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.
Here’s Why it Feels Like You Have No Free Time, in One Chart by Chris Weller
The red space is all the time we spend fiddling around on screens. The puny yellow and white slivers that remain are “where the magic happens,” Alter says. “That’s where your humanity lives, and right now it’s in a very small box.”
- To intentionally think through your time usage consider this “time budget” tool from my resource on burnout.
12 Ways to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse by Deepak Reju
What can be done about this problem? How can pastors and churches be more responsible in protecting our children? Let me suggest twelve best practices. None of these practices by themselves can completely eliminate the possibility of a sexual offender hurting your church kids. But together (if followed) they can reduce the risk and increase the likelihood that our kids will be safe. And who doesn’t want that, right?
- In addition to utilizing all available best practices to protect children, churches also need a plan for when prevention fails.
16 Resources for Mental Health Ministry by Amy Simpson
When it comes to mental health problems, church leaders are first responders—consciously or unconsciously. Yet most pastors are underequipped and either fearful or overconfident in responding to mental health issues. The good news is, resources are available. No pastor has to wonder what in the world to do to help. The resources below won’t make you a mental health expert and won’t take away the challenge and heartbreak of ministry to people in serious pain. But they will help you understand what people are up against, what they need, your limitations, and how you can help.
- In addition to the resources recommended by Amy Simpson here is a collection of mental health resources from this site.
Want to Raise Hard-Working, Responsible Kids? Teach Them These 10 Things by Jeff Haden
Want to help your kids be successful? Work to impart the following lessons. Not only will you help them today, but they will carry them through the rest of their lives, no matter where their hopes and dreams may take them.
- Want a context to teach these lessons? Here is an annual tradition I love with my boys where I try to instill many of these lessons.
Healthier Living Could Reduce Worldwide Dementia by a Third, Report Says by Tara Bahrampour
Up to one-third of the world’s dementia cases could be prevented by addressing factors such as education, hypertension, diet, hearing loss and depression over the course of a person’s lifetime, according to a new report presented Thursday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London.
- For a excellent resource on gospel implications for Alzheimer’s Disease, see the “What I’m Reading” section below.
What I’m Reading
Second Forgetting: Remembering the Power of the Gospel during Alzheimer’s Disease by Dr. Benjamin Mast – Alzheimer’s disease has been described as the “defining disease” of the baby boomer generation. Millions of Americans will spend much of their retirement years either caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or experiencing its effects on their lives firsthand. When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, they face great uncertainty, knowing that they can expect to live their remaining years with increasing confusion and progressively greater reliance upon other people to care for them. As the disease advances it seems to overwhelm a person, narrowing their focus and leading them to forget critical truths about the Lord, their life with him, and his promises.
Through the personal stories of those affected and the loved ones who care for them, Dr. Benjamin Mast highlights the power of the gospel for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Filled with helpful, up-to-date information, Dr. Mast answers common questions about the disease and its effect on personal identity and faith as he explores the biblical importance of remembering and God’s commitment to not forget his people. In addition, he gives practical suggestions for how the church can come alongside families and those struggling, offering help and hope to victims of this debilitating disease.
Tweets of the Week
Word to the controlling impulse – "we are terrible authors of other people's stories." (@scottsauls)
— Joshua Reitano (@joshuareitano) July 19, 2017
I don't want to waste my life waiting to be discovered. I want to spend my life discovering.
— Aleah Marsden (@AleahMarsden) August 1, 2017
The biggest obstacle for me with apologizing isn't getting the words out — it's being humble enough to realize I even need to say them.
— Joshua Rogers (@MrJoshuaRogers) July 26, 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.
Twitter is like speed dating but for arguments.
— James Martin (@Pundamentalism) August 7, 2017