Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy Part 2 -Natalie Varonne- Have you ever heard someone compare their sins with the sins of major characters in the Bible? “At least I’m not as bad as David…murder and adultery!” or “My sexual sin is nothing like Rahab the prostitute!” I’ve heard people wonder aloud “How could the Israelites not have learned from everything God had done for them? They’re so ungrateful!” But are we not the same in our own … [Read more...]
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy- What I Learned in Unexpected Places
Pt.1 The Value of Repetition -by Natalie Varrone- For many Christians, reading parts of the Old Testament can be tedious and boring. The books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy seem to be especially dry reading. My experience reading these books was no exception. In my Bible reading, these were the books that I was the least excited to read and felt like an obligation, really just to say that I have read the whole Bible and hadn’t … [Read more...]
The Holidays- The Best of Times and The Worst of Times
-Natalie Varrone- Holidays are a frequent topic in counseling. Holidays are a time when current and past issues come to the forefront of people’s lives. Family issues, grief and loss, life changes, and loneliness have an extra sting during this time of year. Comparing families and personal lives with other people becomes very frequent. Many people feel that they must live up to the hallmark movie standard of a perfect holiday season, which … [Read more...]
Sad About S.A.D.? There is Hope for Seasonal Affective Disorder
As the vibrant colors of autumn fade and winter's chill settles in, many find themselves grappling with a subtle yet profound shift in mood and energy. This phenomenon, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often referred to as the "winter blues," casts a shadow over the lives of those affected. Below, we explore the nuances of SAD, its symptoms, and practical strategies to navigate and conquer this seasonal challenge. Unpacking … [Read more...]
Free Resource for Your Family!
Gratitude changes everything. We have a great, FREE resource for your children and teens: a month-long Daily Gratitude Journal. Print as many copies as you'd like and take a few minutes each night individually or as a family to journal what makes you thankful, what inspires you, and what Scripture you are focusing on. We all have busy schedules, but this is a great way to set aside time to be intentional and to model gratitude for our … [Read more...]
Is All Moral Outrage Equally Valid?
"Is All Moral Outrage Equally Valid?" by Carmen Misja, guest blogger I recently listened to Albert Mohler's podcast on moral outrage. He talked about the moral outrage from Europe over the use of trace amounts of animal byproduct in the new five pound note substrate. The note was made stronger and safer for the environment with the use of the byproduct. He compared it to the outrage from France, … [Read more...]
Time Article On Marriage
"Time Article On Marriage" By Michael Misja, Ph.D. Time Magazine tells us how to stay married. In our era of great gender, moral, and marital confusion, the June 13 issue of Time magazine came out with a stunning revelation: staying married leads to maximum lifetime satisfaction and benefit. Why do I say it is a stunning revelation? Because a secular magazine that has been a champion of the new … [Read more...]
Justice for Husbands Who Have Been Wounded, Hurting, and Left Behind
Justice for husbands who have been wounded, hurting, and left behind By Rick Duncan Over the years, I have known close friends in ministry who have been deeply wounded and treated unjustly the women in their world. And when that happens, many people - both inside and outside the church - secretly (or maybe not so secretly) believe that it must be the man who is primarily at fault. The church, the courts, and the culture at … [Read more...]
What If You Didn’t Matter?, Part 3
"What If You Didn’t Matter? Part 3" By Michael Misja, Ph.D. North Coast Family Foundation (northcoastfamily.com) In the first blog on this issue, I raised the question of the significance to others of my life. The second one explored whether my life meant anything at all. In this blog-the journey continues. I asked you to consider two questions: 1-What if no one remembers you 100 years from now? Would that … [Read more...]