In our previous post, we considered a bigger picture of biblical counseling, originating in the Garden, with God offering counsel to mankind and calling mankind to share it with others in order to display His glory and serve the best interest of His people. We continue in this post, seeing throughout scripture how God’s counsel […]
Counseling ministry has existed from the beginning of the world, originating with God in the Garden towards mankind and for mankind to share with others. A Big Picture for Biblical Counseling Counseling is not a new kind of ministry or activity. People didn’t create it during recent centuries. Since the beginning of the world, God […]
Undoubtedly in your ministry, you’ve encountered people who hold on to grudges tightly or who are embroiled in conflict. In these cases, forgiveness must be a key focus of your pastoral care. But how do you explain the biblical concept of forgiveness? As a Christian, your starting point is different from what we hear in […]
Post-traumatic stress disorder, a profoundly intense response to profoundly dangerous experiences, manifests itself in fear, terrifying vulnerability, and lack of a sense of control. While these responses are often involuntary, Jeremy Lelek reminds us that they are still responses . . . and, thus, different responses are possible. Here he relates the narrative of creation, fall, and redemption to the experiences of PTSD, reminding us that the gospel speaks to our experiences with danger as part of its redemptive message. He points to the wisdom of God in our suffering and reminds us of the saving grace offered by Jesus, guiding readers to the peace and contentment found in seeking God’s glory. Sample Chapter: /sites/default/files/files/Sample chapter(1).pdf
That moment when God allows us to see the world through a biblical lens, sitting in awe of Him and the story He is telling through our life, is incredible. When we realize our life isn’t defined by our past or our pain but by our union with Christ, we start to discover strength in […]
A Twitter Question On Twitter, domestic abuse biblical counselor, Chris Moles, asked: “What was it that woke you up to the prevalence of #DomesticAbuse ? An experience? A resource?” I hesitated to respond with my experience—feeling false shame even half-a-century later. But then, for the first time, even as a sixty-two-year-old author-pastor-counselor, I put it […]
For as bright as the holidays may be, it is equally dark for many, allowing us to live out our divine call to counsel in helping others find peace this Christmas! The holiday season is again upon us ushering in a seemingly magical transformation of social life. Celebration is the theme of the season, and […]
First, “The False Health & Wealth Gospel” The vast majority of Evangelicals reject the “health and wealth gospel.” This is the false gospel that claims that if you obey God, then He will bless you with physical health and material wealth. This false gospel makes God like a Genie in a bottle who grants us […]
Reality, to a large degree, is constructed subjectively through the processes of the mind. ”Facts” are perceived, variables of that perception shape an interpretation, and these interpretations ultimately serve to shape a person’s experiential reality. By no means does this diminish the fact that objective, absolute truth exists, but it is important to recognize that this process of perception, interpretation, and conclusion has a significant impact on the way people experience life. Understanding this can have a profound impact on helping people walk through difficult seasons of suffering.
Read Romans 8:26-39 This passage, in part, reads, “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness…the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance to God’s will…God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose…Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right […]
