Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
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¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
What Is Christian Reality Therapy? And Could It Help Me?
In the simplest terms, Christian reality therapy is choice therapy based on the Christian Bible. So, what is choice therapy? It is counsel, or therapy, based on the belief that behavior is a choice. Now, that information might understandably cause some to lose interest in considering Christian reality therapy. But before scratching it off your list, let's keep in mind that a "good" reality therapist realizes that not ALL behavior is ALWAYS a choice. And, as we're talking about Christian reality therapy, we should have no problem with supporting that statement with biblical scripture.
We read, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child" (Proverbs 22:15). Translation: All children--even the best ones--are bound to have foolishness in them. And that foolishness is going to express itself in behavior. The child did not choose to be born with foolishness. Everyone is born a sinner. Everyone is, therefore, born with foolishness bound in his heart. Consequently, that foolish behavior is not a choice...at least not in the beginning. Let's not forget that life is a series of choices. And this is where Christian reality therapy can be most powerful. A good therapist who believes in Bible-based Christian reality therapy can help you tell the difference between behavior you did not choose in the beginning of various stages of your life, and behavior you are now willfully choosing. True Christian reality therapy should be very revealing, because it uncovers motives, secrets and intentions, whether they be evil or good.
Now then, if we go back to the biblical example of the child in whose heart foolishness is bound, we see another truth: God's Word demands consequences for bad behavior. Let's understand that foolishness bound in the heart of a child is not simply jumping around and playing games all the time. It's so much more serious than that. "Foolishness" is intentional misbehavior. It is willful disobedience, which is evil. We can be certain of this, because of how the very same passage says to handle the foolishness of a child. We read, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15).
That initial behavior that no child can help starting out with is to be dealt with by the rod of correction (whipping and spanking). Christian reality therapy that is truly Bible-based reminds us that even if we started with a behavior that wasn't our choice, there comes a time when it becomes our choice.
But how might this work in a real-life session with a Christian reality therapist? The following is an excerpt from The Third Man by Angela Sheffield. The novel is based on true events. And its characters' complicated and tumultuous lives reflect the reality many are now living.
The Third Man - Chapter Nine Excerpt:
Six days had passed and Ethel had not answered even one of the four questions her therapist had given as an assignment. The questionnaire was to be completed by their next appointment, a mere sixteen hours away. She sat on the side of her twin-size bed staring down at the piece of paper on which was written the questions. Ethel looked up wondering how she might somehow convince Ms Allen that she just couldn't put words on paper that expressed her thoughts and emotions.
“I wish I could just answer Ms Allen instead of writing this stuff down. I told her I don't do good at writing,” she mumbled to herself.
Ethel took in a deep breath, then exhaled loudly as she let her shoulders slump. She read aloud the first question: How long had you felt hopelessness before your attempted suicide?
“Forever,” she whispered before letting her eyes roam to question two: When and where have you sought help?
Ethel crossed one foot over the other, rocked back and forth a couple of times before raising her crossed feet into the air. She then let her heels fall hard to the floor out of frustration mixed with anger.
“I hate this,” she said through clenched teeth.
She stood, brought the paper close to her face as she let her eyes move to question three: Why do you think you are here? Ethel glanced around her very small room. The walls were an eggshell white from which hung pictures of nature scenes. Her bedside table held a small, round, metal clock and her purse. Gone from the purse were her nail file, her keys, and her aspirin. The institution had left her with only family photos. They had even taken her ball-point pen. Directly at the foot of her bed was a small chest of drawers; at it's side was a door that opened to a tiny closet. Ethel spun around and rolled her eyes to the ceiling as she shouted the answer.
“How the hell do I know! You guys are supposed to have all the answers.”
She dropped back down on the bed as her eyes scanned the fourth and final question: What do you hope or expect to accomplish during your stay here? She rose again shaking her head from side to side.
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
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