Are You Angry Enough?
There are those who share such sorrowful memories of abuse, neglect, molestation, unfaithful spouses, parents leaving, mistreatment, death of loved ones, etc. These heartrending stories are often lamented to us between sobs and frustrated cries of anger…and I ask…are you angry enough?
Does Anyone See Me?
What do I need when I struggle with being seen amid despair? I need the confidence and hope in the core of my being that God sees me – really sees me – and that He cares!
Is Marriage Still Relevant?
With all the negativity surrounding marriage and the high divorce rates, why does a purported antiqued institution still seem to be so widely held up as a lofty goal to attain? Why do we still hold so deeply in our souls the desire to find one person that we will still love and be committed to in fifty years’ time?
Too Tired to Care - A Lesson in Compassion Fatigue
No matter how well versed we become in helping others, we still need others to give us perspective. I was not taking my own advice and had let subtle lies creep into God’s requirements on my life that I would never put on someone else. I had begun to believe that God had done so much for me, that I couldn’t ask for more.
Protecting the Vulnerable from Abuse (video)
In this video, BCA counselor, Joe Leavell, shares our heart to protect the vulnerable from abuse, specifically addressing the protection of women. Rather than overlooking abuse to keep the reputations of ministries free from scandal or keeping a culture of abuse in the shadows to not upset the status quo, we will not minimize abuse or protect abusers.
Be Nice to me. My Friend Just Died - Part 2
In this grace hunt I find God really did ease the sadness with His tender mercies. Slowly, day by day my soul found freedom. Freedom to move forward, free to care again, free to open my heart and live in love.
Be Nice to me. My Friend Just Died - Part 1
Grief is fine and very appropriate but as the days progressed my sadness turned ugly. I realized that I was overly sensitive with everyone. “Be nice to me, my friend just died,” I wanted to tell every person I ran into.
Planting Seeds - Our Hope in the Resurrection
If Christ had not risen from the dead then my brother would have perished forever. However, Jesus really has risen again from the dead! The grave is empty!! Jesus is alive!!!
I Know the Right Answer So Why Can’t I Change?
We know sin is destructive. We feel its horrific effects every day. We know both intellectually and experientially that sin causes us pain and that God is not honored when we choose to disregard His ways. So why can’t we change?
What Is Your Value?
What is your value? Does it depend on how others treat you on any given day or is there someone who has ascribed even more value to you? How much value does God say you have?
Reconciling the Irreconcilable
You want something to be a certain way but your spouse stubbornly can’t see things the “correct way” and wants something else. So now what?
What Do You Love?
What do you love and how can you tell? Do you have someone walking alongside you to help you see your blind spots?
Shin Splints and Biblical Counseling
Just like getting shin splints from running incorrectly, wanting to do the right thing and not knowing how can be frustrating and can be a hope killer! What you don’t know can hurt you when you are not living according to God’s wisdom.
Groaning vs. Grumbling
Complaining puts us in the judgment seat of Almighty God, and demands that He answer to us for our pain. Groaning leads to worship; complaining leads to despair.
Groaning for Home
This life that we live now includes a deep angst to be free from the presence of sin, from the wearing out of our bodies in death, from all suffering and wrongdoing, and to finally be in the presence of our Savior where we will worship Him in His presence for eternity. We long and groan for that day!
My Psalm
Several years ago, I was challenged through the ministry of a class in our church, to write out my own psalm of what I was wrestling through in my understanding of God. While it is a beautiful thing to read and sing the stories and poetry of others to God, it is also important for us to voice our own hearts to Him in worship as well.
Faithfully Stewarding Death
Unless your name is Enoch or Elijah, or if Jesus comes back before that time, you are going to die. Is that a morbid thought? It’s certainly not comfortable to think about, but it’s the reality of the world in which we face. It’s time to prepare!
Secure in God’s Love
No matter what the difficulties of life, no matter how strong the enemy of the brethren might accuse you, there is no time when you could not stand tall and firm and shout to the heavens, “My Father in Heaven loves me!!”
I Wish God Would Just Appear to Me
I get it. I want to see God too. I desire more than anything else to physically worship at the feet of Jesus. Frankly, I totally get how much simpler it would be to obey and to have faith in someone whose glory you can verify with your senses. I want to see the scars on His hands and His feet, and forever praise Him for redeeming me from my sin. Today would sure be nice!
God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever (A Meditation on Psalm 136)
God’s steadfast love is enduring. It is permanent. It will never end but will go on forever and ever. Do you know what this means? It means Psalm 136 will never end!