The Paraclete: A Blog
Par·a·clete /ˈperəˌklēt/ noun, Greek
One who comes alongside others to help (e.g. Rom. 12:8; 1 Thes. 2:11)
A name given by Jesus to the Holy Spirit (e.g. John 14:16, 26)
Synonyms: Counselor, Helper, Comforter, Advocate
Generalized Pharisee Disorder (GPD): Raising Awareness
If self-righteousness is such a big deal in the Bible, one of the greatest diseases of the human heart that has enormous spiritual, relational, emotional, and social consequences, why is it not more often considered a counseling issue?
Station of the Resurrection #4: Peter
Peter is hard not to like. He puts his foot in his mouth constantly, his emotions swing drastically, and he talks big but can’t back it up.
Station of the Resurrection #3: Mary
I have always found it bewildering that Mary Magdalene mistook Jesus for the gardener. Why couldn’t she recognize him? Why a gardener?
Station of the Resurrection #1: Burial
We should never forget that before the resurrection occurred, the cross is everything but victorious. Good Friday is the worst.
Forgiveness: What, Why, When, and How
I recently came across a 10 page teaching on forgiveness by Tim Keller in his Romans study and found it too helpful not to share.
10 Biblical Principles for Financial Stewardship
As you work on your finances, consider the incredible breadth and depth of Scripture’s wisdom on money. I’ve collected some of that below for you, as well as a handful of resources on financial stewardship.
An Exchange of Gifts
I have a gift for you. I’ve been working on it for the past few months and have finally finished it. Like any gift you make yourself, I’m eager to give it to you. One of the most common questions I get is, “Do you have any books you’d recommend on ______?”
Porn: When Accountability and Boundaries Aren’t Enough
Accountability and boundaries are undoubtedly important and surely the best place to begin the fight. Yet, underneath the accountability and behind the boundaries there often remains a heart that is still in love with the addiction.
A Sermon on the Most Hopeless Man in Scripture
What would it be like to counsel the author, Heman the Ezrahite, the most hopeless man in Scripture? What do you do when life has knocked the hope out of you, and you find yourself “in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep?”
Parenting Essentials Workshops - Starting in September
For many, the beginning of the school year marks a renewed focus on parenting and children. With that in mind, our Parenting Essentials workshops start in September. See more information below and consider signing up!
Starting Next Week - Integrating Faith & Work
Our Integrating Faith & Work course starts next week. See more information below and consider signing up!
Two New Staff and a New Ministry
Shreveport Biblical Counseling adds two new staff - Shelly McLain and Jereme Jeane - and a new wing of the ministry - SBC Equipping.
Meditations for Good Friday and Black Saturday
We must never forget that before the resurrection occurred, the cross is everything but victorious. On Saturday, Good Friday is the worst.
Easter Devotional Sale: Resurrecting Beauty
This may seem like a strange book to come from the pen of a counselor…
Reasons for Hope: An Open Letter to the Depressed
The aim of this letter, instead, is hope. To pierce the darkness with a bit of light, to crack open the door that leads out of the pit. And it’s not even general hope that I’m after. I want to help you find hope in God. Will you allow me to do that, or at least to try?
Free Willy & Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Biblical counseling in a formal office is a bit like Free Willy.
Sick with Wanting: 12 Ways to Keep Greed Out of Christmas
Yesterday I came into our living room to find my eight year old son, who was supposed to be in time-out, counting the gifts under the tree. “Dad, how come I only have two presents and my sisters have three?”
A Sample Chapter: The Shepherds
A few weeks ago I announced my most recent book, One of Us: Christ and the People of Christmas. For those interested, below is a sample chapter of the book, which looks at the birth of Christ through the shepherd’s eyes.
New Book Release: One of Us
Exciting news! I have a new book out: One of Us: Christ and the People of Christmas. For those of you who have read Resurrecting Beauty, this is very similar in style except the focus is Christmas rather than Easter.