Doobee or Not Doobee: That is THE Question--or is it?

Ok, here it is as promised. I said whatever I wrote was going to offend some people even though I promise you it is not my intention.

Whatever you thought I was going to write about tells you more about yourself than it does me.  Just like what you get from reading the Bible lets you know a whole lot more about where you are coming from than what really might have been the intension of the original writers.

What ever you may have thought about what I meant by "Doobee", I promise you I was not advocating doing something illegal, even if you think it's a stupid law.

In my younger days I had the opportunity to be influenced by THC on more than one occasion. It's pretty amazing to see "flares" floating down over Hill 360, which rose above the DaNang airport, when under the influence of a mind altering chemical.

Viet Nam claimed the blood of hundreds of thousands of young men and women including my best friend, Earl Carl Edwin Tidwell, Jr.  Earl's name is now on "the Wall" in Washington D.C. with all those other names.  What do they mean, really?

They mean what ever you want them to mean. As Catherine Ponder wrote:  "Thoughts of your mind have made you what you are and thoughts of your mind will make you whatever you become from this day forward."

Something is only an issue if you decide to make it one.  What's your most important issue?  Really.

Are you sad?  Are you afraid?  Are you full of guilt or shame? You want to be happy?


"Happiness and Joy are states of the mind in the heart of our soul.
Decide to be happy especially at the times you don't feel like it. Try not to blame your behaviors or your feelings on others, they belong to you and you alone. 
And last but not least: Joy spelled backwards is yoJ."

I just wrote the above quote on my facebook page tonight. :)

So, what does "Doobee" mean to you?

Whatever you need it to mean. That really is THE question.

Isn't it?

(Unless you're color blind and you're unable to see the THE.)

Doobee doobee do...  
 http://www.lifeconnectionsinc.com/what-the-heck-is--counseling--anyway-.html

So, What the Heck is "Counseling" Anyway?

I was talking to our amazing minister, Gary Cleveland, the other day and we were talking about our respective "callings": his to preaching and mine to counseling. Some people come to our "Barn Church" and sometimes they may be a little taken back because it doesn't meet their pre-conceived perceptions about "Church".  We are a bit "relaxed" at the Oakhaven Church in Oshkosh to say the least.  I believe we are still reverent and all those "religious sounding words" and stuff.  Yet we are fairly informal and laid back at times--ok, all the time.  Yet when we sing together as a church I think the angels listen in.  

I don't know if you have ever heard congregational, accapella singing before, and if not, it's hard to beat when all four part harmonies are kickin' in.  And then a bunch of guys--definitely "non-clergy" types get up serve communion and share their gifts of teaching, praying and inspiring.  And even once in awhile a woman will get up and lead the prayer or read the Bible or do the "announcements" (I wish they also helped in serving communion and blessing us with sermons--but that's just me, and the Lord's still working on some of our old patriarchal ways at the Barn. To me the neatest part of our "assembly time" together is when each and anyone--male, female, child, and visitor--take part in our family prayer time.  Then our Minister, Gary, gets up and sits down--he sits on an old stool and shares from his heart what he and the Lord have been preparing all week for us to hear.  Gary's "sermons" are real, down-home (sometimes way down home, "Alabama homespun").  Even though he's been up here in Wisconsin since 1976 every once in awhile that good ole boy drawl will come out with a "Goddah" or other "Bama-postulants" or "pontificates".  

So what the heck does all this have to do with counseling, anyway?  Well, just as people sometimes have pre-conceived perceptions of "Church" and "Worship" we also do the same with "Counseling".  All kinds of different visions or phobias of  "laying on a couch" or having to share "how do you really FEEL about that" or being psychoanalyzed or taking weird tests and on and on and on.  So what is counseling about--really?

