion to worry this helpful resource addresses 129 subjects—providing biblical counsel
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