We have a dream...

We are in the processing of working on realizing this dream...

Would you partner with us in prayer as we develop the infrastructure for this ministry?  Leave us a comment and let us know if you will be a prayer partner. We'd love to hear from you.

Visual Journaling Workshop presented by Mandarin Christian Counseling Center

Since March 2011, I've had the greatest opportunity to work with the talented counselors at Mandarin Christian Counseling. In this short time, we've moved the main office and opened a satellite office in Jacksonville Beach. As we work on getting the news out of our new locations, I decided I'd like to present a visual journaling workshop. This is something I've wanted to do for a while but didn't have the opportunity. Finally, I can. I sure hope to see you!
Visual Journal Ing Flyer

Wheel of Emotions

Found this on get.gg and thought I'd share. Sometimes it's hard to put our feelings into words.

Strong Elegant Women

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a woman lately.  In Church, as wives we are often told to be submissive. Unfortunately, the word has been twisted and used to keep women oppressed for centuries. Please understand me--I believe we should submit to our husbands. However, I am proposing that maybe we have been going about it wrong.  In Christian circles, it seems women are discouraged from pursuing their dreams in the name of "submission." As a result, women are polarized: either be a *stay at home mother who home schools (see below) to the "feminatzi." Can't there be a more balanced approach? 

Let's take a look at the Proverbs 31 woman:

• Her husband trusts and respects her
• She works outside of the home 
• She takes care of her household 
• She is a business woman
• She is strong and smart
• She helps the needy
• Her children love her

When I read that verse, I see a woman who is intelligent, strong yet supportive to her husband. 

I think we need more strong elegant women as role models.  Here are some role models that have stood out for me. Not all of these women are married or confessing Christians but they exude grace, character and strength. 

Joni Eareckson Tada
from http://www.joniandfriends.org/

Condoleeza Rice
from http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2010-10-12-rice12_CV_N.htm

Laura Bush
from http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/firstlady/

Ann Curry
from http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4515786/ns/today/

*I am in total support of the woman who stays home with her children and home-schools. I am opposed to setting that as the standard for the ideal Christian woman.

Reading anything good lately?

I've been reading for pleasure quite a bit the last week. I've discovered that there is a Goodwill down the street that has a great book section. I can pick up .50 paperbacks and $1.00 hardbacks.  Then, there is *Paperback Swap where you can get books for free.  I picked up about four chick lit books and then a couple more educational books all for under $5 between both sources.  Quite the bargain, right? Let me tell you the real bargain- what I get out of reading...

About 11 years ago, I worked as a Child Protection Social worker. Whew, what a stressful job.  I remember my boss recommending I read the book, "A Child Called It." Let me tell you that was not a good choice for me at the time. I would get home from a long day, start reading the book and start crying. My husband told me, "You've got to stop reading that book. You're making yourself miserable." And I was. A few months later, I was at a discount store and found the book "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" in a discount bin (this was before the movie and all the hype). I bought it and started reading it the next night. I never laughed so hard reading a book before. It provided a great escape from a hectic day and was a definite stress reducer. From that point on, I have been a fan of chic lit or as I call "brain candy." It helps take my mind off of the day's events and can completely improve my mood.

I discovered that reading has other benefits too.  Clark and Rumbold (2006) found that reading for pleasure:

• Increases general knowledge
• Increases a better understanding of other cultures
• Increases community participation
• Increases greater insight into human nature and decision-making
• Enhances social skills 
• Decreases loneliness 

So, have you read any good books lately?  Grab a book and escape to a foreign land or learn something new. What are you waiting for?

Clark, C. & Rumbold, K. (2006). Reading for pleasure: A research overview. National literacy trust. Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://content.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/i/Reading_for_pleasure.pdf

*Paperback Swap info:
Swap, Trade & Exchange Books for Free. It's easy: List books you'd like to swap with other club members. Once a book is requested, mail it to the club member (you pay for the postage to mail the book). In return, you may choose from 5,003,351 available books! Books you request are mailed to you for free. No late fees. No hidden charges. http://www.paperbackswap.com

Addictions----Do you have one?

I'm baaaaack! Plus, I survived 3 months in rehab! Truth be told--I wasn't actually in rehab myself, I just worked for a dual-diagnosis substance abuse hospital. Whew, what a trip! I learned so much about addictions while I was there. Unfortunately, I couldn't handle the hours. I am not made to work 10-12 hours a day and still be a good therapist for my patients. By the end, I was *fried. Which, is a good segue into what I was going to write about today-addiction. 

Last January, I was reading the daily devotional from Lighthouse Network, Stepping Stones. That days topic was on addiction objects. The writer gave a biblical definition for an addiction. He states, "if it is something that comforts you or relieves some negative feeling, it can be an addiction object. People can find themselves obsessively and compulsively hooked on almost anything." The group I was leading discussed the devotion in depth and it personally gave me a new way of looking at addictions. The devotion challenged me further when the writer states, "When you are uneasy, lonely, stressed, etc, what do you go to first? Bingo! You found your addiction object. Next time, try to look to God first and see what He will prescribe for your pain." For the last couple weeks while I was working 55-60 hours a week, I was becoming more and more stressed. Next thing I know I'm "comfort eating." This is just what caused me to gain 30 pounds 12 years ago. As I started examining my behavior, I realized I did just what most addicts do before they relapse....I planned it in my head first! See, I told myself, "You can eat this "stuff" for now and later you can quit." (That "stuff" was anything *fried or sweet). What a lie! What also hit me was I was going to food instead of God for comfort. Fortunately, I only gained 4 pounds this time but I then again, I missed an opportunity to let God be my comfort. I decided that I am going to submit "my addiction" to God again by doing a modified fast. (See "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts" or "Fasting" for more information on how to fast).  

What about you? What do you struggle with...what are you going to for comfort? Remember the words of Jesus to us in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (NLT)." However, maybe your addiction is with drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography etc. Maybe you are at the point where you realize your life has become unmanageable and you are powerless to change. If that is you...there is hope and help.

Here are some resources for you to look into:

Lighthouse Network: http://www.lighthousenetwork.org/content/

Teen Challenge: http://teenchallengeusa.com/