Author Archives: joyspringcounseling

This week my readings have led me to think a lot about fear. Rational fear, and irrational fear, and where Jesus is when we experience either kind. The phrase “Do not be afraid” appears 81 times in the Bible, 63 times in the Old Testament, and 18 times in the New Testament. The first occurrenceContinue reading “Why are You Afraid?”

It never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit leads me to supernatural convergences of biblical principles that turn into truth bombs in my brain. This week, as I pondered Proverbs 6 and Matthew 7 in my daily readings, one such bomb exploded. Many of the admonishments of the book of Proverbs, including theContinue reading “What Measure Will You Use?”

Recently one of our guilty pleasures at my house has been watching America’s Got Talent. The production design of the show is criminally noisy and garish, a great example of sensory overload for the viewer. But we enjoy watching people who have invested tremendous time and effort pursuing their talents. Any one of them couldContinue reading “Wholehearted”

The wise preacher Oswald Chambers understood the place that intercession plays in the life of the church and the individual believer. He claimed that it is one of the purest acts of service that believers can exercise, not prone to contamination by pride or selfishness.  When we intercede with God for others, we are “broughtContinue reading “Servant Intercessors”

“Sobriety” is a word so beautiful when spoken by recovering alcoholics or addicts celebrating freedom from controlling addictions. My big brother is one of them. He calls me now and then and reports to me, “I’m still sober,” and I give joyful thanks and praise to God every time I hear it. If you askContinue reading “Sobriety”

Those acquainted with Bible prophecy can’t help wondering if we are coming into the fulfillment of “end time” events. Clearly there is a great shaking throughout the earth, in every domain—meteorology, tectonics, politics, economics, health care, religion, communication, international relations, social connection. You can fill in anything I may have left out. Our world hasContinue reading “What Cannot Be Shaken”

It seems like eons ago when I was preparing to be a professional jazz guitarist and vocalist. I was in college studying jazz, and it was the only music on my turntable.  I practiced jazz tunes for hours every day. I sought out gigs of my own and live performances by some of the bestContinue reading “Brothers and Sisters of Other Mothers”

I was with two other women in ministry recently, talking about how the COVID virus has impacted just about every aspect of our daily lives and ministries. Where we go, who we see, how we earn a living, how we plan our next steps. It’s been frustrating on the human level for sure. But weContinue reading “God Uses Evil for Good”

We often hear people these days yelling at each other, full of emotional fury, but unable to make a clear defense for their strongly held positions. Presenting a thesis and a coherent argument to support it is becoming a lost art. We don’t all have to be high-level debaters, rhetoricians, or apologists to acquire skill in presenting aContinue reading “Making an Argument”

I have come to realize that order is essential to maintaining my peace. I don’t function well with clutter and disorder in my home, my workspace, my thoughts, my words, or my relationships. I don’t meet the criteria to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, but I do have a need to keep things clean andContinue reading “In and Out of Order”