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.
8 Lies to Reject in Overcoming Lust and Pornography by Chuck Lawless
I’ve seen [pornography] destroy far too many families and ministries. I greatly appreciate the ministries and resources now available to help people work toward freedom. At the same time, here are some falsehoods I’ve heard for winning this battle:
- For more guidance on overcoming a struggle with pornography consider this collection of resources.
Dealing with a Difficult Ex-Spouse: 10 Tips to Help You Cope by Ron Deal
Wouldn’t it be nice if adults could remember that parenting is not about them, and that it is about the children? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the pain of the broken personal relationships of the past could be kept separate from the practical parental concerns of the present. Wouldn’t it be nice… Yes, it would. But sometimes people aren’t nice. Dealing with a difficult ex-spouse can be very discouraging and defeating. Yet, we are called to continue trying to pursue good, to “turn the other cheek”, and “walk the extra mile.” Hopefully the following tips can aid you in your efforts to cope—because it’s all about the children.
- For more on effective co-parenting consider this post entitled “Spiritually-Morally Divided Co-Parents in a Blended Family.“
On Loneliness and Addictive Technology by Philip Lorish
All too often, what is sacrificed at the altars of “work” and “family” is friendship (and sleep). In the process of reporting the piece, Baker comes to realize that he is, in fact, “a textbook case of the silent majority of middle-aged men who won’t admit they’re starved for friendship, even if all signs point to the contrary.” In seeking to remedy this situation, Baker comes to the conclusion that “built-in regularity” is crucial. It is not enough to admit to being lonely, or even to form ad hoc relationships around shared interests. What is required is something like “Wednesday Night,” a simple friendship-sustaining practice that Baker learns from a local man named Ozzy. For years, Ozzy and his friends got together on Wednesday nights, without an agenda and with any number of activities in mind.
- For more on the role of community in the process of change, consider this post entitled “The Therapeutic Benefit of Community .”
8 Things The Happiest Couples Do Every Morning by Kelsey Borresen
Are You a Confirmation Bias Christian? by Jared Wilson
Confirmation bias – The tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories.
- If this subject interests you, consider the resources listed in the “What I’m Reading” section below.
What I’m Reading
(Actually, this time I’m listening to) Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills by Steven Novella, M.D. What should you think? Who should you believe? Could you be deceiving yourself? These are questions that all critical thinkers of any age must constantly ask themselves. There is no more important skill in today’s world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in a way that is both effective and responsible. Critical thinking transforms you from a passive member of society into an active participant in the ideas and issues of the day. It empowers you to better understand nearly every single aspect of everyday life, from health and nutrition to science and technology to philosophical and spiritual belief systems.
Tweets of the Week
Your "writer's block" is probably due to your reader' block. Good books always help us think new thoughts and old thoughts in new ways.
— Joseph Solomon (@WhatIsJoeDoing) March 27, 2017
"What the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies." -Cranmer
— David Fairchild (@David_Fairchild) March 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.
Where has this been all my life? I still need this. pic.twitter.com/ZfxDL6588s
— Geoff Holsclaw (@geoffholsclaw) March 9, 2017