I recently had a bit of a disturbing conversation with someone regarding local charity needs as compared to world-wide charity needs. As you know, I am the executive director of a small, but growing, not-for-profit organization. I was sharing with this individual that from my perspective it is absolutely appropriate to ask and even encourage people outside of our ministry service area to join with us in helping to raise support for this ministry. I reminded this individual that people from all over the world were sending millions of dollars to help with the relief in Haiti, and the principle (from my perspective) is the same. This individual held the perspective that these to situations are not the same.
As I have thought and prayed more about that conversation, my resolve about this issue has become even stronger. It is very easy to recognize and see the dramatic needs present after a natural disaster like the earthquake in Haiti and develop a passion to come to their aid and yet overlook the immediate needs right in our own back yards. I don't in any way mean to minimize the needs of those dear people, because their situation is very critical, I am saying that we also have some very critical needs here in the US, in our states, counties, communities, and literally in our own back yards.
In the last few months, I have personally worked with many people who also have immediate needs, who were being evicted from their homes, have lost their jobs, are in financial crisis and don't know where to turn, have serious medical needs that are going unmet because they can't afford to get medical care, need help finding food to feed their families, and the list goes on and on. Our area is not unique in terms of serious needs arising for families and individuals, it is happening all across our country. From my perspective, we all must also be willing to step up and provide aid and financial support to agencies within our own country who are serving our own people who are in crisis just like we are being so diligent to help agencies who are serving those in other parts of the world who are in crisis. We have hurting people too.
It is so very difficult to hear the hard stories of people in pain and distress, knowing that they are longing for my help to meet their needs, and know that resources to help are very limited. At times I simply have to say, "I don't know what to tell you" or "I'm at a loss as to what to do to help you." These dear ones have come to me for help and there is so little I can do. This too is heartbreaking.
Please let me stress again that I am not proposing that we take an all or nothing perspective from either direction but that we take an "and" perspective. We must be mindful and supportive of others around the world AND those here at home who are in crisis. We must be careful that we don't become so worldly focused that we neglect the needy in our own back yard.
This is just a small glimpse of what my ministry involves. You are not going to hear about this on the nightly news or hear a large outcry to people across the nation or even the world to raise up and help. I just thought you ought to know. Welcome to my world. Blessings!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Christian in Business OR Christian Business Person?
Have you ever thought about what or if there is a difference between being a Christian in business or being a Christian business person? I personally believe that there is a big difference between the two.
From my perspective, a Christian in Business is a person who believes in Christ as their Lord and Savior but uses worldly standards in their business practices. In my world of counseling, there are people who profess to be "Christian" counselors but they don't use scripture and don't strive to teach Godly principles. That is not to say that these counselors do not have quality counseling skills that they have learned through education, but their clients would not experience anything different if they went to a secular counselor.
On the other hand, a Christian Business Person is one who incorporates their Christian values into everything that they do. They use Godly values and principles to make even the most seemingly minor decisions. Again in my world of counseling, a client who receives true Christian counseling will experience Godly advice from scripture, will be challenged to grow spiritually, and will be taught principles using God's Word. This client will experience God's love for them through their counselor. This experience will be very different from receiving secular counseling.
Bottom line. . . .we as believers are not called to simply "talk the talk", we are instructed to "walk the walk"--live out what we profess to believe in every aspect of our lives. We are called to be different and the world will see the difference; they may not understand the difference they see, but they will know we are different and God will give us opportunities to explain why we do what we do that is different. . . . because we are followers of Christ!
This is my ongoing challenge to myself and to all who profess to be believers: to Live out my faith and be different, and to be a very bright light in a very dark world. AMEN.
From my perspective, a Christian in Business is a person who believes in Christ as their Lord and Savior but uses worldly standards in their business practices. In my world of counseling, there are people who profess to be "Christian" counselors but they don't use scripture and don't strive to teach Godly principles. That is not to say that these counselors do not have quality counseling skills that they have learned through education, but their clients would not experience anything different if they went to a secular counselor.
