Brave The Rapids
The Two Rivers Counseling Center Blog
Forgiveness: Is it Essential?
Written By: Kent Yount Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we as human beings can do and process in our lives. It is hard for us to want to forgive someone after they have hurt us. So is it essential to our Christian walk? This is an issue that I have struggled with many times in my life. I would like to share some of my stories with you on forgiveness and how it
So, You Think You’re a Looser? Pondering Potential
By: Kimberly Franklin “What will become of you?!” “You’re hopeless!” Have you ever had these words or words like them spoken over you? Perhaps the actual words weren’t used but somehow the same message was conveyed in some way. The message that you will never amount to anything, that you’re not good enough, that you’re inevitably going to fail at life and any endeavor you attempt to undertake. In other words, no one recognized or
Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots! (Part 3)
Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots! (Part 3) Read Part 1 (Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots - Part 1) Read Part 2 (Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots - Part 2) SUMMARY: In the initial article, I admitted that the title was as not PC as it was lacking with Christian spirit. I kept it because the problem with armchair quarterbacking (AQing) is that most armchair quarterbacks (AQs) act like idiots. That is the essence of the definition. We’ve
Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots! (Part 2)
Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots! (Part 2) Read Part 1 (Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots - Part 1) Read Part 3 (Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots - Part 3) SUMMARY: In the previous article I admitted straight away that the title was neither PC nor particularly blessed with the ring of Christian virtue. It does however highlight the issue we’re addressing quite nicely. The problem with armchair quarterbacking (AQing) is that most armchair quarterbacks (AQs) act like
Armchair Quarterbacks Are Idiots! (Part 1)
Armchair Quarterbacks Are Jerks! SUMMARY: I know. That title is not politically correct. It’s not even very Christian! I’m an idiot for calling someone else an idiot! Here’s the “but” you saw coming. But I chose it because it’s essentially the point I want to make about armchair quarterbacking (AQing). It’s often a clever yet ungodly way to let ourselves think and say what we never would otherwise. You’re right, some armchair quarterbacks (AQs) you
Are You Being Abused? How To Tell & Where To Start
Are You Being Abused? How To Tell & Where To Start Want to catch the rest of the series? Head back to Part 1. Prefer to listen? Click here for part 1 of the podcast. Rather listen to the podcast version of this episode? Check it out over at The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard. SUMMARY: This is for women who wonder if their situation is abusive and requires action or not. I had initially intended this to
God Does Not Hate Divorce (Part 3)
God Does Not Hate Divorce (Part 3) Have you READ Part 1 and Part 2 in the series, or LISTENED to Part 1 and Part 2? Rather listen to the podcast version of this episode on the"The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard? SUMMARY: This is the final part of this mini-series on divorce, God, the Bible, and domestic violence. This time around I will address abuse that is only perceived, either unreal or unintended. Is imagined abuse still abuse? When
God Does Not Hate Divorce (Part 2)
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash God Does Not Hate Divorce Have not read article 1 in this 3-part series yet? Catch up here. Rather listen to the podcast version? Click here. Summary: What if I came over to your house with an ax in hand and beat in your front door, broke a few windows, climbed on your roof, and chopped a hole in it? You would be indignant. I would be
God Does Not Hate Divorce! (Part 1)
Would you rather listen to the podcast? "God Does Not Hate Divorce" Article Summary: Before we think about divorce, we need to set the stage... Imagine with me that every day you wake up trapped in a marriage relationship that allows you little or no (human) rights. Limited freedom to make decisions for yourself. Unable to move about as you like, and to make friends and have conversations as you please. Little freedom to spend money
How to Be One of God’s Heroes! 6 Truths – Part 2
Rather listen to the podcast about God's hero? Click here to get to this episode on “The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard” in Soundcloud. QUICK SUMMARY: I love a good action-packed adventure. Though the odds are always stacked against the hero, they bravely manage to tip the scales in their favor. When the dust settles, the universe is safe for another day. Why is that relevant? As a spiritual coach, I hear at least one very sad story just
Yoga for Christians? A Gym Class Revelation
QUICK SUMMARY: A few weeks ago I told you a story about finally being able to process how I am feeling in this crazy time. Processing is good and necessary and being able to voice how you feel and put a name to it is crucial. However, just because I know how I feel, it does not always mean I know how to change it. This week I want to tell you another personal story
