August 2025 Insights

Click here to download PDF version

Just a few short months ago conversations were about the long, cold spring, and now much of the scuttlebutt is about the oppressive heat!

As I reflect on this I am reminded of the biblical counselling model developed by CCEF that talks about HEAT referring to the circumstances of life that we regularly deal with. There are many blessings that we receive in this life (who doesn’t appreciate a nice sunny day when plans include a trip to the beach?!). The heat and light of the sun are necessary for plant growth and the vitamin D we receive from the sun is needed for our own health and wellbeing. However, too much exposure to the sun and extreme heat can be oppressive, causing plants to wither and putting people at risk of sunburns and even skin cancer. Life can be very difficult.

All too often when life doesn’t go the way we want it to, we grumble and complain like the people of Israel in the wilderness did. God shows us in Scripture that our responses to the HEAT- to the situations and circumstances of life- reveal the allegiances of our hearts. God asks, “How long will these people hold Me in contempt?”. And yet by God’s grace, as the Spirit is at work in His people, we can learn respond to life’s difficulties like Job: “The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD”

Like all royal children, God tests His people to prepare us for Kingdom work. Sometimes those tests come in the form of blessing (what are you going to do with that inheritance money?) or in the form of hardship (can you take God at His word to provide for you, having received news of the $950 car repair?).

These tests come to us at Insight as well: difficult counselling situations tempt us to doubt God’s ability to change people or intervene in their situations, while seeing concrete evidence of transformed hearts can tempt us to being prideful regarding our ability to counsel.

And there is also the very real need for ongoing financial support. We seek to balance wise stewardship of what God has already given with practical faith that prayerfully trusts Him to provide. I have heard from numerous other Christian ministries that the needs are increasing and the funding is slow to come in. Insight’s financial needs are real.

There many blessings we see: counselling appointments are up 16% this year over last year; counselling in our satellite centres in Flamborough and Burlington are up almost 50% this year compared to all of last year! More than 25% of our clients receive counselling for free or at a discounted fee in order to not add additional financial strain to their current HEAT.

But fundraising income and general giving is down significantly. Would you please consider making a donation today and give the gift of hope to people in need of counselling?

One specific need is for $6000 in sponsorship (personal or business) to cover the costs of our upcoming fundraiser with Comedy in Motion. See below for details!

Thank you in advance for your financial support!

Insight presents, Bob Cates an award-winning variety artist and clean comedian who is bringing his “Comedy in Motion” show to Rose City Kids theatre in Welland on Saturday, September 27th at 7PM.

Get your Tickets Now-Limited Seating Available. Spinning plates, high-flying knives, laser lights and side-splitting humour- an evening of entertainment that will be a night to remember!

As a former Canadian Juggling Champion, Bob doesn’t just tickle the audience’s funny bone as he jokes all the way through the show, he makes sure they see some seriously amazing tricks as well. The show includes advanced juggling, wild unicycling and balancing skills, Chinese Yo-Yo routines, and an insane finale that you will remember for a long, long time. Bob is one of the few performers left in North America performing authentic plate spinning – his signature piece.

Comedy in Motion is more than just a juggling act. Read this article written by “Faith Today” to learn how it’s also become an unexpected ministry for the Cates Family!

A concession stand will be open at the event with snacks and refreshments available for purchase. Ticket sales & all other proceeds will support Insight Biblical Counselling and provide a free afternoon show for the Rose City Kids Youth!

Give the gift of hope by subsidizing counselling sessions for those in need.

 Make a donation to Insight here.