On the other hand, a Christian Business Person is one who incorporates their Christian values into everything that they do. They use Godly values and principles to make even the most seemingly minor decisions. Again in my world of counseling, a client who receives true Christian counseling will experience Godly advice from scripture, will be challenged to grow spiritually, and will be taught principles using God's Word. This client will experience God's love for them through their counselor. This experience will be very different from receiving secular counseling.
Bottom line. . . .we as believers are not called to simply "talk the talk", we are instructed to "walk the walk"--live out what we profess to believe in every aspect of our lives. We are called to be different and the world will see the difference; they may not understand the difference they see, but they will know we are different and God will give us opportunities to explain why we do what we do that is different. . . . because we are followers of Christ!
This is my ongoing challenge to myself and to all who profess to be believers: to Live out my faith and be different, and to be a very bright light in a very dark world. AMEN.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Seasons of Parenting
As we are experiencing the promise of the season changing from winter to spring, I am once again reminded of other kinds of season changes. Now that my children are all grown and on their own, I have looked back over my husband's and my life as parents and have been able to recognized a variety of seasons we have gone through.
When our children were still in my womb and for approximately the first 9 months of our children's lives, our sole responsibility as their parents was to simply protect, nurture and provide for their basic life-needs. We fed and diapered them, made sure they were in clean clothes, loved and cherished them making sure that they were basically thriving in their new life.
As they grew older (between the ages of 9 months - 5 years old) and started exploring their new world, started developing their own personalities, new dimensions were added to our roles, that of being their teacher and authority. When they exercised their little wills, it was our job to train them and begin the process of molding and shaping their hearts. When they threw a temper tantrum, we responded in a way that communicated to them that their negative behavior was not acceptable. When they tried to defy our rules and directives, we reminded them that they must obey. If they chose not to obey and said, "I'm not going to and you can't make me," we "helped" them obey by sitting them on the chair they refused to sit on, making them stay in bed when they kept popping out of bed, etc.
Between the ages of 5 and 15, our responsibility focus shifted to more of being their authority and teaching relationship building. This was a very important phase because during this season we were teaching them how and who to be under authority to. We taught them good manners, to obey rules, how to express their feelings and opinions appropriately and respectfully. We taught them who to be under authority to, their parents, significan adults in their lives such as family members,teachers, police officers, and most importantly God.
Between the ages of 15 and 18, once again our responsibility focused changed and we started to focus more on developing a healthy relationship and communication with our children. There was a gradual shift from authority to influence taking place. We were quickly approaching the time when we would no longer be able to require that our children obey us because we were their authority. My husband and I both knew and our children did too, that once they reached the age of 18 the law no longer required that our children obey us. Yet our children continued to need our guidance as they learned how to "cross over" into the adult world with adult rules and responsibilities.
During this season, the big focus was to start giving opportunities for our children to begin making some decisions for themselves, and being there to pick them up when they fell, while they were still in our home. As most people know, we learn through trial. . . . .and error. We needed to give our children opportunities to fall, not setting them up for failure but giving legitimate opportunities to develop decision-making skills and problem-solving skills, and then allowing them to practice those skills.
When our children reached the age of 18, if they said, "I'm not going to and you can't make me." they were exactly right, we could no longer force them to obey us. However, if we worked on developing and maintaining healthy relationships with our children during the previous seasons, we as parents were still welcome to give "food for thought" and would have confidence that our children would give serious consideration of mom and dad's perspective and then make their own decisions. That is parental influence. Just because our children reach that magic age of being legally an adult doesn't mean that they stop needing guidance and direction. The question becomes will our parent/child relationship be solid enough for our children to listen to us, not because they have to, but because they WANT to? This is the ultimate goal of the many, sometimes LONG, seasons of our parenting.
