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.

How to Be a Happy Husband: Advice to a 15-year-old Son by J.D. Greear

This is great advice for all the 15-year-olds out there, a helpful template for all the parents out there, and a much needed reminder to all the husbands out there!

They Call It Narcissism by Ed Welch

As a catalyst for thought, I read Disarming the Narcissist by Wendy Behary. Though not a Christian book, I was helped by her kindness and insight, and she actually rekindled my interest in engaging those who fit the narcissist description. Rather than review the book, I will identify a few of the points that helped me rethink how to love those who show this level of entitled self-interest.

Resources for Broken Hearts by Lisa LaGeorge

I work with college students, so I work often with broken hearts:  girls who are certain that this guy was the one and now they will never be happy again; nice guys who only meet 8 of a girl’s list of 10 essential husband qualities, girls afraid of broken hearts who won’t ever say “Yes” to a cup of coffee.  My own heart has been broken a time or two with all of the reasons above.  After the season with the many tissues is over, what to do?

Growth vs. Contentment: do I have to choose? by David Hughes

I often hear people talk as if there are really two options: either be happy with themselves and their circumstances or pursue growth and improvement. The problem with this narrative is that it contains a few assumptions.

  • Contentment is often misunderstood, which makes it hard to achieve. Here is another clarification on the subject: Contented Contentment.

The Next Frontier in Pornography by Tim Challies

Over the past few years I have had many opportunities to speak on the twin subjects of pornography and technology… When I speak on these topics I typically conclude with a Q&A session, and of all the questions I’ve been asked, this may be the most common: What’s next? What’s the next big technology for which we are likely to embrace the obvious benefits and only learn about the risks after the damage has already been done?

  • For an excellent resource on how the gospel helps us fight for purity consider the “What I’m Reading” resource below.

What I’m Reading

Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn Free by Tim Chester. Pornography is everywhere. Far too many Christians regularly use and are addicted to it, warping their perception of sexuality and relationships, destroying marriages and ministries. But Christians who struggle with porn also long for change. When we realize the unfulfilling emptiness of porn, we come to yearn for freedom from it. But what do we do?

Tim Chester says that we can be captured by a better vision–a liberating confidence that God offers more than pornography does. Moving beyond pat answers or mere willpower, Chester offers spiritual, practical and corporate resources for living porn free. He exposes the false promises of porn and redirects us to the true promises of God. With assurance of God’s grace and cleansing power, we can change our desires and escape the traps and temptations of pornography. However great the challenge, God’s grace is even greater. And we can come to a place where we no longer feel the need to use porn. Close the window on porn. And open the door to freedom, integrity and new life.

Tweets of the Week

Meaningful Meme

On the Lighter Side

Because, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones,” Proverbs 17:22.

… said no dog ever.