Category Archives: Breaking bad habits

Pursuing Wisdom (p. 3)

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

This is part three of a four-part study in the early chapters of Proverbs. I plan to post one each day over the next four days. Each post will have study and discussion questions for personal or group use. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior, Breaking bad habits, Fools, Lust, Pornography, Proverbs, Sanctification, Sex, Sexual temptations, Sexuality, Singles, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Temptation, Wisdom | 1 Comment

When your past revisits you

Posted on August 19, 2012 by

Is it possible to carry deep resentment without being aware of the power it holds over you? Consider the story of a woman who learned the power of suppressed resentment. Fifteen years after a tragic accident, she came to terms … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse, Addiction, Anger, Attitude, Breaking bad habits, Broken Relationships, Counseling, Cynicism, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, God's control, God's Heart, God's Will, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Guilt, Loss, Mad at God, Pain, Questioning God, Repentance, Restoration, Revenge, Sin, Sovereignty, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Suffering, Trials, Walking with God, Wisdom | Leave a comment

A holistic approach to counseling

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Woefully and Tragically Fallen

Posted in Anthropology, Breaking bad habits, Christian worldview, Counseling, Doctor, Holistic ministry, Human depravity, Human dignity, Medicine, Neuroscience, Science | Leave a comment

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

A Chief Repenter — in the making

Posted on March 3, 2012 by

I recently read an interview of a leader who stated that his job description included a requirement to be the Chief Repenter of the organization. I am about to take a stab at this by doing a little repenting of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Attitude, Breaking bad habits, Change, Complaining, Counseling, Depression, Discouragement, Encouragement, Grace, Gratitude, Personal thoughts, Repentance, Restoration, Selfishness, Uncategorized | 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

The attack against your mind:

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

Pay close attention when the same New Testament author uses that same word to address the same subject in the same book. This is the case in II Corinthians in the connection between the mind (νοηματα) and spiritual conflict. First notice … Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Behavior, Bitterness, Breaking bad habits, Counseling, Heart, Mind, Mind Renewal, Satan, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

True Freedom

Posted on May 6, 2010 by

“We are free not merely because we can choose, but only when we choose well. For to choose poorly, through folly or malice, in a way that thwarts our nature and distorts our proper form, is to enslave ourselves to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Behavior, Breaking bad habits, Change, David B. Hart, Decision making, Democrats, Discernment, Ethics, Freedom, Guidelines for living, Morality | Leave a comment

Detox plan for freedom from your past:

Posted on November 26, 2009 by

The early years of life are the most foundational to the formation of our identity and character. For better  and for worse, they chart a direction for our future health and stability.   If you’ve experienced a healthy and functionally … Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anger, Behavior, Bitterness, Breaking bad habits, Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Communication, Counseling, Cynicism, Depression, Divorce and Remarriage, Dysfunctional, Enabling, Forgiveness, Guidelines for living, Guidelines for marriage decision, Holistic ministry, Marital Separation, Parenting, Parenting teens, Relationships, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Unresolved issues | 3 Comments

The heart wants what it wants

Posted on November 24, 2009 by

    “If being selfish brings so much trouble to everybody, including oneself, why be that way? Because, as the filmmaker Woody Allen said in 1993, trying to explain his controversial affair with the young daughter of Mia Farrow, ‘The … Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Behavior, Breaking bad habits, Cynicism, Deception, Depravity, Evil in the world, Guidelines for living, Heart, Human depravity, Pride, Problem of evil, Relationships, Self-deception, Selfishness, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory | 4 Comments