I want to encourage all parents, but especially today's young parents, to realize that as our children grow and mature, our parenting responsibilities and styles must also grow and change. Many parents do not understand the different seasons of parenting and fight to remain the authority to their children far into adulthood, which causes strife and sometimes even breaking of relationships with their children, thus causing great heartache for everyone involved.
Remember God's word says that there is a time and season for everything, especially in parenting. No matter how old we get, we still need our parents! God bless as you experience the seasons of parenting.
When our children were still in my womb and for approximately the first 9 months of our children's lives, our sole responsibility as their parents was to simply protect, nurture and provide for their basic life-needs. We fed and diapered them, made sure they were in clean clothes, loved and cherished them making sure that they were basically thriving in their new life.
As they grew older (between the ages of 9 months - 5 years old) and started exploring their new world, started developing their own personalities, new dimensions were added to our roles, that of being their teacher and authority. When they exercised their little wills, it was our job to train them and begin the process of molding and shaping their hearts. When they threw a temper tantrum, we responded in a way that communicated to them that their negative behavior was not acceptable. When they tried to defy our rules and directives, we reminded them that they must obey. If they chose not to obey and said, "I'm not going to and you can't make me," we "helped" them obey by sitting them on the chair they refused to sit on, making them stay in bed when they kept popping out of bed, etc.
Between the ages of 5 and 15, our responsibility focus shifted to more of being their authority and teaching relationship building. This was a very important phase because during this season we were teaching them how and who to be under authority to. We taught them good manners, to obey rules, how to express their feelings and opinions appropriately and respectfully. We taught them who to be under authority to, their parents, significan adults in their lives such as family members,teachers, police officers, and most importantly God.
Between the ages of 15 and 18, once again our responsibility focused changed and we started to focus more on developing a healthy relationship and communication with our children. There was a gradual shift from authority to influence taking place. We were quickly approaching the time when we would no longer be able to require that our children obey us because we were their authority. My husband and I both knew and our children did too, that once they reached the age of 18 the law no longer required that our children obey us. Yet our children continued to need our guidance as they learned how to "cross over" into the adult world with adult rules and responsibilities.
During this season, the big focus was to start giving opportunities for our children to begin making some decisions for themselves, and being there to pick them up when they fell, while they were still in our home. As most people know, we learn through trial. . . . .and error. We needed to give our children opportunities to fall, not setting them up for failure but giving legitimate opportunities to develop decision-making skills and problem-solving skills, and then allowing them to practice those skills.
When our children reached the age of 18, if they said, "I'm not going to and you can't make me." they were exactly right, we could no longer force them to obey us. However, if we worked on developing and maintaining healthy relationships with our children during the previous seasons, we as parents were still welcome to give "food for thought" and would have confidence that our children would give serious consideration of mom and dad's perspective and then make their own decisions. That is parental influence. Just because our children reach that magic age of being legally an adult doesn't mean that they stop needing guidance and direction. The question becomes will our parent/child relationship be solid enough for our children to listen to us, not because they have to, but because they WANT to? This is the ultimate goal of the many, sometimes LONG, seasons of our parenting.
I want to encourage all parents, but especially today's young parents, to realize that as our children grow and mature, our parenting responsibilities and styles must also grow and change. Many parents do not understand the different seasons of parenting and fight to remain the authority to their children far into adulthood, which causes strife and sometimes even breaking of relationships with their children, thus causing great heartache for everyone involved.
Remember God's word says that there is a time and season for everything, especially in parenting. No matter how old we get, we still need our parents! God bless as you experience the seasons of parenting.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
WOW!! That was fast, Lord!
Have you ever made a request to the Lord and waited for what felt like an eternity for His response? Well, today I had just the opposite experience. I was flying from one appointment to the next, and during my travel time, I had a conversation with God. I shared with Him that it would be so very nice to be able to have my life slow down from the frantic pace that I have been keeping lately.
I have a lot of things going on with involvements at home, at church and at Heart To Heart. I am working hard to juggle many responsibilities, and finding that I have started dropping some of the balls. I asked the Lord if He would please just allow my life's pace to slow down so that I could just relax and smell the spring flowers that will be blooming soon (of which I am TOTALLY looking forward to!).