How to Be One of God’s Heroes – 6 Truths! (Part 1)
Rather listen to the podcast about God's heroes? Click here to get to this episode on "The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard" in Soundcloud. QUICK SUMMARY: I love a good action-packed adventure. Though the odds are always stacked against him or her, they bravely manage to tip the scales in their favor. When the dust settles, the universe is safe for another day. Why is that relevant? As a spiritual coach, I hear at least one very
Writing My Way Back to God: Musing Over the Winter-Like Quarantine
Photo by Ankhesenamun on Unsplash By: Kendra Hamby This global pandemic with the accompanying quarantine has been brutal for me. Hard to endure and hard to process. Everyone processes differently. With the world currently in a state of almost constant confusion and uncertainty, being able to process our surroundings and feelings is even more important. Personally, I process by writing. If I leave all of my thoughts and fears and emotions up in my brain, they
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
PODCAST: Click here if you prefer to LISTEN to the podcast version. VLOG: Click here if you prefer to WATCH the YouTube video of this content. QUICK SUMMARY (This article was first written to provide help during the coronavirus global pandemic of 2020). In the midst of our current global health crisis--or whatever you may be facing in your life--many questions we may not normally ask are now being asked. One of those questions that
Managing Emotions During Quarantine and Crisis
PODCAST: Click here if you prefer to LISTEN to the podcast version. VLOG: Click here if you prefer to WATCH the YouTube video of this content. QUICK SUMMARY (This article was first written to provide help during the coronavirus global pandemic of 2020) A question on everyone’s mind these days (and in any time of crisis, quarantined or not) is how to deal with the sudden and dramatic change, the stress and anxiety, the fear
Finding Your Battle Cry: How To Stand in Victory!
Photo by Jim Arnot on Unsplash By Nancy Krissel, from a talk given in 2017 A War is On I would like to say a word about fighting. There is a war, and we are in it. We have an enemy, but we need to know who that enemy is. Ephesians 6:10-12 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be
Navigating Life’s Demanding Seasons (Part 3)
Photo by @helloimnik on Upsplash Prefer to listen to the podcast version of Navigating Life's Demanding Seasons? Click here to go to this material on The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard. QUICK SUMMARY: As we finish this three-part series let’s again make sure we are clear about what a “demanding seasons” is. These are times when there is a lot of work and only so much time to get it finished. Or a lot of opportunities and
Navigating Life’s Demanding Seasons (Part 2)
Would you prefer to listen to Navigating Life's Demanding Seasons (Part2)? Click over to the podcast version on The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard. QUICK SUMMARY: This is part two of three parts - the second myth about "demanding seasons." You should read the first part (Here) before proceeding for maximum understanding and clarity. Let’s make sure I am clear about what a “demanding season” is. These are times when the press of ministry is more intense
Navigating Life’s Demanding Seasons (Part 1)
Would you prefer to listen to Navigating Life's Demanding Seasons? Click over to the podcast version on "The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard." QUICK SUMMARY: As we watch nature cycle through the seasons, we see a handy metaphor for explaining, and sometimes defend, over-working. Although it is not always easy to tell at first, nature will eventually let you know that one season has passed and the next has arrived. However, when it comes to serving and helping
The Advent Conspiracy: Give More
Previous Article: Spend Less Relational Giving QUICK SUMMARY: In recent years, Christmas has gone full throttle into being all about getting stuff. It is all about the next big gadget and the coolest most expensive toy that ALL the kids are talking about. It is no wonder many people are starting to dread the consumerism of it all and want to cut back. But do we stop giving all together, or is there a better
The Advent Conspiracy: Spend Less
Spend Less: 5 “Bogus Beliefs” About Giving Gifts Previous Article: Worship Fully QUICK SUMMARY: Let’s be brutally honest, “spend less” is a mantra many of us need to chant, or better live by, 365 days a year! This may not be a Christmas problem. The season my accentuate it or just bring it out of hiding for all to see, but it is not a once a year battle. That said, budgeting ideas that can be
The Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully
What is “Worship” & How Do I Do it “Fully?” QUICK SUMMARY: This week, as we start the Advent Conspiracy series, the subject is worshiping fully. But what if you do not know what it looks like to worship? What if the word “worship” is an enigma, an ethereal, intangible concept that does not translate to practical everyday life? Or maybe when you hear worship you think about the music on Sunday morning? Well, if
Rescue from Resolutions: Read Before New Year’s!