Well, personally I don't even like the word "counseling" or to be called a counselor.  I use to do a lot of that stuff  I wrote about in paragraphs above just like I use to do a lot of "weird stuff" when I was a preacher boy years ago. Oh yeah I'm guilty of it all: death bed invitations, fire and brimstone scare the hell out of folks and syllogisms--silly gezims.  Yeah I was trained to use guilt and shame and fear to get people all worked up to "come forward" at the end of the sermon.  "Would  you all please stand together as we sing "I Will Not Be Moved" or "Why the Heck Not Tonight" (that's when we 'had to go' to night church on Sundays).  Lot's of things I once thought or believed as "gospel" had nothing to do with Jesus and a lot to do with religion.

So really, what happens in a counseling session? Well, it's a little like the old joke "How many counselors does it take to change a light-bulb?" Just one, but the light-bulb has to REALLY WANT to change!"  I now do what I do a lot differently than I was taught in college just like when I "preach" once in awhile (and they don't let me often--probably a good thing). Just like I REALLY DO try now NOT to use a bunch of "religious" words when I speak--I also try to avoid as much as possible using "counseling" words.  Maybe it because for the last 10 years I've been doing mostly group work with a bunch of men who really don't want to be in a room with a bunch of other men who really don't want to be there. I facilitate domestic violence groups which last 44 weeks. The process is taking "abusive, demanding, controlling" men, to "assertive, asking gentle-men". Well, some of them change anyway--like the old joke--those who really want to change.

Instead of thinking of myself as a counselor or a therapist, I'd prefer to think about myself as an advocate  And I don't have "clients" or "patients" or "crazies"; I prefer to think of them as "life-connecting-partners". We're all on a journey together, helping each other find our way.  That word "advocate" is a really interesting word.  In the Bible it is often used of the work of the Holy Spirit. (Jesus said: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you." When He the "advocate" comes, He will guide you into all truth..." And the apostle John even used the word in in 1 John referring to Jesus: "My little children, I'm writing these things to you so that you might not sin. Yet if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the one who is righteous."  

What the word advocate literally means is: "one who walks along side of you" and that is how I view the facilitating I do.  I walk along the side of my "fellow travelers" on “The Road Less Traveled". I'd prefer to think of myself as one who reminds us of "stuff we really already know" and I facilitate the process of remembering and reminding and asking.

Sometimes we need to remember some of the hurts that have happened to us or which we have done ourselves. Then it's a matter of talking about them--thinking about them--and deciding how me really want to feel and act in a way that is benifincial to ourselves and to others. That's what I see as being my goal--walking along side of you as you figure out what you need to do to take care of yourself without hurting anyone, including yourself.

And I believe it's ok to have fun on this journey.   Oh sure sometimes it may get a bit "heavy" and that's why there is someone there to help carry the load--and I'm not talking just about me--that other Advocate who really knows what He's doing is there traveling with us.  And neither you nor I could do the work we need to do if God isn't present.

So, I hope this helps a bit when you think about counseling.  It really is about making the right connections in this life and I believe also in the next life as well. Jesus said:

Mat 11:28  "Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29  Place my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light."

It's scary sometimes because of the way we think about it.  If we can learn to "think about it differently" it will become less scary and more restful.

Check out the Website: http://www.lifeconnectionsinc.com and see and hear the new stuff I've added.  This website, like our lives, is a continual work in process--one step at a time.

"Shalom"

Justifed Because of Whose We Are, Not Because of What We Did

As we begin this new year of this new decade of this twenty first century, I would like to reflect on--not the past year. I'd like to reflect on beginning again on this first Sunday of the year of our Lord twenty-ten.

Sunday is a day of beginnings. The beginning of that which celebrates the first day of the "Sabbath Week".  Sunday was the first day after God rested from all His creation week work. Believers in Jesus celebrate this day as the day the Son of God rose from the dead after being crucified three days earlier. The writer of the Roman letter said in chapter 4:25 that Jesus died for our sins and he rose for our justification.

