CCEF Podcast: Where Life & Scripture Meet

Sample Lecture: Pursue & Know People Oct 15, 2024

Today’s episode is an audio lecture from one of our online courses, Helping Relationships, which is taught by Ed Welch. This lecture is titled “Pursue & Know People” and it covers one of the foundational ideas to this course and to all of biblical counseling: that we aim to know people well and pursue them like Jesus.

Registration for this course is open through December 3. Register at ccef.org/school.

The CCEF School of Biblical Counseling offers 6 courses that make up 2 certificates designed to equip you for biblical counseling. Our students include pastors, elders, ministry leaders, counselors, and any Christian wanting to grow in wise soul care. You can learn more at ccef.org/school.

Replay: Negative Emotions (Part 1) Oct 01, 2024

Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Negative Emotions: Part 1.” In it, I consider some common questions: Is it okay for Christians to feel really bad? Is it okay for Christians to get upset and feel terrible, to be angry, or sad, or afraid? How do we rightly view negative emotions? I hope this episode helps you as you engage with your own negative emotions.

Created to Draw Near: Beyond Devotional Doldrums Sep 16, 2024

Today’s episode is a session from our 2020 National Conference: Created to Draw Near. The session is by Mike Emlet and is titled “Beyond Devotional Doldrums: Using Scripture and Prayer to Foster Intimacy with God.” Emlet discusses some practices to faithfully and creatively engage in Scripture reading and prayer, which are two means God has provided for believers to regularly draw near to him and strengthen our faith.

We’re looking forward to our 2024 National Conference: Rest in just a few weeks! There’s still time to register for the conference in-person and virtually. Learn more at ccef.org/2024.

Replay: Rest Sep 04, 2024

This fall we’re taking a longer break from the podcast while we work on a new format with more frequent episodes. We’re excited to launch that in 2025! In the meantime, we’ll be sharing some previously released resources with you.

Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Rest.” We hope you’re encouraged by this episode to draw near to the God of rest.

Mentioned in this episode: We’re thinking a lot about rest as we prepare for our national conference on the topic. We hope you’ll join us for the conference this October, whether online or in Chattanooga, TN. You can learn more at ccef.org/2024.

Trauma: When Death Intrudes by Ed Welch (Bonus Episode) Jul 19, 2024

Enjoy a bonus episode while we’re on break over the summer! This episode is a recording of Ed Welch's plenary session from the 2023 National Conference: Trauma.

This year's national conference will explore the topic of rest: a foundational way of living out the Christian life that can only be learned from Christ and put into practice amid the challenges of daily life. Learn more and register at ccef.org/2024.

To receive a $25 discount on your in-person registration, use the code “podcast” at checkout. This discount is valid through the end of August 2024.

Find all the sessions from our 2023 National Conference: Trauma here.

Answering Your Questions on Emotions Jun 14, 2024

In this last episode of our miniseries on emotions, Alasdair Groves answers 11 questions submitted by our listeners. We hope these answers are edifying to you! You can read a transcript of this episode here. Mentioned in this episode: We’re excited to be doing a giveaway of some CCEF-branded items! To enter, visit ccef.org/podcast-giveaway. Winners will be chosen and notified via email on July 5. Are you looking for an answer to a particular question? See timestamps below to jump to that part of the episode.

How does a Christian deal with a tendency to struggle with joy and happiness even when life is relatively good? [3:50]
Is it a good thing when we can’t control our emotions? [11:56]
Is the emotion of frustration a sin? [18:08]
What about people who don’t know what they feel? [23:50]
What about when a woman’s monthly period or menopause, where emotions “happen” to us and are not “our fault”? [28:00]
How do I manage or overcome strong romantic emotions that are misleading? [35:22]
What’s your encouragement for someone who says he’s a thinker, not a feeler? [39:48]
What do you do with emotions that you should not act out on, but are still important to process? [42:02]
How do you have empathy but also encourage resilience? [45:36]
How do we handle anger, jealousy, negative emotions, and other things that may lead to bitterness? [50:55]
Can you speak to rumination and sadness over relationships that are over? [54:12]

For further study on emotions, we want to recommend to you Untangling Emotions, a book by Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith, where they seek to biblically frame emotions and consider how to wisely engage with them.

Jesus and Happiness May 01, 2024

Is it okay to be happy? Was Jesus happy? Are you happy? Listen as Alasdair Groves considers these three questions.

