Jesus lived among his disciples. He heard their conversations and understood their struggles because he walked with them and listened carefully to their words (Luke 22:22-24). A great amount of his counsel to his followers took place in the flow of daily life and relationships (Matt. 17:14-27). An endless supply of spiritual delights can be […]
Sorted by: Relationships
The Unavoidable Principle of Letting Go (Part One)
Author: Susan Thomas
Category: Counseling, Family, Relationships
As biblical counselors, the principle of letting go is unavoidable, whether addressing the issue with our clients or facing this personal reality ourselves. “Where has the time gone?” “My how time does fly!” “It goes by quick!” Every parent hears or says these quotes and all parents feel this reality. As moms and dads, we […]
We Are All Called to Counsel
Author: ABC
Category: Counseling, Ministry, Non-Profit, Relationships, The Gospel
We had over 500 church leaders, pastors, lay counselors and professional counselors join us for this years Association of Biblical Counselor’s National Conference, at which we were reminded of the beautiful, Gospel-founded truth that we are all Called to Counsel. It was, in some respects, a new beginning for the ABC National Conference in that […]
You love people. You love to help people. Given your heart for others, you can be overwhelmed by the brokenness around you, especially with those who share their struggles with you. As you sit and listen to their story, you grow uneasy as God reveals similar heart struggles within you. You don’t look at pornography, […]
In a culture of experts and specialists, it is easy to get the idea that only specially-trained people can do the hard stuff. But that’s not how the Church works. We’re the body of Christ and there are no unnecessary or unimportant parts. We are all called to bring the love of Christ to bear […]
Sarah, Abraham’s wife has been iconized as the example of a godly, submissive wife, especially in the face of abusive behavior, citing 1 Peter 3:9. Pastors and counselors have used this passage with hurting women to encourage her to submit to her husband’s foolish, irresponsible, oppressive and controlling behaviors, trusting God to protect her. Yet, as Christian counselors, we must look deeper. Why would Sarah be given as an example of godly submission when Abraham told her to do things that were against the very heart of God? (Genesis 12 and 20)
Five Indicators of An Evil and Wicked Heart
Author: Leslie Vernick
Category: Counseling, Relationships
As Christian counselors, pastors and people helpers we often have a hard time discerning between an evil heart and an ordinary sinner who messes up, who isn’t perfect, and full of weakness and sin.I think one of the reasons we don’t “see” evil is because we find it so difficult to believe that evil individuals actually exist...
When I was engaged, my fiancé and I went for pre-marital counseling as most engaged couples do. I remember my pastor specifically emphasizing the idea of submitting to my husband as the leader of our home. My pastor looked me in the eye and said, “Howard has the final say over things.”
3 Important Environments for Marriage Preparation
Author: Greg Wilson
Category: Marriage, Relationships
One of the most consistent themes that emerges in counseling young couples, especially in the critical first five years, is the dramatic difference between the time and money that was invested in their wedding compared to the time and money that was invested in preparing for the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.