Justification is a very interesting word. Look it up in the dictionary.
Justification may refer to:

• Theory of justification, a part of epistemology that attempts to understand the justification of propositions and beliefs
• Justification (jurisprudence), defense in a prosecution for a criminal offense
• Justification (theology), God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous before God
• Justification (typesetting), a type of typographic alignment
• Rationalization (psychology), one of the defense mechanisms proposed by Sigmund Freud   ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,                           It could be used a word of denial or for the exact opposite--making all things "right" or new.  My favorite seen in Mel Gibson's movie "the Passion of the Christ" is when Jesus spots his mother as he is carrying his cross to Calvary's 'hill of the skull" and says to her: "Behold your Son as he makes all things new".

All things new. Wow. ALL things new. Jesus was raised for our justification.  No way we can justify that or ourselves. His grace makes us new.  Sometimes the Bible uses the phrase "we are a new creation" when we are "born of the Spirit:" or "born from above" at the moment we accept Jesus alone as the Creator of  Life.

Just doesn't seem right does it? It's not. We all deserve "justice" which is a "eye for an eye" and a "death for death" for certainly we killed him and yet he cries out from the cross:  "Abba, Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."  He did not ask the Father to forgive what we were doing, He asked Him to forgive us inspite of what we were doing.

We had a really amazing Bible class at the Barn Church this morning. We talked about the "unforgivable sin".
Well I can tell you one thing that isn't unforgivable: our killing Jesus. He gave his life for us so that we can be forgiven and live.

Now there's a LIFE CONNECTION for you; in fact I believe it is THE LIFE CONNECTION.

So on this first Sunday of the this first full week of the decade twenty-ten, let's begin again to let all things be brand new: JUSTIFIED. Not because of what we do, as my friend Gary Cleavland says, because of what Jesus did and does with every breath that comes out of Mouth of God.

Note:
         I have some brand new videos on the website: how 'bout checkin' em out?  Go to each page and enjoy       some  terrific video's and songs I just added courteous of  "UTUBE".

May The SON'S Love Shine on Us All in 2010...

Please would you copy this link below and see where it lead you?

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13069_102528313098902_100000252016427_63638_5240883_n.jpg

Asking for what you need...Really!

ASK and you shall receive, SEEK and you will find, KNOCK and the door will be opened to you.

What an amazing statement Jesus made in in what is sometimes called the "Sermon on the Mount". I 've often asked God for what I thought I needed or for what I wanted.  How do you ask for what you really need?

My suggestion to you is "often". Lately my wife Carolyn and I are waiting at least three days before be buy what we think we need. After the third day we often realize we don't really "need" what ever it is and don't buy it. It gives us time to look at "the big picture" and I know our God really knows the "big picture" from the beginning of time to the end of time.

Jesus is said to have prayed three times for His Father to "remove the cup" he had been given: to die for our sins. Three times. Then he said, "not my will but Your will be done".  This is a prayer I believe he prayed every day, "Abba in Heaven, holy is Your Name, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN..."'

How do we know what the Father's will is--REALLY?  Jesus said if we ask, really believing, really out of faith, it "SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU".  Wow.  The Father's will seems to have to do with "Loving your neighbor as you love yourself". How much do you love yourself? Would you give your life for your neighbor?
Jesus did.

I had a duck when I was a little boy growing up in the Mojave desert in California.  One day I was playing with that duck and I by accident sat on it and killed it. I prayed and prayed that God would not let that duck die. Well it died. It was one really dead duck. I felt so sad and I cried and cried.  Why didn't God answer my prayer? I really believed he would raise up that duck. Did not God hear my prayer? I think so,  So it seems sometimes God's answer is 'NO' even when we pray in faith. It must not have been His "will" that that duck lives.  So what did seven year old Donny learn by all this? Ducks die when you sit on them. And if God doesn't think it's best that that duck comes back to life, it wont.

So why even bother?  It's not our will be done, it's God's will be done "on Earth as it is in Heaven".

