A Fresh Start

Many people have made poor choices in their lives, as a matter of fact, I am sure that's how most lessons are learned in life. Many are stuck in the mire as a result of their choices and don't know how to get out. I am reminded of Pilgrim's Progress and the Slough of Despond. Many don't get far in life's journey and are detoured by the Slough of Despond in their lives and don't see any escape.

Well recently my husband and I attended a conference that showed us how we might help our brother's and sister's in Christ to exit their Slough of Despond. At the suggestion of our dear Pastor and his wife, we prayed about and felt encouraged to attend this year's NANC conference in Layfayette, Indiana. NANC stands for National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. You can check out more info on their website: www.nanc.org Nouthetic comes from the Greek word nouthesia, which implies scriptural direction. This is biblical counseling using Scripture alone, not man-centered humanistic psychology.

I was raised in public schools to believe that science knew all there was to know about man and what ailed him and what fixed him. However, as I walk my spiritual journey, I realize that who could possibly know man better than the Creator Himself? How can man (the creation) possibly believe that he is greater than his creator? Like the clay saying to the potter "why did you make me?" So shouldn't the Creator of man also know what's best for him in all areas of his life? Well I believe that one of the reasons we are blessed to have the Scriptures is for our guidebook to how to live on this earth. We are so grateful that God cared enough for us to give us His Word so that we would know HIM better as well as what our needs are as fallen sinful man.

So that is a little bit of why we decided to attend this conference. My husband and I are burdened for the hurting and wish to guide them to God's principles outlined for us all in Scripture. The Holy Spirit working in us can help us to heal what we have broken. We aren't totally sure of the entire plan that our Pastor has in mind, but our thoughts are that we will do some Biblical counseling in some way to serve our community and church body. As we serve our community, we will have opportunity to evangelize the lost as well. That is the first item of business if you will. Because without the Holy Spirit in your life, no man can be obedient to Christ and His teachings. We are very excited about this opportunity. We spent a week in snowy Indiana learning many areas of Biblical counseling. We learned so much and it was the best investment we could have ever made. We also came home with a small library as we are both quite the Bibliophiles! (Book Lovers!) So we need to buy some more bookshelves soon.

We are anxious to see how God will use us to further His Kingdom. We are looking forward to helping many get A Fresh Start as they look to Scripture for healing and growth.