Biblical Counseling Training Counseling: Counsel With Confidence and Compassion

Posted on January 9, 2010 by gracedependent

February 7-12 you’ll find me and over 1300 other people passionate about biblical counseling at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, IN.  This year’s theme is Counseling with Confidence and Compassion.  This year I will be taking Track 5.  If you are planning on attending, drop me a line!

You can follow Faith’s tweets about the conference here on Twitter.

Here are some links to check out in regard to this conference:

If you are attending this conference, I’d love to meet up with you and establish further ministry contacts.  Please drop me a line through this website by leaving a comment below.

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U.S. Foster Care – Hope for Orphans

Posted on February 9, 2010 by gracedependent

Sunday, Feb. 7, I preached a sermon entitled “Orphans: God’s Character & Our Conduct” as we wrapped up James 1.  I focused on James 1:27, and primarily the phrase, “…visit orphans…in their distress…”  I promised our congregation to not let the conversation die on our responsibility as the church to perform this duty given to us from God.  After the sermon, as I was meeting people in our congregation who were expressing interest in keeping this conversation alive, one of our members suggested looking into the foster care system as an alternative to help local children who fall into this category.  I thought that was an excellent idea; and we currently have foster parents in our church right now.  So when I came across this article in my blog reading today I immediately thougtht I would like to share it with CBC now:

The Children of U.S. Foster Care: A Call to Prayer – part 1

In recent weeks, the world has watched as the stories of Haitian orphans have been broadcast to billions.  The faces are etched on all of our minds as we see them on TV, in print, on the internet…it seems like everywhere we turn, we are faced with the plight of Haiti’s neediest children.  Through it all, God is awakening more and more of His people to the needs of orphans, not just in Haiti, but around the world…including those in our own backyard.

There are currently more than half a million children in the United States Foster Care System.  Of those, more than 120,000 are currently waiting for adoptive families.  Each year, about 20,000 will age out of foster care and onto the streets…18 years old…with few if any life skills, and no family to call their own.  Their lives after foster care will all too often be marked by homelessness, addiction, crime, imprisonment, teen pregnancies, and worse…

Many in the church have taken on the cause of foster care, and God is using His people to bring real transformation to many children’s lives as a result.  Still, far more must be done if we will see the number of waiting children and emancipating youth reduced to 0.

Where do we start?  We start where we should always start – on our knees before our God, pleading on behalf of our nation’s most vulnerable and at-risk children.

You may read the rest of the article here at the Hope for Orphans blog. Please also check out the Hope for Orphans website – (one of the websites I suggested as an adoption resource to our congregation).

Please.  Do not let this conversation fade into oblivion.

Additional Resources:

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The BCTC: Track 5: First full day

Posted on February 8, 2010 by gracedependent

This morning found me scrambling…to get a cup of joe.  I thought I would try Starbucks here in Lafayette but the line wrapped around the building and didn’t move for the several minutes I was in it.

I was cutting it close to being late to my first session of the day, so I drove to a near-by local coffee shop, but it was closed.  What happened?  So I drove over to Faith Baptist and found my way up to the second floor where I would spend most of the day.  I dropped off the laptop and books and walked briskly across their parking lot to their Community Center – where they also have a coffee shop.  A few moments later I was enjoying a 20 oz. Mocha.  It was heavenly!

Today I touched base with Marcus from Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Our paths crossed again in the main lobby area.  We had met briefly last night when we both had a chance to speak with Dr. Bob Smith.  We had an opportunity to pray in the lobby area – just that God would work in our lives, here at the conference and even when we leave to return to our respective homes.  I also was able to touch base with Dr. Bob Kellemen of RPM Ministries, as he is teaching a “How to Care Like Christ” session.  It was good to see him and chat just briefly.  Please check out his website for valuable biblical counseling resources.  If you are attending the conference, his booth is right outside the main auditorium and he has greatly reduced prices on all of his materials!

Today we discussed four major doctrines: God, Salavation, Christ and the Holy Spirit.  We are writing our theology exams as well and so it made for a very packed day.  The exercise is a good one because it is forcing me to wrestle with the doctrines in an attempt to be able to communicate them properly.  I desperately want to understand them clearly in my head, and be able to communicate them to a counselee in a manner which is simple yet accurate.  I purchased yet another theology book today: Millard Erickson’s Christian Theology.  I’m breaking it in already.

Probably the greatest thing I will walk away with today is learning to think about how to communicate the attributes of God as they relate to the people’s lives with whom I counsel.  I am overwhelmed with the “bigness” of God, and yet comforted by His intense desire to work in my life through His grace and His Spirit.  Today was a good day – immersed in grace.

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Blogging the Biblical Counseling Training Conference: Track 5

Posted on February 7, 2010 by gracedependent

I arrived in Lafayette, IN this afternoon fired up and ready for the Biblical Counseling Training Conference.  This year I am taking Track 5, which is a prep track for those interested in completing NANC certification.  After a worshipful opening session which included a powerful testimony by Marsha, a young lady in the Vision of Hope residential counseling program, we kicked off the first session.  To see what is required for NANC certification, click here.  To complete the exam you must finish both a Theological exam and a Counselors exam.  These ‘exams’ are ‘open book’.