I love Garth Brooks' song, "Thank God for Unanswered Prayer". It seems that part of what it means when we ask in faith, is trusting that God will do what's best, even if we don't like it.

I asked God to provide for the ministry of Life Connections. I really believe He is and He will. How and if  he does this is really up to Him.  I also ask you to pray with me that "God's will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day what we really need..."

That seems really worth asking for, don't you think?

Friendship

On this earth I believe God gives us many gifts, number one being the gift of his Son, Jesua. Then there are childhood friends like Earl, best friends like Al and Kathy, bestest friends like Carolyn and last of all special adult friends like Jen who are angels in disguise.

Once upon a time in a land not so very far away there once lived a fairy princess who one day would be queen. She was given a gift by the Gift Giver. Like all gifts of this special type, this one could only be given once to whomever she chose to bestow it.  "Bestow" is a gift giving word. A gift has no real meaning until it is bestowed--given away.  No strings, no wings and no seems or dreams, a gift must be.  She decided to give her gift to an old dried up worm of a man who least deserved it, yet had only one good quality: broken-ness. So when old worm man was offered the gift he bowed his head in submission to her will and simply said "thank you." Worm man was instantly changed into who he had been forever destined to become: Connection Man.

As the new year approaches I would ask us all one extremely important question: "Who are you connected to--Really?  The answer to this question can not only change the way we think about ourselves, also the way we think about others and ultimately the way we think about the Giver of Life who offers His Friendship to all.

"Happy Birthday Jesua, Happy Birthday Christman"

I was wondering the other day while I was driving down the highway: Just how did Mary and Joseph celebrate their firstborn son's birthday. What was that first "he's one year old" birthday party like in their home?  Did they realize that Jesua was 'one year old plus infinity'? How did Jesua's earthly parents remember "the first Noel"?

What feelings came to them as they thought back to Jesua's first night on this earth?

Well what do you think of when you think about your first born child's birth: The water breaking; the call to the doctor; the rush to the hospital; or the calling of the midwife; the "miracle of his/her birth"; checking out the fingers and toes; the call to parents and family and friends and on and on and on?

Ok, now add a few other details to their story: the inablity to find a place to stay that first night in Bethleham; the labor pains increasing; finally a place--even if it was "a hole in the wall" old stable; and finally the birth of their first born son; remembering what the angel had said, "and you shall call him 'Jesua' for he shall save his people"; the shepherds showing up; their story of the Heavenly announcement and on and on and on.

Ok that's all the physical stuff going on. Now let's go deeper. Now can you just imagine the "spirit world" stuff: the Father looking down on His 'first and only begotten son'; the knowledge that the 'eternal had become flesh' just a momentary nine months earlier; now living carnal fetus: "Imanuel-God with us"; the proud Father who had "spoken the Word into Living Flesh" knowing also in that instance it was now "the beginning of the end." I can only imagine and I wonder: 'what was the Father thinking--REALLY': "What if My Son chooses His will over Mine, after all He is human now as well being part of Me?" (Kind of blows the mind doesn't it?)

What was going on in the spirit world that " Ole Holy Night"? The angels rejoicing--at least the host of the heavenly angels. What about the other "host of fallen angels" led by their "father Lucifer", what's going on with the outcasts? We get just a glimpse from the Apocolypse of John (see Revelation chapter 12) as the dragon tries to devour the Son of the woman. What amazing spiritual battles occur as they think "ok, you're in our territory now baby" and all the Forces of Hell clash with all the Heavenly Forces of Life. Now there's a "Real Life Connection" for you!

How do Jewish parents remember the birth of their first born? Goggle it and you will be amazed: "The first born son of a Jewish family". Well maybe that's "another blog story" and for now would you sing with me:

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dear Jesua,
Happy Birthday to You."

How old are You,
How old are You,
You look like a Baby
And you smell like one Too.