This is episode 5 in a miniseries on emotions, where we are considering how to understand Jesus’s emotions and how that helps us understand our own.

Mentioned in this episode: we recently released our latest issue of the Journal of Biblical Counseling, which includes articles on topics such as trauma, the empty nest, faithfulness in marriage, and scrupulosity. Learn more here.

Find a transcript of the episode here

For more resources on emotions, including blogs, podcasts, videos, and more, click here.

New Podcast: Introducing the CCEF Blogcast Apr 22, 2024

Today we’re excited to share with you a recent project we’ve been working on. We started a new podcast called the CCEF Blogcast, where CCEF faculty read their own blogs. We hope you enjoy this special episode as Ed Welch reads his blog, “Become a Psalmist.” For more content like this, check out the CCEF Blogcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Music: "Created by Design" by Cody Martin

Jesus and Anger Apr 01, 2024

How can understanding Jesus’ emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt: anger, which we see in Scripture is often directed at the things that turn people away from him. “Jesus is angry about anything that pulls his people away from him, that pulls his people away from their home, the place of life, the house of the living God, where he is leading us to dwell forever and ever.” Mentioned in this episode: We recently released a new podcast called the CCEF Blogcast! Listen as CCEF authors read their own blogs on a variety of topics. You can find it on your favorite podcast app! This is episode 4 in a miniseries on emotions (listen to episode 1, episode 2, and episode 3). Quick reminder: the final episode of this miniseries will be a response to listener questions. Do you have any questions about emotions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us your question at podcast@ccef.org. Related resources:

Good & Angry | Book by David Powlison
Be Angry & Do Not Sin | Blog post by Ed Welch
Untangling Emotions | Book by Alasdair Groves

Jesus and Compassion Mar 01, 2024

How can understanding Jesus’ emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt: compassion, an ache on the heart that presses toward action to make things better.“ God sees our frantic bleating, living like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless. He is a good shepherd, and he has compassion on his sheep, even especially where we struggle to have compassion for others.” Mentioned in this podcast: We're excited to announce the 2024 CCEF National Conference on the topic of rest. Learn more and register at ccef.org/nc24. This is episode 3 in a miniseries on emotions (listen to episode 1 here and episode 2 here). Do you have any questions about emotions? You can email us at podcast@ccef.org, and we’ll spend the last episode of the miniseries answering some of your questions. Related resources:

Because He Cares—for Me? | Blog post by Alasdair Groves
Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners | Book by Mike Emlet

Jesus and Dread Feb 01, 2024

How can understanding Jesus’ emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt, just hours before his crucifixion: dread. How does Jesus’ experience of dread encourage us in our own experience of it? Mentioned in this podcast: Head to ccef.org/school to register for Dynamics of Biblical Change, one of our foundational courses, in the March 2024 term. Pricing increases after February 5, so register soon for the discount! This is episode 2 in a miniseries on emotions (listen to episode 1 here). Do you have any questions about emotions? You can email us at podcast@ccef.org, and we’ll spend the last episode of the miniseries answering some of your questions. Related resources:

“I often experience intense emotions that can feel debilitating. How can I grow?” | Video by Alasdair Groves
Untangling Emotions | Book by Alasdair Groves & Winston Smith

Why Can’t I Control My Emotions? Jan 01, 2024

“The heart poured out to the Lord is actually a form of trust.” Sometimes we find ourselves unable to control our emotions. Often this produces guilt, and we wonder, “What does that say about my faith?” How do we navigate such an experience? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses this experience and what faithful living looks like in this first episode of a miniseries on emotions. Related resources:

Untangling Emotions | Book by Alasdair Groves & Winston Smith
Emotions Are a Language | Blog post by Ed Welch
Strong Emotions, Extreme Confidence | Blog post by Ed Welch
Negative Emotions (Part 1) | Podcast episode by Alasdair Groves

A Host of Scriptures for Every Hardship Dec 01, 2023

Sometimes Scripture feels dry, distant, or impersonal. How do we apply Scripture in these times? How do we take hold of a cup of cold water when we are most thirsty? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses what it looks like to bring Scripture to bear on our sufferings and struggles, using several examples from his own life. Related resources:

