We Can Honestly Pray
There is much to be said about prayer in Scripture. We are told to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16). What happens, though, when our emotions are churning and we do not feel like praying—or at least not like “giving thanks”? Often we may hear prayer described in such a way that we think we must use “flowery” language or make it “neat.” Instead of honest, gut-wrenching emotion, prayer becomes a half-truth of what is really going in the heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can...
Read MoreLook at the Wildflowers
Counselors Reflect on Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp A Series to Care for the Care Takers of God’s People “All creation is meant to be a finger pointing us to ultimate glory, the only glory that can ever satisfy the human heart, the glory of God” (Paul David Tripp in Dangerous Calling, page 48). Several years ago, I was reading Matthew 6:25-34, needing to be reminded of the promise that God cares for us and knows what we need all the time—especially in the midst of anxiety. I had spent two years of my life overseas, and it was time to return back to the United States. I had...
Read MoreCan Suffering Blind Us?
What does it mean when something blinds us? Webster defines blind (in the verb form) as (1) cause of (someone) being unable to see, permanently or temporarily; (2) to deprive (someone) of understanding, judgment, or perception. Blindness brings with it an inability to see. Scripture is clear that sin can blind us. Sin may blind us in two ways. First, the Lord may blind hearts to sin (Lam. 4:14, 2 Cor. 4:4; John 3:19-20; John 12:39-40). The life of Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar are examples of this type of blindness. A second type of blindness results when someone continues to follow in sin. The...
Read MoreA Satisfied Heart
Counselors Reflect on Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp A Series to Care for the Care Takers of God’s People “Every day there is a war fought for control of your heart. But your jealous Savior, with the zeal of gorgeous redemptive love, will not share your heart. He will not rest until your heart is ruled by him and him alone.” Page 108-109. It can sound kind of strange to hear that Jesus is jealous. It feels awkward to say and to think about. Even wrong. The word jealous gives off the scent of insecurity and fear. We’ve all been jealous at one time or another and...
Read MoreValentine’s Day
To be young, wealthy, in love-all in the third century, and to be a Christian. Such was young Valentine, he would consummate his great love by taking his love as his bride. Soon he would be wed, but his pleasurable orderly world came crashing down around him when the Roman emperor declared all Christians illegal citizens guilty of treason. All they had to do was say, ‘Caesar is Lord!” But all Valentine would say was “No, Jesus is Lord!” Rather than deny Christ young Valentine was arrested in the crackdown. In jail awaiting execution in the arena he wrote love letters to his girlfriend....
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