Please pray for my dear wife Shirley. On Friday, Shirley had a hemorrhagic stroke (a bleed rather than a clot). Shirley is in ICU alert and talking, but with no movement on her left side at this point. This picture is from last week's celebration of our 40th anniversary.
When someone shows forth fruits of repentance (2 Cor. 7:7-13) are we prepared to forgive them, comfort them, and reaffirm our love for them so that they are not overwhelmed by Satan's condemnation (2 Cor. 2:5-11)?
The good news of the gospel is not, “Relax, you rock!” The good news says to believing sinners, “You deserve to be humiliated and condemned for your sin, but God sent his Son to be humiliated and condemned in your place.”
@BleacherNation
That would be so Cubs--trade a controllable young star. Of course, this current Cubs' leadership has no idea how to use/play their young stars. They bring guys up and sit them for weeks, then return them to the minors.
How would it change our Twitter interactions if all Christians followed Ephesians 4:29 in our tweets? "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Question for Discussion. I'm thinking of doing a series of blog posts (and perhaps a journal article) on Counseling the "Biblicized" Counselee. You may recall David Powlison's classic teaching on Counseling the Psychologized Counselee. I'd be exploring the "other extreme." By
Shirley & I at home after church today. For the first time since Shirley's stroke in June 2021, we were able to attend church in person. What a blessing. Thankful also for 10 months of Zoom services & Zoom small group, to worship & fellowship in a way that was doable for Shirley.
Luther's anxiety, depression, and scrupulousity, and Spurgeon's depression are just two reminders that this side of heaven, we can still struggle deeply while still clinging to Christ.
Hearing Heath. This is my long-form reply to Heath's first zombie post.
#BibleCn
#BiblicalCounseling
I collate Heath's words, then ask interacive questions.
Empathy is not a secular Trojan Horse. It's a biblical/scriptural concept. Em-pathos: to enter the pathos, the passion of another, to allow another person’s agony to become our agony, to weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15) & suffer with those who suffer (1 Cor 12:24-26).
After much prayer, reflection, and consulting with dozens of
#BiblicalCounselors
I've decided to craft a series of posts engaging with
@HeathLambert
and his series on the state of the modern
#BibleCn
movement. Lord willing, I'll be sharing several posts on each of Heath's posts.
“Whoever is truly humbled — will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference — it is grace alone which has made it!” John Newton
Question? Are any of you like me? I don't like to listen to podcasts. Instead, I like to read transcripts. I can read faster than I listen. Plus, I can highlight and quote transcripts. Who's with me?
After supervising over 1,000 pastor-counselors, I've found that lack of empathy is not due to theological considerations, but to personal issues--intense fear of being overwhelmed by the pain of mourning with those who mourn, suffering with those who suffer.
#Empathy
This is the man (without a moral compass) that many conservative Evangelical Christians promoted, abetted, and approved in 2016 and 2020. (I'm a conservative, Evangelical Christian and have been and am a "Never-Trumper.")
This is Shirley & me today. We used to hike all the time on the Green River Trails in Auburn, WA by Green River College. Today for the first time in 9 months we hiked it again. Shirley walked a portion of it using her cane instead of being in a wheelchair. Thank You, Lord Jesus!
On Monday,
@HeathLambert
will share his opinion on the current state of
#BiblicalCounseling
This important discussion deserves multiple perspectives. I'll be launching a series of interviews on my RPM Ministries site asking, 1) What is the current state of the modern BC movement?
Two godly, humble men who "mentor me" via their online ministry:
@ScottyWardSmith
&
@rayortlund
Thank you men, for your gentle, grace-focused ministry.
A Thread on 6 Biblical Counseling Convictions. A 16-word description of
#biblicalcounseling
As biblical counselors we seek to be: Gospel-Centered, Theologically-Saturated, Relationship-Focused, Church History-Informed, Research-Aware Soul Physicians of Embodied-Souls /1
“Nothing helps more powerfully against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts than occupying oneself with God’s Word, having conversations about it, and contemplating it.” Martin Luther, The Large Catechism, p. 187, in Krey, Luther’s Spirituality.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
'Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
One of the top 4 Christian books in 2023 on mental health and mental illness. On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living. By
@TheAlanNoble
and
@ivpress
#mentalhealth
In the
#BibleCn
world, we need to be careful about using the phrase "suffer well." This can come across as a "code word" for "don't rock the boat, be a good boy/girl, be quiet." Suffering and sinned against people don't need nouthetic confrontation. They need parakaletic comfort.