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash Listen to the Podcast Version HERE: On The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard QUICK SUMMARY: Let’s cut to the chase and try some brutal honesty. Research shows that 88% of those that make New Year resolutions will not keep them. Only 8% are still going by December. This means that for most, this year will not be different. The probability is that you will not be one of the 8 percenters. I know that is
Help, my friend is depressed, and I keep sticking my foot in my mouth!
Previous Article: Celebrating the Little Wins QUICK OVERVIEW: We all know someone who is fighting depression. People from all walks of life and in every season of life can struggle with this. It affects so many people, whether directly or indirectly, that it surprises me that we have such a hard time talking about it and knowing how to respond to it. Often, we default to one of the following responses. For some, panic ensues
Depression Can Take A Hike Because I Got Out of Bed This Morning!
Previous Article: You Are Not Your Depression QUICK SUMMARY: Just recently I had a pretty bad depressive episode. I remember one morning sitting in bed struggling to get up. I decided to call my dad and talk through it with him. (Like we mentioned last week, community is necessary!) I was sitting in my bed crying to my dad because I just could not work up the energy or desire to get up and start
10 Cognitive Distortions
QUICK SUMMARY: The following graphics were purchased from IQ Doodle and used in Pastor Will’s first message on depression. We feel they are extremely helpful tools and wanted to make them available to you. If you would like to read the original article where they explain each graphic and go a little deeper you can follow this link. If you feel you would like to talk to someone about questions or struggles these may surface
You are Not Your Depression!
Previous Article: Facing Depression QUICK SUMMARY: I have fought with depression for a long time, and through much of it, I allowed it and my place in this world to define me. I allowed the negative narrative of depression to take up residence in my mind and eventually my heart. I began to believe the lies that depression sells. I had bought stock in the company. I was not only listening, but I also began
A Better Way To Pray: Depression
By Kerry Krissel QUICK SUMMARY: Alright, I admit it. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, I do not know how to pray for someone. And sometimes, infrequently really, I do not even know how to pray for myself. There, I said it. It feels good to get it off my chest. Yeah, yeah, I know, I am a pastor, how I could I not know how to pray? The answer is, it is quite easy. Either
Facing Depression: David’s Radical Prayer Pattern
QUICK SUMMARY: Depression comes in many shapes and sizes. From light melancholy bouts of the blues, that most people experience from time to time, to serious and persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest that can lead to the conclusion that life is not worth living anymore. These post-sermon talks do not target the full spectrum. Specifically, we are not addressing clinical depression or MDD, major depressive disorder, which affects how you feel, think
Benched By God (2): Called But Stalled
PODCAST EPISODE: The Spiritual Coaching Dashboard… Click HERE to listen instead of read. QUICK SUMMARY: For this episode, I am going to continue the discussion about being benched by God. For this to make the greatest impact on you, and make the most sense to you, it is best that you go back and catch the previous episode HERE. I describe being benched by God as when he pauses, ends, or removes something you value
Lessons I Learned When Benched by God
PODCAST VERSION: Want to listen? QUICK SUMMARY: Have you noticed that God does things his own way? He makes little sense to us because of his greater perspective. And he plays a long-game that confuses my immediate and short-term sight. I learned this the hard way early in my pastoral career. I had worked for over ten years at the same church. I spent over half of that time serving with a mentor that means
The Annoying Yet Necessary Signs of Life
What Do New Grandchildren Have to do With Spiritual Life? PODCAST VERSION: on The Spiritual Coaching Podcast SHORT VERSION: Like the ups and downs of a heart beat (or the season of life, or the day/night daily cycle), so too our spiritual life will and must encounter highs and lows. We cannot escape confusion and clarity, dark times and illuminating times, struggles and victories, boring persistence and uplifting praise. We are dead without them. If
3 questions to get more from reading the Bible
It’s easy to look at the Bible as a collection of hard to understand, unrelated stories. But asking three questions as we read will help us see more than just the people and places of the Bible. Question 1: Jesus, what are You like? We’re reading the Bible to learn more about this Savior we've committed to follow, so a great question to ask is, “Jesus what are You like?” Look at what Jesus says,
In the Whirlwind
Over a year ago, my life was turned upside down when I received news that I had been awarded a scholarship to study in the USA. I was born and raised in a small town in South Africa and I had never been to America, so while I had applied for the scholarship, the idea of being given the opportunity to study there was so outrageous that it seemed highly unlikely. Yet, our
The Thorny Problem of Hearing God Speak
You are not alone. If you struggle to hear God tell you which way to go, join the crowd. Many people who are trying to figure out the god thing will tell you that they are not sure how to know when God has said something. Ask them if they find it easy to get a specific answer form God about a certain decision, and often the answer will be a definite "no." The
Surrendering Our Rights
In society today, it's natural for people to demand their rights. As Americans, knowing and demanding our rights is an art form. When we make Jesus Lord, we surrender the right to lead our lives as we see fit. Followers of Jesus surrender their rights to Him, enjoying only the privileges He, in loving sovereignty, allows. In fact we consider ourselves to be slaves of God(Shocking, I know)! Our culture certainly doesn't accommodate any
Got Voices in Your Head? Do You Know Who You’re Listening To?
