Caring for the Desperate Even When the Desperate is You
Sometimes we like a clean cross with no sign of a struggle at all. Patricia S. Taylor shares what kind of cross we need to encounter when times are dark.
Sometimes we like a clean cross with no sign of a struggle at all. Patricia S. Taylor shares what kind of cross we need to encounter when times are dark.
In some confession liturgies, the congregation asks forgiveness because “we have not heard the cry of the needy.” But, sometimes it can be really hard to listen. Karen Vine shares her experience of finding listening difficult.
Do you know someone who is always obsessed with his or her sin and can never seem to accept forgiveness? Kathy Milans explains that your friend may actually be suffering from a psychiatric disorder known as scrupulosity and that there is help for this problem.
What does a person really need when they are walking through a dark time? Duke Walker shares wisdom that faith-filled depression is better than pseudo-holy hope. Christian faith in the midst of depression is a faith that is grounded in the unchanging nature of God. This is the faith that walks through the valley with the knowledge that God goes with us. To hope for anything else is idolatry and contributes to the depth of despair rather than lifting one out of it.
Domestic violence is a widespread problem, but it can be shocking to encounter a situation in which a victim comes to you for help. Unfortunately, unhelpful and even damaging responses are far too common. This post details some of the best things people can say to domestic violence survivors and some advice on actions that actually are helpful.
Domestic violence is a widespread problem, but it can be shocking to encounter a situation in which a victim comes to you for help. Unfortunately, unhelpful and even damaging responses are far too common. This post details some of the most common hurtful things people say to domestic violence survivors and some advice on things that actually are helpful.
Do you often experience people randomly telling you their entire life story? If there is an empty seat next to you, do people always seem to sit down and start talking? Do others often tell you their faith stories without necessarily being prompted? You may want to read this post! Laura Beach gives an explanation of what a Spiritual Director is and what they do, and she offers a great opportunity for training.
Today’s Friday video features Dr. J Ellsworth Kalas explaining how Methodism can do better by the people we serve. God wants better men and women, not methods.
Even when we pray for God to help us love someone, are we not really praying for God to change that person and make him or her easier to love? But what if I am the one in need of a change? Patricia Taylor shares insight on loving others in the midst of disagreement.
How in the world can we talk with our children and help them understand death when we don’t understand it ourselves? The topic makes us uncomfortable and afraid. It touches pain inside our own hearts from the questions we have that remain unanswered. Ellen Martin offers helpful, solid advice for helping our children death with death and grief.
Today’s post features Martha O’Reilly, author of Beyond the Deception of Depression. Here, she talks about the inspiration for her book and her hopes for those who will read it.
We are always told that we need to be forgiving. What in the world is forgiveness anyway? Patricia Taylor shares what she has learned about what forgiveness is, what it isn’t, and how it works.