Of course your children are special to you, and it is great for you to tell them that! However, if everyone is special, then nobody is. Yet, trying to make everyone feel special seems to be the goal of childrens' sports leagues, parents, some preachers, and the culture at large. I would like to propose that we ought to focus less on our children being special and more on them being sacred and valu...  Read More

 I did not learn how to apologize until I was in graduate school a few years ago. As part of my counselor training, I was watching through a two-way mirror as one of my supervisors did couple's counseling. When he explained to the couple what a true apology is, he was also counseling me without knowing it. I believe God used that moment to make me a better child of God, husband, father, and friend...  Read More

 Without a doubt, I have had more clients come to counseling for pornagraphy issues than any other single issue. They have come in to explore how pornography affects their marriage, spiritual life, emotional health, and more. My purpose here is not to write a research paper, but I simply want to give you this counselor's view of some of the harmful effects of pornography. Hopefully this will keep ...  Read More

SHAME says, "If people really knew you, they would reject you. If people knew what you have done or  what has been done to you, they would not want anything to do with you. Remember Adam and Eve! They realized they were naked and ashamed, so they hid. They hid from each other by covering themselves with leaves, and they hid from God in the bushes. You should hide too. Don't let people really get t...  Read More

Last night as I was making the best use of my time by casually scrolling through news stories on yahoo.com, I became discouraged, sad, scared, and angry. There was an article about sororities on college campuses and how a young lady must look if she wants to get into an elite one. There was Jennifer Lawrence posing nude with a boa constrictor wrapped around her. Megan Fox wore a dress that exposed...  Read More

After graduating college, a different friend seemed to get married every weekend. One of my favorite parts of this season was a tradition that developed among my friends. During the bachelor’s party, we had a “serious time.” We typically sat in a circle and gave encouragements, shared marriage advice, and thanked the groom for his friendship. We always prayed for God’s blessing on the marriage.   ...  Read More

   What does it mean to be emotionally healthy? We have already explored the first two principles concerning emotional health, and today we will consider number three.An emotionally healthy person has an expansive emotional vocabulary. An emotionally healthy person is willing and able to feel a variety of emotions and does not refuse to feel any specific emotion.An emotionally healthy person is in...  Read More

 Today, we tackle principle number two in the three part series exploring emotional health. If you missed the first principle, you may want to read it before continuing with this one. Principle # 2 - An emotionally healthy person is willing and able to feel a variety of emotions and does not refuse to feel any specific emotion. One of my counseling professors in seminary used to talk about vows, a...  Read More

There is no MRI machine that can diagnose emotional health. However, if you are claustrophobic, getting in one of these may help you feel some strong emotion. We can go to a doctor and get a few tests done, and within a few days we will know whether we are physically healthy. Due to a blood test, readings on height and weight, a blood pressure reading, and a few other tests we can know where we st...  Read More

How could I be so stupid? If I would have known what a big “gift” I was giving the boat driver, I would have at least said “God bless you” as I handed him the cash. It was a moment that lingers. Every time I think of it I get a little sick feeling in my stomach. I was ripped off. I was living for a short time in Antigua, Guatemala to study Spanish and immerse myself in Hispanic culture. I spoke li...  Read More

Top 5 lists can be fun. What are the top 5 places you want to visit? What 5 people have influenced you the most in your life? Who are the 5 people with whom you would like to eat lunch? Some of my friends and I almost always end up discussing a Top 5 list when we are together. Today I am considering a new Top 5. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim...  Read More