{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Bill Faris, MPC","home_page_url":"https://billfaris.com","description":"Bill Faris, MPC","author":{"name":"Bill Faris, MPC"},"items":[{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/my-kind-of-people","html_content":"

My friend, Kirk, tells me that - from what he's been learning - a person is most profoundly shaped by relationships. He says it is important to know who \"my people\" are. To know how \"my people\" think about things, respon...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/my-kind-of-people","title":"My Kind of People","summary":"My friend, Kirk, tells me that - from what he's been learning - a person is most profoundly shaped by relationships. He says it is important to know who \"my people\" are. To know how \"my people\" think about things, respon...","date_modified":"2026-01-19T03:36:55Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/using-the-legos-i-have---getting-unstuck-from-grief-and-anger","html_content":"

Marla was mad. Life had hit her with several losses and reversals in a row - some of them shocking and unexpected. She was still reeling from her divorce when her job suddenly became much more difficult. The divorce left...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/using-the-legos-i-have---getting-unstuck-from-grief-and-anger","title":"Using The Legos I Have - Getting Unstuck From Grief and Anger","summary":"Marla was mad. Life had hit her with several losses and reversals in a row - some of them shocking and unexpected. She was still reeling from her divorce when her job suddenly became much more difficult. The divorce left...","date_modified":"2025-04-22T21:47:22Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/saying-the-next-yes-to-god","html_content":"

One way to describe the story of your spiritual and personal growth is to note the large and small ways you have said \"yes\" to God over time. You might recall a time God guided you in some matter and you said \"yes\" to Hi...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/saying-the-next-yes-to-god","title":"Saying the Next \"Yes\" to God","summary":"One way to describe the story of your spiritual and personal growth is to note the large and small ways you have said \"yes\" to God over time. You might recall a time God guided you in some matter and you said \"yes\" to Hi...","date_modified":"2025-01-25T00:28:32Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/the-secret-celebrate-every-gain","html_content":"

For years, I have had the privilege of supporting my wife as she has undergone a series of challenging recovery processes. In 2000, she was terribly injured in a car accident that left her with three brain injuries and o...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/the-secret-celebrate-every-gain","title":"The Secret: Celebrate EVERY Gain!","summary":"For years, I have had the privilege of supporting my wife as she has undergone a series of challenging recovery processes. In 2000, she was terribly injured in a car accident that left her with three brain injuries and o...","date_modified":"2024-12-15T04:17:39Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/spiritual-wisdom-for-these-anxious-times","html_content":"

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/spiritual-wisdom-for-these-anxious-times","title":"Spiritual Wisdom For These Anxious Times","summary":"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!","date_modified":"2024-11-08T22:35:36Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/i-asked-for-her-blessing---and-that-got-me-started","html_content":"

It all began over twenty years ago while I was ministering with a small team in New Zealand.

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/i-asked-for-her-blessing---and-that-got-me-started","title":"I Asked For Her Blessing - and That Got Me Started","summary":"It all began over twenty years ago while I was ministering with a small team in New Zealand.","date_modified":"2024-09-23T18:22:12Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/god-small-wow","html_content":"

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zechariah 4:10)

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/god-small-wow","title":"God + Small = WOW!","summary":"“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zechariah 4:10)","date_modified":"2024-09-11T20:55:16Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/enough-super","html_content":"

From the earliest roots of the Christian church movement in which I have spent the longest time, there comes a story. It is a story of a house full of hungry believers wanting more of God -- in touch with their brokennes...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/enough-super","title":"Enough with the \"Super\"!","summary":"From the earliest roots of the Christian church movement in which I have spent the longest time, there comes a story. It is a story of a house full of hungry believers wanting more of God -- in touch with their brokennes...","date_modified":"2024-05-01T18:48:36Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/dont-call-me-a-therapist","html_content":"

I've been seeing individuals and couples as a professional Christian counselor for nearly twenty-five years. Over that time, I have worked side-by-side with therapists. I have shared office space with therapists. I have ...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/dont-call-me-a-therapist","title":"Don't Call Me a Therapist","summary":"I've been seeing individuals and couples as a professional Christian counselor for nearly twenty-five years. Over that time, I have worked side-by-side with therapists. I have shared office space with therapists. I have ...","date_modified":"2024-03-14T15:21:26Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/the-power-of-us","html_content":"

The Power of “Us”

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/the-power-of-us","title":"The Power of \"Us\"","summary":"The Power of “Us”","date_modified":"2023-09-17T00:15:47Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/unity-not-uniformity","html_content":"

UNITY is NOT UNIFORMITY

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/unity-not-uniformity","title":"Unity, Not Uniformity","summary":"UNITY is NOT UNIFORMITY","date_modified":"2023-09-16T18:37:46Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/differences-what-differences","html_content":"

Differences? What Differences?