I used to have a small sign with Garfield on it saying, “Can I get caller ID for the voices in my head!” I Googled to find some media for this post and came across this; “I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but they have some great ideas.” And then this; “I hate it when the voices in my head go silent… I never know what they are planning.” Face it,
Mad at God? Show Some Respect… And Tell Him!
Have you even been furious with God? Of courses you have. Everyone gets mad at God. I certainly have been, more than once. When my 3-year-old nephew died even after getting the heart transplant he need, I was downright pissed! Everyone fumes and complains and argues and shakes the proverbial fist at the heavens. Admit it. There, doesn’t that feel better? Oh right, you’re not pissed, just a little upset, confused, trying to process. I
Where Do I Begin?
Read here and/or save a copy to print or read away from your computer: > Download Where Do I Begin? (Word) > Download Where Do I Begin? (PDF) This “homework” is designed for and best attempted when you’ve blocked out an intentional block of time to be alone with God. That block is strategically chosen so you can protect your time with God from life’s distractions and responsibilities and from people and interruptions. The goal
Follow-Up “Battle Strategies”
Read here and/or save a copy to print or read away from your computer: > Download Follow-Up Battle Strategies (Word) > Download Follow-Up Battle Strategies (PDF) Watch for Resistance: While resistance may come from our own doubts (unbelief) and fears, the greatest fight is usually with the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10)! Satan often tries to put thoughts in our head after we’ve confessed sin and/or taken a stand against any influence he has
What Is Spiritual Coaching? (Part 3)
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU AT THE CENTER (PART 3)Up till now I have mostly used my own descriptions and metaphors to describe what we do at The Center. I think it is time that we add a couple thoughts from the Bible. One Biblical writer, after scrawling a long list of things that should no longer be found in the Christian’s life, says this: “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as
What Is Spiritual Coaching? (Part 2)
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU AT THE CENTER (PART 2)As we consider how we serve people, let me throw another term at you that will round out the picture. We use "Life Coaching" to refer to preventative coaching "tune-up" for the whole of your life. We use "Spiritual Direction" to refer to preventative coaching "tune-ups" more specifically for your God connection. And we use "Spiritual Counseling" for reparative "fix-ups" for all areas of life and
What Will Spiritual Coaching Be Like?
WHAT WILL A SESSION BE LIKE?If you have never heard of Life Coaching, Spiritual Counseling, or Spiritual Direction you certainly do not know what to expect if you decide you want some help! Those that are familiar know that once you have tried it, it is not as scary as it first seemed. Many of you feel about opening up to a stranger about the fluffy, emotional, intangible, stuff of recollections, regrets and wounds, about
Who is Spiritual Coaching For?
WHO SHOULD COME FOR HELP?Who is it for? It is for all of us. All who would like something more than fluffy ideas, silhouettes on sunset backgrounds, and warm fuzzy feelings! If you do a Google image search for “spiritual” you will find a bunch of mystical, blurry-edged pictures of people in very pious poses, activities, and locations. There are symbols and typology galore, all with deep implications and transcendent meanings intended. If you like
What Is Spiritual Coaching? (Part 1)
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU AT THE CENTERAt The Center we help you “come home” to a significant relationship with God. Spiritual coaches and directors (for the difference see "Choose A Service") join with and help others in the adventure of knowing (experiencing) God deeply and following him fully. “Spirituality” from a Christian point of view is about humanity in relationship with God. It is about being far from him and the process of moving