I proceeded on with what I anticipated to be my very full day. I met with my first client and had a good session and anticipated my next 3 clients showing up, of which none of them did! It is not unusual to have a no-show from time to time, but it is very unusual to have 3 right in a row. All of a sudden, I remembered my earlier conversation with the Lord and realized that He had answered my prayer for a slower day!
Thank You God for knowing exactly what I need, when I need it!
I have a lot of things going on with involvements at home, at church and at Heart To Heart. I am working hard to juggle many responsibilities, and finding that I have started dropping some of the balls. I asked the Lord if He would please just allow my life's pace to slow down so that I could just relax and smell the spring flowers that will be blooming soon (of which I am TOTALLY looking forward to!).
I proceeded on with what I anticipated to be my very full day. I met with my first client and had a good session and anticipated my next 3 clients showing up, of which none of them did! It is not unusual to have a no-show from time to time, but it is very unusual to have 3 right in a row. All of a sudden, I remembered my earlier conversation with the Lord and realized that He had answered my prayer for a slower day!
Thank You God for knowing exactly what I need, when I need it!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Here We Go Again!
I want to start by saying that God is AMAZING!! Over the last several months I have been feeling very strongly led to work toward opening a satellite Heart To Heart office in the Bloomington/Normal, IL area. God has been revealing to me a tremendous need for H2H to help stand in the gap of services in this new area.
Oh, there are many quality counseling services in Bloomington/Normal, just not enough to meet the growing needs for counseling support. God has impressed upon my heart that we must go into this "new world" and be His ambassadors to the hurting people. I have been asking God how we can possibly do this, seeing as how we are struggling each month to cover the financial responsibilities for the Flanagan office. It just didn't seem humanly possible but yet I have felt a strong sense of urgency to make this new office a reality!
Well, guess what! It is NOT humanly, possible, but with God all things are possible! I was having a hard time thinking "outside the box" in terms of how to accomplish this God-sized assignment. I was thinking that we would have to be able to purchase our current building, which would free up $1,200/month we are paying in rent to go toward renting office space in Bloomington. Unfortunately the money was not coming in to allow us to purchase the building so I began to question if this was what Sandy wanted or was it what God wanted us to do.
Recently I was reminded by a long-time friend and colleague, Lon Alderman, about how God has worked in the past, 10 years ago June 1 of this year to be exact, to bring Heart To Heart into being. We started out in one small office in our local grain elevator. We had our first session scheduled before we had figured out where our office was going to be. Then as the ministry grew, we moved into our second location until we outgrew that space, and then moved into our current location. Lon reminded me that God could move in the very same way to begin the ministry in Bloomington! What an amazing idea!
Lon also reminded me of the Israelites as they were getting ready to cross the Jordan river, which was at flood stage. God did not stop the waters and tell His people to cross, He told them to cross and AFTER they put their feet into the water, He stopped the water so they could cross on dry ground. Could that be what He is asking us to do at H2H?
This thought of just getting down to Bloomington and not worrying about having our own building/office space has been completely oposite of what I was thinking and presents an opportunity for a HUGE leap of faith, once again. As I have begun to look for open doors for us to borrow some office space, it appears that God is opening doors for us! God is providing the dry ground for us to cross from Flanagan to Bloomington.
I already have 4 sessions scheduled in Bloomington without knowing for sure where exactly we will be meeting. I know without a doubt that God will open the doors for meeting space at the perfect time. This is exactly how H2H in Flanagan started 10 years ago and look where we are today! God has been and will continue to be faithful and blesses when we are willing to take that leap of faith, so . . . .hang on because here we go AGAIN!
Oh, there are many quality counseling services in Bloomington/Normal, just not enough to meet the growing needs for counseling support. God has impressed upon my heart that we must go into this "new world" and be His ambassadors to the hurting people. I have been asking God how we can possibly do this, seeing as how we are struggling each month to cover the financial responsibilities for the Flanagan office. It just didn't seem humanly possible but yet I have felt a strong sense of urgency to make this new office a reality!
