Out of the Woods

Becoming emotionally healthy often does not come naturally. It takes work…. hard work…. consistent, hard work. Here are 6 habits that are critical for emotional healthy Christians.

#1 Emotionally Healthy Christians Connect with Others

We were made for interacting with others. We need each other. Unlike some members of the animal kingdom, we are born dependent on our parents and throughout our lives we n...

I was just looking over the blog from 2014 and noticed a blog I wrote of sexual assualt following allegations against Bill Cosby and university students which sparked outrage at the time. Here in 2017, a new set of allegations spark outrage. While there is a place for outrage, I would contend that there is also a need for outreach. 

Sexual assault is one of those things that causes extreme struggles with shame and as a result, it is kept secret. Secrets that hurt. Yet we know that ...

Productivity.... it is such a challenging word. On the one hand, we want to be able to accomplish as much a we possibly can. After all, an idle mind is the devil's workshop. Right? It would seem that we are given a relatively short amount of time to do all we can with all of our gifts so that we can bring as much glory to God as is humanly possible.

There is of course another side to this. A side that says there is value in the down time. That there needs to be a place for ...

Every so often the news of the day takes on a particularly unhealthy tone. The death and distruction of day to day life in certain parts of the world can cause significant distress to those who are trying to be good citizens by staying informed. I call this Toxic Television because of its ability to fill our minds with such negativity we are unable to function as we stress about life. How can we both stay informed and still sleep well at night?

 

1. Take y...

Earlier today President Obama presented a resolution to Congress seeking approval for increasing the US efforts to fight againt the Islamic State.

Earlier this week family members of Bobbie Christiana Brown gathered at her bedside wondering how she ended up fighting for her life. 

Earlier this month a well-loved couple seeking a classic Mustang lost their lives when a Craigslist advertiser attempted to rob them. 

Our world is full of trouble. We can str...

It's a New Year and across the country gyms are filled to capacity, houses are being cleaned out, and new habits are being taken for a test drive. We have a tendency to forget all this stuff fairly quickly. Let's not let that happen this year. Let's make 2015 different. There are lots of reasons we are not able to consistently stick with our resolutions. Perhaps some of these resonate with you.

• Poorly designed, unrealistic goals.
• Improper or inadequate preparation.

So 2014 is almost over and 2015 is right around the corner and collectively as a nation we will begin to create a list of things we are going to do different and then forget about around February. I'm not certain I even want to try to go to my Zumba class next Saturday. It always seems so odd to me that year after year, we as a nation go through this ritual.  I could understand if one or two people did it, but millions of people make these resolutions and do nothing about them.  Wha...

Today, overall, was not a good day. The flu that had been staying just below the surface for the past few days decided to make a grand appearance today. My daughter was home from school because although her battle with the flu was almost over, she had a fever yesterday and the doctor said to wait one more day. On days when a lot of bad things are going on, I like to try to focus on what went right. Here' what went right.

As I lay on the couch, unable to move because I had become very we...

Last year was so easy. I just went online, loaded my online shopping cart with an assortment of Veggie Tale DVDs and waited for them to show up at my door. Instant Christmas. My daughter loved her "Very Veggie" Christmas. Earlier today, I stood in the Christian bookstore with a glazed look on my face. The salesperson came by. "You look overwhelmed," she commented. She seemed eager to help, but there was nothing she could do for my problem, "I'm trying to find something my daughter doesn't alr...

Well, it's all over the news right now... from reports of gang rape at the University of Virgina to allegations Bill Cosby drugged and rapped over twenty women.  Everybody is talking about the problem of sexual assault. Politicians to football players are trying to figure out how to make a difference in what is appearing to be a growing problem. 

Sadly, while a lot is being said, little is being done to spred the news that survivors of sexual abuse can overcome. They can have ...

Few emotions are as devastating as guilt. Guilt and stop a believer in his or her tracks and keep the Abundant Christian life far from reach. But believers don't have to be trapped by guilt. In my series The Believer's Struggle with Guilt, we'll examine how guilt gets into our lives and how to get it out.

The Believer's Struggle with Guilt  Part 1

The online book club is meeting in person! If you live in the Atlanta area get ready.  We will be meeting on the third Saturday of every month in nearby Riverdale, Georgia. Don't tell me about the traffic.  This location was specifically chosen because it is away from all the traffic and not far from US 75 and US 85. You can get there. Besides, there will be doughnuts... Kristy Kreme doughnuts. 

Join us for the first club meeting. Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2 PM at
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It has been 13 years since that fateful and almost everything one could think to say about it has already been said. Memorials are in place, traditions have been set, a day of service has been set aside. In many ways its just another day.

I am struck with the nagging question, "What have I personally done to help end radical Islam?" For me, the answer has been very little. Afterall, I don't have any policital power. I will argue that the problem really has more to do with the condition ...

In the wee hours of this morning, we lost Truett Cathy the founder of Chick-Fil-A. He was a giant of a man who created an empire. What is more amazing is that many are remembering him not for the fast food empire, but rather for his dedication to his faith. If you haven't heard already, Mr. Cathy taught 8th grade boys Sunday School classes for 52 years. Wow. That's a long time with a very difficult population. You don't do that for 52 years on a whim. You do that out of a sense of calling and...