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Blog

A collection of posts and writings.
three people having a toast on table

The Amazing Benefits of Family Dinner

“What’s for dinner?” This question has been plaguing parents for generations. It has fueled the growing “meal kit” industry, which generated over $17 million dollars of revenue in 2023 alone. Parents go to great lengths to feed their families. Yet when considering the overall health of our children, “what’s for dinner?” may not be as

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a wooden statue with a white hat on top of it

Why Our Kids Lie and How To Respond

It’s been so long since the Disney movie Pinocchio was popular. It is a sweet story of a wooden doll who dreams of being a real boy. When his dream comes true, he must live with an unusual characteristic — his nose grows any time he tells a lie.  Some people are really good at

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four flamingos

Self Care

In 2023, a video was shared across social media platforms highlighting the fact that when flamingos become mothers, their pink color fades as their bodies are depleted from caring for their children. Women around the world found themselves relating to these light pink flamingos, feeling similar mental and physical depletion as they put their own

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Secure Love

When couples get stuck in negative patterns of relating, they begin to feel the loss of love and connection that might have initially drawn them together. It is common to begin noticing and focusing on the ways your partner lets you down. However, underneath the arguments about kids, finances, or intimacy is often the overall

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a large body of water with waves coming in

Hope In the Midst of Suffering

“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness” (Gabor Mate) [“Trauma” in this quote, refers to Post Traumatic Stress] Often, people engage in counseling because they are suffering. But what is suffering? Dr. KurtThompson, in The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope,

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Emotional Resilience

Emotional Resilience is one’s ability to respond to stressful or unexpected situations and crises, which are events that are absolutely guaranteed to all of us who are living and breathing! In John 16:33b, Jesus reminds His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He doesn’t say, “you might

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silhouette of kneeling man

A Soothing Aroma To The Lord

“And the priest shall offer all of it, and offer it up in smoke on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.” – Lev. 1:9 I recently started a study of Leviticus in my personal Bible-study time. It wasn’t exactly by choice; I have

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sea under white clouds at golden hour

Calming the Mind

Have you ever been surprised by your own emotional reaction? Maybe you lost your temper with a loved one over a seemingly insignificant offense. Or maybe you found yourself panic stricken when you thought you had your worries under control. Perhaps you were hit with a wave of sadness that seemed to come from nowhere.

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Hearing and Following God

By Peter Carey In June 2023, a group of ten people from Burke Community Church traveled to remote South Africa to minister to vulnerable children. In this series of posts, we are sharing the perspectives they gained in that experience. In today’s post, Peter Carey gives us view into his short-term missions experience as he

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Do we FEAR our Feelings?

Our bodies hold our feelings and emotions. Feeling joyful? You might feel a warmth in your chest and face that prompts you to smile from ear to ear.  Feeling sad? You might feel an emptiness in your chest.  Feeling anxious? You may feel your heart racing or palms become sweaty.   Feeling ashamed? Your chest may ache and feel tightness

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Experiencing the Fullness of God in The Deficits of Life

In June 2023, a group of ten people from Burke Community Church traveled to remote South Africa to minister to vulnerable children. In this series of posts, we are sharing the perspectives they gained in that experience. I begin with my own. You do not know what you are asking – Mark 10:38 The morning

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white and red no smoking sign

Ready for Change?

People arrive in counseling for many different reasons but typically all seek the same thing: relief. Relief from painful emotions, relationship difficulties, parenting concerns, or any other number of factors. But did you know that the speed of the counseling process moves more quickly or slowly depending on your stage of change? The formal concept

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