by Mark Shaw | Jan 3, 2011 | Jesus Only
You hear people say that “Jesus is in your heart” but is He really? Where is Jesus now? In my heart? No, in bodily form, Jesus is not inside of me! Jesus has a new body after His resurrection! Buddha died. Other false gods and prophets died, too. Jesus...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 27, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark
As we close out 2010, I wanted to relay a statistic I heard recently that said that 41% of AMERICANS were mentally ill. In America, we are creeping up on almost HALF of all Americans have some type of so-called “mental illness.” In other words, 41% of...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 21, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Words are important. I was thinking about this during a session I had years ago where the father was portrayed as an “abuser” when really he had mistreated one of his family members physically once. It was a one time occurrence yet he was characterized as...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 9, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I was reading through Lamentations and considering this very tragic book of the Bible. The book is one of the most depressing books of the Bible because it deals with the justice of God to punish sinners, even His own chosen people, the Israelites. It’s a sad...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 29, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark
How do I choose a “higher power”? Isn’t that a contradiction? By definition, a “higher power” is stronger and higher than me, right? If I choose a “higher power,” then is that really a higher power if I can choose it? Who...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 28, 2010 | Truth in Love Staff
Read in the November 26, 2010, Birmingham News a quote from Billy Bob Thornton that revealed his worldview. He was talking about the characters in his new movie called “Faster” (not an endorsement of the movie, by the way, although it might be ok, just...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 21, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Church Life, Partnerships, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Think of one of your favorite preachers/teachers either in the Birmingham area or around the country. Quite likely, this pastor would be a godly man, full of integrity and passion for Christ and the lost, and very knowledgeable. So would this pastor be a good...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 17, 2010 | Church Life, Missions, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I think I’ll coin a new word: Churchianity. Sometimes, I don’t see a lot of Christianity. Instead, I only see “churchianity.” What is churchianity? Churchianity is the busy-ness, spectator sport of attending a weekly corporate worship service...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 3, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Church Life, Life Lessons, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I thank the Lord for the great Bible teachers I have had in Sunday school, church, seminary, and in my personal life. I am still learning so much about the Word of God and realize I have so far to go. It’s always sad to me to talk to people in counseling who are...
by Mark Shaw | Oct 30, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
…put in the hard work and sacrifice required to get there. This is true of counselees and it’s true of me! I want the result but do I want to pay my dues? In other words, people want well-behaved children. They want that end result. However, they are not...
by Mark Shaw | Oct 28, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I find myself teaching biblical truths to Christians who mistakenly think it’s heresy because they are so conformed to the pattern of this church world. In other words, sometimes the Gospel seems like heresy to people who are not used to hearing it and watch...
by Mark Shaw | Oct 22, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark
I was told that on CSI last night, someone referred to Carl Jung (the psychologist) as that “great philosopher.” That is PRECISELY what Carl Jung is – a philosopher! I’m glad the show was honest enough to admit it. Most people view psychology...
by Mark Shaw | Oct 19, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Church Life, Posts by Mark
I know of SEVERAL churches in Alabama that take pride that their staff is not seminary-trained. They love the idea that no one on staff has a seminary education but is simply led by the Holy Spirit. I can partially understand what they mean; however, what I find...
by Mark Shaw | Oct 16, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Church Life, Posts by Mark
I know that many of you are going to balk at that question: Is TIL a church? Well, what is a church? A building? No. It’s the body of Christ. Can an unbeliever be in the church? No, not in the body of Christ. No one who is an unbeliever is in the body of Christ...
by Mark Shaw | Oct 14, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Devotions, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Think about it: If you are on vacation and resting, then you are NOT working. The second you start working while being on vacation, your rest stops. The opposite is true. When you are working hard, you are not resting. The second you stop working and start resting,...
by Mark Shaw | Sep 30, 2010 | Announcements, Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark
My wife found this book review on my book, Divine Intervention: Reviewed by Julie A. Davis (Gilbert, AZ), December 05, 2008 This is a biblical resource for families or friends of addicts with all types of addictions in mind. The author plainly counsels from the bible...
by Mark Shaw | Sep 28, 2010 | Life Lessons
We need to pray for Ms. Lohan to find Christ. What does she need more: “recovery” from drugs in this life OR eternal life through Christ in the next life? For Christians, the answer is obvious because we believe in the afterlife of living in new bodies...
by Mark Shaw | Sep 20, 2010 | Announcements, Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark
September is National Recovery Month to draw more attention to “recovery” from addictions. While “recovery” is a good word, God wants more for His children than recovery. He uses the word “transformation” in the Bible found in...
by Mark Shaw | Sep 20, 2010 | Announcements, Biblical Counseling, TRANSFORMED
I just heard someone on the news use the term “sports addiction” in all seriousness! They were talking about someone who roots too hard for his/her team and lives in a reckless way to support their team. Last time, I checked, the word “fan” was...
by Mark Shaw | Sep 16, 2010 | Biblical Counseling, Missions, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Many people have the right heart but the wrong message. The message is what counts. The truth is vital. Without truth, there really is no true love. Here are some examples of the messages we proclaim in this ministry because we proclaim Christ alone (Col. 1:28): Be...
