Our God describes a good shepherd when He says, “I will feed My flock and … lead them to rest.… I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick” (Ezek. 34:15–16 NASB). As pastors you are shepherds of God’s sheep. It is an eternally significant task and often fraught with difficulties. One of the crucial things necessary for doing your … [Read more...]
“Help, I married the wrong person”
A man or woman comes into your office with a refrain you’ve heard too many times: “Pastor, this marriage isn’t working, and I think it’s best if my spouse and I part ways.” And then come the reasons—excuses—as to why this decision seems best. How will you address the excuses? What can you say that might make a difference? Here are five excuses that I’ve heard from people … [Read more...]
Helping people gain freedom from regret
The pain of regret and the constant nagging of a conscience that knows they’ve sinned and been foolish have the potential of crippling people forever. They know they’ve done wrong, but it’s too late to undo it. Now they must live with the consequences, whatever those may be. But what does living with the consequences look like? Beating themselves up forever? Living in a … [Read more...]
How to help people avoid regrets
Preventing regret: Alice’s dilemma Robert and Alice met through an online dating service. He lives in Minnesota, and she lives in Alabama. Alice’s husband divorced her seven years ago, saying they had grown apart and their lives were on two different paths (he was not a Christian). Robert’s wife was killed in a traffic accident two years ago. Both are committed Christians, … [Read more...]
5 things pastors can learn from my anorexia
The summer before my junior year of college, I developed anorexia. In the course of about eight months, I dropped more than thirty pounds, to less than 75 percent of the weight that is considered normal for my height. Ultimately, I was admitted to a treatment center and refed with the help of a feeding tube. But the first place I turned for help was my church. At the time, I … [Read more...]
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