Well, guess what! It is NOT humanly, possible, but with God all things are possible! I was having a hard time thinking "outside the box" in terms of how to accomplish this God-sized assignment. I was thinking that we would have to be able to purchase our current building, which would free up $1,200/month we are paying in rent to go toward renting office space in Bloomington. Unfortunately the money was not coming in to allow us to purchase the building so I began to question if this was what Sandy wanted or was it what God wanted us to do.
Recently I was reminded by a long-time friend and colleague, Lon Alderman, about how God has worked in the past, 10 years ago June 1 of this year to be exact, to bring Heart To Heart into being. We started out in one small office in our local grain elevator. We had our first session scheduled before we had figured out where our office was going to be. Then as the ministry grew, we moved into our second location until we outgrew that space, and then moved into our current location. Lon reminded me that God could move in the very same way to begin the ministry in Bloomington! What an amazing idea!
Lon also reminded me of the Israelites as they were getting ready to cross the Jordan river, which was at flood stage. God did not stop the waters and tell His people to cross, He told them to cross and AFTER they put their feet into the water, He stopped the water so they could cross on dry ground. Could that be what He is asking us to do at H2H?
This thought of just getting down to Bloomington and not worrying about having our own building/office space has been completely oposite of what I was thinking and presents an opportunity for a HUGE leap of faith, once again. As I have begun to look for open doors for us to borrow some office space, it appears that God is opening doors for us! God is providing the dry ground for us to cross from Flanagan to Bloomington.
I already have 4 sessions scheduled in Bloomington without knowing for sure where exactly we will be meeting. I know without a doubt that God will open the doors for meeting space at the perfect time. This is exactly how H2H in Flanagan started 10 years ago and look where we are today! God has been and will continue to be faithful and blesses when we are willing to take that leap of faith, so . . . .hang on because here we go AGAIN!
Is That You God??
Have you ever wondered how you will know for sure that you have heard from God and not just having your own thoughts or allowing the thoughts of others to influence you? In my counseling work, I hear this question over and over again. . . ."How can I know for sure when God is speaking to me?"
Henry Blackaby, in his book Experiencing God, identifies four ways that God speaks to His children.
- Through , the Bible (God's Holy and authoritative Word)
- Through our prayer time talking with Him (don't forget to be quiet and listen too)
- Through life circumstances (there are no coincidences)
- Through the counsel of other believers (not just anybody who offers an opinion)
You can be sure that you are hearing God when all of these forms of communication match up and begin to point in the same direction. Remember that God does not contradict Himself. When you hear from God, you will experience confirmation. . . .which is a peace that passes all understanding, the Peace of God.
Blackaby also reminds us that God is at work all around us all the time, both within and outside of our sight. Even when God seems to be "silent", we can have confidence that He is working. Remember how Jesus invited his disciples to join Him? He did NOT say, "come and follow me and we will go here and stay for x number of days, we will do this to take care of our needs, we will then move on to this next city, etc." He simply said "come and follow me". Amazingly, from my perspective, everyone of the disciples did exactly that. . . followed Jesus, without question. We must remember that we too are on an "as needed to know" basis and that we can trust in the fact that He will reveal His plan at the perfect time just like He did with his beloved disciples.
This "blind faith" is so very counter-cultural for us today. We go to trainings and seminars to learn how to do long-range planning and to learn how to use technology to help us manage our busy schedules. We are challenged and encouraged to plan for the future. Please don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that planning is wrong, but we need to be very careful to leave plenty of room for God to lead us, and to remember that God's ways , more often than not, are not our ways.
On this life adventure, I have learned that flexibility is the key and that I need to listen to God. He is here, He is speaking and He is leading. I simply need to watch, wait and listen for His quiet voice and enjoy the ride!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)