L.I.V.E. – Love Infinite, Vigorously Exercised

  • Reclaiming the Sacred Art of Listening

    The Sacred Art of Listening: Grief, Presence, and Companionship In our culture, listening is often undervalued. We reward the loudest voices, the most confident speakers, the ones who seem to have all the answers. To listen, in contrast, is sometimes considered weak, passive, even insignificant. Em Griffin, in Making Friends, names this dynamic well when…

    Ze Selassie

  • Listening as Sacred Companionship in Grief

    Grief is often described as a journey no one wishes to walk, yet one that nearly all of us will face. Along this path, the most profound gift we can offer is not advice, explanations, or solutions; but presence. And presence begins with listening. In Making Friends, Em Griffin reminds us of something deceptively simple:…

    Ze Selassie

  • Healing Self-Esteem Amidst Grief: A Christian Perspective

    Identity, Self-Esteem, and the Ministry of Grief Companionship Grief has a way of shaking us at the core of who we are. It doesn’t just take someone we love—it often takes with it the sense of stability, identity, and worth that once anchored our lives. When the phone call comes, when the empty chair is…

    Ze Selassie

  • Rediscovering Presence in Grief Support

    Beyond Bowling and Ping-Pong: Rediscovering Presence in Grief Companionship Grief has a way of silencing words. For those who sit with the bereaved—whether as counselors, pastors, or simply friends—the question is not what do I say? but rather how can I truly be present? In his book Making Friends, Em Griffin describes two metaphors for communication: bowling and ping-pong. While these analogies…

    Ze Selassie

  • Grace and Accountability: Navigating Sin in Christian Counseling

     Exploring Clients’ Personal Sin in the Therapeutic Context – Philip G. Monroe Introduction Philip G. Monroe addresses the often-neglected topic of personal sin within counseling, specifically through the lens of a case study centered on self-deceit. He explores how theological insights can inform and enhance psychological care when dealing with clients who are unaware or…

    Ze Selassie

  • Breaking Silence: Navigating Grief and Healing Together

    From Pain to Purpose: The Change I Hope My Blog Brings to the World What change, big or small, would I like this blog to make in the world? Simply put—healing. Real healing. Not the kind that comes from stuffing emotions down with religious platitudes or brushing grief aside with “time heals all wounds.” No!…

    Ze Selassie

  • Navigating Grief: Virtual Memorials and Ethical Concerns

    Digital Compassion or Ethical Compromise? AI Chatbots and Virtual Memorials in Grief Counseling IntroductionAs technology rapidly evolves, even the sacred space of grief is not untouched. Artificial intelligence chatbots and virtual-reality memorials now offer comfort to mourners in digital form; speaking in the voices of lost loved ones, recreating avatars, or offering AI-guided grief support.…

    Ze Selassie

  • Creating Compassionate Bereavement Policies

    Compassion That Works: Crafting Bereavement Policies with Justice and Mercy Grief doesn’t operate on a timetable. But many workplace policies expect it to. In the wake of a loved one’s death, employees are often granted just a few days—enough time to make funeral arrangements, maybe travel, and return to work with their hearts still aching…

    Ze Selassie

  • Healing Through Scripture: A Guide for Christian Counselors

    Comfort Without Cliché: Using Scripture to Counsel the Grieving In times of sorrow, the Bible offers a deep well of comfort—but how we draw from it in counseling sessions matters just as much as the truth we share. As Christian counselors, our aim is not to throw verses at pain like bandages on a wound,…

    Ze Selassie

  • Integrating Theology and Psychology in Christian Counseling

    An Interdisciplinary Map for Christian Counselors – Deborah Van Deusen Hunsinger Introduction Deborah Van Deusen Hunsinger presents a comprehensive vision for the interdisciplinary integration between theology and psychology, especially within the context of pastoral counseling. She introduces a “map” that respects both disciplines without compromising the distinctiveness of Christian theological commitments. Hunsinger argues that Christian…

    Ze Selassie