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Continue reading →: The Extreme Weight of Radical FaithRecently, I was scrolling through one of my favorite websites for Christian books, and I was struck by how many were framed with themes like “radical obedience,” “sold out,” “fully surrendered,” and “on fire for Jesus.” The message in each of them was clear: try harder, do more, and sacrifice…
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Continue reading →: Understanding Spiritual Abuseby Karen Roudkovski, PhD Book Review #5 Roudkovski, K. (2024). Understanding spiritual abuse: What it is and how to respond. B&H Academic. Karen Roudkovski is a dedicated counselor, researcher, educator, and survivor of spiritual abuse. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from NOBTS, where she also acquired…
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Continue reading →: When Shame Speaks, Grace Tells a Different StorySomeone once encouraged me to start my day with daily affirmations. Unsure of where to begin, I turned to the internet. I discovered countless affirmations—ones for recovery, Christians, self-esteem. Yet, for me, most fell short. They felt superficial, like empty promises from TV makeover shows declaring, “A New You in…
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Continue reading →: The Other Half of Churchby Michel Hendricks and Jim Wilder Book Review #4 Hendricks, M., & Wilder, J. (2020). The other half of church: Christian community, brain science, and overcoming spiritual stagnation. Moody Publishers. Jim Wilder (the first author listed on the cover) is a clinical psychologist and theologian, who describes himself as a…
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Continue reading →: When Scripture Is Silent About StruggleLately, in my counseling studies, we’ve been learning about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—how childhood trauma can impact a person’s mental, emotional, and even physical health for life. The research is clear: ACEs don’t just affect emotions—they physically rewire the brain, change how the body handles stress, and even alter the…
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Continue reading →: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage WorkGottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (2015). The seven principles for making marriage work: A practical guide from the country’s foremost relationship expert (2nd ed.). Harmony Books. Book Review #3 by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver Dr. John Gottman is a renowned psychologist recognized for his innovative research and…
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Continue reading →: What Magnets Taught Me About Life and ConnectionLately, I’m being inundated with information on attachment styles—which I have heard described as the roadmap we use when we feel disconnected from a person—and interpersonal neurobiology, which explores what happens in the brain in the context of relationships. What’s the common theme between them? Connection. Have you ever played…
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Continue reading →: Hope Found in the Armor of God10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces…
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Continue reading →: “Holiness” = Wholeness?The Bible spells it out very clearly, God is holy (c.f., Isaiah 6:1-5; Revelation 4:8; etc.). But what does it mean to be “holy”? Typically, we understand this to mean that He is perfect, and so, we think actions (and we would not be wrong). God is holy in His…
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Continue reading →: Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good PeopleBanaji, M. R., & Greenwald, A. G. (2013). Blindspot : Hidden biases of good people. Bantam Books. Book Review #2 by Mahzarin R. Banaji, MD and Anthony G. Greenwald About the authors: Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald are both highly acclaimed psychologists. Together, they have made significant contributions to the field…
Hello,
I’m Roger D.
I’m a long-time pastor, now enrolled at Ouachita Baptist University, in their Counseling Program. After serving in ministry for almost 30 years, it became clear that I had “issues” and I needed to see a counselor. And so, I did. That’s when it felt like a light came on! And, everything started to make sense. After being on this counseling journey for several years, I’ve seen how toxic many of our beliefs about mental health can be within the Church. My hope is to help change that.
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