Dr. Charles Hodges, author of Good Mood Bad Mood gives clear, straight forward answers to questions like what is depression, bipolar disorder in the interview link below. This is a helpful interview that gets directly to important questions on these and other related topics. Here is the link.
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by Tedd and Margy Tripp In Chapter 2 of Instructing a Child’s Heart the Tripp’s lay the ground work for what they call Formative Instruction. Following is an introduction to this significant biblical concept: As we engage our children with formative instruction we must have the big picture in mind. The following five perspectives are important to keep in mind as we undertake formative instruction. • Remember Scripture is our personal history • Develop godly habits • Apply Scripture to life • Model spiritual vitality • Grow into a mature relationship with your children Keeping these five perspectives or goals in focus will give energy and shape to our formative instruction. Scripture Is Our Personal History Imagine a counselor hearing […]
We live with the illusion we can solve problems. If there is a major storm, we think we can control its impact. If there is a deadly disease we think we can cure it. If there is hunger we think we can satisfy it. If there is an unwanted child we can destroy him. If we want sex, we believe should have it in any fashion we desire. If there are wars, we believe we can avoid them. Don’t misunderstand! We must do whatever is possible to help others. Indeed that is our calling. But to think we can do these things by ourselves, without God, writing our own rules as we go, is nothing but arrogance and stupidity. […]
Shepherd Press has just released Everyday Talk about Sex & Marriage, a biblical handbook for parents. Here is an excerpt. When helping your children address the temptation of sexual arousal before marriage, the first consideration is encouraging your children to focus on bringing honor to God instead of following the path of self-pleasure. Parents and church leaders must teach our teens, by precept and example, not to yield to temptations to think sexual thoughts about someone to whom they are not married. The Bible does not condone a “try before you buy” policy with regard to sexual relations. According to Matthew 5:28, lust in the heart is as wrong as sexual sin in the flesh; sex is part of the marriage covenant […]
In yesterday’s post I mentioned several troubling concerns. Today’s news is more unsettling. Another case of ebola has emerged. The Center for Disease Control is currently attempting to contact over 130 passengers who were on the same flight with the infected person on a trip from Cleveland to Dallas. The financial markets are in continuing turmoil. People are talking, your children are listening. What do you tell them? What you and your children need to hear is that God is the place of safety no matter how challenging the circumstance. Note carefully the strength of the language in Psalm 46. Even though the ground gives way and mountains fall into the sea, God is your refuge. The Holy Spirit […]
Life has many dark valleys. The ebola threat looms more ominous each day. ISIS, our borders, financial uncertainty, gender confusion, blatant disregard for God, all of these concerns are the fuel for the 24/7 news cycle. But none of these have caught God by surprise. His son rules with wisdom, power and grace. The Holy Spirit inspired David to pen the 23rd Psalm for everyday life. This psalm speaks of reality as God sees it. We truly have no need of worry. In the presences of all of our enemies our God has spread before us a table filled with his merciful and gracious provision. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green […]
Shepherd Press: What motivated you to write the book? Clint Archer: I dropped into the deep end of ministry while still quite wet behind the ears, at age twenty-nine. I had no kids and had never counseled anyone whose marriage was longer than my own (four years at the time). Suddenly people who had been married for decades and had teenagers in the home were knocking on my door for marriage and parenting advice. Thankfully I had been trained that the Bible is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness and I realized these folks weren’t really interested in my advice anyway; they wanted God’s wisdom. So, I quickly learned to rely entirely on the word of God […]
The idea of Harvard being a place to study about God seems almost silly, given the beliefs of Harvard today. Today the goal of modern education is to distance itself as far as possible from God of the Bible. But this was not how Harvard began. The founders of Harvard saw God for who he was, the sustainer and Lord of all Creation. Here is an account from 1640 that describes how the college began. Something to think about! New England’s First Fruits 1640 (From Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1792, Vol 1., 242-248). The History of the Founding of Harvard College AFTER GOD HAD carried us safe to New England, and we had built our houses, provided necessaries […]
Biblical worship is transformational! God doesn’t call you to worship just so you can have a moving experience. He calls you to worship so that you will be confronted with his greatness. In worship you will praise God for his mercy. But will your praise result in you being more merciful? If if does not then your praise is empty and self-serving. He calls you to worship that leads to repentance. He calls you to be merciful as he is merciful. Biblical worship is transformational. You cannot truly worship God and remain the same. God does not treat you the way you deserve. If you treat others as you feel they deserve to be […]
I watched a recent documentary which featured William Shatner, who played the iconic character James Kirk. Now in his eighties, he was asked what he feared about death. This is what he said: “I am frightened of death… death is right there. i am fearful. I am panicked.” “What are you frightened of?” “I am fearful of losing all this.” Shatner has become famous and wealthy. He said that he is passionate about his family. In his words, he has much to live for. But the important question to be asked is this. Are his fears of “losing all of this” well founded? if indeed, he is most fearful of losing all that he has, […]