Tags
So we can eat in front of a fat man who recently repented of food idolatry but we can not discuss a beer in front of a recovering drunk?
Thought of the day
03 Sunday Mar 2013
Posted in Biblical Counseling
Category Archives: Biblical Counseling
New Year’s Ambitions: A past year’s reflections, a new year’s anticipations
31 Monday Dec 2012
Posted in Biblical Counseling, Discipleship, Shepherding
A number of years ago, I was cut to the heart by The End for Which God Created the World. This book, to date, outside of Scripture has had the deepest, most influential shaping of my affections, my mind, and the shaping of my theology. Subsequently led me to read other works by Jonathan Edwards. His Resolutions brought more conviction, possibly man-made conviction, than expected. Looking back on his resolutions, I’m thankful for him to do these but they possibly could produce a false sense of guilt.
I’ve never been a person who is interested in New Year’s resolutions. I find that the ones that I make last only a few weeks, at most, and are typically superficial. This media-like phenomenon, because I’ve never really met a person who takes them too seriously, strikes at the heart of behavior modification. A number of years ago, I was pressed with this idea as it crosses sanctification. The affections must change prior to any external change; therefore, a resolve to do something, because it is the New Year, is primarily behavior modification and will most likely not last.
Continue reading »
Politicizing and the Christian Life
02 Tuesday Oct 2012
Posted in Biblical Counseling, Theology
Tags
drama, faithfulness, Jason, life, politics, sovereignty, suffering
All of us at one point in our life will be in a position where politics affects us. Now in this political season we most naturally think Presidential election and indeed the leader of the “free” world impacts our life. However I am speaking of a different political situation. Each of us can ignore Federal and State politics if he or she chooses — even though who leads our government can impact our life.
Instead, I am speaking about the politics found in the office, kids soccer team, universities, churches, or other entities where power, influence, decision making, and your life collide. Relationships are sticky. Add sin (lusts, competing desires, or envy) to the equation and thus the reason “reality” television is such a hit. Writers thrive off this kind of drama because we love to read about it and watch it curled up on the couch with popcorn! We love drama in other people’s life. We hang on to find out if the hero we love will win the day! “Drama” is often found in our politicized life — we’ve even heard people answer, “How was your day?” with “Drama”!
Continue reading »
A New Perspective on Tolerance: Is Today’s Tolerance the New “New Compassion”
14 Tuesday Aug 2012
Posted in Apologetics, Biblical Counseling, Postmodernism, Worldview
History has an impeccable way of communicating to a new generation. There is the natural progress of thought and continuation of thinking. There is the possible example of failures. There is the picture of valiant men and woman who served as our noble icons. More often than not, one of the greatest advantages of history, and knowing history, is the ability to observe a historical line of thinking. Take for example in New Testament studies, it his helpful to enter the conversation with an understanding of “where we’ve been” because it offers systemic structures to the conversation, either good or bad. Observing the trajectory of the past puts “today” into context and why we are here in a certain line of thinking. Something came from somewhere.
An easy, though often abused example, is the presuppositional framework of post-modernity. The very existence of post-modernity depends upon a modernistic framework. Thus, Enlightenment philosophy bred modernity. And you can imagine how the influences of the Enlightenment preceded its rise. Consequently, we live in a world of cause and effect, especially within our thinking.
Continue reading »
Why, as a Young Pastor, I love the “Ordinary” Pastor….Especially Those in my Life!!!!
06 Monday Aug 2012
Posted in Biblical Counseling, Ecclesiology, Preaching, Service, Shepherding
One of the greatest memories from my early years in undergraduate studies are the vivid expressions and word pictures from my Old Testament professor. My favorite is an ad hominen slam against the person he is talking to and an exaltation of the person being compared. Take for example, one of my favorite dead theologians, Jonathon Edwards. In his comical and joking way, he would say, “Edwards could take out half of his brain and still be smarter than you.” The hilarious insult and vivid imagery is quite whimsical. If Edwards took out half of his brain, first, he’d be dead, but moreover, take away half of the intellectual abilities of Edwards, and he still thinks better than you.
However, one of his “sayings” has stuck with me over the years. He’d constantly reminisce over influential men in his early years as a believer or people that he highly respected and say, “I’d drink from that man’s shoe.” The literal implications of this allegorical portrait is quite appalling, but nonetheless, is effective in its meaning. He is exalting this person’s influence in his life to the point of being willing to do anything and everything to be around the guy.
Continue reading »
Why We Chose “Mercy Rea”
20 Friday Jul 2012
Posted in Biblical Counseling, Shepherding, Theodicy
Mercy Rea Wilhite
“Friend of Mercy”
Dispensing compassion upon observing a lowly physical state compels the compassion of God to be magnified. Mercy, in the simplistic and broadest meaning, is the bestowing of some form of compassion or kindness due to the physical condition of the party. The name “Mercy” serves an Ebenezer for a specific time in our relationship. How many of us can honestly peer into our past and point to specific moments and, with great confidence, say, “God was working there.” Predominantly found in the OT, memorial stones (i.e, an Ebenezer) were set up to remind the future generation of God’s deliverance, acts of providence, etc. They predominantly served as a teaching reminder to the people. “Mercy” is our Ebenezer.
Continue reading »
Why Time Heals No Wounds….Well Sorta!
17 Tuesday Jul 2012
Posted in Biblical Counseling, Preaching, Shepherding, Theology
Tags
Biblical Counseling, Forgiveness, High Priest, New Covenant, Pastoral Ministry, Shawn, Shepherding, Sin
Within the arsenal of pastoral ministry is biblical/pastoral counseling. You’re the spiritual guru, or at least, should be. Within the pastoral endeavors, you’re bound to come across those that are spiritually lazy, faint and tender hearted, need encouragement, or those who refuse to stop drinking from the fountain of sin. Within my shepherding undertakings thus far, one of the major themes within my biblical counseling is that of broken relationships central to forgiveness.
Extending forgiveness is one those spiritual disciplines, yes I meant spiritual disciplines, that may be the easiest conceptually to see but the hardest to personalize. For example, one lady I’ve counseled communicates her longing to be forgiven by God for her sins. She comprehends the depth and extent of forgiveness that God will offer, but not it’s not for her and only for others.
