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.
4 Ways Brothers Can Encourage Their Sisters in Ministry by Melissa Kruger
I know some men may have read [Beth] Moore’s article and wondered, What can I do to encourage my sisters? While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are four ways my brothers have supported me and loved me well as we serve together.
Seven Reasons Why Church is Difficult for those Touched by Mental Illness by Steven Grcevich
As a physician specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, I wondered whether church participation was a problem for the types of families served by our practice—kids with anxiety, depression, or ADHD, and parents who were often receiving treatment for a mental health condition. I began informally surveying families about their church involvement during follow-up visits and was floored by some of the stories they shared.
- This article on “50 Good Mental Health Habits” is an attempt to help de-stigmatize the conversation about mental health in the church.
When Children Say “I’m Bored” by Julie Lowe
We have a common crisis in our home; it is the calamity of boredom. Our children might even consider it a catastrophe. “I’m bored” is repeated so often it would not be an overstatement to say that these words echo continuously throughout our home especially during any break from school.
God’s Idea of “Good” by Joni Eareckson Tada
But I’ve lived long enough in my wheelchair to know that sometimes, our idea of “good” falls substantially short from God’s idea of good. So how do we accurately read Psalm 84:11?
- I have always appreciated Joni’s courage and sweet spirit as she engages hard questions about suffering. I hope this article “How to Find Joy in Suffering” embodies the same disposition.
Six Good Lessons from Disability by Paul Tautges
Dr. Ralston writes an essay entitled, “Why Am I Disabled? – Reflections on Life’s Questions and God’s Answers.” In this essay, he mentions some of the good lessons he has learned from living with a disability.
- These articles on suffering took me back to a resource from Brian Croft (see the “What I’m Reading” section below).
What I’m Reading
Visit the Sick: Ministering God’s Grace in Times of Illness by Brian Croft. One of the marks of the ministry of Jesus is his compassionate care for the sick. Jesus brought healing and hope to individuals struggling with life-debilitating illnesses. Ministry to the sick should also be a mark of his followers, but in many churches today it is neglected or pushed to the periphery of ministry concerns.
To counter our modern tendency to minimize or ignore sickness, pastor Brian Croft looks to paradigms of the past and examines historical models of care that honor God, obey the teachings of Scripture, and communicate loving care to those who are struggling with sickness and disease.
Visit the Sick gives pastors, church leaders, and caregivers the biblical, theological, pastoral, and practical tools they need to navigate through both the spiritual and physical care of the sick and dying.
Tweets of the Week
Comparison robs us of the empathy needed to pray for those who long for what we have and the humility needed to pray for those who have what we long for.
— Lore FergusonWilbert (@lorewilbert) May 14, 2018
The best men, if they sin, should give the best example of repentance. —Matthew Henry
— Tabletalk Magazine (@Tabletalk) May 12, 2018
It's not that beauty is absent in the creation of woman.
It's that sermons on the creation of Adam include physicality, yes, but also work, leadership, cultivation, creativity, etc.
Yet with Eve's creation, it's all about her body. With none of the rest of God's holistic image.
— Ashley Gorman (@AshMarvGorman) May 12, 2018
Christians, especially ministers, so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
— Micah Fries (@micahfries) May 11, 2018
Meaningful Meme
On the Lighter Side
Because, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones,” Proverbs 17:22.
Probably the most common writing weakness I see in students who can write and think well is the use of ill-chosen, nonsensical, inappropriate, over-the-top, absurd, rampant, and very totally rather unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. #amgrading
— Karen Swallow Prior (@KSPrior) May 15, 2018