How can we be self-controlled in our eating? Does that mean that we should eat only a certain number of calories, avoid sugar, eliminate foods with fat, or perhaps a combination of all three? The easiest thing in the world for me to do would be to tell you exactly what you should eat. But that’s a rather simplistic approach that doesn’t take into consideration a variety of factors. Besides, chances are you have been on diets like that before, and you and I both know how they usually end. I’m not saying that it is wrong to follow a preplanned diet, as long as it is not a fad diet. But even if you are following a preplanned diet perfectly, that doesn’t mean that your eating is pleasing to the Lord.
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“But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” (Luke 22:26) Each of us, more likely than not, carries in mind some idea about greatness in human life. If someone were to ask, “What does it mean to be great, or a great person?” we could probably drum up some kind of definition. And that’s what I want you to do now. Define greatness. Consider what you think it means and involves.
The spectacular events of life grab our attention—particularly “natural” disasters, such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and tropical cyclones. The 24/7 news outlets swing into action, as they did two weekends ago. Hurricane Irene made headlines as it moved up the eastern seaboard of the United States. For a while it appeared that Irene would strike large cities, from Washington, D.C. to Boston, with the power of a major hurricane. There was a collective sigh of relief as the storm approached land and weakened.
If a counselor is to work effectively with those whom he or she counsels these folks must be persuaded that they are being heard. Being a biblical listener is a prerequisite for being an effective counselor. Perhaps the greatest challenge of learning to be a good listener is that nothing less than the of love Christ is required. Love means that you put the needs of others before your own. Practically speaking, this means it is important to close your mouth and open your ears. This action offers tangible proof of your desire to serve your counselee. It will also pave the way for earning the right to speak when it is time to do so, especially since you will quite likely have some hard things to say.
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,
What is your mentality when you sit down to counsel someone? Do you seek to be kind, loving, compassionate, merciful, quick to confront, ready to offer solutions, or eager to give the answers you know are in the Bible? Do you place pressure on yourself to have it all figured out within an hour so you will appear to know what you are doing? What tends to consume your thinking when you enter the counseling context?
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; outline-width: 0px; color: rgb(64, 70, 75); font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> We talk a lot about relationships in the church. There are scores of marriage seminars, retreats, and conferences. There are video series and books for newlyweds and engaged couples. Most every church offers marital counseling and most every pastor preaches somewhat regularly on marriage. And the same is true for parenting. There are dozens of books on raising children. There are Sunday school</p>
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” – Psalms 136:1-3 I sometimes wish we could return to the original die of words. It seems those from which they were hewn have lost their true meaning. Take our word “depression”.
<p class="post-title" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 30px; font-size: 2em; font-style: italic; line-height: 44px; color: rgb(54, 53, 46); font-family: Bitter, georgia, serif; background-color: rgb(247, 246, 239);"> <span style="line-height: 1.7em; font-size: 20px;">Domestic violence is extremely prevalent and damaging, but frequently hidden.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; color: rgb(54, 53, 46); font-family: Bitter, georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 32px; background-color: rgb(247, 246, 239);"> Intimate partner violence is pervasive in U.S. society. <a href="https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181867.pdf" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(168, 165, 134);">One in every four women</a> will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Nearly three out of four of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.</p>
I recently presented several sessions at Grace Fellowship in Florence, KY. I was asked by several attendees if they could have access to my PowerPoint slides and any other handouts pertinent to my talks. In light of these requests, I thought I would upload my presentations and a few handouts that go along with each. I pray these will be a blessing! Click HERE to access the resources.