When the only opinion in the room that matters to you is the Lord’s, you’re as free as you can be. Nobody could manipulate or manage Jesus because He was under the management of His Father’s opinion. As Christ-followers, our goal is to be likewise.… Continue Reading …
Mable has struggled for many years with guilt. All of it is real, though much of it is not her fault. After twenty years of fighting, her guilt—true and false—is so convoluted that it is hard to sort it out. In one sense, it does… Continue Reading …
These are the actual counseling notes from a friend that I met with for counseling. She permitted me to share them, which I altered slightly and flattened out for public distribution. Counseling notes miss a lot of data. While they cover the breadth of one… Continue Reading …
Forgiveness is only one aspect of the change process. It is not a complete change when talking about repentance, but it is one of the mile markers that lead to change. Understanding the concept of forgiveness is vital because if you do not do it… Continue Reading …
How do your attitudes, words, and actions move people? Our behavior motivates people in one direction or the other. We are pushing people toward Christ or away from Him. We’re not responsible for their choices, but we are vital secondary actors who must always think… Continue Reading …
How do you discern the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? Though the question may seem to be your “run-of-the-mill” Bible question, how you answer it will determine the quality of your life and relationships. You may want to read: Rick’s Counseling Notes on… Continue Reading …
Have you ever been discouraged? Silly question, I know. You are human, and you have battled our discouraging foe. Finite people living in an uncontrollable, infinite world creates a formula that leads to despair. Throw sin into the mix, and discouragement is a guarantee. I… Continue Reading …
How many ways are available from the Lord to help you grow up in Christ? Most folks would say things like the Bible, prayer, church, and close friends. They are correct. Those are four essential means of grace for maturing in Christlikeness. Here’s one more.… Continue Reading …
Conviction is one of God’s kindnesses to His creation. In the spiritual realm, the concept of experiencing conviction is analogous to the pain we feel in our physical bodies. Actual guilt that leads to conviction is God’s way of telling us that something is wrong… Continue Reading …
Lingering regret is an ongoing sadness about a disappointing moment from your past. It is different from temporal sorrow. Temporary sad periods are normal human emotional responses to undesirable circumstances. Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, TuneIn, or Stitcher.… Continue Reading …