What are the five essentials of a biblical counselor? Perhaps you’re interested in becoming a lay biblical counselor. Maybe you’d like to begin a counseling ministry at your church. Either way, you need to know the five essential characteristics of an effective biblical counselor. Now Is the Time As our culture snakes into dark sinful patterns, an effective biblical counselor can … Read More
6 Principles for Repentance
Repentance. This idea behind this word can bring on a cold sweat on a hot summer day. It suggests wrongdoing, apologies, forgiveness, and change. In the New Testament, the word repent simply means to turn around. It was a military term that described a soldier marching in one direction and then doing an about-face. Spiritually, it means to change your … Read More
Newlyweds Need Help
Newlyweds need help and lots of it. Couples spend nearly 30 grand, on average, on their Big Day! And June is one of the two most popular month for weddings. Stats were from the WSJ. The focus seems askew. The music, Scripture readings, bridesmaids’ dress color, flowers, food, photography, invitations, programs – these are carefully considered and decided. Yet most … Read More
How to Know God’s Will
A common question among Christian is, How can I know God’s will? Twice in two days someone asked me: How does one know if she’s seeking her own way (her will) or God’s? Great question. The folks who asked this question had been dealing with difficulties for a long time. Both were frustrated. They were sick and tired of waiting … Read More
Fearful? Watch Out for Anger!
Fearful? Anger may get you too. Have you felt anxious when suddenly something inside you just snapped? Fear morphs into anger and you feel even worse. If you let yourself slide into self-pity, which is a sneaky face of anger, you may begin calling yourself “a waste of space.” If you let your anger turn to outwardly directly rage, don’t … Read More
“I’m Only Joking”
Sarcasm is a style of conversation you hear almost daily. Late-night talk show hosts use cutting remarks to entertain audiences. Politicians use sarcasm to convince their constituents that the opponent is unworthy of their vote. And we use ironic criticisms in our daily communications with one another at work, home, or church. So is sarcasm a godly – or ungodly … Read More
Do You Ignore Your Spiritual Caller ID?
Isn’t caller ID among the best phone features ever invented? When I get a call, I simply check my phone display and see who it is who wants to talk to me. I’m pretty much a “chatty Cathy” and will talk to almost anyone except when I don’t want to be interrupted. That’s why I love caller ID: I can decide … Read More
How to Listen to the Heart
Listen, ask, look – these three essentials help you hear the heart of a hurting person. When you hear the heart like Jesus, you give compassionate, effective counseling. Essential 1: Listen To help the hurting, you need to learn about your counselee. There are two simple, but critical aspects to gathering the necessary information. The first is the ability to … Read More
The Solution to Temptation
Does temptation get the best of you sometimes? Brussels sprouts – yuck! The smell and taste disgust me. This vegetable is more of a deterrent than a temptation. If someone said I had to eat them before I could enjoy wonderfully delicious dark chocolate, I’d say “No Thanks” to both! Facing temptation is rarely this easy, however. When you and I … Read More
