Denise is a 28-year-old mom with two small children. She has recently confessed that her husband has “a really bad temper.” Recently, when she and her husband Doug were arguing, his anger scared her to the point that she told their home group leader about the incident. The home group leader has been trained well … Continue reading Assessing Safety in Destructive Relationships
Three Important Environments for Marriage Preparation
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 … Continue reading Three Important Environments for Marriage Preparation
Recovering Redemption
A mom home with her four preschoolers got devastating news in the form of a phone call from her husband: “I’m not coming home…ever.” Persistent depression hounded a young pastor since childhood, even after he fell deeply in love with Jesus as a college student. A teenage athlete from a nominally Christian home chased girls, … Continue reading Recovering Redemption
Redeeming Marriage in Community
Marriage is hard. Even in the best marriages, the heart of each spouse tends to turn inward and build the kingdom of self. Most of my marriage counseling clients at least claim to be believers in Christ. Most of them regularly attend a bible-teaching church. Most of them are in some kind of small group … Continue reading Redeeming Marriage in Community
Saved Through Childbearing?: Kostenberger’s View of 1 Tim 2:13-15
For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. (1 Timothy 2:13-15 ESV) I have always struggled to understand this passage. I have read some very good … Continue reading Saved Through Childbearing?: Kostenberger’s View of 1 Tim 2:13-15
Priorities in Finding A Godly Spouse from Genesis 24
In Genesis 24, Abraham decides that it is time for his beloved son Isaac to have a wife. Now, in Abraham's day, as in some places in the world still today, marriages were "arranged" by the families of the bride and groom. So, like all good dads of his time and place in history, Abraham arranged … Continue reading Priorities in Finding A Godly Spouse from Genesis 24
The Theme of Joy in Philippians
Joy is a central theme in the book of Philippians. There are 15 explicit references to some form of either the noun “joy” (chara in Greek) or the verb “rejoice” (chairo) in this short letter. Paul prays for the Philippian believers with joy (chara) because of their partnership with him in the gospel. (1:4-5) He rejoices (chairo) … Continue reading The Theme of Joy in Philippians
Rejoice in the Lord Always?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4 ESV) Always rejoice? Always? How is it possible to rejoice even in the most difficult of times? For the believer in Christ, I want to argue that this is essential. And I want to show that what makes it possible is the phrase … Continue reading Rejoice in the Lord Always?
Ten Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage
According to Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 2:13-3:7, God created marriage to be a sweet picture of the Gospel in action. Therefore, the goal of biblical counseling with married couples is to, by God’s Spirit, point them to the Gospel and its magnificent implications for marriage. In that regard, I highly recommend and use each … Continue reading Ten Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage
Helping the Student Who Self-Injures
Self-injury (sometimes called "cutting") is the intentional infliction of injury to self without the aid of another person for the purpose of venting anger or self-justification. The intent is typically not suicidal. The self-injurer wants to live, but is simply trying to cope with extreme self-hate or anger. Although cutting the skin is the most … Continue reading Helping the Student Who Self-Injures
Soul Care Blog 