David Powlison: “Every wise biblical counselor engages in lifelong empirical researches, informally if not formally. In this process psychologists, sociologists, historians, counselees, the non-Christians who live next door, USA Today and Agatha Christie may contribute to our
When we are hurting, we can soothe our soul in the Trinity, crying out and clinging to the Father of compassion (2 Cor. 1:3-4), the Son of sympathy (Heb. 4:14-16), and the Spirit of groaning (Rom. 8:26-27).
What grieves me about Lambert's words is the lack of public challenge to Heath by those in his camp. It's either been silence, or praise, applause, and rejoicing. Does no one in his tribe have eyes to see anything wrong in Heath's words? No support for those Heath spoke against?
Shirley had a seizure on 12/8. It was so severe we had to call 911. Shirley was taken by EMT to the ER. They ran tests confirming it was a stroke-related seizure. Shirley is now on anti-seizure medication & resting at home. Pray that the medication will prevent future seizures.
Are you suffering with serious illness, physical pain, chronic pain? Do you desire an honest, candid, rich Christian discussion of these difficult real-life struggles? I recommend Kelly Kapic's Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering. 1/
If the left has their cancel culture, the far right has a condemnation culture. It's a Mt 23 law-based works-based judgment-based grace-less attitude of superiority/pride placing heavy burdens on others & refuses to lift a finger to help. It majors on minors missing God's mercy.
“My deepest hope for you is that in both your personal life and your ministry to others, you would be unafraid to be publicly weak as the doorway to the strength of God Himself.” via
@DavidPowlison
@ccef
@biblicalcc
@TGC
I wrote this 3 weeks ago. So true today. Having known David very well, and respecting him deeply, I know that David would not want to be used as the “gate-keeper,” nor as the one to look to for biblical counseling orthodoxy. David would always point to Christ. He never wanted a 1
Persecution threatened to wipe out Iran’s tiny church. Instead, the church in Iran has become the fastest growing in the world, and it is influencing the region for Christ.
@TGC
Wrapping up the Psalms now. So far I've read every chapter from Genesis 1 to Psalm 150 in my biblical study of traumatic-suffering, embodied-souls, and biblical counseling. I have over 400 pages of single-spaced type research notes. Lots of biblical soul care themes emerging.
Sold! In just 5 days on the market, our Auburn, WA home sold--for our asking price. Thank You, Lord. We already have tickets for the first week of May for our move to our new home in Port Charlotte, FL.
I'm reading Trauma and Recovery by Herman: a secular book. I'm gleaning proverbial wisdom insights from her experience/research. As Adams said, it's a catalyst as I read Scriptures for a
#BibleCn
model of trauma care. If we're theologically-saturated, we don't have to be
Announcing the Arrival of Twins! No, not that kind of twins, but my new two-book equipping series for marriage and family counseling have just arrived! Thanks
@jeremypierre
&
@DeepakReju
for writing the Forewords.
Pondering. From the 90s-2010s,
#BibleCn
needed a greater focus on suffering to "balance" the focus on sin. Now the
#BibleCn
world needs a greater focus on our being complexed embodied physical/soul beings to balance the focus on the soul. Thoughts? Examples? Pushback? Agreement?
A dear friend, and one of the wisest, gentlest shepherd-counselors I've ever known, Dr. David Powlison, passed away this morning. Please pray for his dear wife, Nan.
For the first time since Shirley's stroke 11 months ago, we were able to navigate our way into our upstairs rec room for some ping pong! Shirley and Marie defeated me! Most fun loss I've ever had!
Free Book. Coming Soon. I carved out time today to work on a free PDF of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care & Spiritual Direction. When it's ready, I'll share a link to the 250-page PDF. Of my 24 books this is the 1 that means the most to me.
With some recently attacking and accusing others of not being true biblical counselors, here's a recent post of mine that seeks to communicate 6 of my core
#BibleCn
convictions, without attacking those who might see it differently than me.
1 A Thread on the
#Church
#BiblicalCounseling
and
#MentalIllness
Lots of current discussion on Christian Twitter/X about mental illness, mental disorder, and what a sound, compassionate, comprehensive theological approach (and definition) might look like. Here’s some very
"Memory needs a Shepherd." Powerful words from A Quiet Mind to Suffer With: Mental Illness, Trauma, and the Death of Christ. Only enter the memories of past suffering and trauma, grief and loss, with Christ as your Shepherd.
