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Encouragement for Pastors & Professionals

The more I think about the human suffering in our world and my desire to offer a healing response, the more I realize how crucial it is not to allow myself to become paralyzed by feelings of impotence and guilt. More important than ever is to be very faithful to my vocation to do well the few things I am called to do and hold on to the joy and peace they bring me. I must resist the temptation to let the forces of darkness pull me into despair and make me one more of their many victims. ~ Henri J. M. Nouwen

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Dealing with Disappointment in Self

Disappointment in self
Who hasn’t felt it?
Chatter of internal communication
Falls silent
Image of parent past
Comes to life
Bigger than life
Immovable
…and angry.
Visceral dread
Spreads.
Tightness in throat
Shallowness of breathing
Bowing of head
Awareness narrows
Awaiting arrows
Certainly deserved…

SURPRISE!!
It’s a FEELING!!

Deep breath
Expanded focus
Gaze lifts
Shoulders relax
Honest reflection sorts wheat from chaff
Chatter begins
Balance restored
Everything flows
Decisions made
Self released…

Forgiveness is such a gift.

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Talking to the Children About the Alcoholic Parent

I grew up in an alcoholic environment, but no one ever told me that my step dad was an alcoholic; I thought it was normal for people to drink 10 beers every night. After all he went to work every day, early in the morning and never missed a day of work. How can that be an addiction? Many alcoholics get up early every morning and go to work, have families, and even go to church and profess to be Christian, but none of that can take the addiction away from them — it only gives them justification to continue to drink.

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Detaching From the Alcoholic

Ask Angie: Hi Angie, I was reading your article titled “Do You Love an Alcoholic – Setting Boundaries for You”. I’d like to follow these suggestions, but I have some questions. How long should I detach myself before I should move out? We have two kids (3 and 5). How do I go about detaching when we all live together? Should I move me and my kids out for a while? How do I explain to them what’s going on?

Marriage Guidance:

How Long Should I Detach Before Moving Out?

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Can You Love in the Midst of Hate?

1 John 2:9-11 NRSV
Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

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Tired of Being Sacrificial?

1 John 2:4-6 NRSV
Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not obey His commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys His word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in Him: whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as He walked.

Do you ever get tired of being sacrificial? Of feeling like you’re the only one who gives in, who ministers, who forgives? I do. I have even wondered why God refuses to take up my cause and make things happens the way that I want them to happen. Which, of course, is the problem. Because the Lord Jesus never demanded that things happen in His own way.

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Bible Verses for Bulimia

Even if you have bulimia, know that the Bible contains relevant verses for your recovery. Let God speak to you through His Word. He can help you address underlying issues, and a He can also provide a safe place for you to express your emotions instead of engaging in bulimic behaviors.

While bulimic behaviors may seem to provide a satisfactory distraction from feeling emotions, such relief is only temporary. But feeling the feelings is easier said than done. Sometimes it’s challenging to find ways to express those emotions. Not only that, but it can also be difficult to even be comfortable with having emotions.

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You may have “learned” but do you really “know?”

1 John 2:3 NRSV
Now by this we may be sure that we know Him, if we obey His commandments.

I’m spending my summer in Clarksville, Tennessee, with my son and daughter-in-law (they’re expecting our first grandchild). Prior to coming, I spent some time looking at maps to acquaint myself with the general area. I also spent some time online learning a little about the town and the nearby Army base, Fort Campbell. But, I have to admit, that I didn’t know anything about Clarksville until I came here. And even now, I know very little (except how to get from home to the Wal-Mart). Why? Because I haven’t lived here; I haven’t become a citizen.

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Bible Verses for Anorexia

The Bible contains relevant principles that you may apply in your recovery from anorexia. God’s word can help you address underlying issues, and He can help you progress in your recovery. Be honest with yourself and search the Scriptures for what you need.

Some who have anorexia are actually starved for love. It may not seem that way, and they may not have realized it themselves yet, but underneath that is how they feel deep down. Many have experienced deep rejection and struggle because others do not understand them, so they just want to be loved and understood. Those feelings surface in restricting food intake, in starving themselves. If you feel this way yourself, there is One who loves you beyond description.

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Why Should a Wife be Submissive to Her Husband?

Why do some Christian women have a difficult time dealing with the submission issue in marriage? It is because over the years the scriptures have been abused to mean something other than what God meant. Unfortunately, many Christians lose the greatest relationship on earth and in heaven because of their own unwillingness to follow Christ and realize HE IS THEIR SOURCE!

“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

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