"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"

Is It Okay to Want Affirmation?

How do the treasures of Scripture connect with the troubles of life? As Christians, we have the privilege and challenge of exploring this question. Hosted by Alasdair Groves, this podcast considers how Scripture meets us in day-to-day life, covering topics such as emotions, rest, trauma, weak faith, insomnia, and more.

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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

New Podcast: Introducing the CCEF Blogcast

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 Anger

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 Compassion

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 

Jesus and Dread

“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 

Is It Okay to Want Affirmation?

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