This is a weekly post that highlights resources from other counselors that I have found helpful. The counselors may be from the biblical counseling, Christian psychology, integration, or secular counseling traditions. By linking to a post, I am not giving it my full endorsement, I am merely indicating that I believe it made a unique contribution or raised an important subject for consideration.
Autism and the Blended Family by Ron L. Deal and Stephanie C. Holmes
Looking back Carol, a mother with an AS/ASD (Autism Spectrum/Autism Spectrum Disorder) child, could easily describe how hard being a single parent was; she prayed for years for a loving husband to help her raise her ASD son and his N-T (neuro-typical) older sister. Now, remarried and trying to blend a stepfamily of six, she wonders if staying single would have served her children better.
- I recently received a recommendation for Same Lake, Different Boat (see the What I’m Reading section below) and look forward to learning more.
One Man’s Story of Faithfully Loving His Wife Through Early Onset Dementia by Randy Alcorn
Six years ago, a neurologist gave Debbie Echternach, then age 56, a diagnosis no one wants to hear: “Your brain has atrophied. You have early onset dementia.” Since that time, her husband Jay, a good friend and an EPM board member, has written eloquently about their experience. Each time he sends an update about Debbie, I’ve deeply appreciated his heartfelt insights, and faithful love for his precious wife.
- If you benefited from this article, consider this guest post Dr. Benjamin Mast “The Psalms and Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease” from his book Second Forgetting: Remembering the Power of the Gospel during Alzheimer’s Disease which I recommend.
Growing Your Marriage While Having Young Kids (video) by Jen Wilkin • Melissa Kruger • Gavin Ortlund
Gavin Ortlund, Jen Wilkin, and Melissa Kruger discuss cultivating healthy marriages while raising young kids.
- If you have young children and are looking to enrich your marriage, consider the Creating a Gospel-Centered Marriage seminar series which is now available via podcast so you can listen on the go.
7 Holiday Survival Tips for Special Needs Families by Sheri Dacon
It’s called the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most stressful. As special needs parents, we often feel like wounded warriors as we limp our way into January. Here are seven holiday survival tips for special needs families to get you through the season with minimal wear and tear.
- I recently received a recommendation for Same Lake, Different Boat (see the What I’m Reading section below) and look forward to learning more.
5 Important Money Calculators to Check Out by Art Rainer
I know. Putting “money” and “calculator” in the title is a sure way to get people to avoid reading this article. But there are some great resources out there of which most need to be aware. Am I getting a good deal on this loan? How much do I need to retire? How much do I need to save for college? How much do I need to put toward my debt to pay it off in twelve months? These are all questions that you may face. And you need to know the answers to make informed, wise decisions with your money. You need to know your financial reality. So, while there are several good money calculators out there, let me introduce you to five of them.
- If you want more resources on how to manage your finances, consider this collection of resources.
What I’m Reading
Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability by Stephanie Hubach. When the church attempts to function without all of its parts, the body of Christ becomes disabled. Same Lake, Different Boat is a transformational work–designed to renew our minds to think biblically about disability in order that our lives, our relationships, and our congregations might wholly reflect Christ.
Tweets of the Week
“Fear operates as an appetite or an addiction. You can never be safe enough.” (Marilynne Robinson)
— Matthew Hall (@MatthewJHall) December 9, 2017
Beware, lest a legitimate wariness of pat answers devolves into cynicism and skepticism about the existence of any answers whatsoever.
— Keith Plummer (@XianMind) December 10, 2017
A major block in spiritual growth (why we fail to mature):
We want to be surrounded by nice, mature people instead of having our lack of love exposed by immature people.
Be wary of running from relationships instead of receiving grace and humility to grow in them
— Gary Thomas (@garyLthomas) November 22, 2017
Meaningful Meme
On the Lighter Side
Because, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones,” Proverbs 17:22.