The Power of Empathy

Posted on 2/15/2012 by Twelve Stones Ministries

Isaiah 42:3 a bruised reed he will not break. And a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

Recently I had the privilege of coming along side of a woman who had been horribly violated multiple times and by multiple predators.  There were a number of things that struck me about our time together.  But one of the themes that was predominant

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Overcoming the Fear of Failure

Posted on 12/12/2011 by Twelve Stones Ministries

 While no one likes to fail or not meet expectations, there are some people who have become discouraged, ineffective, or unproductive to the point that they are consumed with not being a failure. Being concerned about doing a good job of course is not sin; but to become paralyzed and do nothing or to be constantly afraid of what others think are examples of living in the fear of failure.  A more subtle form of the fear of failure can be someone who is a discouraged, joyless, and perhaps very self critical person who is not meeting his or her own expectations of self. 

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Uncommon Community: Creating an atmosphere of redemption in your life and in your Church

Posted on 10/19/2011 by Twelve Stones Ministries

 Have you ever been to someone’s home and from the minute you walk in you sense something is different.  Our family went to visit some friends a while back and it made me rethink the meaning of fellowship and hospitality. This family was deeply interested in us and our every need as if they took hospitality as a matter of family pride.  The grace and attention was almost embarrassing.  They invited us beyond the dining room right into the living room for rich conversation

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From Timed To Timely counsel: Intro to Intensive model

Posted on 9/7/2011 by Twelve Stones Ministries

One of the great joys and freedoms of working at TS is the ability to have more time to counsel people.  In the past, I counseled families for an hour to an hour and a half per session.  With an arbitrary time frame like that, many decisions have to be made by the counselor based on how much time is available.

  Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

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Blah Blah Blah…Israel…Blah Blah Blah: The critical need of "checking in"

Posted on 8/17/2011 by Twelve Stones Ministries

For those of us who have the privilege of counseling other people on a regular basis, it is a sobering task to speak words of life and truth on behalf of God to a person who is hurting.  Thankfully, in Jesus Christ we have an example of how we are all to approach personal ministry when we read the following in Hebrews 4:15-16:

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Suprised by "Failure"?

Posted on 7/6/2011 by Twelve Stones Ministries

By Robb Besosa (Regional Team Leader)

Recently I had the opportunity to sit with a couple for several days. They poured out their difficulties in an attempt to find resolution for the constant conflict that plagued their marriage history of 17 years. Hectic work schedules, traveling, social commitments, teenagers in activities, and church responsibilities were all part of the contributing factors for years of unresolved conflict.

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Inward Bound: Entering the World of your Counselee

Posted on 5/23/2011 by Twelve Stones Ministries

What would be your initial response if you saw a young woman walk up to a man at the bar and within minutes invite him to her room? What would you think if you saw on the news that your neighbor was arrested for a hit and run accident?  What would you think if your girlfriend who you invited for dinner picked at the food and never really touched it?  What would you think if your son got suspended from school for fighting?

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