In my thirty years of ministry as a Christian psychologist I have talked to many people who have been spiritually harmed by their family or church community. Most commonly, they picked up a toxic faith with crazy Christian beliefs that were damaging to their relationship with God and their life. Others were abused by a…
Juliana de Norwich escribe: “Me pareció que podía sentir la pasión de Cristo con fuerza, pero sin embargo, yo anhelaba por la gracia de Dios para sentir más intensamente.” Esta es mi más sincera oración, también quiero permanecer con amor en la cruz de Cristo. Todo lo que es bueno en mi vida, empezando por…
“Ola tras ola del amor de Dios limpiándome sobre mí.” Esta pequeña oración inspirada en el Salmo 42:7 es un buen resumen de los diez días Kristi y yo hemos estado disfrutando en Kauai. ¡Estamos agradecidos por nuestros amigos que proveyeron un lugar donde estar en su condominio de tiempo compartido! Como les he escrito…
Hace un año, a principios de la primavera disfruté un retiro de un día con Jesús. Esto es lo que escribí en mi diario… Es el medio de una semana de trabajo ocupado y la multitud se agolpaba en mí. Las personas con necesidades. Proyectos para trabajar y para hacer frente a las presiones. Bultos…
Here’s a little tool that offers BIG help for resolving conflicts in marriage and other relationships: “When You Do ‘A’ I Feel ‘B.’” It’s a method for “speaking the truth in love”(Ephesians 4:15). Kristi and I have used this approach for many years personally and in our marriage counseling with couples. (Also Henry Cloud and…
We developed this simply Family Map Survey in the year 2000 for our work with parents of young families. The questions in this Family Map Survey can help you to assess the quality of relational connecting and structure (boundaries) in your family of origin. If you have children you can also use the Family Map Survey…
“Nosotros amamos porque Dios nos amó primero” (1 Juan 4:19). Este es el mensaje del día de San Valentín que Kristi escribió en la pizarra en una salita de maquillaje. Fue también el fundamento de la charla de Gary Smalley de cómo proteger su corazón en el Ministerio que disfrutamos juntos el día antes del…
Some people who seek help with personal struggles from a counselor get help resolving their problems while others do not. Some clients in psychotherapy overcome depression and anxiety. Some couples in marriage counseling resolve their differences. Some alcoholics in AA learn to live sober and healthy lives. Some people being discipled by their pastor learn…
Early in my graduate training to become a psychologist I offered counseling to a young female undergraduate student with my professor and class watching and listening behind a one way mirror. This was nerve-wracking! I was worried about how well I’d perform in front of my teacher and peers. I was so anxious that it…
Yesterday on my Sabbath day I read a little book by the early 19th Century Scottish preacher Robert Murray McCheyne, The Deeper Life. He died at the young age of 29, but he brought many souls to Christ in his short life and his words continue do so nearly two centuries later. His simple reading…