Welcome. Allow me to introduce this site and myself to you.
Since I was a high school student in the 1970’s (yes, that was a long time ago), I knew God was calling me to be a Christian counselor. At the time I was confused and hurting over issues of depression, hurtful memories, worthiness and doubts that God really loved me.
Taking these hurts and doubts to my church was a sincere and desperate decision on my part. Since I had grown up in the church and was a regular attendee at all activities, it seemed like the right thing to do. So I sought help from pastors, wise laymen, and professional counselors.
My search for help, however, was not always successful.
- Many seemed to not understand my struggle, since I came from a good home.
- Some simply said I should keep reading my Bible, pray and hold on to good thoughts.
- And there were other ideas, like:
- “Pop” psychology books
- Accept my thorn in life and endure my problems
- Volunteer in the inner city or go on a mission trip to see what real suffering is like.
Needless to say, no one really understood or helped.
However, soon God led me to a wonderful, godly and compassionate person who really listened and knew how to help me. He was compassionate, Biblically and professional trained and helped me embrace the loving God of the Bible. In a short period of time I found answers to my questions, release from pain and worry, and was given personal and practical ways to find a purposeful life.
In fact, out of those dark days as a student and young man, I also found God’s path for me. The last 25 years have led on this pathway up to today:
- Education at a Christian college and university
- Training at several medical and psychiatric hospitals and treatment facilities.
- Opportunities to be taught and mentored by many Godly men and women who boldly lift up their role as Christian Counselors, not a Christian who happened to counsel for marketing purposes.
- In addition, I have been blessed with opportunities to serve as a Pastor, teach at the undergrad and graduate levels, and serve as a Clinical Director and Board member to several Christian non-profits, and mentor pastors and counselors regarding needs and train in their own lives.
- A calling to write and share __
Let me close with a verse that has represented my life. It has both directed my journey and purpose in life and it has been on I share with other who come for understanding and help for their dark days, like mine. This verse comes from 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (NIV)
Friends, in the days and years ahead, I hope you will find comfort and hope from these verses, too. And, also, I hope, it the time comes when you need words of encouragement and practical help, then come to this site and even consider meeting so as to find understanding, comfort and direction together.