Shaking Off Some Lifelessness with the Psalms | Blog post by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/shaking-off-some-lifelessness-with-the-psalms
How Do You Personally Engage with Scripture? | Podcast episode by Alasdair Groves & Mike Emlet https://www.ccef.org/podcast/how-do-you-personally-engage-with-scripture
Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith | Book by David Powlison https://www.ccef.org/book/take-heart-daily-devotions-to-deepen-your-faith

Weak Faith Nov 01, 2023

Do you ever feel guilty about how small or weak your faith is? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about weak faith, primarily considering an example from Peter, one of Jesus’ own disciples. “It's not about the strength of your faith. It's about the strength of the Savior. It's about the strength of the one who can pull you out of the dark waters and bring you back to the boat. Even the tiniest little bit of faith is God's gift to us anyway.” Related resources:

The Way of Wisdom in Weakness & Self-Doubt | Conference talk by Esther Liu https://www.ccef.org/session/the-way-of-wisdom-in-weakness-self-doubt
What can I do to strengthen my weak faith? | Video by Winston Smith https://www.ccef.org/video/how-can-i-strengthen-my-weak-faith-0
An Open Letter to a Discouraged Saint | Blog post by Mike Emlet https://www.ccef.org/an-open-letter-to-a-discouraged-saint

Laziness Oct 01, 2023

“We can become blind to the goodness of what God is calling us to, the fact that his call to obedience is a call to the path of life, not the path of death. When our drudgery becomes our view of what’s happening here, if we see it as him against us or calling us to something that’s not good for us, we’ve lost some ability to perceive what is true.” Why do we struggle to do the things God has given us to do? How do we fight laziness or procrastination and move forward into the hard but rewarding task of the work that God has set before us? Listen as Alasdair Groves shares about his own struggles with laziness and how God can grow us in perseverance in our work."Related resources:

"Why Bother?" | Blog by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/why-bother/
"Psalm 90 and 'Doing the Best That I Can'" | Blog by Todd Stryd https://www.ccef.org/psalm-90-and-doing-the-best-that-i-can/

More information about the 2023 CCEF National Conference here: https://www.ccef.org/2023

The Physical Comfort of Words Sep 01, 2023

“When you offer normal, mundane, simple, best-you-can-do words of love and encouragement to somebody in their struggles, there is actually a physiological impact you are having on that person. When you offer words of comfort, you are literally changing something about their body.” We’re excited to launch season 4 with a discussion on how the words we speak to one another can actually have physical effects for good. Related resources:

Words of Counsel | JBC article by Pierce Taylor Hibbs https://www.ccef.org/my-account/jbc/2702/words-of-counsel-part-1-a-biblical-theological-foundation/
The Power of Words | JBC article by Paul David Tripp https://www.ccef.org/jbc_article/the-power-of-words/
Edit Your Counseling | Blog by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/edit-your-counseling/
Speaking Words that Bring Life | Conference talk by Darby Strickland https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/speaking-words-that-bring-life/

Making Sense of Self-Pity Jun 01, 2023

“It is hard to speak to the Lord about your sufferings and to lament and to honestly go to him and say, ‘Lord, this is hurting in my heart, on my soul.’ We rarely step into relationship in that way, and it's a struggle. It's a challenge, and it's a good, right, excellent challenge to come to him as the one who really does care.” What is self-pity, and how should we view it? How can we turn our self-pity into godly lament that engages honestly with the Lord? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses self-pity and considers what to do when we or others are struggling with it. Related resources:

How Precisely Can I Sort Out My Emotions? Part 4 | Blog post by David Powlison https://www.ccef.org/how-precisely-can-i-sort-out-my-emotions-part-4-5/

Does Love Always Trust? May 01, 2023

“Only the Lord is deserving of full, utter trust. We have a God we can trust 100% in every situation to be who he says he will be. And that means we can always trust whatever he’s up to in another person.” What does it mean that “love trusts all things,” as 1 Corinthians 13:7 says? How do we show an appropriate level of trust in others, and when are the times we shouldn’t? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses what it means that “love always trusts.” Related resources:

Rebuilding Broken Trust | Journal article by Alasdair Groves https://www.ccef.org/jbc_article/rebuilding-broken-trust/
How can I repair broken trust? | Ask the Counselor video by Aaron Sironi https://www.ccef.org/video/how-can-i-repair-broken-trust-its-discouraging-to-think-our-relationship-will-never-be-the-same/