What did infinity smell like on that first "Christman" morning? (No that wasn't a misprint.) The fresh aroma of all eternity given as all first fruits are given--in sacrifice back to the Giver of Life so that we might have "LIFE ETERNAL"

Wow!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever belives in Him might not perish but have everlasting LIFE". (Would you read John 3:16ff?)

On this "Christ-man Eve" believe again or for the first time: "Jesus Loves me this I know because the Word of Life tells me so".

Merry Christ-man EVERYONE!

A Jesus Sandwich

When I was a little kid I could eat PBJs three times a day. I loved them. They had to have butter and jelly and especially peanut butter--the chrunchy kind. I loved them then and I love them now. It just doesn't get any better than a PBJ Sandwich. I didn't like sharing my PBJs with anybody, espescially my big brother Bill. He was mean to me sometimes. But sometimes I had to. Sometimes he'd take the whole sandwich.

This life is like a PBJ sandwich. I never thought about it much, but the most important thing about a PBJ is the bread. It's what holds it all together. It's what gives you something to hold on to, otherwise it could get really messy. Imagine slapping a hunk of butter and jelley and chrunchy peanut butter on your hand and trying to eat it. Well, I don't have to imagaine it, I've tried it. The first time it was kind of fun, but it was a mess. And it just didn't taste the same. The bread is so important. You might like wheat or white or rye or whatever. As a kid I loved thick Wonder Bread--do they still sell Wonder Bread?

So what's a Jesus Sandwich? It's all the good and messy stuff in this life wrapped between two big slices of the Bread of Life. I call one slice "Peace" and the other "Joy". Or if you want to get real crazy make a "triple decker". That third slice is called "Love". And all the really great Jesus Sandwiches need to have a big slice of "Love", right?

Well enjoy your Jesus Sandwich everyday. And as hard as it is, cut it in half and share it with the people you come across who are the most hungry.

Especially share it with your "big brother" who calls you names and says other mean things to you. And if he/she takes the whole thing, make him another one. There just isn't anything better than a Jesus PBJ Sandwich.

My Father's Name is Art and he Lives in Heaven

When I was a little kid growing up in the Mojave desert in California, I remember those Sundays when the congregation prayed in unison "The Lord's Prayer". I didn't understand most of it but it's where I first learned that God's first name was "Art".

It was the only time I can remember when they used God's first name. I didn't know much about God but I knew where he lived and I new his first name. I don't remember this exactly, but I'm sure I once must have asked my Dad (whose name was Harry): "Daddy",(that's what my sisters Betty & Debi and brother Bill & I always called him), "Daddy, what's God's Last Name?"

Dad said, "Son (he always called me son) why do you think God has a last name?" I said, "well everyone's got a last name, what's Art's?" Dad said, "Whose Art?" "You know", I said, "that's God's first name, remember every Sunday when we pray together in church we all pray to our Father Art who is in heaven!"

Well Dad, somehow kept a straight face and without missing a beat, said: "Son, God's, ah Art's last name is Jehovah." I said , "well what do you know about that, Art Jehovah. Thanks Daddy." And with that question answered I went out to play "cowboys and Indians" or hunt for horney toads with my best friend Richie Snerlly.

I loved to talk to "Art" when I was a little kid. I'd be laying in the bottom bunk of the bunk bed (Bill always slept on top)and I'd talk and make up songs and sing them to my Heavenly Father, Art. After awhile I'd say well, I guess I better get to sleep, I'll let you go, I'm sure some other little boy is waiting to talk to you, too. Goodnight Art. Sleep tight. And I drifted off asleep safe and secure, wrapped in the arms of the invisible, only and all powerful Immanuel.

Well, some of the above story is true. And some is the imagination of the "little boy, Donny" who still lives deep inside of me.

So what's so important to me about this? Really? It's the unquestioning faith and trust I had in my earthly Dad, Harry and in my Heavenly Dad, Art. I didn't "know" a lot but I knew I was taken care of and nothing on this earth would hurt me--not even the big alligators my brother Bill said were under the bed.

