This post is part two in a series on suicide prevention and how to think through this issue carefully and biblically. Find part one here. Part 3 presents a simple plan for engaging with those who are suicidal or who have suffered the loss of someone close to them. The phone rang in the middle of my seventh birthday party. … Read More
A Christian Response to Suicide or Suicidal Thoughts (Part 1)
This post is part one in a series on suicide prevention and how to think through this issue carefully and biblically. Find part two here. Suicide has been in the news again this week. It is understandably hard when those we admire take their own lives. A famous designer and a media personality each took their own life in moments … Read More
No Harm Contract
In formal counseling , no-harm contracts can be helpful tools. This is a sample document that you can use. Help them develop a specific plan to reach out if they are feeling overwhelmed with despair. If someone will not agree not to harm themselves or doesn’t seem in the right frame of mind to make this promise, call 911 and … Read More
Suicide Safety Plan
When working with a suicidal person, you can help them assess the risks in their life and take steps to avoid them. In our resource center is a safety check-list that many professional counselors use to assess the risk level. If you’re interested in reading more, look into A P.L.A.N. to Engage a Suicidal Person Wisely. This resource is … Read More
How Text Messaging Messes Up Marriage!
Text messaging: It often interferes with meaningful communication in marriage. How can you tell if text messaging is a problem for you? And what can a married couple do about it? This article by counselor Joshua Waulk appeared first here on his website and is used with permission. (Edited for length–Ed.) Communication, or a lack thereof, is a common complaint in marriage … Read More
The Sneaky Lies of Shame!
Shame: Do you believe its lies? I recently spoke to someone regarding harsh words they had said to another. This acquaintance said they just “couldn’t forgive themselves.” After gently pointing out the theological inaccuracy of this statement, I started pondering their feelings of shame over the incident. From personal experience, I can tell you that shame can keep you up … Read More
Your True Self Is Hidden in Christ
Beloved, your true self is hidden in Christ. God reveals his beautiful truth in the Scriptures. So let’s look at key verses about identity and your responsibility to orient our true self to loving abandonment to God. This article by Donna Hart, PhD, appeared first here on her website. Do we think of our lives as immersed in blessing? Ephesians 1:3 says, … Read More
4 Reasons to Prayer-Walk
PRAYER-WALK: When you prayer-walk scripture, stress lifts and your peace returns. Here’s why. Here’s how. This article by Lucy Ann Moll, D.Min. candidate, appeared first here on her website. Have you trudged through a day when everything went wrong? Maybe your computer crashed, or the pet barfed on the carpet. Perhaps you got really bad news. If you’re up to … Read More
Refusing to Let Anxiety Win
ANXIETY: Here’s an encouraging story. Imagine being so afraid of driving that you never left your town. Imagine being like this for more than 20 years. A few years back, a father entered my office and asked for help with severe fear and anxiety. Think of the limitations associated with this. You can only select a job close by. Your … Read More