Bonus Episode: Collin Hansen on Tim Keller Apr 14, 2023

Alasdair Groves speaks with Collin Hansen about his new book, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation, and the influences on Tim Keller, which included CCEF and David Powlison. Collin Hansen is the vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Mentioned in the podcast:

"Idols of the Heart and 'Vanity Fair'" | Journal article by David Powlison. Read it here for free: https://www.ccef.org/idols-heart-and-vanity-fair/

The Church Is Doing Better than We Think Apr 01, 2023

When we think about the state of the church today, the negatives often come to mind. While there is much to be grieved about and much change that needs to take place, there is much to be encouraged by when you look at how God is working through local churches around the world. Listen as Alasdair Groves considers some of the reasons not to give up on the church. "The church has been through a thousand seasons where it's torn itself apart over the ages. But grace is always the center. God's love is always the center that draws his people back together. Let your eyes look for the ways where truth and hope and love and kindness and fellowship are gifts to you through your brothers and sisters, from Jesus himself." Related resource:

How Is the Church Doing at Caring for One Another? | Video by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/video/how-is-the-church-doing-at-caring-for-one-another/
The Local Church Is THE Place for Biblical Counseling | Blog post by David Powlison https://www.ccef.org/local-church-place-biblical-counseling/

Are You Over It? Mar 01, 2023

What does it mean to “get over something”? After enduring a difficult situation, how do we know if we’ve processed it wisely? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses some steps we can consider as we grieve and heal. Check out our free resource included with this podcast! Use the code “podcast” at checkout to receive your free article. “‘I’ll Never Get Over It’: Help for the Aggrieved” by David Powlison https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/ill-never-get-help-aggrieved/

When You Feel Numb Feb 01, 2023

What do we do when we don’t seem to feel much emotion? How can we understand this experience, and what is God’s call to us in it? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about the experience of numb emotions. “Each one of us will face different struggles, but for each of us, there's an opportunity to walk toward the Lord and walk toward each other. If you experience a lack of emotion, that in and of itself is always an opportunity to speak to the Lord and to speak to others.” Related resources:

Untangling Emotions | Book by Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith https://www.ccef.org/book/untangling-emotions/
Strong Emotions, Extreme Confidence | Blog post by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/strong-emotions-extreme-confidence/
Engaging Our Emotions, Engaging with God | Blog post by Alasdair Groves https://www.ccef.org/engaging-our-emotions-engaging-god/

Redeeming Your Smartphone Jan 01, 2023

Most of us are familiar with the ways our phones can be detrimental to our spiritual lives. But how often do we consider ways they can be of spiritual benefit? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about how smartphones can actually enrich our relationship with God. “My phone was pointing me directly to the glories and the riches and the treasures of God's promises to us, fulfilled so directly and so richly through the Holy Spirit, even in things as simple as what I was doing as I swiped or scrolled or sent a text or did a hundred other things that we do every day.” Related resources:

“Why Do We Pray?” blog post by David Powlison
“Eyes That See More” blog post by Ed Welch

When God Is Silent Dec 01, 2022

“Sometimes, we will listen and we will hear silence. We will look around, and we will not see him or what he is up to, and we will not know what to make of our circumstances, but here’s what we do know: we walk with the God who preserves his people. The God who stores our tears in a bottle is the God who knows our names and who shapes our names and our circumstances and will always be among us.” What do we do when God is silent? How do we have hope when it feels like he is absent? Listen as Alasdair Groves considers God’s seeming silence for 400 years of history between the Old and New Testaments, and how even then, God’s care is never diminished. Related resources:

Where Was God? | Blog post by Ed Welch www.ccef.org/where-was-god/
Why Prayer Is Hard for Me | Blog post by Laura Andrews www.ccef.org/why-prayer-is-hard-for-me/

Don’t Lead Your Wife; Serve Her Nov 01, 2022

“One of your greatest goals as a man whom the Lord has called into marriage is to maximize your wife’s opportunities to use her gifts within the context of her life and community. You ask, 'How can I help her flourish?' That is serving her; that is leading her." Scripture calls husbands to lead their wives. But what does this look like? How do we know if we’re leading our wives well? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about what it looks like to focus on serving our wives rather than focusing on our role as leader. Related resources:

