While ensconced in my current reading through the Gospel of Matthew, something that is popping out of the text is the idea that at the end of the age, God, with the assistance of some angels, is going to sort us out. Skeptics or deniers of the validity of the Bible and the Christian messageContinue reading “God is the Sorter”
Author Archives: joyspringcounseling
Sobriety (revisited)
I originally wrote this post, “Sobriety” in August of 2020. Little did I know that less than a year later I would be working as a substance use disorder counselor. I’ve never specialized in the recovery field, and I’m learning much about what is clinically helpful for those in recovery and what is not. ButContinue reading “Sobriety (revisited)”
Verbs and Adverbs to Live By
As I’ve been reading along in the Scriptures recently, I’ve come across some verb-adverb pairs that form simple statements about living a life that pleases God. Sometimes I can be a woman of many words (as my readers may have noticed!). But I like the way the Bible sometimes condenses meanings into few words. TheContinue reading “Verbs and Adverbs to Live By”
The Potter and His Pots
Last week I wrote about the bigness and majesty of God. This week I am led to speak of the smallness and fragility of humanity. A chief metaphor for this contrast between God and man is that of a potter and the pots he forms from fresh clay or he re-forms from shards of potteryContinue reading “The Potter and His Pots”
The Bigness of Everything about God
In the flurry of activities and tasks that come with starting a new job, I’ve been finding it harder to settle myself down to write my blog each week. But I’m determined to show up and publish something. When I show up faithfully, Holy Spirit is already waiting for me. He is more faithful thanContinue reading “The Bigness of Everything about God”
Faith and Common Sense
(This is a somewhat revised post originally published in November 2019. I kind of like this one, and thought it was worth revisiting. I hope you enjoy it too.) “Faith in antagonism to common sense is fanaticism, and common sense in antagonism to faith is rationalism. The life of faith brings the two into rightContinue reading “Faith and Common Sense”
Staying Connected
I love being a musician and worship leader. I love playing my guitar before the Lord, because I know that the sound it produces when I play changes atmospheres. And in that changed atmosphere, I see the Lord touch peoples’ hearts. Many guitar players are gifted with technology, but all the pedals and wires, switchesContinue reading “Staying Connected”
Discipline: Confession of a Recovering Tostitos Addict
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11) My latest big adventure is my new job as an online substance abuse disorder counselor. There’s so much to learn, but I love to study, so it’sContinue reading “Discipline: Confession of a Recovering Tostitos Addict”
Whose Fool are You?
The reading plan I’ve settled into for the year has me alternating between Old and New Testaments throughout the week, and presently I am in Job and 1 Corinthians. Last week I wrote about Job, and honestly, I was left with more questions than answers. I’m sure I’ll have another go at that book beforeContinue reading “Whose Fool are You?”
Validation
I’ve been reading Job recently, and I’ve become a big fan of this book! I’m impressed with Job’s incredibly bold lament and complaint toward God. The poetry is incredible, but it truly fits in the category of wisdom literature. Such deep spiritual counsel straight from the mind of God. One thing that stands out ofContinue reading “Validation”