I'm not sure how all little Jewish boys prayed. I am very convinced that when Jesus was a little boy he called his earthy and heavenly father by the same name: Abba which could very easily be translate, "Daddy". And I believe as he grew into the only human being who ever lived on this earth without sinning even one time, would daily pray:

My Daddy who is Heaven. How Holy is Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
Here on earth as it has always been done in Heaven.
Would You please give me this day what I really need (bread--both physical and spiritual)?
Please forgive those who hurt me by sinning as I give my life for them.
And keep me from the evil one who tempts me every single chance he gets.
For Yours is the Kingdom (Eternal Rule) in my life.
Yours is the ultimate Power.
And Yours is the Glory forever and ever.
Amen.

Goodnight Daddy. I love You.

May this same all knowing and caring God wrap His loving arms around you and your family. Really.

"Aqualung My Friend"

Jethro Tull, the rock group, sings a terrible song called "Aqualung" which I just love. Not that I like Aqualung's behaviors, I hate them. It starts out: "Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent. Snot is running down his nose......Aqualung my friend."

Life Connections is about reaching out to people who are really hurting. Who really need friends, true friends who love them inspite of themselves. What do we think and do about the "terrrible behaviors" of the people we "run into" in our life? Do we despise them or love them? "While we were "still terrible", God loved us and sent his Son to die for us.

Jesus came to this earth for such people as "Aqualung". The "well" don't need a doctor, the "sick" do.

What are your thoughts--really?

The God Who Came Down to Earth to Die

The God Who Came Down to Earth to Die

As the world gets ready to once again celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, I think about his death. Christmas lights and trees and bells ringing around the little red buckets at Wall-Mart all bringing in this season of giving and taking, of buying and selling.

Certainly this is a time for joy and "peace on earth" and I would not say as I once preached in a sermon 30 years ago, "Let's take Christ out of X-Mas". And yet at the same time this truly does seem to be such an artificial time of year--including our little tree in the living room--or certainly it can be viewed that way. And I really do appreciate the well meaning people who try to remind me of "the true meaning of Christmas".

I do have wonderful memories as a child sitting around the tree with Mom and my brother Bill and my sisters Betty and Debi as our Dad read us the "Christmas Story" from the Book of Luke from our family Bible.

This same book interestingly does not mention, ask, command or hint at the yearly Celebration of the birth of baby Jesus. It's very interesting to me that Jesus doesn't ask us to remember his birth--and if you know me I love birthdays, especially my own. Jesus surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) asks us to celebrate and remember his death.

Even the origin of the word "Christmas" seems to come from our Catholic friends who celebrate Christ's MASS. The early disciples didn't like Jesus talking about his death and all but a few women and one "disciple whom Jesus loved" deserted him as he hung and died on that old rugged Roman cross. One of his last requests to them at their "last supper" together, was not to remember how he came into the world. Jesus passionately asked them to remember his death as they took the bread and wine.

Now as I think back to that 30 year old sermon telling my listeners to "Take Christ out of X-Mas", I now feel very strongly and "Passion-ately" about the "X" which is much closer to the shape of the instrument of capital punishment upon which Jesus died. I would now like to ask you to think about putting the "cross" back into Christmas. Jesus said it was for this reason he came to this earth, to die, to be buried and to be raised again. The early disciples didn't believe it until Jesus showed up three days after his death. And my guess is we don't believe it either until we allow Jesus to show up in our lives.

God came down to this earth to die so that you and I might live. This amazing grace, it seems to me, is the real meaning of Christmas.

"Merry Christmas" to you all or may I say very thankfully "Merry X-Mas".