Manliness for Every Husband | Journal article by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/manliness-for-every-husband/
Spiritual Leadership in the Home | Podcast episode by Alasdair Groves & Robyn Huck https://www.ccef.org/podcast/spiritual-leadership-in-the-home/

When You Can't Sleep Oct 01, 2022

“We have a God who loves, cares, and knows, and I can rest utterly in the hope that he will be with me, he will walk with me, and he will provide. He will care for every last moment of my day tomorrow as I am exhausted.” Do you ever have nights where you can’t sleep? Whatever the reason may be, struggling to sleep is a form of suffering. Alasdair Groves explores what it looks like to lean on the Lord when we can’t sleep, assured that he is near and he cares. Related resources:

“Rest” | Podcast episode by Alasdair Groves https://www.ccef.org/podcast/rest/
“Cares and Consolations” | Blog post by Mike Emlet https://www.ccef.org/cares-and-consolations/
“Fear and Faith Conjoined” | Blog post by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/fear-and-faith-conjoined/

Grief Is Worship Sep 01, 2022

“We do grieve, but we don't grieve without hope. Our grief is a hopeful grief. The losses we sustain and experience in this life are hope-filled because of Jesus, because we have a hope that transcends death itself. We have a God who is redeeming all of creation.”In the first episode of season 3, Alasdair Groves talks about how grief is not something to run from, be ashamed of, or try to get rid of, but grief is an invitation to worship God as the giver of every good gift. Related resources:

“Grief Undone: Walking through Grief alongside the Spirit” | Conference audio by Libby Groves https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/grief-undone-walking-grief-alongside-spirit/
“Is It Right to Feel Grief for What is Grievous?” | Blog post by David Powlison https://www.ccef.org/it-right-feel-grief-what-grievous-part-2-5/
“What do I do when I can’t seem to get over my grief?” | Video by Alasdair Groves https://www.ccef.org/video/what-do-i-do-when-i-cant-seem-to-get-over-my-grief/

Bonus Episode: A Counselor's View of Cultural Chaos Jun 17, 2022

Enjoy a bonus episode while we’re on break over the summer! This episode is a recording of Alasdair Groves’ plenary session from the 2021 National Conference: Modern Problems.

This year's National Conference: The Way of Wisdom will explore Old Testament wisdom literature in light of Jesus, the true wisdom of God. Learn more and register at ccef.org/2022.

To receive a $25 discount on your in-person registration, use the code “podcast” at checkout. This discount is valid through the end of August 2022.

Find all the sessions from our 2021 National Conference: Modern Problems here: https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/modern-problems-2021-national-conference-download/.

Can We Love Someone but Not Like Them? May 05, 2022

“We should never be content with, ‘I love that person but I don’t like them.’ That should always be a call to press deeper, to seek to love in ways that lead us toward a greater tenderness and affection.” In our 8th and final episode of season 2, Alasdair Groves explores the phrase, “I love you but I don’t like you.” Is it helpful, harmful, or potentially both? How can we engage with someone whom we love but don’t “like” in a particular moment or season? How can we both love someone and be passionate for their growth in godliness? How did Jesus model this wise love? Related resources:

“Treasuring Others” | Blog post by Alasdair Groves https://www.ccef.org/treasuring-others/
“Treasuring Others” | JBC article by Alasdair Groves https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/treasuring-others/
“Love is Inconvenient” | Blog post by Mike Emlet https://www.ccef.org/love-is-inconvenient/
“Authentic Love” | Conference audio by Mike Emlet https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/authentic-love-relationships-i-john-0/
“Side by Side” | Book by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/book/side-side-walking-others-wisdom-love/

How Do We Think Biblically About Personality Tests? Apr 07, 2022

"Anything that presses us forward towards each other with a desire to know the Lord and know his people and know how to love better is going to be helpful. Better to be thinking and reflecting more rather than less if you’re doing it with love and humility and the desire for wisdom.” How do we think biblically about personality tests? Are they helpful, harmful, or potentially both? Does Scripture have anything to say about personality? In this episode, Alasdair Groves discusses these questions and more. Related resources:

