From My Library

I am reading an excellent book entitled: "Counseling the Hard Cases." I downloaded the e-book and I have benefited from the case studies and principles covered in this book. I am also enjoying it knowing that my daughter was able to sit under the teaching of one of the editors of the book. She enjoyed all the classes that Dr. Heath Lambert taught her at Boyce College.

Chapter three addresses the issue of "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder," it was written by Dr. Steve Viars. I have had the privilege of hearing him speak several times at various counseling conferences I have attended. Pastor Viars shares the following quote from the book "Counsel from the Cross"

"Most of us have never really understood that Christianity is not a self-help religion meant to enable moral people to become more moral. We don't need a self-help book; we need a Savior. We don't need to get our collective act together; we need death and resurrection and the life-transforming truth of the gospel. And we don't just need them once, at the beginning of our Christian life; we need them every moment of every day."

That is powerful! It is also empowering to know that our goal is not to become more moral. Our aim is to appropriate the truth and power of the resurrection into our daily lives. It is not what we undertake to do that changes us it is what we understand that has been done that truly transforms our lives.

What "issue" do you struggle with? We all have one or more trying situations or problems that seem to discourage or dishearten us. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find relief from that difficulty? You can! In fact, I would be honored to listen to your concerns and lead you into finding the solution in God's Word. Give me a call or send me an e-mail or fill out a "Connection Card" at church and let me know that you would like to get together to discuss and discover how you can apply the truth of the Gospel to your unique situation.

Trusting in the power of the Savior not the promise of self-help,
Pastor Mike