by Mark Shaw | Jan 11, 2009 | Announcements, Biblical Counseling, Partnerships, Posts by Mark
In biblical counseling, we deal with sin issues of the heart that are spiritual in nature. If an issue is organic – meaning it has a physical cause – we do NOT address it. We send the person to a medical doctor for a medical evaluation. Sometimes, a...
by Mark Shaw | Jan 10, 2009 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I recommend you go to http://www.christiancounseling.com/ and watch their 11 minute video clip that comes up when you visit their website. You don’t have to do anything but click on the link above and the video will begin. This organization, ABC, the Association...
by Mark Shaw | Jan 6, 2009 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Scripture, Truth in Love Staff
What’s interesting to me in this article is the idea that peer pressure makes not already bad men do bad things to get into the “inner ring”. How big is peer pressure in your life? Galatians 1:10 talks about “peer pressure” in this...
by Mark Shaw | Jan 4, 2009 | Posts by Mark, Teaching, Truth in Love Staff
Recently, several professing Christian people said to me: “Mark, I know what God’s Word says about me and about that subject, but I need real answers.” Ouch! I hurt for them, not for me or for God’s Word. God doesn’t need to be defended!...
by Mark Shaw | Jan 3, 2009 | Biblical Counseling, Life Lessons, Posts by Mark, Teaching
A friend of mine once said to me that his “Worst day married was better than my best day divorced.” Obviously, he did NOT want the divorce but his wife did. His pain was constant soon after. He still hurts today though he is moving on with his life. He...
by Mark Shaw | Jan 2, 2009 | Biblical Counseling, Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Let this encourage you: Saving souls is not about you alone. Your job is to spread the seed of the Gospel and watch the Holy Spirit move in hearts to cause them to turn to Christ as Savior. I think sometimes we get caught up in the “extras” and forget that...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 31, 2008 | Truth in Love Staff
Take a moment and share a story or testimony of God at work in 2008. Let’s look back at those faith stones we have placed together, and remember HIS faithfulness! Submit your story-click here...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 16, 2008 | Biblical Counseling
I love being a Christian because we can “put on” a new way to be human which is to be like Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:24)! What a blessing to be able to approach the problems, struggles, and temptations of life like the Master! This only comes by the power of...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 13, 2008 | Biblical Counseling, Truth in Love Staff
Is gambling cute or “innocent fun”? Look at what was happening at the foot of the Cross while Jesus is giving His life for these very sins in John 19:23-24: “When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four...
by Mark Shaw | Dec 13, 2008 | Biblical Counseling, Teaching, Truth in Love Staff, Vs. Psychology
One aspect of biblical counseling that I love is that we are NOT dispensing damaging and harmful labels on people with NO hope for change. Nowadays, a rebellious-acting child who sees a psychiatrist is given the label of O.D.D. – Oppositional Defiance Disorder....
by Mark Shaw | Dec 7, 2008 | Biblical Counseling
Jason’s post below has it just right. Satan is the first being to ever ask a question. Satan’s counsel is to question God. Satan questions His character and trustworthiness. I hope through the trials of life you are learning that God can be trusted....
by Mark Shaw | Nov 30, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Teaching, Truth in Love Staff, Vs. Psychology
Many do NOT see the importance of language. Words point us in a direction. They are NOT neutral. For biblical counselors, we are constantly redefining and renaming psychological observations and descriptions with biblical words for the heart issues behind the...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 26, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I just want to thank you all for your prayer support this past year. We have needed it and the hurting souls we care for in biblical counseling sessions need it, too. I love November primarily for the reason of Thanksgiving. It gives me an excuse to “boast about...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 25, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Music is a tough thing to recommend, nonetheless…if you have never heard of the Christian music group, Downhere, I highly recommend you get their new album: The End is the Beginning; but only IF you like “Christian rock.” Lyrically, these guys are...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 19, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
Something to notice in this fantastic movie is the idea of INFLUENCE. Who are the characters listening to? Are the voices they are hearing godly or ungodly? I won’t give this part of the movie away but it is an important element to notice. Apply it to your own...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 13, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Questions, Truth in Love Staff
So what did you do? Did you recommend the secular place that uses the 12 steps and psychological techniques? Or did you recommend the Christian place that uses the 12 steps and psychological techniques along with a smattering of Bible verses and a few biblical...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 13, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Truth in Love Staff
I received this in an email about Birmingham: “Thought you might find this interesting:I think this was in our Western Recorder (Baptist State Paper). Most generous U.S. city named: Birmingham, Ala., ranks as the most generous city in America, according to a...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 12, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Questions, Truth in Love Staff
What would you do in this situation? A mother calls you and is very upset that her son is on drugs. She asks you to recommend a drug treatment center that she can take him to for in-patient rehabilitation counseling. You only have 2 choices of places to send him to...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 9, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Teaching, Truth in Love Staff
Again, someone who is serving God and giving to Him yet not fulfilling their God-given responsibilities may have the right heart yet be doing the wrong thing. For example, pastors do this all of the time. Pastors often try to help their congregation, evangelize the...
by Mark Shaw | Nov 8, 2008 | Posts by Mark, Teaching, Truth in Love Staff
I switched it on you. Did you know it is possible to do the wrong thing but with the right heart? For example, someone who wants to help a relative who is addicted to drugs may give that person money with a right heart to help them! However, the problem comes in when...
