Walk with me as I explore the nature of each of the seven generations that co-exist in America today: The Greatest Generation > The Silent Generation > Baby Boomers (I & II) > Generation X > Millennials > Generation Z > Alpha Generation. Align yourself as a member of one of these generational groups based […]
Prior to the 20th century, adults demanded strict adherence to a very stringent code of behavior and conduct – privately and publicly – for both themselves and their children. Despite many of their techniques appearing harsh and primitive by today’s standards, history appears to show that the effects of these methods were not as emotionally […]
The Bible tells us that each of us is made by God as a composite of three distinct components: “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT) In […]
I wish I had come up with this quote: “The definition of insanity is doing the very same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” Why do we do that? What is it within us humans that takes us back to the same painful choices again and again? In the year 700 BC, […]
I’ve devoted much of my recent writing to helping you understand the more subtle – even “unintentional” – ways that shaming occurs. I would be remiss, though, to not commit space in my writings to address the more obvious forms of shaming. I wrote my blogs for the person who has been overtly shamed through […]
Shame is internalized more than it is learned. It evolves from a chronically unmet need, into a false belief, into an altered self-image. This will develop in uniquely different ways in the lives of individuals who have been exposed to the very same environment. For some, it may create internalized shame that is acted out […]
I’m going to make the assumption that most people who are reading this have at least heard, if not studied, the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, recorded at the beginning of the Bible. They enjoyed a wonderful, intimate connection with God. That was until they made a choice. God extended […]
Allow me to share one of the most meaningful quotes I’ve ever heard: “We teach what we know, but we reproduce who we are.” I teach this principle in my counseling practice nearly every day. I’ve tried to engrain it into my adult children ever since the day I first heard it. I strive to […]
Most of us have asked God in a thousand ways, “What is your will for my life?” Bottom line: God cares more about who you are than He does about what you’re doing. But you may be asking yourself, what about all the good and bad things I’ve done in my life? And what about […]
I can’t even begin to tell you the number of counseling clients I’ve met over the past decade who have sincerely confessed to me something like this: “I’ve always thought I was a Christian. But, if I really am, why do I still struggle with so much shame and doubt deep inside me? I thought […]