“Personality Tests” podcast episode by Ed Welch: https://www.ccef.org/podcast/personality-tests/
“What does temperament have to do with biblical counseling?” video by David Powlison: https://www.ccef.org/video/what-does-temperament-have-do-biblical-counseling/
“Psychological Tests: Are You For or Against?” blog post by Ed Welch: https://www.ccef.org/psychological-tests-are-you-or-against/
“Describe a Person Well and You Win that Person” blog post by Ed Welch: https://www.ccef.org/describe-person-well-and-you-win-person/

How Do We Think Biblically About Conversion Therapy? Mar 10, 2022

What is conversion therapy and how do we think biblically about it? How do we engage with and offer the hope found in Christ to those struggling with same-sex attraction, transgenderism, and other LGBTQ+ issues? How do we navigate our role as disciplers in a world where the definition of “counselor” is increasingly broad? In this episode, Alasdair Groves discusses these questions and more through the lens of a biblical counselor. Check out other CCEF resources on these topics:

“The Silence is Deafening: Understanding and Welcoming Those with Same-Sex Attraction” conference talk by Mike Emlet: https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/the-silence-is-deafening-understanding-and-welcoming-those-with-same-sex-attraction/
“Gender Identity” podcast episode by David Powlison and Alasdair Groves: https://www.ccef.org/podcast/gender-identity/
“When Your Child Says ‘I’m Gay’” conference talk by Michael Gembola: https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/child-says-im-gay/
“Five Ministry Prioriites for those Struggling with Same-Sex Attraction” JBC article by Mike Emlet: https://www.ccef.org/shop/product/five-ministry-priorities-struggling-sex-attraction/
“A Recent Question I Was Asked About Homosexuality” blog by Ed Welch: https://www.ccef.org/question-i-was-recently-asked-about-homosexuality/

What Does It Mean to "Look for the Good"? Feb 10, 2022

Through the specific example of video game addiction, Alasdair Groves illustrates a broader skill fundamental to biblical counseling: learning to see and draw out what is good, even in the midst of someone making a mess of their life. “In Hebrews 10, the Lord calls us as Christians to spur one another on to love and good deeds. That's an invitation to an incredible wealth of creativity as believers in thinking about how to apply this passage. Finding the traces of good in someone's bad decisions is one way of growing and being able to spur people on to love and good deeds. It’s a microcosm for seeing the surprising-ness of the hope and power of the gospel.” Related Resources:

“An Open Letter to a Discouraged Saint” blog by Mike Emlet: https://www.ccef.org/an-open-letter-to-a-discouraged-saint/
“Seeing the People in Front of You” blog by Darby Strickland: https://www.ccef.org/seeing-the-people-in-front-of-you/

How Do I Deal With Seasonal Depression? Jan 06, 2022

"We are never outside of the tender care of God. It's true when we sleep. It's true when we struggle to get out of bed. It's true when we fail to read the Bible. It's true when we aren't eating healthily. It's true when everything just feels bleak."

Why Should I Read Leviticus? Dec 02, 2021

"Leviticus is probably not the first place that people think about life meeting scripture. Most of us don't get to January 1st, planning to read through the Bible this year, and put the day on their calendar that we get to start Leviticus. That's not how most of us tend to function. Of course, if you have read the entire Bible, you have a sense that the book of Leviticus is quite important."

What if Counseling Isn't Encouraging? Nov 04, 2021

"Think about Psalm 103. That beautiful phrase, "For the Lord knows that we are dust." He sees our frailty, He knows how fragile we are, and He meets us in that."

Is It Okay to Want Affirmation? Sep 30, 2021

"The problem is not that our desires need to stay constantly small and in check to make sure they don't threaten our feeble love for Christ. It's rather, we want our love for Christ to grow and grow"

Languishing Jun 24, 2021

“Biblical hope is, God is with you. You are not alone in the wilderness. God is with you and that changes everything.”

Honesty May 19, 2021

“If we are people of the God of grace, and the word of God is utterly full of grace, then any true words we say ought to be full of grace as well.”

Negative Emotions Part 2 Apr 01, 2021

“The Bible offers one central way of dealing with our negative emotions: we pray them. We take our deeply distressing emotions and we run to the Lord, placing them in his hands."

Episode 5: Dave Mar 11, 2021

“As Christians we share the experience of simultaneously being saints, sufferers and sinners. Knowing one another and loving one another well requires that we attend to these three foundational experiences.”

Episode 4: Jen Mar 04, 2021

“As Christians we share the experience of simultaneously being saints, sufferers and sinners. Knowing one another and loving one another well requires that we attend to these three foundational experiences.”

