The Agonizing Soul
Psalm 13 is one of the most heart-wrenchingly honest prayers in the Bible. Here is a soul in anguish. Here is a follower of God who wrestles day-in and day-out with what God is doing in his life. He feels
Continue reading“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
5 Subtle Pastoral ‘Treasure Shifts’ to Beware
As I continue to work through Paul Tripp’s highly-diagnostic book, Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry, the Spirit sheds light on areas of my heart and life where biblical truth needs to be applied. Chapter Seven is
Continue readingPastors, Get Out of the Trap
Monday can be an awful day for pastors who take their calling seriously. Not only are they often spent at every level from giving all they have to the preaching of God’s Word and other duties that are incumbent upon
Continue readingMeditating on God
Directing each other to think upon the attributes of God is such a wonderfully biblical way to counsel one another. To meditate on God is to deliberately choose to think about Him—His works, nature, and attributes. This can be done
Continue readingNUGGETS [4/24/13]
Here’s a few things I’ve read in the past few days. Just a forewarning, the last two are pretty lengthy. Same-Sex Marriage as a Civil Right–Are Wrongs Rights? – Answers in Genesis asked Counseling One Another to recommend some resources
Continue readingStill, My Soul be Still
Still my soul be still And do not fear Though winds of change may rage tomorrow God is at your side No longer dread The fires of unexpected sorrow God You are my God And I will trust in You
Continue readingWe Are Blind to God’s Plan for Our Lives
This past Monday, the pastors of our church spent the day in prayer at a nearby retreat center. Prior to the time in which we focused on praying for the leaders of the church, I read out loud the following
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Brain Malfunction Versus Mental Illness
In the ongoing and important discussion of the nature of mental illness, it seems to me that it would be helpful if we could be more deliberate in our distinction between “mental illness,” as a very large societal umbrella covering
Continue readingDay by Day the Lord Himself Is Near
Day by Day is a classic hymn that our congregation loves. Often, when we have a hymn sing or testimony service, it is one of those selected. Its God-centered lyrics minister strength to the heart and naturally lead to prayer.
Continue readingFood for the Battle
Rightly understood, the Christian life is a battle. We war not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness in heavenly places (Eph 6:12). We fight the fight of faith. Consequently, there are many times we find
Continue readingMental Illness & the Church
This morning, the Biblical Counseling Coalition posted a wise and thoughtful article on the subject of mental illness, written by Jeremy Pierre. Please take time to read it in full. Here’s the first few paragraphs: “Many are grieving with Rick
Continue readingConducting a Funeral when Suicide Is the Cause of Death
“Nothing jars the mind and emotions like news of a suicide,” writes Brian Croft, pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and founder of Practical Shepherding. For this week’s series on suicide, Brian has graciously given me permission to reprint
Continue readingLet Your Drooping Hearts Be Glad
God-centered music is a very important part of the way the Holy Spirit ministers to my heart in times of joy and times of sorrow—two emotions that are forever mixed, mingled together in the Christian experience. Of these two mutually-existent
Continue readingYou Can Help Your Suicidal Friend
In yesterday’s post, Bruce Ray corrected eleven myths and misconceptions commonly believed about suicide. Today, he introduces us to the horrific reality of how prevalent suicide has become in our fallen world. He also encourages us to get involved by
Continue readingChrist-Centered Biblical Counseling
This past Friday, I was so pleased to receive my long-awaited copy of Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling—the combined work of 40 friends from the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling is sure to become a standard text for those interested in
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11 Myths and Misperceptions about Suicide
This week, we will focus attention on the subject of suicide. We will seek to understand this growing, heart-wrenching problem in our fallen world. As we learn to be wise friends and counselors, let’s also pray that we will grow
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RESOURCES: Suicide
Here’s another recommended Resource List as you minister grace and truth. There are many more list links in the right-hand margin of this homepage. BOOKS/BOOKLETS/ARTICLES A Prayer for those Left Behind After Suicide (Paul Tautges) Assessing and Counseling a Person
Continue readingBurned Out?
Over several months, Bob’s stress levels had soared. As he accepted more and more responsibilities, he had less energy to bring to projects. Assignments were forgotten or neglected, people were disappointed, and Bob’s anxiety and frustration grew. As it turns
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