We can live in fullness of life in the presence of the risen Christ today — that’s the invitation of the Shepherd Psalm. But it begins with an audacious claim: “The Lord is my shepherd, he gives me life without lack.” Life without lack? You might question that. My life is full of lack —…
We have loved ones that die. We suffer losses that hurt. Do we grieve or repress our emotions? Here are the stages and process of good grief with insights from the Bible and psychotherapy.
Let’s admit it. At times we all feel like prayer is a duty. We know we should pray more than we do, but sometimes it feels like a chore that wearies us. But prayer can be drinking in an unceasing flow of divine life! Madame Jeanne Guyon says this is true in seasons of consolation…
Into my thirties I was under pressure to perform, be ideal, help everyone, and control outcomes. It added up to lots of anxiety! I needed a lot of empathy from others and retraining of my mind and body. I did deep soul work in my own psychotherapy. And I started learning how to actually live each…
Ray and Anne Ortlund have been an inspiration to Kristi and I. They showed us what it looks like for busy pastors, busy ministry leaders, and busy Christian parents to live a romance with Jesus at the center! Recently I came across the sad statistic that 95% of pastors do not pray regularly with their…
What does it really mean to know Christ today? Knowing Christ is not mere head knowledge about the Bible and Christian doctrine. Nor is it just having emotions. To know the Lord Jesus Christ certainly includes intelligent thinking and having feelings, but it is primarily a spiritual experience with the reality of the living God.…
For a number of years now as Christmas approaches I’ve been doing an Advent meditation that’s a great blessing! I ask the Holy Spirit to help me pick a Bible character from the Christmas story to companion during advent. In addition to the Gospel accounts of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, I’ve used…
I stood at the start line of the Boston Marathon poised and ready to go. I had dreamed of running this race since I ran my first marathon at age 18, over 30 years ago. It was finally here! I was one of 26,656 runners from around the world who had qualified and we were…
What a joy it is when we truly know how greatly we are loved by God! But perhaps like many Christians I talk with you struggle to experience God’s love. Your image (or concept) of God may have some damaging distortions. It may need to be renewed. When we are truly convinced that the holy,…
I met Lisa (not her real name) because her husband insisted that she talk with me. He said she had a drinking problem. Of course, she thought he was crazy! Lisa was raised by a Baptist pastor. She was religious and she was also a good mother to her school-aged girls – except when she was…
Have you ever meditated upon the visions of Christ in his glory recorded in the Bible? I invite you to join me in doing so now. The Lord Jesus Christ comes on the clouds of the heavens, not just in the painting on the left, but spiritually right now he comes with open arms to…
Yesterday on my Sabbath day I read a little book by the early 19th Century Scottish preacher Robert Murray McCheyne, The Deeper Life. He died at the young age of 29, but he brought many souls to Christ in his short life and his words continue do so nearly two centuries later. His simple reading…
“Forgive and forget,” some say. “Just let it go to God and move on,” urge others. Often it’s not that easy. Maybe you grew up in a family in which it wasn’t okay to express anger. Or the pain and violation seem too great. Or you’re not sure how to forgive. Read on and you’ll…
Anxiety is probably the most common problem that Kristi and I have helped people with over the last twenty-five years. In our therapy office, in churches, on retreats, and in soul care groups we’ve given care, counsel, and prayer to so many anxious people – including ourselves! Our Stressed Out Culture Is it any wonder…
What do you say to yourself about yourself? Do you feel about yourself as our God of grace does? As a psychologist everyday I get inside the heads of people who are struggling. Here’s what I hear: I blew it. I’m a failure…. I’ve been abused. I’m a victim… I gave in again. I’m an addict….…
“I’ve never talked to a ca-counselor before,” Cassandra (not her real name) stuttered. She continued, “I’ve been living with my boyfriend the last couple of months. We’ve been dating almost a year. Well, two months ago my daughter and I moved in with him. Oh, how I regret that decision,” Cassandra started sobbing behind the…