Counseling Religion

The first book to link the science behind Tiny Habits to faith and trauma recovery.

Christian faith isn't blind obedience to a set of rules and regulations; it is entering into a relationship with a God who pursues us - not to punish, but to love. As the leader of Central Christian Church in the self-proclaimed "Sin City, U.S.A.", Jud Wilhite has seen it all, and he knows that no matter how far someone has strayed from God, God always remains in passionate pursuit.

En este recurso, Ben Bennett y el autor de best sellers Josh McDowell combinan la sabiduría ganada con esfuerzo y la pasión juvenil para presentar principios bíblicos, probados por el tiempo y respaldados por la investigación, para superar las heridas, las luchas y los obstáculos para vivir una vida plenaen todo su potencial, el tipo de vida para el que has nacido.

In The Weary Leader's Guide to Burnout, Sean Nemecek takes Christian leaders on a journey from burnout through recovery and on to spiritual transformation. By understanding the causes and symptoms of their burnout, these leaders will be ready to take practical, actionable steps toward wholeness. Then, if they choose, they will be poised to do the inner work of spiritual transformation by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the end, these leaders will emerge from burnout more confident in Christ, more connected with others, and with greater purpose, courage, and grace.

As a child, Sheila Wise Rowe was bused across town to a majority white school, and she experienced the racist lie that one group is superior to all others. We experience ongoing racial trauma as this lie is perpetuated by the action or inaction of the government, media, viral videos, churches, and within families of origin. In contrast, scripture declares that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

So many of us suffer from chronic guilt feelings; we assume that these feelings reflect God’s opinion of us. But then along comes the gospel – exploding the lie with its mind-shattering declaration that not only does He love us, He is the One who “forgives all [our] iniquities, who heals all [our] diseases” (Psalm 103:3). While we tend to conform to our own self-concept, becoming what we think we are, Jesus does something for us that no man can do, He give us a new identity. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have become new (2Corinthians 5:17).

The battle to resist pornography is brutal. Its lure just seems too powerful. We've tried for years to be strong, run away from temptation, and manage our desires in better ways. No matter how hard we try, though, we just can't get free from pornography. Some of us have lost all hope. What if the battle you've been fighting isn't even the real battle? What if using pornography is just a symptom of something deeper going on inside of you? What if the things you are doing to protect yourself actually contribute to your obsession?

This accessibly written audiobook illuminates the good news of healing and liberation the Bible offers survivors of sexual abuse. As an expert in pastoral ministry and a survivor of abuse herself, Elaine Heath handles this sensitive topic with compassion and grace.

It Shouldn’t Be in the Church offers the listener an alternative approach to understanding the true value of what a church should look and feel like. It Shouldn’t be in the Church is not a book of "what ifs" or "why it isn’t something"; this book primarily focuses on finding ways to value and appreciate everything that is personal and true about the church so other believers can see Christ every time the doors open. The author takes a revelatory response to the intelligence of what the church is, while providing a practical way to finding the answers.

As young adults, John and Kara—father and daughter—had much in common. Avid sports lovers. Life of the party. Abiding faith in God. And a diagnosis that blindsided and benched them: aggressive, terminal cancer. John and Kara battled their diseases with cutting-edge medical treatments. Both had countless prayers lifted on their behalf. Both believed in a powerful, loving God who could heal. Yet one lived and one died. How can we accept both endings as from the hand of God? Did one person have greater favor? Deeper faith?

This book is your first resource when you need to know how God can help someone through life challenges! Scripture Resources for Counseling compiles decades of ministry leadership into an easily accessible reference that can be used by any Christian believer. More than 800 Bible texts support Nora Fozard’s experience-based wisdom for helping people through life challenges. Her godly wisdom is gathered into brief discussions of dozens of contemporary topics, then offers you prayer and conversation guides for Word-based, Spirit-led counsel of people in need.

Many people have tremendous struggles with self-criticism. In this audio book, I outline 3 types of strategies that help people change their inner bully or self-critical attitudes. I explain the roots of self-criticism, journal strategies that identify problems in thinking, spiritual approaches to releasing negative attitudes, strategies for changing your inner dialogue, and how to establish positive supports to help you maintain your progress.

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.

A woman marries a man, not his ministry. But all too often her husband’s calling complicates their life together. What if ministry life isn’t what she bargained for? What happens when her children make mistakes? How does she deal with church gossip, or even slander? As a pastor’s wife of almost 50 years, Jani Ortlund addresses these questions, along with many others, as she offers encouragement and guidance to ministry wives. Jani reminds listeners that God works out his delightfully good purposes in and through their sacrifices.

The damage you suffered may have been done in one terrible moment or over time. But the healing and the restoration will unfold at your pace, at a human pace. It unfolds as part of your story, and it unfolds over time. As a vulnerable child, instead of being protected, helped, and comforted, you were physically, emotionally, and or sexually abused. In CCEFs Recovering from Child Abuse: Healing and Hope for Victims by David Powlison, you'll learn how to express your experience to God by composing your own personal liturgy.

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.

"The thought of pushing God away doesn't seem a good option; surely I need him on my side", is often peoples' first response. And, they are right, but this is what most people are doing each day. For some reason, they think it's okay to take matters of God into their own hands. They feel it's their right to worry, doubt, judge others, seek revenge or hold bitterness in their hearts. When you hold onto these negative thoughts and feelings, they slowly fill the mind and heart.

Demystifying grace, holiness, and what it means to live into God's mission as a woman made in His image. Through intimate story and deep study of the Bible, Jess Connolly—beloved author of You Are the Girl for the Job—casts a fresh vision for what it looks like to live set apart as women on holy ground in today's culture of confusion.

Stages of the Soul is about making tangible spiritual progress. It’s about truly understanding - understanding like you’ve never understood before - that you are deeply loved. Author Nancy Kane walks you through five stages of the soul’s journey toward embracing God’s love. This book will help you see more clearly how the Lord tenderly guides us to greater wholeness, holiness, and love.

Everyone suffers disappointment, rejection, injustices, and losses, perhaps even traumatic ones. The spiritual pain born of such suffering can paralyze us, leaving us broken inside and barely getting by with the motions of life. Whether we remain stuck or move forward is determined in large part by our resilience.