People choose churches based on various things, as you know. In my opinion, the list includes the following in this order: Location– If someone can find a church which includes all, or most of, the rest of this list, they will go to that church first. Doctrine – People can, and do, ignore closer located…
While sitting through the movie, “The Shack,” along with my wife, I was struck with an odd idea. Well, to be honest, odd to me. The main character was going through a dilemma which tore at his very soul. On the one hand, he blamed himself for the death of his daughter, and on the…
First Kings 3:16-28, tells a story of two women who came before King Solomon. Each was claiming that a certain baby was theirs. What had happened, was that one of the women accidentally killed her baby by rolling over on it during the night. When she awoke and saw what she had done, she went…
As a counselor of 30 years, I have had the opportunity to speak at many marriage seminars, retreats, and other similar gatherings. On top of that, I have counseled with hundreds of persons, as well as many couples, regarding their marriages. I have come to the conclusion that those of us who do choose to…
These were the words of a young wife who came to see me for counseling. Her husband of a few years had left her for someone else, and she was angry and mortified at the prospects of divorce. “Can’t God just make him get right?” she cried. She grew up in church where she heard…
The answer to this question is not a simple “yes,” or “no.” A religiously motivated person will have no problem instantly shouting “No!” to the question, at the top of his or her lungs. On the other hand, those of us who have actually read the Word and consider it’s teaching, will understand that while…
Section One – Adult Children Helping is doing something for someone that he is not capable of doing himself. Enabling is doing for someone things that he could and should be doing himself. Being the Bank of Mom and Dad, or the Bank of Grandma and Grandpa. Loaning money that is never repaid, buying things…
During a recent conversation with a fellow Christian who was arguing that he wanted to start digging deeper into the things of God, I challenged him with what seemed a simple question. I asked him, “Do you believe that the earth is spinning at 1,000 miles per hour?” He paused a moment and answered, “Everyone…
The problem with spiritual blindness is that those who are spiritually blind don’t know it. This is why we are exhorted in the Word to make a self-examination. (See 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB), “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus…
PracticalCounseling.Com recently received an email for Pastor Juan Pérez. In it, the person asked an important question which deserves review. Here is the question, and Pastor Juan’s answer. Dear Pastor Juan, The reason for this email has to do with something you wrote about God creating evil since there is nothing in the world that…
Why do some people struggle so much living the Christian life as they understand the Lord wants from them. They tell themselves that they want to do what is “right,” but they find themselves often going against this desire, and giving in to baser urges. As a counselor, I have often had people in my…
Do You, As A Counselor, Pass The Test? In chapter 2 of the book of Revelation, in the first seven verses, Jesus sends a message to the church at Ephesus. In this message, He makes one interesting statement, among the rest. (NASB, verse 2) “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that…