The first session tonight covered some important questions on the Doctrine of the Bible.  Below are the questions I will need to answer for the exam:

  1. The Bible is spoken of as “inspired”.  What does this mean?
  2. What is the relationship between “infallibility” and “authority”?
  3. What is the Bible’s authority on theological controversies?
  4. Compare and contrast the Bible and it’s authority to general revelation and it’s authority.
  5. Many Christians today speak of “continuing revelation”.  Relate this concept to inspiration and sufficiency of Scripture.  Relate this concept to the issue of miracles, prophecy and tongues.

Sounds like a piece of cake exam, right?  We have several guided computer labs in which the session leaders will help us write our exam.  I am looking forward to getting my thoughts “down on paper” this week.  Right now I am encouraged in the process, we’ll see how the rest of the week goes.

I picked up an early birthday present as well: (two books) Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie & The Moody Handbook of Theology.

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Doctor’s Orders: Those Boots Were Made for Walking

Posted on February 6, 2010 by gracedependent

and that’s just what you should do! I had my second, and prayerfully last, post-op check on Wednesday.  My surgeon, Dr. Isa Canavati, suggested some walking or exercise biking to limber up the muscles in my back and lower back.  I am four months post-op from having a spinal fusion on L4/L5.  I’ve had some discomfort especially at night, but during the day am feeling top of the world!  He thinks stretching and working the muscles may help a bit.

So, today I charged into walking.  If you know me, you know I won’t go half-way.  So I took off, plugged in my iPod earbuds & listened to Mark Driscoll for company.  I also took my camera in case I saw anything interesting.  I walked right at 3 miles in 1 hour and 1 minute.

Below is the map of my walk and a couple pics I snapped of St.Annes Episcopal Church.  I’m no photographer but it is something I am interested in getting better at.  (edit here: the map idea is not original with me.  Abraham Piper, of 22 words and Downhill Both Ways, regularly posts of his walks with maps.  So hat-tip to him!)

I have synced my blog with my facebook page, but I don’t know if the pictures will come through.  If you are reading this on facebook and not seeing any pics, please click here: (http://wp.me/pmptg-t3) (if the links are inactive, please go to http://www.gracedependent.com, I link through-out my posts)

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To Save A Life

Posted on February 6, 2010 by gracedependent

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Last night I took some 15 or so senior high teens to see “To Save a Life”.  A story about friendship, broken relationships, teen suicide, teen temptations & the lure of the world and the grace of God which is powerful enough to break through and permeate every facet of life.

It was the second time I’ve watched this film.  My heart remained gripped by the story line as I sat in a row of teens from my church.  There are many similarities I think between the teens in the movie and the teens in our youth group.  We have “good” teens, teens not interested in pursuing God, teens that feel “on the outside” – tired of trying to “break in”, some teens are “faking” their Christianity and there are some who are really working through God, the Bible and how all of that fits together in all of life.

My greatest desire is that the teens in our youth group see Truth modeled in the leadership of our youth group, and in the leadership of the church.  That they see how Truth is vital to day to day living.  That Truth is impacting their own lives in special ways.  I want them to know that God loves them more than any one else could.  That the choices they make today, are important…and have consequences – good and bad.  I want them to know they are loved not only by me, but by those who chose to invest in their lives on a regular basis.  I want them to know that the Gospel is vital for eternity, but also vital for today…right now.

If you have a chance to see To Save a Life, do so.  If you’re a parent of a teen, someone who works with teens, a teenager or a pastor, you really need to see this movie.  It presents a myriad, almost overwhelming, head-spinning amount of events that are really just “normal” teen life.  It tackles issues like: teen suicide, teen sex, teen drinking, cutting, teen pregnancy, divorce, church, fake Christians, reaching out, and a number of other issues.  It doesn’t present the whole “God is a vending machine” type of faith.  It does show that God’s grace does impact every day living.  It demonstrates how Jesus will wade right into a mess of a broken down life, promising grace for this life and the next.  And that seems to be what its really all about isn’t it?  Grace.

For More Information:

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Update: Haitian Adoption – Whys & Why Nots

Posted on February 4, 2010 by gracedependent

On February 1st I posted a blurb entitled, “Haitian Adoption: Why or Why Not“:

Today on radio’s The Albert Mohler Program: Dr.Russell Moore will be discussing Haitian Adoption: the whys and why nots.  This should be a timely and interesting program.

You can listen live here, or find the details to download the program so that listen at your own convenience.

For our CBC family, this might be a great way to begin to prepare for our study of James 1:27 (a continuation of our study of James) on February 7 as I will be speaking on Orphans: God’s Character & Our Conduct towards the fatherless.

Additional Resources:

  • Adopting for Life Conference – February 26 & 27
  • Here is a song by Avalon that I think speaks well to the grace of our Savior:

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    Up for auction: My virginity to pay for schooling.

