What Ephesians Teaches Us About Our Past, Present, and Future
This article points to Ephesians 1:3-14 as a particularly rich way of telling the story of the Bible, and of the life of the believer—his past, present, and future.
Depression’s Partnership with Death (Part 4)
This is part of a series of articles on the topic of depression. This article explains how to be depressed is to be entangled by death. It shows that a few passages in Hebrews can point a depressed person in the direction of life
The Angry Person: Always the Last to Know
Do you have an anger problem? This article seeks to show how can you know if you have an anger problem so that you are not the last one to know if you have it.
Flirting with the Law
Is it possible to have your internet history reveal legalism in you? This article considers how we can adopt an attitude of works-righteousness in how we regard our time spent on the internet.
"With No Doubting"?
James 1:5–7 speaks about obtaining wisdom, yet it seems to make this impossible. What exactly does James mean when he speaks of "wholeheartedness"? What is our recourse if we struggle with being double-minded? Read the article for a biblical counsellor's perspective on the matter.
"Quick to Listen" to Whom?
So often, the letter of James is interpreted on a purely horizontal level. But the author's interpretation of a passage like James 1:19 shows that James is concerned with more than strictly person-to-person relationships. To what exactly should we be quick to listen?
When You Are Planning to Sin Again
What should you do when sin is once again in your sight? Confess, only to then ignore your confession? This article discusses how to move beyond patterns of denial or complacency. To that end, it considers the respective roles of grace and law in our life.
A Pastor's Wife: The Toughest Job on the Planet
A pastor's wife feels the weight of criticism or mistreatment of her husband just as much if not more than he does. This article considers why, and several ways to respond.
Whose Yoke Are You Under?
This article expounds on Matthew 11:28–30, where the Lord Jesus urges us to come to him and take his yoke upon ourselves.
When God Looks Like Your Earthly Father
Your view of your heavenly Father is largely determined by your view of your earthly father. This article suggests ways to dislodge tainted understandings of the heavenly Father and replace them with a truly biblical view.
Suffering, Step One
Does Love Really Believe All Things?
What does it really mean that, according to Paul, love "believes all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7)? Are we supposed to always believe what others, like our children, tell us? Read this article for an explanation on this verse.
Your Conscience Can Tell You Bad News, Not Good
Looking for clarity on the role of your conscience? Read this article to see both the blessing and limitation of your conscience.
Thinking More Often about Satan
Just what is Satan like? And how do you do battle with him? This article addresses these questions, and provides biblical, potent strategies in our spiritual warfare against Satan and his devices.
"Do People Who Commit Suicide Go to Heaven?"
How should you answer someone who asks, "Do people who commit suicide go to heaven?"? This article offers some wise counsel on how to minister either to those whose loved one has committed suicide or to those who themselves are close to suicide.
Anyone for a Little Scourging?
The Bible teaches that the Lord disciplines those whom he loves. The author reflects on this truth found in Hebrews 12, with a view to explaining how sanctification comes through discipline.
EMDR and the Meaning of Suffering
What is a godly way of working through suffering? This article begins by discussing a treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, yet it goes beyond promoting certain techniques by encouraging biblical ways of examining pain and suffering.
"If Only ..." Living with Regrets
Do you live with a lot of regret? This article shows by way of biblical examples that the kingdom of Christ is to be regret-free, on account of the mercies of Christ.
The Many Faces of Shame
This article gives some thought to the multi-faceted nature of shame, and shows how Christ enters into the lives of the shamed.
Self-Control: The World's Secret Desire
The author reflects on the current cultural interplay between self-indulgence and self-control. He points to faith in Christ as the way to grow in self-control. Along the way he comments on Acts 24:25, where Paul discoursed on self-control, among other topics.
About Love or Why I Hate Attraction
What exactly does "I do" at a wedding mean? Does it have anything to do with attraction? The article uses these questions to address one feature of real love, both within and outside of marriage.
How to Disarm an Angry Person
Likening it to a confrontation with someone with a loaded gun, the author suggests how to engage with and disarm an angry person in your life.
The Unpardonable Sin
Is it possible that some sins cannot be forgiven? This article discusses the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit by looking at Matthew 12:32 within the larger context, not only of the Gospel but of Scripture as a whole.
Hope for the Depressed
This article speaks directly to the depressed person, and speaks openly about depression. The author gives a picture of the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of depression, and then moves into biblical principles and strategies for change. Though a relatively short piece on the subject, the author capably handles some of its complexities, and leaves the reader with the encouragement to persevere in hope through the cross of Christ.
Basics about Bipolar (Part 3)
In this final post on bipolar disorder, the author reviews another book on the topic, this time a personal account of living with bipolar. He goes on to discuss three common views on the use of medication, and then concludes by revisiting the case study introduced in the first part of the series.
Basics about Bipolar (Part 2)
In this second of a series on the topic of bipolar disorder, the author reviews two more books. The first is written from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, and the second addresses bipolar in children, particularly in the form of mood swings.
Basics about Bipolar (Part 1)
In this first of a series on the topic of bipolar disorder (formerly "manic depression"), the author introduces a case study, followed by a basic framework for thinking biblically about the topic and for engaging with secular perspectives on the disorder. The blog post then summarizes and interacts with the first of four secular books on bipolar disorder, identifying how we can benefit from the book and thereby help people live in dependence upon Christ.
Motives: Why Do I Do the Things I Do?
The Fear of Man: When People Are Big and God Is Small
This article is about the fear of man and the fear of God. It also looks at the needs of people and peer pressure.
Helping the Victims of Domestic Violence
This article on pastoral care in domestic violence, also looks at listening to the abused, hope in God, and forgiveness and reconciliation after abuse.