Counsel for Life

In this episode we talk with Kristen Crew, mother of six children through foster care, adoption, and by birth. Kristen shares her story of becoming a foster and adoptive parent, and she provides her vulnerable and wise perspective on the joys and sorrows involved in building a family through fostering and adopting. She points us toward the Lord's good provision through her journey. This episo...

Jonathan Holmes is a counselor and the executive director of Fieldstone Counseling . In this episode Jonathan shares his own story of being an adopted child. He shares what it was like growing up in his home, and he talks about the ways he has processed his story throughout his adulthood. Finally, he talks with us about his pursuit of finding his birth mother and the ways the Lord comforted and en...

In this episode we talk with Jason Kovacs, counselor and executive director of the Gospel Care Collective . Jason joins us to share his personal story of being an adoptive parent. He also shares about common counseling issues that adoptive parents may face, and he gives  wisdom about some ways in which counseling and biblical community can provide helpful support for families who adopt. Click HERE...

This episode features Steve Midgley and Helen Thorne , counselors and co-authors of Mental Health and Your Church .  They answer questions about how to care for someone who struggles with mental health, when to involve others, and how the Church is meant to come alongside those who are struggling. They also offer encouragement to those who are serving others and seeking to be healthy in their own...

In this episode we talk with author, speaker and counselor Elyse Fitzpatrick. Elyse shares with us her vast experience and wisdom as a woman in ministry, and she offers encouragement to those who seek to serve others through counseling and discipleship. To learn more about Elyse's ministry, click HERE . Click HERE to become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Subscribers receive a bonus e...

In this episode we talk with Rush Witt, author of  I Want to Escape: Reaching for Hope when Life is Too Much . Rush gives us some helpful insight into our tendencies to try to escape from feelings of anxiety, and he shares wisdom for how we can turn toward God in moments of struggle in order to receive peace and comfort. This episode is sponsored by New Growth Press. Click HERE to learn about New...

In this episode we talk with Tim Challies, blogger and author. Tim shares about his experience of grief after losing his son in 2020, and he gives us a profound vision for the ways in which sorrow can shape us toward further intimacy with God. We are so honored to receive his vulnerable and wise counsel in this episode. Tim's newest book, Seasons of Sorrow , is a must-read. Click HERE to read...

This episode features Isabel Tom, author of  The Value of Wrinkles . Isabel talks with us about what she has learned from growing up in a multigenerational home, as well as wisdom for how to engage in relationship with elderly people. To learn more about Isabel's work, visit valueofwrinkles.com . Click HERE to become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Subscribers receive a bonus episode...

This is a follow-up for the episode on how to love our parents. In this episode we discuss some pitfalls that parents of adult children might face, such as making assumptions and parenting out of fear. We give some practical tips for growing in a healthy relationship with our children as they continue to grow into adulthood. Here are two book that might be helpful: You Never Stop Being A Parent ,...

In this episode we discuss the potential difficulty that comes with trying to love our parents well. We consider challenges such as how to honor them when we disagree, and we offer practical tools for growing in a healthy relationship together. Here's a book that may be helpful if you are struggling in your relationship with your parents: How to Love Difficult Parents , by Jim Newheiser Click...

In this episode we speak with Bible teacher and author Nancy Guthrie. Nancy graciously shares her story of deep sorrow and loss, and she shows us how we can enter into the truth of Scripture amidst our suffering. She gives wise counsel about how to utilize the Bible in a way that encourages and brings hope, and she shares about the importance of community when loss occurs. Click HERE to learn more...

In this episode we chat with Bob Lepine, pastor and author of a new book called Build a Stronger Marriage: The Path to Oneness . Bob shares with us how he approaches couples whose expectations have not been met, and he talks about how each spouse's past can affect their current relationship. Finally, he shares the need for our own hearts to heal as we seek to love and care for each other. To...

