I had a conversation with two counselees, and the issue of lying came up. I mentioned to them that telling falsehoods is a regular part of my profession. It was a sad, but true statement. Listen to … Continue Reading
Mind Mapping a Lady with a Small God
The path to a "small god" begins in childhood. It leads to self-reliant living, which is always destructing to relationships. The way out of this type of dysfunction is possible with a little help … Continue Reading
Why I Can’t Tell My Spouse Everything I’m Thinking
Being married and being a Christian does not automatically mean you will connect and relate to your spouse at the most secret part of your soul, which is your intimate knowledge of and experience with … Continue Reading
Rick, Why Won’t You Counsel Another Way?
A counselee asked why I won’t counsel another way. She discerned a death feel to my counseling, and she was struggling. Though she does not disagree … Continue Reading
Let Me Tell You about My White Privilege
Individuals within every group are guilty of making every person within a specific demographic or category the same. E.g., all whites are the same. … Continue Reading
A Good Listener Listens on Two Levels
To understand someone effectively, you have to listen on two levels. You listen to what they are saying, and you must listen at the heart level. There … Continue Reading
Did You Know There Is a Better Way to Do Counseling?
Sometimes when some people hear the words biblical counseling, they think about a two-tier system within Christianity: those who can counsel and those … Continue Reading
How a Great Nation Falls
The Bible teaches that those who forget God will not last (Job 8:13). Whether we’re talking about a nation or an individual, the truth is evident: it … Continue Reading
I’m Angry at God Because He Did Not Help Me
Member Question - I was once asked the following: "How do you encourage someone toward the Lord when they are angry at God for past difficulties? They … Continue Reading
I Went to a President Trump Rally Last Night
We have been visiting with Lucia’s sister in western Minnesota. She told us about the “Trump rally” next door in Fargo, North Dakota. We needed to get … Continue Reading
Do I Need to Be Certified to Become a Counselor?
The question is, “Do I need to be certified to be a counselor?” The answer is, “No, not necessarily. You are already certified.” Let me explain, … Continue Reading
Have You Fallen for the Being Understood Trap?
A desire to be understood can create a false continuum with some individuals. It happens this way: a person is so impressed with how someone … Continue Reading
“I Am Mad at God. There, I Said It.”
God is calling you to trust Him. There is a plan, and you are part of that plan. It is so easy to want to be the author of the narrative rather than … Continue Reading
The Gay Guy Said, “I Was Born This Way.”
Homosexuality is one of the more sensitive issues today, which should cause heightened awareness for Christians to guard their attitudes regarding how … Continue Reading
Today’s Christian Replaces Yesterday’s Negro and Gay Person
Some of us are old enough to remember how our culture discriminated against the negro and gay community. All of us have seen how that has changed. We … Continue Reading