Episode 3: Sarah Feb 25, 2021

“As Christians we share the experience of simultaneously being saints, sufferers and sinners. Knowing one another and loving one another well requires that we attend to these three foundational experiences.”

Episode 2: Rona Feb 18, 2021

“Being a saint, sufferer, and sinner are intertwined experiences for believers. These are not segmented areas of our lives—our day to day experiences are a blending of the three.”

Episode 1: Myriam Feb 11, 2021

As Christians we share the experience of simultaneously being saints, sufferers and sinners. Knowing one another and loving one another well requires that we attend to these three foundational experiences.

Introduction to Stories from Saints, Sufferers, & Sinners Feb 10, 2021

Negative Emotions Jan 14, 2021

Let me ask you a question. Is it okay for Christians to feel really bad? Is it okay for Christians to get upset and feel terrible? Do you have a place in your theology for a Christian to be sad or angry or afraid or any of a host of other negative emotions?

Hope Dec 10, 2020

“God is passionately interested in giving us encouragement that shapes our ability to endure hardship every step of the way.”

Trauma Oct 29, 2020

Where you end up is actually through Christ Himself through His trauma and His overcoming the grave itself and every violation that He, knowing and meeting and living with us, has this way of drawing us close and we end up in a place more profoundly deeply good than even where we were. That doesn't make the trauma good, it doesn't mean, "Oh, I'm glad I went through trauma," it just simply means there is this inescapable reality to the depth of hope that a connection to Christ in the midst of trauma offers.

Rest Aug 06, 2020

Is our rest actually restful? In this episode of the CCEF Podcast: Where Life and Scripture Meet, Alasdair Groves sits down to expose the ways that chasing after rest can feel like a never-ending, unsatisfying cycle, and discusses how viewing rest through a Christ-centered perspective frees us to embrace true rest in whatever capacity it might come.

CCEF Podcast: Where Life & Scripture Meet Aug 05, 2020

Counselor's Toolbox: When to Listen, When to Speak Nov 19, 2019

Parenting in Weakness Nov 06, 2019

“There’s a fine line between godly anxiety that’s a godly concern and godless anxiety that pushes away from God and toward man.”

Spiritual Leadership in the Home Oct 24, 2019

“The conversation about spiritual leadership requires humility and patience from both husband and wife.”

Walking with the Depressed Oct 03, 2019

"Many times in our anxiety, depression, and hardships, we forget the Author of our story. What does it look like for me to remind someone that we can trust the Author who is good and faithful?"

Addictions Jul 24, 2019

Ed Welch and Alasdair Groves talk about addictions.

Headship in Marriage Jul 09, 2019

Robyn and Alasdair talk about headship in marriage.

Understanding Shame May 30, 2019

Alasdair & Todd sit down and talk about understanding shame.

The Danger of Being Practical in Counseling May 22, 2019

Ed and Alasdair sit down and talk about "The Danger of Being Practical in Counseling".

Methodology Apr 16, 2019

Alasdair and Todd discuss the topic of methodology for counselors.

Self Care Apr 05, 2019

Alasdair, Mike, and Aaron discuss the topic of self care for counselors.

Sexual Assualt Feb 13, 2019

Alasdair and Julie talk about sexual assualt and how to help.

Failure to Thrive Marriages Jan 25, 2019

Addictions Part 2 Nov 20, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down to talk with Mike Emlet about addictions.

Addictions Part 1 Nov 02, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks with Mike Emlet about addictions.

Boundaries Oct 10, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks with Laura Andrews about Boundaries.

Psychiatric Disorders and the Church Sep 20, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks with David Powlison about Psychiatric Disorders and the Church.

How Do You Personally Engage with Scripture? Sep 12, 2018

Mike Emlet and Alasdair Groves sit down and talk about engaging with Scripture.

Anger Management with Myriam Hertzog Sep 05, 2018

Alasdair Groves and Myriam Hertzog talk about Anger Management.

Pastor's Pearls with Marc Davis Aug 01, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down with Pastor Marc Davis about things that he's learned as a pastor.

Engaging Scripture with Alasdair Groves Jul 18, 2018

Megan Krimmel and Alasdair Groves sit down and talk about engaging with Scripture.