    Posted on February 3, 2010 by gracedependent

    A student in New Zealand has auctioned her virginity to a stranger for almost $31,900 to help fund her university tuition fees.

    The 19-year-old offered her virginity to the highest bidder in an online auction on the www.ineed.co.nz Web site after she found herself desperate for money.

    The student, who called herself “Unigirl,” said that she was delighted with the outcome and thanked auction participants who had bid more than she expected.

    “Thank you to the more than 30,000 people who viewed my ad and to the more than 1,200 offers made,” she said on the auction site yesterday. “I have accepted an offer in excess of $NZ45,000, which is way beyond what I dreamt.”

    The woman said that she had never been in a sexual relationship. She described herself as attractive, fit and healthy but desperate for money to pay university fees. She offered her virginity to the highest bidder “as long as all personal safety aspects are observed” and with full awareness of “possible consequences.”

    Story on Foxnews; at the TimesOnline (UK)

    Sadly this college student thought that $31,900 was an appropriate price to accept to give up something as precious as her virginity.  I’m not outraged at her.  I am sad that she would be this desperate to give away something so precious.  Neither am I outraged at the lust-driven, godless bidders (all 1200 of them) who jumped at the offer.  To think that $32k would bring some sort of satisfaction and lasting pleasure outside of God’s plan and purpose is silly.

    The article states that this precious young image-bearer of God was happy with the outcome.  That it was “more than she expected” and “beyond what [she] dreamt”.  How sad.  There is no college degree, no career that could ever be worth giving up what God deems important.  The future heartbreak this will lead to will be things like having to confess to her future husband of her sexual past, her lack of discretion and foolish thinking.

    I am encouraged that God’s grace is beyond all this.  I pray that this young lady may find this grace, that God would draw her to Himself – even before she can proceed with this foolishness.  I pray that God would hamper the efforts of those foolish to bid for her virginity and in the process, draw them to Himself as well.  I pray that this young lady may be as desperate for the things of God as she is to pay for schooling.  That she would sacrifice her all for Him and turn from temporal pursuits.

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    Paul Tripp’s latest: What Did You Expect? (Redeeming the Realities of Marriage)

    Posted on February 3, 2010 by gracedependent

    It won’t take long for you to realize that your marriage hasn’t escaped the reality of sin. It’s what you do next that will make all the difference in the character and quality of your marriage. This new book by international conference speaker and pastor Paul David Tripp calls couples to a grace-based lifestyle of daily reconciliation, marked by six practical commitments.

    The first 1500 who pre-order this book due out May 1, 2010 will receive:

    • 35% discount off the original price
    • An autographed copy of the book
    • A free What Did You Expect? e-book

    This is what Crossway has to say about the book:

    Marriage, according to Scripture, will always involve two flawed people living with each other in a fallen world. Yet, in pastor Paul David Tripp’s professional experience, the majority of couples enter marriage with unrealistic expectations, leaving them unprepared for the day-to-day realities of married life.

    What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage introduces a biblical and practical approach to those realities that is rooted in God’s faithfulness and Scripture’s teaching on sin and grace. “Spouses need to be reconciled to each other and to God on a daily basis,” Tripp declares. “Since we’re always sinners married to sinners, reconciliation isn’t just the right response in moments of failure. It must be the lifestyle of any healthy marriage.”

    What Did You Expect? presents six practical commitments that give shape and momentum to such a lifestyle. These commitments, which include honestly facing sin, weakness, and failure; willingness to change; and embodying Christ’s love, will equip couples to develop a thriving, grace-based marriage in all circumstances and seasons of their relationship.

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    Local Walmart Advisory for our Church Members

    Posted on February 3, 2010 by gracedependent

    Hey CBC family,

    Last night Angie & I were in Walmart picking up a couple small items. As we headed to the front of the store (by the way, why is everything we need in the back of the store?) we walked by the Men’s department.  The Walmart on SR15 has some winter coats on sale from $9 to $19.99.  Some are heavier coats, some are not for “bitter cold” weather, but will do in normal conditions.  Some are wool, some fleece, etc.  Some of the $19.99 coats are the style of the “Old Navy” coats seen here:

    They also have some Men’s sweater / sweatshirts, fleece lined for $5.00.  Yeah, like $5.00.  I’m wearing one now and will have it on for our Wednesday night meetings.  I just want to make you aware of these deals – no doubt there are others – we didn’t spend a lot of time there.  There is still a great selection, colors, etc.

    Just thought you would like to know!

    ~Pastor Mark, just one of your “frugal” pastors.

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    Grace Dependent “micro-blog”

    Posted on February 1, 2010 by gracedependent

    I want to make my readers aware of another “microblog” that I contribute to, somewhat regularly.

    Grace Dependent (the thoughts and musing of Pastor Mark) – this is mainly a place where I will post my thoughts from my devotional reading.

    I encourage you to bookmark the site and check it from time to time.  This microblog features one click subscribing and unsubscribing, if you wish.  You may choose to add the feed to your RSS Reader, something that also is very easy to do.  Thanks for checking it out and sharing it with others!

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