This episode features Ed Welch, counselor, teacher and author. Ed talks with us about his new book, I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say?   We discuss Ed's thoughts on how Christians should view  psychiatric diagnosis, as well as what to look for in a counselor when a person has received a diagnosis. Finally, Ed shares his thoughts on the ways the gospel speaks to suffering...

This episode features Hayley Satrom, counselor and author of the book  Forgiveness: Reflecting God's Mercy .  Hayley talks with us about the difficulty of forgiving someone who continues to cause harm and does not seem repentant. She also shares how she processes working in counseling with someone who seems to be stuck in patterns of sin. Finally, we spend time talking about the role of creat...

In this episode we are joined by Michael Gembola, author of Anxious About Decisions: Finding Freedom in the Peace of God . Michael is a counselor and teacher, and he shares about the anxiety that often happens when we are faced with important decisions. He gives us specific encouragement into drawing near to God in the midst of anxiety. Click HERE to become a friend of the podcast by subscribing!...

Esther Smith is the director of Christian Trauma Counseling, and her most recent award winning book is A Still and Quiet Mind . In this episode she talks with us about how to engage with difficult and unwanted thoughts with solid theology and practical strategies. She talks about what it's like to experience difficult thoughts as a counselor, and she also shares specific ways she seeks to qui...

In this episode we talk with Mike Kelsey, Lead Pastor of Preaching and Culture at the Montgomery County Campus of McLean Bible Church. Mike shares with us the importance of making mental health a normal conversation in the Church. He also gives us helpful context for understanding the unique struggles of Christians today and how to wisely and compassionately address the culture of doubt and decons...

In this episode we talk with Michael Crawford, the executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware.  Michael shares with us the wisdom of growing in how we experience the world and how other people experience us in relationships. Michael states that when we are self-aware, we are more likely to engage honestly and humbly with those around us as well as with the Lord. Click HE...

In this episode we interview chartered psychologist and conference speaker Catherine Haddow. Catherine shares wisdom from her book Emotions: Mirrors of the Heart , published by 10 of those Publishing. She specifically talks with us about a biblical view of emotions, as well as ways we can engage with our emotions in a healthy way. To learn more about Catherine's ministry, click HERE . Click H...

In this episode we talk with Nate Brooks, assistant professor of counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary. Nate shares wisdom with us about ways to wisely utilize the truth of Scripture in the counseling setting. Whether you are a counselor, counselee or simply want to gain wisdom for your everyday life, this episode will offer wise instruction. To learn more about Nate's ministry, click H...

In this episode we glean wisdom from author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin. We discuss Exodus 34, the scene in which God reveals himself to Moses. Jen shares ways in which we can understand God's character through passages such as this, which leads us to better understand our suffering in light of the gospel. To learn more about Jen's ministry, click HERE . Click HERE to become a friend of...

In this episode we talk with Brad Hambrick, author of a brand new book called Angry with God . In this discussion we talk about anger that expresses grief at the injustice of the fallen world we live in. Brad shares helpful wisdom about how to walk through this kind of struggle. To learn more about Angry with God , click HERE . To learn more about Brad's ministry, click HERE . Click HERE to b...

This is the second part of a two-part series with Brad Hambrick. In this episode he will introduce us to his workbook called, "False Love: Overcoming Sexual Sin from Pornography to Adultery." Brad shares with us the tools in this workbook to help a person discover the roots of their sin and come toward the Lord in repentance and growth. Click HERE to learn more about Brad's workbook...

This episode features Brad Hambrick, who will introduce us to "True Betrayal: Overcoming the Betrayal of Your Spouse's Sexual Sin." This is a workbook he created to walk a person through nine steps in healing, and Brad will talk with us about how the workbook can be used in ministry settings and with individuals. Whether you have experienced betrayal or know someone who has, you wil...

We are pleased to begin a new season of Counsel for Life! In this episode we'll look back over the joys of Season 1, and we'll share what's coming up this season. We also begin a conversation about the importance of healing from past wounds. This conversation leads us into our first bonus episode that will air next week for our paid subscribers. Click below to learn how to become a...