{#gracewins series}: Sobriety Wins
As I was driving home from the gym today, I heard Matthew West's song, "Grace Wins." It never fails to move me. I think so many of us can relate to the lyrics: There's a war between guilt and grace...
View Article{#gracewins series}: Three Lessons Learned from the Thorny Places of ADD
Last week, I shared that I am starting a series titled #gracewins where people share their stories of redemption from mental health and/or addiction and how God's grace helps us be victorious over our...
View ArticleThe Five Skills Needed for a Healthy Marriage
After years of working as a counselor, I’ve seen couples in all stages, and I am always intrigued by what makes a marriage work. How do couples overcome messy childhoods, unhealthy habits, and...
View ArticlePursuing God: Reflections After a Car Accident
Seven weeks and one day ago, I was in a serious car accident. God was good and protected me, but it was such an eye-opening experience. Being laid up for weeks and stripped of all the things that give...
View ArticleImproving Intimacy: The one element every couple needs
Problems with physical intimacy are rarely something that bring couples to see me for marriage counseling, yet it often comes up within the first one or two sessions. The difficulty with eroding...
View ArticleThree Practical Ways to Grow Your Child's Love for Jesus
Today, author and speaker Brad Klassen is sharing his knowledge about parenting and practical tips to help build your children's love for Jesus! If you want more, don't forget to subscribe to his...
View ArticleEmbracing the Lost and Disconnected Child
As a country still trying to wrap its head around the tragic loss of life in Florida, I’ve seen many people debating the whys. Why have there been so many school shootings? Why are so many young...
View ArticleSocial Work: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful
As we come into March, national Social Work Month, I've been reflecting on my ten years of social work experience. At times, social work seems simple, at times it seems unbearably hard, but it is...
View ArticleLiving Well: Adopting an Eternal Perspective
Two weeks ago, our garage ceiling started leaking. Apparently, our shower has cracked and is leaking water into the ceiling. I didn’t realize our deductible was high, so the first round of bills we...
View ArticleFinding Hope in Suffering: Psalm 126:5-6
I recently taught a high school psychology class, and towards the end of the semester, we started a unit on the psychology of emotions. The students were surprised there are psychologists who spend...
View ArticleThe Insidious Root of Bitterness & Anger
This morning I stumbled across a quote from A.W. Tozier (a famous theologian). It said: "We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God." I believe that many Christians...
View ArticleFinding Rest: How to Combat Emotional Exhaustion
In 1974, a man named Herbert Freudenberger published a journal article about "occupational burnout." Initially focused on burnout in the workplace, it has since spawned a body of research spanning 40...
View ArticleThe One Discussion Parents Need to Have with Their Children…but aren’t.
As stories and accusations of sexual harassment and assault by film directors, movie stars, gymnastic coaches and politicians have surfaced in the past few months, I have been more shocked by the...
View ArticleReducing Resentment: Learning to Say No
Over the years, regardless of the setting I’ve worked in as a therapist, one of the number one issues people want help with is learning how to say no and mean it. How do you protect your time and...
View ArticleSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): How to Beat the “Winter Blues"
Fall is a beautiful time of year. You can enjoy comfortable (and flattering!) leggings, fall leaves and pumpkin-flavored everything. However, for many Americans, the cool weather and shorter days...
View ArticleWandering through a Desert Place: Lessons from Joshua 1
As 2018 wraps up, I have to confess something. This has been a desert year for me. Sure, my social media is full of pictures of fun things I did and places I went, but behind the scenes, confusion...
View ArticleThe One Goal You Won't Set This Year...But Should.
Every January, we plot and plan the upcoming year. We set goals in different areas of our lives, lose a few pounds, strive for a promotion, train for a race, spend more time in God’s word. All of...
View ArticleMarriage Secrets (from Two Happily Married Social Workers)
I was sharing with a friend about the marriage workbook my husband and I are writing, and she asked me, “As social workers, do you ever have dark times?” It gave me pause. We often share healthy ways...
View ArticleSix Early Signs of Abuse in Relationships
Domestic violence is a complex issue. Few survivors of domestic violence realize how abusive their partners will become, since at the beginning of the relationship, many abusers can be very charming....
View ArticleDisconnected: What Jesus (and Luke Perry) Teaches Us about Relationships
Like many people, I was shocked and saddened by Luke Perry’s death this week. When celebrities (or anybody!) dies, we are reminded we are not immortal. Our bodies are frail. Money doesn’t guarantee...
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