Pastor Sharon Billington's Blog (24)

Have you ever read the book of Ruth and wondered how it is she made the choice to stick with Naomi?…

Most of those we see in our Christian Counseling practice have issues with anger, and one of the most frequently asked questions is , "Is it okay to be angry with God?"

Our answer may surprise you. We explain that anger is an emotional response, and it can express surprise at some kind of loss like the loss of a relationship through death, divorce or betrayal, the loss of health due to accident or illnes or the loss of financial security due to circumstances beyond your…

I send you greetings of peace and love from the rest of the family. They, like I, are always with you and never leave or forsake you. The angels and the rest of us want you to know how precious you are to us.…

Arrgh! Seems like when I make spiritual headway either for myself or someone else, I frequently get attacked by a seemingly impossible or unfair challenge. I'm sure this has happened to you, too. (If it hasn't, what planet are you from?)

Aside from verbally exclaiming things that hopefully are not offensive to God, what else do you say or do? Do you, like me, place your head in your hands, heave a mighty sigh and then do something to distract yourself? Discovering that doesn't work,…

Have you ever had a holiday season where things have been peaceful between friends and family? Have you been able to renew relationships with those you haven't seen in a while?

Well, you might be wondering what planet I'm from, but bear with me! It is possible to have a great time during the holidays and other times when family and friends you haven't seen for a while come to visit for longer than a few hours.

I know what you're thinking, it's not always possible, and boy, do I…

What do respected spiritual leaders Joni Eareckson Tada, Robert H. Schuller, Jerry LuQuire, and John Larson have in common? They have nothing but praise for Encouraging Words For Life's Tough Times, An Emotional Recovery Workbook for Christians.

Joni Eareckson Tada's review says "This interactive book validates what we are feeling and then directs us to scripture to find the answers that will make a change in our lives."

Joni also authorized our workbook to be placed on her…

As many of you know, George and I are ordained and have a Great Commandment ministry that helps seekers and believers recover emotionally through developing balanced, healthy relationships with God, others and self.

We are now regular contributors to Divine Eloquence magazine. Our featured column is called "Caring Christian Counselors" and it's meant to be interactive, meaning we appreciate and welcome your feedback, comments and sharing your stories with us as well as your subject…

I don't know about you, but I spend a lot of my life waiting: I got married later on in life, God called me to the ministry later on in life, I live with chronic illness and disability that I am waiting for God to attend to in His perfect timing and plan for my life, I wait to become less computer-challenged so that I can catch up with all you guys who can do all sorts of stuff I salivate over, and I wait for God's leading to do and be what He wants me to do and be when He wants me to do and…

Many of those we serve in our Christian Counseling practice ask about God and what He wants from us, what pleases Him. They have mostly been taught about doing good works of service to others but haven' t been told the most important thing God looks for in each and every one of us. It's attitude, why you do what you do and how you do it.

Jesus came not only to pay the penalty for our sins so that we can be with Him and the Father and Spirit forever, He came to show us how to…

Micah 6:8 NKJV

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 NKJV

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

The Christian life is about choices. It's also about relationships as shown in…

God not only gave us life, He tells us how to live it. Just like there is a simplicity that is Christ, there are simple (but not always easy!) instructions God gives in His word. For more information, please click on the link below:

http://www.encouragingwordsministries.com

Transforming lives through developing balanced, emotionally healthy relationships with God, others and self

If you’re a care giver for your kids or someone who is elderly or infirm, sometimes you feel overwhelmed and frustrated because there seems to be no end to the things you need to do and there’s no time to focus on your own needs. It seems no one really understands what you are going through. Jesus does understand and is here…

If someone came to you needing food, clothes or other kinds of help, what would you say? What would you do? Would you reach into your pantry, pocketbook or closet and give what is needed? Would you refer them to a faith-based or secular organization that you know can provide what is needed? If you know there is no…

Is your marriage happy? Do you see your wife or husband as your best friend and soul mate? Can you share what’s in your heart with confidence that what you say is heard and not judged? Can you disagree honestly and have a peaceful outcome?…

Well, you're probably wondering what these three have in common. This is the title of a talk we give to encourage groups of all sizes. When we share the details, we show that we are no stranger to hard times ourselves, so we really live what we counsel, write and speak about!

If you've ever had the misfortune of having the utilities turned off so you don't have heat, electricity or air conditioning,or if you've slept in your car in an isolated location in the dead of winter, we…

Here's something helpful for when life gets hard for those that you care about and want to help but don't know how.…