November 03, 2005
Welcome to the November 2005 Issue of Your Christian Counseling Connection, the Newsletter of Christian-Counseling-Online.com. In this edition we are exploring the topic of CHANGE. Are you struggling with making changes in your life? Maybe you're trying to figure out how to change your relationships, bad habits/choices or you have a friend or family member you want to help change. Well read on for tips, articles and more.
Freely you have received, freely give...
If you are blessed by what you read, please share the blessing by passing YCCC on to someone you love.
In this addition of YCCC you will find...
- Feature Article -- Understanding Change
- Quotes and Contemplations -- Change requires humility
- Book Works Book Review -- Conquering Codependency
- Great Web Resources -- The Brain and Change
- Medicine for the Soul (Proverbs 17:22)
- In Closing - Check out what's new
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Change is big business. Just ask some of the personal development gurus out there like Dr. Phil and Tony Robbins. People buy their books to the tune of millions of dollars a year in sales. The reality is, we all need to make changes, but how?
Merriam Webster defines the word change as meaning "to radically transform." Paul said it this way, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Because our God is in the transforming business, we can confidently expect Him to "radically" change us. Let's look to the scriptures for the keys to transformation...
Paul shares the key ingredients to change in his prayer for the Colossians:
"we ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Paul teaches us here that change comes as we
- grow in our knowledge of God
- gain personal understanding of the scriptures
- apply this understanding (wisdom) in practical ways
Make it part of your daily devoted time to pray for these three things.
Ask God for ...
- Knowledge -- what the scripture means or reveals about God
- Understanding -- what relevance the scripture has for you
- Wisdom -- how to apply this new insight consistently in your life
- Journal -- write out your answers in one brief paragraph
Finally, whenever you sit down to study the Word, invite the Holy Spirit. Although it is our job to apply ourselves to the studying of God's Word, it is the Holy Spirit alone Who is able to impart the Word to our hearts in a transforming way.
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Book Works -- Conquering Codependency
What is codependency and why do we need to conquer it? Primarily codependency refers to a person's dependence on others for their self worth. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
This scripture nicely summarizes codependency and why it is so important to recognize and conquer this type of behavior. Codependency directly conflicts with a Christian's ability to serve God and discern His will.
Some of the symptoms of codependency are:
- inability to say "no"
- feeling overly responsible for other people's feelings
- making choices to keep or gain the approval of others
- feeling addicted to another person
The book I recommend on the subject is Conquering Codependency by Pat Springle. This workbook will help you recognize the problems of codependency and offer you sound Biblical strategies to give you hope and help you to serve God more fully.
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Quotes and Contemplations -- Change requires humility
"Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God's holiness and sovereignty...acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours." JI Packer
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Great Web Resources -- The Brain and Change
Dr. Daniel Amen is one of todays foremost researchers on brain functioning and behavior. Dr. Amen, an adult and child psychiatrist, brings a dimension to mental health that has been largely overlooked...that is the dimension of brain functioning. His premise is that your brain effects the way you think, act and feel and there are specific things you can do to improve brain functioning. For more information go to his web site at http://amenclinics.com/bp/
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Medicine for the Soul -- (Proverbs 17:22)
A man: God, how much is a million dollars to you?
God: It is but a penny.
A man: God, how long is a million years to you?
God: It is but a second.
A man: God, could you please give me a penny?
God: Sure, just a second.
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I hope you enjoyed your issue of Your Christian Counseling Connection. If so please share it with others. Also, please check out my new pages on Natural Anxiety Remedies, Medicine for Panic Attacks, Child Separation Anxiety as well as some oldies but goodies like Nonverbal Communication Tips and Godly Marriage Advice.
On another note, back in September and October Alan and I participated in our church's hurricane Katrina disaster relief effort in Biloxi, Mississippi. To read a remarkable story of courage and resiliency go to our blog and read Bihn's story.
Check back often as Christian-Counseling-Online is rapidly growing to give you the best Christian Counseling resources available on the web.
Until next time, I'm praying for God's richest blessings on your life and relationships,