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/differences-what-differences","title":"Differences? What Differences","summary":"Differences? What Differences?","date_modified":"2023-09-16T18:30:01Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/acting-is-teaching-me-about-commitment-in-marriage---and-life","html_content":"

I’ll never forget that first night I stood on the stage before a real audience in my role as Tevye in A Fiddler on the Roof.

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/acting-is-teaching-me-about-commitment-in-marriage---and-life","title":"Acting is Teaching Me About Commitment in Marriage - and Life!","summary":"I’ll never forget that first night I stood on the stage before a real audience in my role as Tevye in A Fiddler on the Roof.","date_modified":"2023-09-09T23:35:05Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-happiness","html_content":"

HAPPINESS IS A COMPOUND made up of two ingredients: contentment and gratitude. There is no substitute for the Real Thing of Happiness - not accumulation, not achievement, not adulation. Therefore, the ingredients you nee...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-happiness","title":"Here's What You Need to Know About Happiness","summary":"HAPPINESS IS A COMPOUND made up of two ingredients: contentment and gratitude. There is no substitute for the Real Thing of Happiness - not accumulation, not achievement, not adulation. Therefore, the ingredients you nee...","date_modified":"2023-08-21T01:00:46Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/a-tribute-to-nightbirde","html_content":"

Jane Marczeski was 31 when she auditioned for a spot on America’s Got Talent. The singer-songwriter from Ohio was prepared to share an original song called It’s Okay”. \"What's your name?\" she was asked. She replied that ...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/a-tribute-to-nightbirde","title":"A Tribute to Nightbirde - A Voice of Redemption","summary":"Jane Marczeski was 31 when she auditioned for a spot on America’s Got Talent. The singer-songwriter from Ohio was prepared to share an original song called It’s Okay”. \"What's your name?\" she was asked. She replied that ...","date_modified":"2023-02-12T00:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/is-your-faith-at-war-with-your-body-part-two","html_content":"

Here is something that will come as no surprise: we Believers struggle with our sex drive and other primal impulses - impulses we feel and experience in our physical human body. This fact leads some to despise their body...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/is-your-faith-at-war-with-your-body-part-two","title":"Is Your Faith at War With Your Body? (part two)","summary":"Here is something that will come as no surprise: we Believers struggle with our sex drive and other primal impulses - impulses we feel and experience in our physical human body. This fact leads some to despise their body...","date_modified":"2022-12-15T16:04:13Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/is-your-faith-at-war-with-your-body","html_content":"

You are a serious Christian with a strong desire to walk in close fellowship with the Lord. But it sometimes feels as if your body is getting in the way of your spiritual aspirations. When Jesus told His disciples (who w...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/is-your-faith-at-war-with-your-body","title":"Is Your Faith at War With Your Body?","summary":"You are a serious Christian with a strong desire to walk in close fellowship with the Lord. But it sometimes feels as if your body is getting in the way of your spiritual aspirations. When Jesus told His disciples (who w...","date_modified":"2022-11-20T00:38:00Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/extra-credit","html_content":"

When I was growing up, there were two kinds of school work: required assignments and extra credit. If you completed the required work AND also completed the extra credit, there were benefits and rewards to be had. Howeve...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/extra-credit","title":"Extra Credit?","summary":"When I was growing up, there were two kinds of school work: required assignments and extra credit. If you completed the required work AND also completed the extra credit, there were benefits and rewards to be had. Howeve...","date_modified":"2022-10-11T16:36:13Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/narcissism-what-it-is-and-isnt","html_content":"

As a counselor, it has been fascinating to hear how often a client suspects that someone they know (or are married to, or work with, or who leads their church) is a narcissist. And why not? Narcissism is the trendiest pe...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/narcissism-what-it-is-and-isnt","title":"Narcissism: What it Is (And Isn't)","summary":"As a counselor, it has been fascinating to hear how often a client suspects that someone they know (or are married to, or work with, or who leads their church) is a narcissist. And why not? Narcissism is the trendiest pe...","date_modified":"2022-09-08T16:40:08Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/what-is-gaslighting-and-why-does-it-drive-people-crazy","html_content":"

There are two terms that are gaining a grip on popular conversation that I would like to explore. One is Narcissism (or Narcissist) and the other is \"Gaslighting\". I will save a discussion of narcissism for a later post....

