Counseling, Identity, Relationships
John Beeson
How To Waste Your Counseling

Our counselor sat behind his oak desk, a wide smile peeking out from under his white mustache. “Where do I know him from?” I asked myself. His gentle eyes reassured me. Angel and I slid into the love seat facing him. It was my first counseling session. Angel’s, too. We were here for pre-marital counseling.

My anxiety grew as I placed where I knew him from. I had taken his daughter to winter formal a few years back. My heart rate rose a bit. Any chance of genuine transparency went out the window with that connection.

How To Waste Your Counseling
Christian Living, Evangelism, Identity, Leadership
John Beeson
The Millstone of Leadership

As a young man, I dreamed of being called to lead a revival for God. I was inspired by my pastor, who had led a church that had multiplied from a medium-sized congregation to a congregation of over 6,000. I read stories of heroes of the faith who had led revivals: Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, DL Moody, and Billy Graham.

I prayed God would use me to lead. I dreamed of preaching to crowds and seeing many come to faith. I had the opportunity to lead Bible studies on my high school campus and was excited to try to figure out how to lead others in studying the Bible.

The Millstone of Leadership
Recommendations
John Beeson
This Week's Recommendations

  1. 8 experiences people don’t have anymore because of cell phones: Eden Gordon begins her list, “Boredom used to be a defining aspect of daily life. Whether you were waiting in a doctor’s office, standing in a checkout line, or simply spacing out, there was a lot more time spent simply doing nothing before there were phones waiting and ready to fill every spare moment.”

  2. For now, for today: Andrea Sanborn asks, “What was different about Jesus’s prayer? The words were familiar, but on his lips, they lingered. Tasted sweet.”

This Week's Recommendations
Biblical Studies, Death, Fear, Hell
John Beeson
The Healing Horror of the Apocalypse

I really dislike horror movies. I’ve only seen a handful in my life, and I’ve never enjoyed the experience. But the American public gobbles them up. I remember a time when horror movies only came out around Halloween; now it seems there isn’t a time of year when at least one horror movie isn't playing in theaters.

Experts have researched what the draw of horror movies is. They call the experience “recreational fear”: the ability to navigate fear in a safe environment. The audience experiences an adrenaline rush of danger, and then the sweet relief of escape. Horror movies can provide an emotional release for anxiety, stress, or grief.

The Healing Horror of the Apocalypse
Biblical Studies, Church, Wisdom
John Beeson
The Mystery of the White Stone

In the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses seven first-century churches, commending what is faithful, confronting what is sinful, and calling each church to hear what the Spirit says. Each message closes with a promise “to the one who conquers,” that is, to the one who perseveres in faithful allegiance to Christ.

Pergamum, a church struggling with the enticement of the flesh, receives one of the most intriguing promises.  In this stronghold of Satan, they still “hold fast” to Jesus’ name, but they are being lured by the doctrine of cheap grace: trust in Jesus and do as you please!

The Mystery of the White Stone

spiritual realm

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Saul, the Witch at En-dor, and the Will of God

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Saul, the Witch at En-dor, and the Will of God

Do ghosts exist? Do we have access to the spirit world? If so, what does that mean for our spiritual life? The bizarre story of Saul and the Medium at En-Dor, while challenging, addresses these questions.

 

At the heart of this text is a critical question: will you obey God?

Here is the story:

The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him,

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When the Battle Rages, Seek Union

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When the Battle Rages, Seek Union

There is more going on around us than we can see. The physical world is surrounded by the spiritual realm. A spiritual battle rages around us.

I grew up during a time of heightened awareness of the spiritual realm. I remember lying in bed as a high school student, heart pounding and eyes glued to Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness. I recall driving past Hindu temples in Trinidad overwhelmed by a feeling of spiritual darkness. Our church hosted workshops based on Neil Anderson’s The Bondage Breaker. We were taught to put on the armor of God piece by piece and to claim the blood of Jesus when confronting dark spiritual forces.

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