For a biblical, theological, compassionate, rich, experiential, comprehensive, nuanced, well-researched perspective on schizophrenia, read chapters 6-8 of John Swinton's Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges.
60 National & International
#BiblicalCounseling
Leaders Are Gathered Together This Week for the Annual
@biblicalcc
Leadership Summit. We'd appreciate your prayers for iron sharpening iron.
After a whirlwind two weeks of moving 3,100 mile from Washington to Florida, Shirley and I are exhausted. Last night I said, "I'm so tired, I feel like a zombie!" Then Shirley and I realized I used THAT word, and we both burst out laughing.
@jdgreear
The Apostle Paul was the inaugural winner. In fact, he awarded the trophy to himself: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst" (1 Tim. 1:15).
What a biblically robust, compassionate, relational, whole-person, embodied-soul, positive approach to trauma care/counseling at the 2023
@ccef
conference. Check out these titles and descriptions: "Trauma: How God's Light Breaks Into Our Deepest Darkness."
“Cherry-Picking” David Powlison on Secular Psychology and Biblical Counseling. If we are going to quote Powlison, then let’s not only quote his negatives toward secular psychology; let’s quote his comprehensive teachings.
Are you facing pain that won't go away? Unrelenting suffering? I'd encourage you to consider reading Kelly Kapic's Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering. The entire book is rich. Chapter 5, "Questions That Come With Pain," provides a robust, realistic look
"Some traditions place so much emphasis on our identity as 'sinners' that we leave no room for our deepest identity as the ones whom God designed in his own image to experience life in fellowship, or to experience his original delight in us ourselves." K. Kapic, You're Only Human
Young men (20s, 30s) in ministry would be wise to prayerfully seek out an older, mature, wise, humble male mentor. So many self-inflicted wounds and wounding of others could be preventively addressed (including unwise Twitter posts).
The great preacher, Spurgeon, at times was unable to preach due to his emotional distresses.
“To my great sorrow, last Sunday night I was unable to preach. I had prepared a sermon upon this text, with much hope of its usefulness; for I intended it to be a supplement to the
The classroom is ideal for mastering content. The living room is ideal for mastering compassion. Sunday School and Small Group: Friends Who Need No Reconciliation
A year ago today (6/23/21), Shirley transferred from the neurology floor at Valley Medical Center to UW Acute Rehab. At that point, we did not know if Shirley would ever walk again. We just went for a nice walk in our neighborhood! Christ has been kind and gracious to us.
Thank you
@wesfaulk
Powerful summary: "Pastors are not perfect. Behind the smiles, most of us are hurting. As a pastor, I often don’t deal with my issues because, frankly, I don’t want people to know I struggle. I fear that people will use my struggles to come after me."
Look what arrived in the mail this weekend! My author copy of "Equipping Biblical Counselors: A Guide to Discipling Believers for One-Another Ministry." It's available for pre-order at Amazon and releases in 6 weeks.
#BibleCn
#Equipping
@Harvest_House
While the
#BibleCn
world discussed
#ZombieWolves
Shirley & I took a Beach Vacation Day: Port Charlotte Harbor, Englewood Beach, & our fav beach in the world--Siesta Key. It was bitter sweet, especially for Shirley, because 3 years ago we were at Siesta Key for our 40th
During a long plane ride, I started reading the book, "Bad Therapy." I'll likely blog about it when I return. A few initial thoughts. 1. Very one-sided research. 2. I've seen a lot of BCers be positive about the book. Interestingly, the author is very positive about CBT, DBT, and
USA Fundamentalism: "We agree on 99% of doctrine. The 1% you disagree with me on, makes you a heretic, woke, weak, and a compromiser. The 1% I get right more than you, makes me superior to you, and empowers me to feel better than you. And it grows my fanboy base."
Empathy Is Biblical: I'm thinking about turning my entire RPM Ministries blog "mini-series" into a free PDF (might end up being about 25 pages). Would a free, 25-page PDF on "Empathy Is Biblical" be a helpful resource for you?
#Empathy
Twitter's negativity is not healthy for my spirit. Rather than leave Twitter, at this point I am using Twitter's feature "show me less Tweets from this person" to adjust my timeline toward folks who want to positively reflect Christ.
65! How did that happen? I was only 25 just the other day. If I had more time today, I'd blog: "65 Practical Principles for Primordial People." Here's a pic of my young bride & I enjoying a birthday lunch at Rib City in Fort Myers, FL.