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/what-is-gaslighting-and-why-does-it-drive-people-crazy","title":"What is \"Gaslighting\" and Why Does it Drive People Crazy?","summary":"There are two terms that are gaining a grip on popular conversation that I would like to explore. One is Narcissism (or Narcissist) and the other is \"Gaslighting\". I will save a discussion of narcissism for a later post....","date_modified":"2022-09-05T18:21:28Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/life-lessons-im-learning-as-an-actor-part-two","html_content":"

In Part One, I introduced my new acting hobby and a few of the ways I found myself being stretched as I took it on. In what follows, I will be sharing more Life Lessons I've been learning as an \"actor\".

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/life-lessons-im-learning-as-an-actor-part-two","title":"Life Lessons I'm Learning as an Actor (Part Two)","summary":"In Part One, I introduced my new acting hobby and a few of the ways I found myself being stretched as I took it on. In what follows, I will be sharing more Life Lessons I've been learning as an \"actor\".","date_modified":"2022-08-28T21:22:51Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/life-lessons-im-learning-as-an-actor-part-one","html_content":"

Let's get a few things out of the way right at the start. By \"actor\", I mean that I have played lead or supporting roles in several shows at a very small community live theater near my home. In other words, my \"day job\" ...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/life-lessons-im-learning-as-an-actor-part-one","title":"Life Lessons I'm Learning as an Actor, Part One","summary":"Let's get a few things out of the way right at the start. By \"actor\", I mean that I have played lead or supporting roles in several shows at a very small community live theater near my home. In other words, my \"day job\" ...","date_modified":"2022-08-28T20:25:11Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/becoming-a-first-responder","html_content":"

Imagine that your home is on fire. You call 9-1-1 for help and, before long, a couple of big red fire trucks roll up and several firefighters jump off, dressed in their firefighting gear. \"Thank goodness!\" you exclaim. \"...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/becoming-a-first-responder","title":"Becoming a First Responder (instead of a First Reactor)","summary":"Imagine that your home is on fire. You call 9-1-1 for help and, before long, a couple of big red fire trucks roll up and several firefighters jump off, dressed in their firefighting gear. \"Thank goodness!\" you exclaim. \"...","date_modified":"2022-07-25T17:06:10Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/a-clients-courage-tells-me-a-lot-about-their-progress","html_content":"

We Counselors want to know that the work we do with our clients is effective. Sometimes this comes down to tracking progress concerning specific goals or challenges that have been identified. Such feedback is fairly stra...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/a-clients-courage-tells-me-a-lot-about-their-progress","title":"A Client's Courage Tells Me A Lot About Their Progress","summary":"We Counselors want to know that the work we do with our clients is effective. Sometimes this comes down to tracking progress concerning specific goals or challenges that have been identified. Such feedback is fairly stra...","date_modified":"2022-07-13T15:32:09Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/the-churchs-quiet-work","html_content":"

I've enjoyed some of the Church's noisier moments -- BIG gatherings with BIG sound, BIG speakers, BIG music, and BIG demonstrations of God's power, authority, and life-transforming impact. Billy Graham and Harvest crusad...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/the-churchs-quiet-work","title":"The Church's Quiet Work","summary":"I've enjoyed some of the Church's noisier moments -- BIG gatherings with BIG sound, BIG speakers, BIG music, and BIG demonstrations of God's power, authority, and life-transforming impact. Billy Graham and Harvest crusad...","date_modified":"2022-07-04T17:47:31Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/when-it-hurts-to-believe","html_content":"

Sometimes, it actually hurts to believe. This spiritual pain is what we feel when we are pushing on the normal limits of our faith and it is commonly known as \"doubt\". Of course, believers do not usually speak much of do...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/when-it-hurts-to-believe","title":"When it Hurts to Believe","summary":"Sometimes, it actually hurts to believe. This spiritual pain is what we feel when we are pushing on the normal limits of our faith and it is commonly known as \"doubt\". Of course, believers do not usually speak much of do...","date_modified":"2022-06-25T20:26:43Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/loving-yourself-part-two","html_content":"

