My Epic Journey

Though I have a lot of my plate right now, EPIC, Grad class, family, etc., I have been reading, just for personal development, the book, Discipleship Counseling by Neil Anderson.  I have been a student of Dr. Anderson for quite some time and have always enjoyed his biblical approach to the counseling process.  In this recent book a quote caught my attention om relation to how we, in the church, often use secular reasoning to deal with spiritual issues,

Have we taken into account the reality of the spiritual world?  In other words, do we have a biblical worldview?   Are our struggles against flesh and blood?  Are we trying to accomplish God’s will without the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit?  Is the person mentally ill, or is there a spiritual battle going on for this individual’s mind?  Do we us the same message and methods with believers as we do with non-believers? Are we trying to help people establish their identities, find purpose and meaning in life, and see to meet their needs without Christ?  Isn’t that what the devil is doing?  Sobering!

I have had a lot of opportunities to meet with students and parents recently over a number of different issues and yet, almost every time, I find myself reverting to secular practices to deal with spiritual issues.  I have tried so hard to make my psychological schooling match my spiritual needs.   This is not going to work.  Though I see to help others, there is no one outside of the Holy Spirit, that can change their life–no one!!!  Not even me!  I am not, nor can I be, anyone’s Savior.  All I can do is point that person to Jesus Christ and help encourage them to be open to the Holy Spirit.  I am thankful for this reminder.  My desire is that this would continue to be at the forefront of my mind.

I am a grad student at Liberty working on my Master’s in Professional Counseling.

I recently saw this article and thought it interesting!

Facebook has a note going around where people put down 25 random things about themselves.  I am giving in and writing down MY 25.

1)  Married to Anna for 11 years.
2)  Have known her for 15 years.
3)  I met her in Canada at camp
4)  She is my best friend–for REAL
5)  I am a proud father of three amazing children
6)  The oldest of three bothers.
7)  I love to blog (www.myepicjourney.com)
8)  I LOVE to read but only non-fiction
9)  I want to be a professional fisherman when I grow up.
10)  I am not sure I will ever grow up
11)  I am currently working on a Master’s in Professional Counseling
12)  I am Pastor of Student Ministries at Grace Point Community Church
13)  I have been Youth Pastor for 11 years in 4 different churches
14)  Our Student Ministry is called EPIC
15)  I LOVE my students!!
16)  I LOVE my leadership team MORE!!!!
17)  I love Ohio but not the Buckeyes
18)  I love the Indianapolis Colts–A LOT!!
19)  I grew up in Nashville, Indiana
20)  I have an amazing sister we adopted when I was 24!! She was 25!!!
21)  I love to hunt–animals!
22)  I don’t like to fly
23)  I am not a big fan of traveling altogether
24)  I weighed 165 lbs. when I entered college.  I no longer weigh that!
25)  I pooped my pants–in public–at a funeral.  I was 24 years old!