When we tell Mary’s part in the Christmas story it’s easy to idealize her. It’s as if she had such great faith in the word of the Lord, even as a young woman, that all she needed was God. It was Mary and God, alone in a world of people who scorned her — even…
Henri Nouwen in his book The Wounded Healer laments that most Christian leaders are not prepared to be spiritual leaders for hurting people. “Our service will not be perceived as authentic,” Nouwen warns, “unless it comes from a heart wounded by the suffering about which we speak. Thus, nothing can be written about ministry without a deeper understanding of…
I love adrenaline and how it makes me feel energetic, confident, important, even elated. And I get more work done in less time! Adrenaline is one of the body’s natural antidepressants and anti-anxiety agents. It’s truly a wonder drug! Just writing this sentence I’d like to get a hit of that stuff now! It’s difficult…
I feel stupid. Do you ever feel that way? People think I’m smart because I have a PhD in psychology and I’m blessed to have people like you listen to me. But in reality I often feel stupid. As far back as I can remember I’ve felt like I should know what to do and…
With Insights From Pastor Joe Johnson with Heart of the Father Ministries* Kristi and I were fortunate to receive instruction in healing and deliverance ministry in college. Many Christian pastors, counselors, and lay ministers today have not received this training and so they don’t know how to use the authority that Jesus gave them to pray…
As a Christian psychologist it’s been important for me to look to the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfect psychologist. I look to him as my counselor. I study him and his ways to learn how to be a better counselor. I rely on his Spirit present in my counseling office as I care for…
The people around you need a spiritual leader who helps them connect with Christ. In our TLC retreat program we teach this to pastors and ministry leaders.
There’s a hero hidden in your community who can inspire you to praise God and become more like Jesus. Here are some examples of hero pastors ready to offer the care of Christ to you and your family.
Without a friend who feels our hurt, stress, and longings with us our souls shrivel up and die. Giving and receiving empathy are key to life in Christ.
As I write I’m sitting in a chair on a Montana ranch at the edge of a forest surrounded by mountains where Kristi and I are staying in a 100-year old cabin. I see no people or buildings. I hear no machinery, cars or planes — just the continual chirping of grasshoppers, intermittent songs of…