In my previous post, I proposed a \"third way\" to think about relationship with self, as a believer. In this post, I would like to illustrate some of the ways I see the scriptures inviting us into a healthy self regard th...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/loving-yourself-part-two","title":"Loving Yourself? Part Two","summary":"In my previous post, I proposed a \"third way\" to think about relationship with self, as a believer. In this post, I would like to illustrate some of the ways I see the scriptures inviting us into a healthy self regard th...","date_modified":"2022-06-12T22:44:23Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/loving-yourself-a-good-idea","html_content":"

It wasn't that long ago that the legendary vocal artist Whitney Houston was heard belting out: \"Learning to love yourself is the Greatest Love of All\" across the airwaves. Her hit song and it's self-affirming message res...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/loving-yourself-a-good-idea","title":"Loving Yourself... A Good Idea?","summary":"It wasn't that long ago that the legendary vocal artist Whitney Houston was heard belting out: \"Learning to love yourself is the Greatest Love of All\" across the airwaves. Her hit song and it's self-affirming message res...","date_modified":"2022-05-23T01:24:18Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/ministering-to-the-opposite-sex","html_content":"

Having established that ministering in a spirit of love and respect for the other is Job One when engaging in personal ministry, I would like to focus on ministry to the opposite sex. Specifically, I would like to focus ...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/ministering-to-the-opposite-sex","title":"Ministering to the Opposite Sex","summary":"Having established that ministering in a spirit of love and respect for the other is Job One when engaging in personal ministry, I would like to focus on ministry to the opposite sex. Specifically, I would like to focus ...","date_modified":"2022-05-08T23:13:40Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/guarding-the-dignity-of-those-receiving-ministry","html_content":"

Years ago, a woman who was a member of my singles ministry group at our church paid a visit to another church for ministry during an exciting time of renewal. The climax of the evening's renewal ministry included an invi...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/guarding-the-dignity-of-those-receiving-ministry","title":"Guarding the Dignity of Those Receiving Ministry","summary":"Years ago, a woman who was a member of my singles ministry group at our church paid a visit to another church for ministry during an exciting time of renewal. The climax of the evening's renewal ministry included an invi...","date_modified":"2022-05-01T18:31:08Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/sexual-and-spiritual-abuse-in-the-church-part-two","html_content":"

In my last post, I pointed to some of the factors that contribute to the phenomenon of sexual and spiritual abuse in the church. In what follows, I am continuing to focus my comments around three questions: (1) What are ...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/sexual-and-spiritual-abuse-in-the-church-part-two","title":"Sexual and Spiritual Abuse in the Church, Part Two","summary":"In my last post, I pointed to some of the factors that contribute to the phenomenon of sexual and spiritual abuse in the church. In what follows, I am continuing to focus my comments around three questions: (1) What are ...","date_modified":"2022-04-25T02:40:49Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/sexual-and-spiritual-abuse-in-the-church-part-1","html_content":"

(Warning: the following discussion is frank and, while not salacious, I will be referring to acts and situations that may be triggering to those who have been abused. Please use your judgement before proceeding. Thank yo...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/sexual-and-spiritual-abuse-in-the-church-part-1","title":"Sexual and Spiritual Abuse in the Church, Part 1","summary":"(Warning: the following discussion is frank and, while not salacious, I will be referring to acts and situations that may be triggering to those who have been abused. Please use your judgement before proceeding. Thank yo...","date_modified":"2022-04-10T00:32:50Z"},{"id":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/a-life-of-necessary-miracles","html_content":"

It occurred to me awhile ago that, for Robin and I, miracles are not luxuries. They are not optional. They are absolute necessities to our way of life. For anyone who walks a road of faith and trust in God, this is not r...

","url":"https://billfaris.com/blog-posts/f/a-life-of-necessary-miracles","title":"A Life of Necessary Miracles","summary":"It occurred to me awhile ago that, for Robin and I, miracles are not luxuries. They are not optional. They are absolute necessities to our way of life. For anyone who walks a road of faith and trust in God, this is not r...","date_modified":"2022-03-05T08:00:00Z"}]}