Defending the Temple
How much value do we place on the sanctity of God’s Temple? While the children of Israel were literally willing to stack their bodies up in heaps to defend the Temple in Jerusalem, have we even settled the basic question of who owns our bodies? Have we allowed our enemies an open door to what is sacred?
What’s the Big Deal? It was Just…
No sin is only a ‘just’ in any sense of the word against a Holy God. Saying our words and actions are no big deal is to proclaim that your view of God is so small that you see punching him in the face as a “no biggie.”
When Jesus Wept
Two simple words in a story in the middle of the Gospel of John, but what led to those words and the weight that they carry is astounding!
If Jesus is Enough, Why Do I Need Counseling?
If in our darkest moments it is God who we need, and specifically it is Jesus who wants us to come to Him with our burdens, then why would we ever need anyone else? Why do we need the church?
Dear Alexa…I Mean, Dear God.
We would take little comfort from our smart device if we said, “Alexa, I don’t understand why life is so hard” and it responded, “It’s OK. I’m here. I’m enough for you.” If those same words feel equally hollow when it’s Jesus, it might be an indication that you have been treating him as a smart device and not as the dearest of friends.
The Closest of All Relationships
God made a specific point to express His love and desire for relationship with us in various ways in order to ensure we could comprehend some measure to the complete depth of His affections towards us.
After Divorce: A Counselee’s Story
God offers you forgiveness, hope and life that He made possible through His own mercy and grace. I’ve experienced it.
The Miraculous and the Mourning - Struggling with Survivor’s Guilt
In our grief, God does not always answer our questions with a “because.” He gives us something better. He gives us a “who.” His name is Jesus.
Perfect Peace for Moms
Jesus left us His peace and all those who find Him can experience that peace.
Yes, even us moms.
When God Seems as Absent as Baby Formula (A Meditation on Psalm 42)
Think of the mother going from store to store with a crying baby who is hungry, desperately searching for formula, and coming up empty. Psalm 42 is this kind of cry of frustrated desperation rather than some warm teenage infatuation.
Are You Angry Enough?
There are those who share such sorrowful memories of abuse, neglect, molestation, unfaithful spouses, parents leaving, mistreatment, death of loved ones, etc. These heartrending stories are often lamented to us between sobs and frustrated cries of anger…and I ask…are you angry enough?
Does Anyone See Me?
What do I need when I struggle with being seen amid despair? I need the confidence and hope in the core of my being that God sees me – really sees me – and that He cares!
Is Marriage Still Relevant?
With all the negativity surrounding marriage and the high divorce rates, why does a purported antiqued institution still seem to be so widely held up as a lofty goal to attain? Why do we still hold so deeply in our souls the desire to find one person that we will still love and be committed to in fifty years’ time?
Too Tired to Care - A Lesson in Compassion Fatigue
No matter how well versed we become in helping others, we still need others to give us perspective. I was not taking my own advice and had let subtle lies creep into God’s requirements on my life that I would never put on someone else. I had begun to believe that God had done so much for me, that I couldn’t ask for more.
Protecting the Vulnerable from Abuse (video)
In this video, BCA counselor, Joe Leavell, shares our heart to protect the vulnerable from abuse, specifically addressing the protection of women. Rather than overlooking abuse to keep the reputations of ministries free from scandal or keeping a culture of abuse in the shadows to not upset the status quo, we will not minimize abuse or protect abusers.
Be Nice to me. My Friend Just Died - Part 2
In this grace hunt I find God really did ease the sadness with His tender mercies. Slowly, day by day my soul found freedom. Freedom to move forward, free to care again, free to open my heart and live in love.
Be Nice to me. My Friend Just Died - Part 1
Grief is fine and very appropriate but as the days progressed my sadness turned ugly. I realized that I was overly sensitive with everyone. “Be nice to me, my friend just died,” I wanted to tell every person I ran into.
Planting Seeds - Our Hope in the Resurrection
If Christ had not risen from the dead then my brother would have perished forever. However, Jesus really has risen again from the dead! The grave is empty!! Jesus is alive!!!
I Know the Right Answer So Why Can’t I Change?
We know sin is destructive. We feel its horrific effects every day. We know both intellectually and experientially that sin causes us pain and that God is not honored when we choose to disregard His ways. So why can’t we change?
What Is Your Value?
What is your value? Does it depend on how others treat you on any given day or is there someone who has ascribed even more value to you? How much value does God say you have?