Adoption (Part 2) Jun 20, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down with Julie and Greg Lowe and talk about adoption.

Julie and Greg Lowe's Adoption Story (Part 1) Jun 06, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down with Julie and Greg Lowe and tell their adoption story.

Seeing Jesus in Scripture with Nancy Guthrie May 30, 2018

Nancy Guthrie and Megan Krimmel sit down and talk about seeing Jesus in Scripture.

Spiritual Warfare with David Powlison May 15, 2018

David and Alasdair talk about Spiritual Warfare.

Prayer In Marriage Counseling May 07, 2018

Aaron and Alasdair talk about prayer in marriage counseling.

Protecting the Vulnerable Apr 18, 2018

Alasdair Groves and Julie sit down and talk about protecting the vulnerable in the church.

Reading Scripture Apr 11, 2018

Alasdair Groves and David Powlison sit down and talk about reading Scripture.

Parenting a Disabled Child with Darby Strickland Mar 28, 2018

Alasdair and Darby discuss parenting a disabled child.

Anger Mar 13, 2018

Alasdair, Ed, and Myriam discuss Anger.

Power in Counseling with Todd Stryd Feb 27, 2018

Alasdair and Todd discuss Power in Counseling.

Play Therapy with Julie Lowe Feb 14, 2018

Alasdair and Julie discuss Play Therapy.

Borderline Personality Disorder and Your Church Jan 29, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about Borderline Personality Disorder with David Powlison.

Liars Jan 16, 2018

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about Liars with Ed Welch.

Best of Psychology with David Powlison Nov 13, 2017

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about psychology with David Powlison.

CCEF for Pastors with Ed Welch Nov 02, 2017

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about pastors with Ed Welch.

Children and technology with Julie Lowe Sep 20, 2017

Alasdair Groves sits down and talks about children and technology with Julie Lowe.

Reporting Abuse with Julie Lowe Jul 27, 2017

Alasdair Groves talks with Julie Lowe about what happens when you report abuse.

Existential Psychology with Ric Rodeheaver Jul 20, 2017

Alasdair Groves sits down with Ric Rodeheaver to talk about Existential Psychology.

OCD with Mike Emlet (Part 2) Jun 13, 2017

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about OCD. This is part two of a two part series.

OCD with Mike Emlet Jun 05, 2017

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about OCD. This is part one of a two part series.

Psalm 42 and 43 with Mike Emlet May 01, 2017

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about Psalm 42 and 43.

Psalm 103 with David Powlison Apr 05, 2017

Alasdair Groves and David Powlison sit down and discuss how meaningful Psalm 103 has been to them.

Attachment Mar 14, 2017

Alasdair Groves and Julie Lowe sit down and talk about attachment theory.

Best of Psychology with Mike Emlet Feb 22, 2017

Alasdair Groves and Mike Emlet sit down and talk about some of the best aspects of psychology.

Gender Identity Feb 06, 2017

Alasdair Groves and David Powlison sit down and talk about Gender Identity.

Why Podcasts? Jan 20, 2017

Why podcasts? First, we’ve had a lot of requests asking us to get back on the air. We care about supporting you in life and ministry, so we’re making it happen. Second, the podcast format allows us to touch on topics that can be difficult to cover in other forms of media. Those are two good reasons, but at the heart of why we are relaunching the CCEF podcast is because we recognize that biblical counseling is hard. We want you to know that you are not the only one out there that finds it challenging, and we’re committed to coming alongside and supporting you in the process. We’re in this together.

Legal Protection in counseling? Jun 28, 2013

On today's show, Myriam, Winston, Cecelia, and Laura discuss legal protection in counseling.

Busyness Jun 21, 2013

Today on the podcast Winston and Myriam sit down with Cecelia Bernhardt and Laura Andrews. They discuss the dangers of falling into the trap of busyness.

Responding to Tragedy: Is "Why?" a Biblical Question? Jun 14, 2013

Winston Smith and Myriam Hertzog sit down with Ed Welch to discuss a biblical response to tragedy. They answer the question "Is Why? a biblical question?" in response to tragedy.

Meet Pastor Bill Smith Jun 10, 2013

In this podcast Winston and Myriam sit down with Pastor Bill Smith. They discuss what it looks like to love others in your life, especially when it's hard.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

CCEF Podcast: Where Life & Scripture Meet

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected