In just a couple of days we will begin a new year. This is a great time to be reviewing and creating goals for personal improvement. Did you achieve a goal in 2017? Have you established a goal for 2018? Let’s encourage one another by sharing an accomplishment or goal in the comments below. One … More Are You Prepared for 2018?
Halloween is nearly upon us and that means candy. Lots of candy. Literally, pounds of candy await most trick-or-treaters. Along with candy can come cavities and that, of course, means a trip to the dentist. For some, going to the dentist is even more terrifying than the ghosts and goblins that are promoted on Halloween. … More Candy and Cavities and Anxiety?
One of the “members” of our family is our German Shepherd, Patience. She is much larger today than when this picture was taken, but I am not sure that she is aware of that fact. What has not changed for her though is her fear and anxiety surrounding fireworks. Perhaps you have a pet like … More Pets are Family Too
This is the final installment of a series on Addiction and Change. Parts 1-3 are linked here. Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 Biblical Change Biblical change begins with regeneration and continues through sanctification. Regeneration is the spiritual transformation which occurs when a person places his or her faith in the redemptive work of Jesus … More Addiction and Change – Part 4
(The following is a continuation of Parts 1 and 2) Hope for Change for the Addict When a counselor approaches addiction as a part of the created order which has been corrupted by mankind’s sin, then that counselor can offer substantial hope for change to the addict. The redemptive narrative of Scripture teaches that God … More Addiction and Change – Part 3
(The following is a continuation of this post.) Addiction and the Fall The question then arises, “If God created mankind with legitimate needs which when met, provide a pleasurable experience, then how could satisfying those needs become destructive or pathological (i.e. addictive)?” A related question would be, “Are all addictions bad things?” The answer to … More Addiction and Change – Part 2
How and Why People Become Addicted The creative work of God resulted in mankind having a built-in reward system which is activated by both internal and external behavioral and chemical stimuli. The pleasures stemming from the activation of this reward system are the driving motives for addiction. The desire to enjoy the pleasures afforded through … More Addiction and Change – Part 1
