Category Archives: Alcohol addiction

Moving from Anxiety to Peace

Posted on December 11, 2012 by

  All people experience moments of anxiety. These are times when thoughts and feelings of apprehension produce fear and worry. We are wise (with how universally common this experience is) to take time to understand it and consider ways to respond. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol addiction, Anxiety, Behavior, Christian life, Comfort, Conceit, Conflict, Contentment, Counseling, Depression, Despair, Divorce, Drug addiction, Dysfunctional, Emotions, Enabling, Fear, Fear of death, Freedom, God's control, Guidelines for living, Holistic ministry, Medicine, Mind, Mind Renewal, Pain, Peace, Pride, Psychology, Radical love, Restoration, Sanctification, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Social work, Suffering, Trials, Unresolved issues, Wisdom, Worry | 2 Comments

The history of evil

Posted on July 14, 2012 by

  How should we understand the reality of evil in the world? Why is evil a part of human history on every part of the globe; in every human heart? What accounts for this ugly part of our story? The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol addiction, Anthropology, Counseling, Creation, Death, Depravity, Devil, Evil in the world, Evil One, History, Problem of evil, Satan | Leave a comment

Profile of an abuser (detect it early)

Posted on June 18, 2012 by

  Be careful who you leave your children with. This is at least one take away from high profile sexual abuse cases like the Jerry Sandusky trial. Parents everywhere will be thinking twice before entrusting their children with authority figures … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse, Accountability, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Behavior, Conflict, Counseling, Deception, Difficult people, Discernment, Drug addiction, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Social work, Suffering, Violence, Wisdom | 8 Comments

Their sense of need is not so deep as it ought to be

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

  I’ve been thinking a lot about the way J. C. Ryle explained the lack of fervency in prayer. I believe what he wrote applies more widely to the whole life of the follower of Jesus Christ. “How is it … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Assurance, Attitude, Blessed by God, Breaking bad habits, Broken Relationships, Change, Character, Counseling, Eternal life, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Grace, Heaven, Mercy, Prayer | 1 Comment

Should married couples separate?

Posted on March 16, 2012 by

A seven-point plan for structured separations Although I’ve never considered separation in my marriage (of 29 years), I’ve walked closely with many couples who have experienced or considered it. I don’t expect there to be a time in pastoral ministry … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse, Accountability, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anger, Bitterness, Broken Relationships, Church Leadership, Communication, Conflict, Confrontation, Counseling, Crisis, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Guidelines for marriage decision, Hope?, Leadership, Marital Separation, Marriage, Reconciliation, Restoration, Structured Separation | 3 Comments

Overcoming a painful past

Posted on February 11, 2012 by

  My grandfather was an alcoholic for most of his adult life. Like many alcoholics, he was functional during the day and drunk most nights. My mother recently told me that she never had a single meaningful conversation with her … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Abuse, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anger, Bitterness, Broken Relationships, Character, Christian worldview, Counseling, Encouragement, Family life, Guilt, Loss, Pain, Suffering, Trials | Leave a comment

Psychology, big business and theology

Posted on January 28, 2012 by

For almost three decades of pastoral ministry, I’ve had a deeply personal interest in sources behind human behavior. It’s an area of research that has occupied consistent space in my studies. Over the past decade or so, I’ve felt a … Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anthropology, Behavior, Character, Counseling, Depression, Drug addiction, Emotions, Ethics, Psychology, Restoration, Sexuality, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Theology, Worldview | 4 Comments

Don’t forget victims of sexual assault

Posted on November 11, 2011 by

  Multiple allegations of sexual abuse against former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky should bring national attention to the subject. While an entire University has been thrown into unimaginable controversy, reaching a new level with the firing of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anxiety, Behavior, Counseling, Emotions, Enabling, Penn State controversy, Sex, Sex Scandals, Sexual Abuse | 1 Comment

To young leaders and Christian counselors (pt. 3)

Posted on November 9, 2011 by

  Before addressing the five cases I used in my second post, allow me to explain a foundational matter.  When I counsel others, I usually begin by assuming that they have a full line of moral credit. I treat them … Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Accountability, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anthropology, Behavior, Church Leadership, Counseling, Elders, Emerging Leaders, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Pastors | 2 Comments

To young leaders and Christian counselors (pt 2)

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

  Five examples of counseling from real-life cases I ended my first post to young leaders by emphasizing that as Christian counselors, we have a unique advantage of being holistically honest in dealing with human problems. We know that God has … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Bitterness, Breaking bad habits, Broken Relationships, Change, Counseling, Depression, Emerging Leaders, Emotions, Family life, Guidelines for living, Guidelines for marriage decision, Guilt, Holistic ministry, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting, Parenting teens | 4 Comments