Codependency is the fruitless attempt at meeting an internal need with something external to one’s self. It may be alcohol, drugs, junk food, or some other substance, but what I have seen more often in my practice, and even in my experience before counseling, is the using of people. This scourge of the mind is …
At the heart of every tragic expression of an unmet need is a judgmental thought. Behind every violent and abusive word we speak is a judgment. Even many statements that we think are harmless are actually emanating from a place of judgment, which makes them violent and offensive to the hearer. She is always angry …
In Chapter Three of the Book of Malachi, God tells his people, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Why did they need to return? In what way had they left him to begin with? He goes on to explain that they had departed by “robbing him” of their tithes and offerings. Yes, …
We began with a brief look at some passages which make evident that every true believer is strong, steadfast and secure in Christ – like a tree planted by streams of water. This condition is one of total safety, and it is completely made possible by the work of God. Like a newborn baby who …
As we face all kinds of challenges, trials, and personal failures in life, they tend to overwhelm us and discourage our walk with God. Do these painful, terrifying, and guilt-inducing tragedies show that God has abandoned us to our own devices? Could it mean that we are no longer safe and secure in his loving …
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a dreadful condition. What was once referred to by the U.S. Military as “shell shock” is a very common condition among service members and veterans today. Some suffer more so than others, but it is routine for wounded warriors to struggle for many years with the long-term effects of wartime …
“I am ready to forgive you and take you back”. Could there be any words more beautifully spoken in the English language? Every mediator and marriage therapist longs to hear these words because they signal a willingness, even an eagerness, to pardon an offense (or many offenses). Surely this pleases and glorifies God the Father …
“It is not just what you say, but how you say it that matters.” Do you agree with this statement? Is the way we phrase our wording as important as saying what we are trying to say, or even more so? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you know there can be no …
Nonviolent Communication: An Effective Tool in Christian Marriage Counseling Read More »
In Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg’s excellent book, Nonviolent Communication, he discusses several forms of language that he calls “life-alienating communication”. He aptly shows how our speech so often obscures awareness of personal responsibility and decision making. Instead of speaking with compassion to increase productive dialogue, we often try to force others to give us what …
Learning from the Real Time Effects of Life-Alienating Speech Read More »
We are movie people. My family and I have often frequented movie theaters or rented DVD’s and blu-rays from Redbox. After theaters shut down during the pandemic, we switched to primarily using video streaming services for entertainment and educational purposes. Our subscriptions include Amazon Prime, Netflix and HBOmax. In the past, we have also used …
