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A True Friend

Published on August 22, 2018January 26, 2019 by Nancy DemaryLeave a comment

Good counsel can be difficult to find. My top recommendation is Rick Thomas. A man who has been through it; he offers hope, care with compassion, and solid Truth with results guaranteed by God. An investment worth your time.

Listen in….Rick will be one of the best friends you can gain. Proverbs 27:6 says, Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful. (Amp). Learn how you can become a true friend to others; not someone who avoids and glosses over problems but offers life-changing solutions.

Bottomed Out?

Published on August 5, 2018January 26, 2019 by Nancy Demary2 Comments

Bottoming out is one way God can get our attention refocused from ourselves onto Him. Why? Because He knows we need Him.

To some, it appears that God operates as though he is self-centered and wants people to supply His needs; but that is not the case. We, by our sin nature, are self-centered. God needs nothing — He IS complete in Himself. We are the needy one.

God our Father, has a compassionate heart of love toward all people; in our Father’s grace and mercy He leaves the ninety-nine and passionately, prodigally, goes after that one. Look at the Prodigal Father in Luke 15:11-32.

This book by Tim Keller, The Prodigal God, is so insightful. Tim explains the “prodigal” (recklessly extravagant, spending everything) love of the Father towards us. This book, along with much good counsel, has shown me what an “Elder Brother” I have been and can be. I am humbled and thankful for the many ways God has caused me to bottom-out, so that His grace could transform my heart.

To continue reading: Guilt and Shame, Forgive and Forget.

Photo Credit: Pixabay, Tim Keller.

Genocide Denied

Published on July 29, 2018March 2, 2019 by Nancy DemaryLeave a comment

I recently watched a poignant documentary on genocide, the Armenian genocide that to this day the leaders of Turkey deny happened.

Genocide is sin, darkness, death, cruelty from man upon other human beings who’ve been created by God in His image; demonically inspired leaders of one ethnicity determined to destroy those of another.

Architects of Denial is the account of Turkey’s leaders ordering the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians beginning in 1915; and it has continued in various ways for the past 100 years. www.architectsofdenial.com

My husband traveled to Armenia in 1998. It was in the midst of our decision to adopt children abroad. He was there for another purpose, but had asked the woman who served as interpreter, “Would it be possible to adopt children from Armenia?” She replied, “Never! The Turks have slaughtered 1.5 million of our people; we will never let our children go to anyone.”

Hitler ordered his leadership to do the same, repeating this wicked genocide against Jewish people, and other groups, beginning in 1939. This is being repeated again in our world. Some Muslims of North Sudan have done the same to the beautiful Sudanese people of the South (read my friend’s account of his family’s suffering in the book The Bible or the Axe by William Levi). Sin continues and evil men will become even worse the Bible tells us.

Choosing Wisely

Published on July 23, 2018January 26, 2019 by Nancy DemaryLeave a comment

How do you know which door to choose when you need help, especially when you’re feeling worn down and ready to give up. Getting help can be difficult and it takes time and effort… and humility.

I’d like to recommend a Podcast by Rick Thomas, he covers common topics concerning relationships. He is an insightful counselor, with many years of experience, who gives sound advice on how to walk through some of the most difficult places in life.

I recently listened to some of Rick’s podcasts and find them to be so good and thought this may be a good way to introduce you to Rick. He also has two new books out Change Me and Suffering Well (available on Amazon).

Have you visited my RESOURCES page yet? If not, please click, you will find helpful resources on a variety of topics.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

What is Biblical Counseling?

Published on January 27, 2018April 29, 2019 by Nancy Demary1 Comment

Biblical Counseling is using God’s Word (the Bible) as the foundational manual from which to answer every question and concern in a Christian’s life. It is discipleship and the process of growing in wisdom, understanding and application of the Word of God to our life. Whatever our situation is, God has provided an answer and remedy for us.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (II Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

Our knowledge of God and man comes directly from His Word and when we allow the Holy Spirit to indwell us, He gives us the power to become partakers of God’s nature over our sinful nature. As Christ pleased the Father, we may also as we desire to glorify God through our lives. In order to do this, we need to change our thoughts that are contrary to God’s Word. He helps us with this. God’s Word is capable of restructuring our thought patterns as we choose to renew our minds daily, desire to have the mind of Christ and walk in obedience to His teachings.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 ESV)

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:23 ESV).

This means our thinking will change and become pleasing to God in accordance with His desires for us. He always has our best interests in mind and as we submit ourselves to His instruction a beautiful transformation occurs. This is where a biblical counselor is helpful in this process providing assignments that will help someone think in a healthy God-ordained way. The result we want to achieve is to THINK – DO – FEEL, in that order.

The process of change in us is made possible by Christ’s sacrifice for sin, the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word at work in our hearts. The threefold process is: we discard old patterns of ungodly behavior, reconstruct our thinking based upon God’s Word, and adopt new patterns of godly behavior.[1]

In summary, biblical counselors work with people to apply God’s Word as the solution to man’s fallen condition (Genesis 3). Our Creator knows us inside and out and offers us hope in any situation.

Credit: Much of the information I am sharing here comes from my studies in the book: [1] Curing the Heart by Howard Eyrich and William Hines 2002.

Resources: Insightful Testimony (11 min.) by Heath Lambert of childhood abuse he suffered and God’s redemptive work in his life; Heath is the Director of ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors). Discussion on “Differences and Overlap of Biblical Counseling and Clinical Therapy” (80 min.) by Heath Lambert.

For additional Resources Tab here

Photo Credit: Pixabay