Abel

Man is created in God’s image Man is wired for God He yearns for permanence He intuits divine purpose He seeks ultimate meaning Despite this longing, man cannot fully comprehend God’s decree and providence. God’s decree is: Exhaustive (Eph. 1:11) But inscrutable (Rom. 11:33)

This is a game changer for the spread of the gospel and missionary work to the nations.

Went to a “No Kings” protest in my town and handed out gospel tracts—pointing people to the only true King (Acts 17:7). Even in protest, there’s an open door for the gospel. To God be the glory.

@sevier_nick Thanks Nick. Please see my response attached.

First, you asked about a specific situation—not all mental illness. And, that’s what I offered a response to. So, to interpret my views in that way is a bit presumptuous. Second, I didn’t say that if people just read their Bibles and apply it to their lives, then their problems will go away. That’s a common oversimplification and mischaracterization of biblical counseling that, on the one hand, indicates a lack of confidence in Scripture to transform lives, and, on the other hand, doesn’t have a right understanding of the issues at hand. So, can you define mental illness for me? How do you understand it as someone who has interest in this topic? Can the “mind” (meaning the immaterial aspect of man) get sick or are you speaking of brain disorders that science has supposedly discovered and described with a vast array of mental illness labels? And, what is your view of a “solution”? Is it temporal relief through coping mechanisms that supposedly have scientific support (that’s what it sounds like)? Or… Concerning suffering, is it a right response to God and others, even when enduring sufferings that God doesn’t necessarily promise alleviate (think Paul’s thorn in the flesh)? Concerning sin, is it the progressive work of reorienting the heart, renewing the mind, and reforming behavior, such that one puts off sin that is impacting his/her spiritual well-being and producing a lack of internal peace? These questions are crucial. In my view, the experiences the world labels as mental illness are real, but mental illness labels are descriptive constructs that tell us nothing about the cause of the problem. To label something a mental illness does not inherently substantiate the claim that it is; science has to show that mental illnesses are brain disorders, which it has notoriously failed to do. Moreover, the Bible addresses the experiences the world describes as “mental illness,” and it describes and demonstrates how they are fundamentally spiritual issues—spiritual issues that are very real and must be dealt with appropriately, namely with the word of God that is powerful to save, sanctify, and sustain in even the most severe circumstances. Hope that helps, brother.

Biblical counselors do not use secular interventions.

@sevier_nick Nick, thanks for responding. So to summarize you believe all mental illness is spiritual issue? Am I right to interpret your views that way? If they just read their Bible enough and apply it to their lives, it will go away? I'm not speaking of depression alone but broadly.

Biblical counselors don’t have the legal authority to tell people to start or stop using drugs like Prozac. However, the use of such a drug indicates that this person believes chronic depression is a medical issue rather than a spiritual issue, although there is no scientific basis for that conclusion and the Bible clearly describes what the world labels “depression” as a spiritual issue. So, I would do 2 things. First, I would want to hear about the person’s past and the depression they’re experiencing, so that I can show them how the Bible addresses both. Second, I would inform them of how drugs like Prozac may help alleviate symptoms in the short term, but they can cause long-term damage to the brain, and they never deal with the cause of the problem, namely the heart’s response to a painful past. Whether the drug “works” or not must be seen in its proper light. Often in situations like this—including those with my own friends and family—the word of God starts to bring transformation and the person voluntarily stops using drugs, because they realize drugs only numb them and mask the real problem.

“The whole city of the Gadarenes… begged Him to depart” (Matt 8:33‑34) vs. “When Jesus came to Gennesaret, the people brought all who were sick… and begged to touch the fringe of His garment” (Matt 14:34‑36) Fear or faith—God’s presence exposes our hearts.

@jasonkovacs @jonathanholmes Jason, can you please help me understand what this man is saying? I worry about this kind of statement in Biblical counseling movement. My church partners with Jonathan's ministry at Fieldstone Counseling. He's a great brother.

Very excited about this news! I believe @jonathanholmes is the right man to lead CCEF and faithfully steward its legacy into the days ahead.

@BornAgainBalaky Greetings brother. Please read this article. It will minister to you. Bookmark it and come to it over and over as needed. Grace and peace to you in Christ. thegospelcoalition.org/article/overco…

I’m gonna be vulnerable here for a minute. With an honest reaction and reflection. I watched a reel of a dad and his son buying a Game Cube and a game and I got depressed. Not because it was sad but because I want to be a dad, but may never be a dad. And the truth is (con)

God hasn’t given you today the strength you need for the rest of your life. He doesn’t promise that. Live for God today, trust God for tomorrow. The only thing that’s certain about tomorrow is that God will give you fresh mercy for it (Lam. 3:23).

The primary way we take our thoughts captive (2 Cor. 10:5) is not by suppressing them or distracting ourselves from them, but by informing them—especially with God’s promises.

Psalm 64:1 ESV [1] Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Most of our lives are spent not actually fighting our enemies, but only the dread of them. Not over something in the past—or in the present—but something in the future.

A couple from China joined our discover class this month and are already adding to our multi-ethnic, multi-generational church. Our diversity isn’t manufactured—it’s Christ displaying His wisdom through the church (Eph. 3:10). I’m grateful to shepherd this church. SDG!

Paul describes a God who “delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10). Past deliverance strengthens present faith and fuels future hope.

"There are two bodies of knowledge an educator needs: content knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge about how best to teach. Neither one creates a prohibitive barrier to homeschooling," notes former teacher and associate principal, @MrDanielBuck And parents today don't have to go it alone: "Homeschool co-ops, online classes, and even YouTube provide access to instruction that a homeschooler simply would not have had even 10 years ago." Read the article here: ifstudies.org/blog/yes-youre…

Just gave a fellow dad at the playground a gospel tract and some encouragement. I’ve started bringing packs of tracts with me when I go with my son—praying the Lord uses these small moments. Lord, give me eyes to see the providential opportunities to sow gospel seed. 🙏 SDG!

"Second only to redemption by the incarnate Lord, the act of creation was the greatest display of the glory of God." —Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology, p 205.

Our city school wants a 1.75% income tax to replace property levies. The board says they’ll be forced to cut spending if the 1.75% income tax vote fails. Citizens deserve wise stewardship—trim waste before adding new taxes.

“Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near…” — Zephaniah 1:7 “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” — Habakkuk 2:20 When God acts in judgment or providence, our words fail; our hearts must wait in reverent awe.

A “No Kings” protest is happening in my area this Saturday. I don’t see chaos—I see an open door. An opportunity to sow seeds, hand out gospel tracts, and speak of Christ. Pray the Lord gives me eyes to see His providence—and Spirit-filled boldness to preach the gospel.