-by Natalie Varrone, LPCC- I know many people who are extremely giving. They spend most of their free time and energy focusing on and helping others. Their thoughts are consumed with thinking of how they could be of assistance to people in need and bettering others’ lives. They are others-focused. Of course, these are beautiful qualities. However, in this writing, I would like to encourage one of the less obvious ways of helping others. … [Read more...]

-by Natalie Varrone-   One of the few weather perks of living in Cleveland, Ohio is our changing of the seasons. Most of us love the variety of having four different types of weather throughout the year. I am grateful for the weather seasons we experience for they also mirror the changing seasons of life. Life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. There are good times and bad. One of the few constants in life is … [Read more...]

-by Natalie Varrone- The Bible is full of beautiful metaphors that we can unpackage each time we encounter them. We find one such passage in John 15 when Jesus describes a grapevine and its fruit. Much of the passage is about our need to stay connected to the vine (Jesus) in order to be able to bear good fruit.  But in verse 2, Jesus says this, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear … [Read more...]

“Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” sings the hymn.  There are many names of God in the Bible, such as Immanuel (God with Us) and  Jehovah (The Relational God). Being a counselor myself, God’s name of “Wonderful Counselor” has always stood out to me.   He is, quite literally, the wonderful counselor.  If you have ever gone to therapy, I hope you’ve had a great experience.  I hope it was … [Read more...]