Don McPherson

The Rest of the Life Connections Story-- So Far

About 15 years ago, when I graduated from UWO with a MSE in community counseling, I set up the non-profit organization called Life Connections. I had quit the ministry (or the ministry had quit me) with Churches of Christ which I had been doing full-time for about 15 years. I wanted to focus on counseling instead of preaching. The beginning of the end was when I preached a sermon called "Are We Becoming the Undenominational Denomination" at a Preacher's Retreat at a place called Fall Hall Glen. My Church elders got a tape of it and sent me packing. I had been struggling for years with the indoctrination I had received from "the Brotherhood".

I had attended a "preacher training school" sometimes called seminaries by other denominations. My school was a very legalistic one which I later would call a "cemetary" because they seemed more concerned on "burying the Truth" than proclaiming Him. Jesus was put more in the background to "Biblical understanding". It became more important "what" you knew instead of "Who" you knew. I made all "As" for the equivalent of four years of college crammed into two years. From Greek to Logic, denominational doctrines to apologetics, from Genesis to Revelation, we were drilled five days a week, studying 6 nights a week. My teachers even called it "saturation learning". I loved it. I gloried in it. I was saturated in the B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me.

I became sure I was saved by my "great learning" and was becoming 5 times a son of satan with my knowledge of "the truth". I came from Texas to Wisconsin to save all the lost in and out of their churches to come to the one and only TRUE CHURCH of CHRIST. Interestingly in Wisconsin I began to return to the faith of my childhood--were Jesus became again a real person and a personal God.

I had originally gone to this school to gain "tools" so I could try to make sense of the Bible. Well I learned the tools. Unfortunately the TOOLS became more important than the people. I had become a "religionist" and as my knowlegde of "the Book" grew my spirituality slipped away. My faith was replaced with facts. The Bible had become a text book instead of a guide book to point to the one who is the Source of Life. I needed to once again become connected to that Life. I had to lose my life to find it.

I wanted to offer counseling to those who were hurting at a cost they could afford, especially if they didn't have insurance. I didn't want to be a "Christian Counselor". I wanted to be a counselor who could help guide people--\especially religious people--to find what I had found. Unfortunately, I didn't know I wasn't ready. Fifteen years later, two years of being part of a mental health clinic, two years of counseling sexual abuse victims (and their abusers) and ten years of facilitating domestic abuse offenders was helping to prepare me. Especially by using the cognitive, behavioral approach to assertive communication skills. Assertiveness training and decision making is learning to think in a way to really take care of ourself without being abusive or controlling to others or to ourself.

So now Life Connections is going to be the conduit to help guide others and myself to the Way, to the Truth and to the Life. What do you and I need to do to connect to Life--REALLY? How is this done? Well it's a journey called "this life'. In a word: ASKING. Learning to ask for what we really need and focus on what we have control over--ourselves and not the other person, be they partner, spouse, parent, child, friend, enemy, etc. It seems so simple yet it is so profound: Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find and Knock and the DOOR will be opened to you. A--S--K. And everyone's journey is individual. And no one can ask or seek or find for you and I. We need to do that ourselves. And it's ok to ASK for help, in fact I believe it is essential.

What do you need to do to take care of yourself, without hurting or controlling others? What is it that you need to ask for--really? Interested? How do you not focus on others or things which we have no control over? How can we learn not to give our power away? It can be done and it's a process of connecting the dots. Which dots you ask? The dots that connect your heart to your Life Connections--emotionally, physically and spiritually. Check out the website: http://www.lifeconnectionsinc.com and continue your journey. I would be honored, humbled and previledged to walk beside you. We can help each other as we seek to connect to the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. I promise you I do not have all the answers. I do believe I can help you in asking some of the really important questions.

What do you think about what Jesus said from the cross to the very people who were killing him: Father forgive THEM, for they don't know what they are doing? He didn't say forgive what they were doing, he asked his Father to forgive THEM. Does this help you to forgive yourself for what you've done?

As a person thinks in his/her heart so is he/she.

I'm wondering what you really think this means?

Check out Life Connections' website at LifeConnections.homestead.com