Preface: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18 Four years later, I am still rummaging through Heidi’s personal effects. Trinkets, cards and notes she wrote and received, gifts and other items that hold no substantive … Continue reading Death of a Spouse, Part V: Rising Hope in a Risen Savior
The Sufficiency of God’s Grace in our Everyday Weakness
* * * * 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of … Continue reading The Sufficiency of God’s Grace in our Everyday Weakness
Walk By Faith in 2024
By the grace of God, we pressed through 2023 and entered a new year today. Yet, I wonder how last year went for you. Are you looking back in discouragement and disappointment? How much were you beset by troubles and hardships? Are you looking ahead with fear or worry? Because each day has enough trouble on it's own, I … Continue reading Walk By Faith in 2024
I am in pain and distress
As hard as it is for us to accept, we must arrive, by the Spirit's help, to the belief and conviction that relief from pain and distress is not the most important thing we need. Relief is good but God's salvation is better.
How to Deal with Grief at Christmas
The course of grief invariably leads us through seasons, like Christmas and it invariably crosses thresholds of painful memories. But the realization that grief is like a watercourse directed by God which we need not fully grasp or understand will help us move toward accepting the grief when it comes.
Where is God? (Pt 2)
God has the prerogative of silence, but we must also always realize, he has already spoken. He will not speaking anything new. Rather, he will, by his Spirit, use his Word to cause you to hear what is he saying to you in your pain.
A Comfort Received
Introduction: March 28th is the first anniversary of my late wife going to glory. Her name was Heidi. And that is how best to put it that she is in glory. She is not dead but with the Lord. Though we wait for the resurrection of the body (1 Cor 15:42), we know in the … Continue reading A Comfort Received
Transformed by the Power of the Gospel
Transformation by the power of the gospel is a transformation wrought by the work of Spirit of Christ in us as we come to him according to his invitation. Transformation by the power of the gospel bears certain kinds of fruit that enable us to know whether transformation is occurring; whether Christ is supplying our needs according to his promise.
Where is God?
Close yours eyes. Contemplate the essence of your pain. Consider your loss, your suffering, your hardship, your ailment, your difficulty, your struggle, the thing in your life you desperately wish were different…then, as you go to that deep, dark place of silent aloneness, ask the question: God, where are you?
In the Wake of Grief
God is not above bringing suffering in our lives in order to further unite the body of Christ. If you are suffering, if you are grieving, if you are lost and alone, may I encourage you to consider taking hope that comfort is available in Christ's body; that is, the church of God. Bring yourself closer to Christ's body, and so when you suffer, you can see and experience and learn that suffering is a community activity that brings you closer to Christ himself.
Whate’re My God Ordains Is Right – Samuel Rodigast
Whate're My God Ordains: This song and the truths this song provides testimony to serve as anchors for us as we wrestle with deep issues that might lead us into the counseling office.
The Creaking on the Stairs
A must read for anyone wanting to peer into very the difficult questions we inevitably face concerning human suffering and The Gospel. The author's biographical account of both his story of suffering at the hand of her is paired with his account of the saving and merciful redemption of Him our Lord, Jesus.
Clear the Stage – Ross King
As killing sin cost Christ his life in pain, so killing the sin in your heart will cost you your life in pain.
Empathy in Counseling
As a professional counselor, I sit across from struggling souls just about every day. People have all kinds of problems and the nuances to people's problems are many. It is not uncommon that some solutions per se are very readily apparent. But what is sometimes less obvious is that we need more than "solutions" - … Continue reading Empathy in Counseling