Counseling Religion

Does it matter if you are sorry for what you have done—or that you have not done? Does your being sorry—does your remorse—matter? If so, how? Who is helped or changed by it? Can spiritual leaders help people wrestle with some of the most challenging dilemmas of their lives? Episcopal priest and licensed therapist Stephen Crippen describes remorse as the crisis—both destructive and creative—that erupts within the human spirit at the point where sin and grace collide.

Does the phrase church discipline sound like an oxymoron? The church’s message is about grace, we reason, while discipline feels like the opposite of grace. In fact, Jesus taught his disciples to practice church discipline because it’s one way congregations grow in holiness and imitate God’s own love. In this audiobook, Jonathan Leeman presents biblical answers to questions about the nature and application of church discipline, conveying that Scripture presents church discipline as both loving and necessary.

Your cancer diagnosis comes as a surprise and not a pleasant surprise. It is a hard and threatening jolt. Perhaps you are still in shock. Still trying to wrap your mind around the new reality of your diagnosis and what it means for your present and future. Is it possible to walk by faith on this difficult journey? David Powlison, speaking both as a counselor and as someone who has been diagnosed with cancer four times, describes the uncertainty, the physical pain, and the emotional and spiritual struggles that come with a cancer diagnosis.

Mrs. Hallelujah shares how the childhood trauma that kept her bound for years vanished at the sound of praise! Find out how it’s done in this dramatic rendition of Praise No Matter What Happens. Praise opens the door and allows God to fill the inner depths of the heart. Imagine what this one principle can do for your life, your health, and the people you come in contact with every day. May it motivate and affirm a way of thinking about God beyond the unfortunate events you face, for He is the answer to every problem no matter what happens.

Fear, anxiety, and the critical voices in your head can be overwhelming—even if you believe Christ died to free you from those things. When J. D. Peabody found himself in a mental and emotional meltdown, he reached for the armor of God. In the process, he discovered God’s protection and grace were far greater than he had previously imagined. Perfectly Suited explores the armor of God through the lens of personal struggle, showing how the ancient metaphor for God’s care is powerful for his embattled children in every generation.

In the wilderness, Satan tempted Jesus in the most unlikely ways - through independence, religion, and success. The enemy's goal for us is the same, convincing us to enjoy the gifts of this world while making the Giver optional in our quest for life. But by learning to live in the Spirit, lies are exposed, and moments of temptation are turned into powerful displays of conviction and character, bringing us closer to Jesus and who we are to become.

Infertility is the profoundly wounding experience of many couples, often leading to feelings of despair and shame as they grapple with shattered dreams and unanswered questions. But God does not leave them alone in their pain. The Creator and Redeemer of life has not forsaken the infertile, but has called and equipped them to participate in his church, kingdom, and mission.

When suffering overwhelms us, it is easy to despair and even doubt God’s goodness. As the clouds of suffering roll in, we can lose sight of everything but our pain. In these moments, when the stars disappear, we must turn to Scripture to find assurance that God can and will carry us through. In this book, Mark Talbot recounts the suffering of some of the Bible’s greatest saints.

Traumatized and terrified of cancer? Perhaps you have been diagnosed yourself, or you have a friend or family member who is battling with the disease. You know you must face it - but you do not have to face it alone. Praying Through Cancer is a 90-day devotional that includes a collection of stories by women who have faced cancer and, with triumphant spirits, found comfort and sometimes even joy in the midst of it.

Weep No More is a book that explores a theology of weeping, delving into the significance of tears and offering solace and understanding to those who sorrow. The book reveals the transformative power of tears through personal reflections and an exploration of Scripture.

In this book, recovering cynic Barnabas Piper helps us to throw off both the unrealistic expectations that end in disappointment and the guilty sense that Christians are not meant to have fun. He shows how having a clear view of the reality of the fall and the promise of redemption frees us to live a life that’s grounded, hopeful, and genuinely happy.

Forgiveness... Learn how to forgive and let go. Sometimes life doesn't seem to make sense or "add up". We have life circumstances that make us question whether we can truly have a full life. Divorce. Death. Sickness. Financial losses. And life doesn't seem fair. Whatever your circumstances, we believe every listener can benefit from what we share in these words, whether you've endured varying levels of pain or struggle in your own life or you know someone who has.

Sex advice...from a pastor's wife? Oh my. Well, why not? Who better to give sound, biblical advice about what God actually has in mind for your sex life? From pastor's wife and author Lucille Williams comes The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk About Sex and Pancakes, a transparent, surprisingly honest, widely informative approach to transform your sex life and safeguard your marriage.

Our bodies are designed to heal. But while our skinned knees easily heal, it can sometimes feel like our emotional and relational wounds are left gaping open, broken beyond repair. If our bodies instinctively know how to heal physical injuries, could they also help us understand how to restore painful emotional and relational ruptures? Physician Jennie McLaurin and scientist Cymbeline T. Culiat present Designed to Heal: a fascinating look at how the restorative processes of the body can model patterns we may adapt to heal the acute and chronic wounds of our social bodies.

Come Closer, God – It Hurts combines personal experience, professional expertise, and biblical truth to help you navigate life after you lose a loved one. Shelley Beam writes from the candid and compassionate lens of a mother who witnessed the death of her daughter and from the perspective of a professional counselor who has over a decade of experience in the mental health industry. This biblically sound resource takes an honest look at life during grief and walks with you through your grief into a place of emotional healing.

Are you Black and in love? Strengthen your bond and discover true intimacy with your partner before you “jump the broom.” Before the Broom is an indispensable workbook—the resource you need to facilitate self-reflection and communication between you and your partner to equip you for lifelong marital happiness. Renowned psychologists and couples therapists Erica Holmes, Ronecia Lark, and Jessica M. Smedley have collaborated to provide easy-to-follow exercises that explore many common areas of relational conflict, examined through a historic lens specific to the Black American ...

When Sarah Berger’s nineteen-year-old son went to heaven in an inexplicable single-car accident, Sarah found herself plunged into soul-searing grief—the kind that can ruin marriages and destroy faith. But that is not her story. With an unrelenting grip on the Lord’s hand, Sarah clung to the promise that God is close to the brokenhearted. Now, for the many others who grieve losing loved ones to accidents, illnesses, and even suicide, Sarah points them to the God of all comfort. This book opens listeners’ hearts and minds to embrace God’s promises in the midst of grief.

In Restored: Living and Loving after Abuse, Dr. Don Woodard offers hope and healing for the abuse victim, helping them to see a way to victory. With proven life principles to help the abuse victim confront their giants and realize that peace, hope, and victory can be obtained, they can learn to live and love again. This book is also an excellent resource for the counselor and for those who love a victim of abuse.

A fresh approach to spiritual formation! In the past, church leaders have turned to small groups or other kinds of discipleship programs to encourage spiritual growth in their churches. Yet, despite good intentions, the deeper experiences of spiritual transformation they had hoped for remained elusive.

Anyone who has ever gone for a run, a jog or even a walk knows that uplifting, happy feeling they get at the end of their journey. Some call it the runner's high; others put it down to endorphins. Here William Pullen teaches us focus that incredible energy to experience our emotions in motion. In Run for Your Life, Pullen argues that we need a radical new approach to mindfulness - an approach which originates in the body itself.