Counseling Article - March 2010

Throughout my years as a counselor, I have noticed something that has always disturbed and has been much on my mind and heart recently. That is that people seem to run fom church and from God just when they need the body of Christ and the Lord most of all.

I have heard various reasons. Everyone knows about my sin. Guess what everyone is a sinner and who knows what that person right next to you has gone through. No matter, Jesus died on the cross in order for that sin to be forgiven. To deny that is to deny the power of the cross and the sacrifice He made on the cross. There may be those who may judge you in the church, but there will always be those who will embrace you and help you through whatever the circumstances. The pastor, in our case, Pastor John will pray for you and also the sermon on any one Sunday, may speak directly to your situation.

Counseling Corner - November 2009

Sometimes, we may think, that God is not hearing our prayers. It seems as if things are getting worse instead of better. I took a course a few years back on Prayer Counseling. I remember them saying the same thing. It is so difficult for us to be patient and wait upon the Lord.

Polly Wigglesworth is a woman from whose life we can learn patience and faith. Many of us have probably heard of Smith Wigglesworth a simple plumber who ended up being a great man for God. He had accepted the Lord early in his life, but had backslidden and became a drunk. His wife Polly was a faithful Christian woman. Smith told Polly during one of his raging that if she went to church he would lock her out for the night. Even though she knew she might also face a beating, she fled to church.

Counseling Corner

Donna Ridge

I could continue with abuse and types of abuse, but I would like to continue with how you can help your children in this world today of internet and texting. Many of these suggestions come from The Messenger a bimonthly publication of the National Christian Counselors Association March/April edition.

Crisis – the Chinese meaning, of the word is danger and opportunity.  We see many examples of this in the Scriptures.  Joseph was sold into slavery, thrown into prison for something he did not do.  He faced danger, but God had a plan.  David fled the palace in fear of his life, but God had a plan.  Esther went before the Ding without his permission, which could have cost her life.  She was willing to do this because God had a plan.  Abraham trusted that God had a plan when he was told to sacrifice Isaac.  Ruth followed Naomi into a foriegn land where she gleaned the wheat. but God had a plan.

The truth is we don't know what 2009 will bring, but we know Who does. He is ever present. He is the great I AM. He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6b. He is everything.

“A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out” Isaiah 42:3 NIV

I have probably used this scripture in one of my articles and most likely will again as it is one of my favorite and shows the heart of God.

Currently, I am facilitating a class called “Healing of Damaged Emotions” by David Seamands. A strange thing has happened to me since starting the class. My nineteen year old grandson wants to find his father. I promised him when he was six that I would help him. So after trying to find him on People Search I got the bright idea to go on MySpace and I just heard of Facebook.