Friday, November 25, 2011

Forgetting Your Source

Those going through separation or divorce often grow closer to God during this season of life. They can feel God and depend on Him throughout the day. That is, except when that text, email, or call comes from the other person. Then, for some inexplicable reason, they totally forget about leaning on God. Instead, they must read the text or email or listen immediately to the voicemail.

Pause for a second. Or two. Only read the text or email after you’ve had a chance to connect to your source. A short prayer to your Father. A great verse to keep in mind when you finally are ready to read or listen to the message is 2nd Corinthians 10:5 “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Read or listen to the message with Him at your side. He wants you to lean on Him.

The Son of the Return of the Blog

It’s been quite a while since my last blog. I’m now wrapping up my 13th of 15 counseling classes and starting to look for my internship. Denise and I are finishing up the latest DivorceCare at our church LakeHills. This year we were joined by Kerry and Diane Pollard of Westlake Hills Presbyterian, a terrific couple with so much experience with couples and those going through this tough season of life. Two alumni Danelle and Greg have been great assistant leaders.

Next session I’ll likely teach Discovering Intimacy, a class to help single adults develop healthy, intimate relationships. The class is based on David Ferguson's (2002) definition of intimacy as to know someone, to be known by someone, and to have a mutual caring for each other.

From the personal side, we now have one son driving (Ian) and another with his permit (Hayden). My library has expanded to include books on raising adolescents. Currently, I’m reading Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager , But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent’s Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony Wolf. Funny and calming.

Here’s to a great holiday season to you!

Ferguson, D., Ferguson, T., Walker, B. & Walker, J. (2002). Discovering intimacy: Relating to God and others as single adults. Austin, TX: Relationship Press.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Judgment Day

The thought of Judgment Day for many of us makes us nervous, even fearful. This past weekend I had the opportunity to be at Manresa, my yearly respite, my silent retreat. Located in Convent, Louisiana along the Mississippi River, the quarters used to be Jefferson College. Now they are home to Manresa Retreat House, a silent retreat from Thursday evening to Sunday noon led by the Jesuits, a Catholic order of brothers. The 150 year old trees with the moss swaying in the wind are one of my favorite memories of the weekend.

Now, back to Judgment Day. I have become an avid journaler, usually just about every day now, during quiet times in the morning. This past weekend I reviewed my journal entries of 18months truly feeling Jesus’ presence at my side. Some entries I winced in memory. Others brought tears. The journaling consists of the day’s highlights and also my prayers and conversations with God. As Jesus and I reviewed these pages, I became passionate about how I would live 2011 for Him.

On the plane back to Austin, I laughed. I realized that Jesus had given me some extra tutoring. Seems like he knows I wouldn’t have done well cramming for Judgment Day if I didn’t review my work more frequently.