thoughts...

[teach]

ok, so I don't really want to go into detail or anything, but lets just say I haven't been myself lately and I am beginning to realize it is destroying me. I have just recently gotten rid of the things that were influencing me, but now I need to rebuild myself again. I have been thinking about Christian counseling, but I have no idea who I would go to and I don't have that kind of money...

Last night was the best night's sleep I have had in a while and it was simply because I knew I had finally gotten out of whatever it was that was making me feel separated from Christ. I woke up with a new inspiration to do whatever it takes to revamp, renew and revive my relationship with Christ. I want to go the distance....

I know it will take time, but I truly want to do anything I can to be with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

please keep me in your prayers as I climb this mountain and any advice, suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated!

Wendy Kathleen Cook

[PastorDaniel]

First fact...we all go through these valleys...so don't feel alone...

First suggestion...don't ever beat yourself up...

Next suggestion...set aside a time each day to read your Bible and pray...don't know where to start, that's fine...start in Genesis, read one chapter there, and one from the Psalms...

Don't know what to pray...pray the Lords prayer...and focus on expanding each point...

"Our father who art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name" this is praise and could be extended indefinitly...

"Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" this is where you pray God's will over every situation in your life...

"Give us this day our daily bread" this is where you present your needs to God....

"And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us" this is where you ask forgivness for sin and strength to forgive those that have wronged you or who might do so...

"And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil" this is where you pray for strength to withstand sin and for deliverence from anything evil....

"For thine is the Kingdom and the power, and Glory forever, Amen!" You end it all up in praise...

So you can see that the Lord's prayer is a model and can go much deeper than mere reciting of the verses themselves...

This is something that I actually do in my own life...I started it when I was feeling the same as you are right now....as far as counseling goes...find someone you can trust that you KNOW is going to keep your confidence and that you KNOW is a Godly person and talk to them...that is also what I did...

[Carlene Prince]

GOOD ADVICE, Pastor Daniel.

[Jennifer Smith]

Wendy, God is faithful. He knows exactly what you need. The Holy Spirit is a Comforter and a Counselor and is able to get you right back on track, straightaway, and to guide you to people also who can help. Are you part of a solid, supportive, Spirit-filled church? That is so key for you in your developing and continuing walk with the Lord. We are meant to bear one another's burdens, we are not meant to go it alone.

I hope you are part of a church you can be excited about that is moving in a direction, following a vision that God has given, and seeing the working of the Spirit in a body of believers that are growing in Christ. You will become like those you fellowship with, so make sure those you spend time with are pursuing God and have a vibrant, real, relationship with the Lord. Then you will "catch" some of what they have, you will be blessed.

PM if you would like to talk more, I will be praying for you.

[dolfan]

I wish everyone your age would have your kind of introspection and understanding of themselves. I'm proud for your courage to make corrections. They matter now while you're young, perhaps, more than ever. Avoiding a lot more years of grief. WTG!

[jinjer]

Wendy, counseling is always a good idea. It helps to sort things out and bring perspective from someone wiser. I was offered an opportunity to get excellent Christian counseling in my early 20s and turned it down. I regret it to this day. I think I would have been light years ahead if I had taken the offer. There are several on here that would be willing to help you in that area at little or no cost, I am sure. Hopefully, some of them will respond to you.

I lift you up in prayer for all your needs.

Jinjer

[pitts47150]

Pastor Daniel, Thanks for putting that on here. This is a good way to say the Lords prayer without reciting it word for word. Thank You teach for posting this, because had you not, Pastor Daniel wouldn't have posted what he did. This is such good advice. Everyone has such wonderful words of encouragement. Alot of us need it teach, I for one need it but I'm not as brave as you. I'll be praying for you.

[Penny]

teach- I will be praying for you..

[Tim Elston]

I have been thinking about Christian counseling, but I have no idea who I would go to and I don't have that kind of money...

Catholic Family Services offers counseling for what you can afford. I went to them in Toronto when I was a student, and they asked me how much I could afford, starting at $10/hr. I told them I could afford $20. I went for about five sessions, and the woman who counseled me was absolutely terrific. She helped me identify the problems, gain a healthier perspective, and move on constructively through a dark hour of my life, when I was seriously about to go crazy.

[teach]

thanks alot guys for all of your thoughts and prayers. I will be mulling over a few options and figuring out my best course of action here in the next few days.

Wendy

[dbserv]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, but you might check the church ads in the local paper or yellow pages.

Our church offers FREE counseling and/or mentoring for our people AND the entire community.

We have a retired psy____________ (something or other) who heads up an awesome team of volunteer mentors.

Bill is the one who provides the licensed counseling services and the rest of us act as "mentors" under his direction. He provides at least 45 "office" hours each week @ the church campus, in addition to any trainings that he is conducting for us or for the community.

Brenda and I are part of the Marriage Mentors team (42 of us - 21 couples) who give our time and knowledge to help those who are struggling in their marriages.

We also have grief mentors, drug mentors, alcohol mentors, etc.

We go through a 150+ hour training program before we are made a part of any particular team. This includes instruction by Bill and various experts that he brings in or uses (like the e Harmony founder). If Brenda and I wanted to help with one of the other teams, we would have to go through that training as well. Some things are applicable in multiple situations, but there are details of each "issue" that requires specialized training to be of help.


Bill is still the lead trainer for the local county's CERT - Crises Emergency Response Team for all types of situations from accidents to suicides to .....................



Bill uses this website to assist people finding counselors in other areas - when our Air Force families move away, when we have family in other areas who need help, etc.

http://www.aacc.net/



As with any broad based org., Bill doesn't recommend the site carte blanche. But, it is a good resource to have available.


We'll be praying for you. That is most important of all!!!

[RamboPreacher]

thanks alot guys for all of your thoughts and prayers. I will be mulling over a few options and figuring out my best course of action here in the next few days.

Wendy

prayers continue, my sister. Leading and guiding from the Holy Spirit is not always the easy road, when being obedient. but it is the most fruitful, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time.

oh, and just so you don't think I think you are always serious about everything:

life is like a case of chocolates. if you eat them all, you get fat.

[teach]

thanks rambo!!!

wendy k

[dolfan]

That still freaks me out.

[cndlou]

Wendy, when I read your request... a lady came to mind that could probably help you free of charge... She is not a counselor but an awesome woman of God... She lives in Cleveland.... I would be glad to introduce you to her or contact her if you would like to sit down with her... Just a thought... (one of those take it or leave it kind of things... )