text:
Dear Friends and Family,
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Walk for the Cure for Breast Cancer
Dear Friends and Family,
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Book of the Year!
Christian Book Previews Review of
Beyond the Suffering:
Embracing the Legacy of African American
Written for the express purpose of showing how Christ snatches triumphs from the jaws of defeat and transforming victims into victors, Beyond the Suffering is based on documents, biographies, and quotations from American slaves who learned that when absolutely everything else fails Christ is present, real, loving, in control. The format revolves around ministries which help hurting and hardened people. The examples used are shocking, horrifying, uplifting, always pointing to Christ.
A term found often throughout these pages is 'Soul Physician' - one who, from the depth of their own terrible yet wondrous experiences, helps others to reach out of their own particular pit toward the healing Lord. These slave Soul Physicians were lay-people whom our Lord had touched; a concept which today's world desperately needs. Beyond the Suffering will not only heal and prepare us to face life, it will equip us to be Soul Physicians. Many materials in this book encourage the reader towards victory. The questions which summarize each chapter are thought- and action-provoking.
The history is well-researched; ideas are amply, tellingly illustrated. No punches are pulled. The authors tell about slavery exactly as it was, and about Christ and His ministry exactly like it is. Beyond the Suffering is not a book for those who like their American comfort and traditional misbeliefs. Be prepared to have growing pains and spiritual toothaches as you read. This book is a must for all Christians. It will make an excellent preparation for our youth as they head into a dangerous future.
– Donna Eggett, www.christianbookpreviews.com
Original Post At: http://tinyurl.com/pzpln4
Order At: http://tinyurl.com/cm96x6
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
An Evangelical Theology for Kids 10 to 100!
Book Review Details
Title: Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God
Publisher: Crossway (2009)
Category: Parenting, Theology, Discipleship
Reviewed By: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, Author of Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, and Sacred Friendships (http://www.rpmministries.org/)
Recommended: A highly recommended antidote to the dumb-downed, frills, and cotton-candy approach so prevalent in American Evangelicalism today.
Review: An Evangelical Catechism for Kids Ages 10 to 100!
When someone like Bruce Ware, professor of Christian theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and 2009 President of the Evangelical Theological Society, writes a book on theology, I take notice. When he writes it for parents and children—my interest is truly sparked.
Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God is a modern-day Evangelical catechism. Ware's purpose is to equip parents to raise their children to know and love God through raising them to know and love theology. How sad that such a goal seems so foreign in so many Christian circles today.
In many ways, as indicated by the precious foreword written by Ware's young-adult daughters, Big Truths for Young Hearts is the "Theology 101" he taught (and modeled and lived) for and in front of his daughters. He's just graciously sharing it with the rest of us. There is no grander testimony than their words, "Dad really believes the things that are in this book. His theology shapes the way he lives, as we have seen many times" (p. 11). There is no greater parental challenge than their challenge to us: "To parents: it may sound cliché, but we followed our father's teaching in part because he practiced what he preached. Like all children, we needed to look up and see our parents looking up at a great God who has great things in store for those who love him" (p. 12).
Ware's own testimony about the origin of the book mirrors his daughter's memories. From the time they were toddlers, he tried creatively to teach them the same theology sequence he was teaching his seminary students. Ware has crafted his two-decade-long instruction of his girls into a theology book for parents and children.
The book covers the classic core doctrines of systematic theology. (Shh. Just don't tell the children the "theological terms" in the parentheses below!)
*Chapter One: God's Word (Bibliology) and God's Own Life (Theology Proper)
*Chapter Two: God As Three in One (Trinitarian Theology)
*Chapter Three: Creator and Ruler of All (Theology Proper, The Sovereignty and Glory of God)
*Chapter Four: Our Human Nature (Anthropology) and Our Sin (Hamartiology)
*Chapter Five: Who Jesus Is (Christology)
*Chapter Six: The Work Jesus Has Done (Christology/Soteriology)
*Chapter Seven: The Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
*Chapter Eight: Our Great Salvation (Soteriology, Election, Sanctification)
*Chapter Nine: The Church of Jesus Christ (Ecclesiology)
*Chapter Ten: What Will Take Place in the End (Eschatology)
Big Truths for Young Hearts is meant to be read together—parents and children. Each chapter is like a series of brief "theology devotionals," each about three pages in length, and each concluding with Questions for Thought and with Memory Verses.
Frankly, as I read each chapter I kept thinking, "Now this is how theology should be taught to adults and to seminary students!" And I'm a seminary professor who teaches a class on theology for biblical counseling. In other words, any adult, no matter how well schooled in Evangelical theology, could and would benefit from this book. The book is beautifully written, Bible-saturated, Christ-centered, creatively-illustrated (word-pictures), and theologically-comprehensive.
As a parent of two young adult children, and as a parent who attempted to do similar training with our children, I repeatedly asked myself, "At what ages would this book 'work'"? The reading level is likely best suited for the late elementary to the young adult. I would imagine that most children—toddler through fourth grade—might have somewhat of a difficult time staying with the reading.
That said, Big Truths for Young Hearts is still a tremendous book for adults, young adults, middler schoolers, and high schoolers. It is an excellent book for parents to explore and apply with their pre-teens and teens. It would make a fine Sunday School book for teachers in grades 5th through Senior Saints! Youth groups, small groups, and homeschooling groups all will find Big Truths for Young Hearts very attractive, informative, and beneficial.
Seven Questions Every Biblical Counselor Must Answer
Many of my readers asked, "Where do you address each of those seven questions in Soul Physicians (http://tinyurl.com/d8grf6)?"
Glad you asked!
Seven Biblical Counseling Questions Addressed in Soul Physicians
1. Do I know how to use God's Word to change lives?
I address this question everywhere in the book. I also provide concentrated focus on it in pages 1-58.
2. Do I comprehend how the Trinity serves as the foundation for how I relate to others?
Pages 59-116.
3. Do I understand people—biblically?
Pages 117-214.
4. Can I diagnose problems—biblically?
Pages 215-322.
5. Can I prescribe God's solutions—biblically?
Pages 323-500.
6. Do I grasp how our eternal future makes all the difference in how we live today?
Pages 501-540.
7. Am I able to dispense God's grace and care for others competently?
I cover this throughout the book, including in the two personal application/ministry implication discussion guides at the end of each chapter. Additionally, in my second book, Spiritual Friends (http://tinyurl.com/coh23r), I spend the entire book equipping pastors, counselors, and lay people how to develop twenty-two biblical counseling relational competencies.
*Quick Link to Your Copy of Soul Physicians on RPM Ministries: http://tinyurl.com/d96hc6
*Quick Link to Your Copy of Spiritual Friends: http://tinyurl.com/qh5tj4
Of course, the idea is not that I have "cornered the market" on the right answers. As I tell my students frequently, "Be a Berean and take these content areas and test what I teach against the inspired, inerrant Word of God."
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Whatever Happened to Truth?
Do you want to know the seven topics every person must master if they are to do truly biblical ministry?
On the first page of my first book, Soul Physicians (http://tinyurl.com/d8grf6), I describe why we need a theological foundation for people ministry. I also outline the seven-part foundation we must understand if we are to have a comprehensive and compassionate approach to the personal ministry of the Word of God.
The Physician's Desk Reference
Two books are standard in any physician's office: The Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) and The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (Merck). Both are considered "Bibles of medical knowledge and practice."
With its 3,223 pages of prescription drugs, the annually updated PDR is the most comprehensive, widely used drug reference available. It details the usage, warnings, and precautions for more than 4,000 prescription drugs.
Merck is the most widely used medical text in the world. It provides the latest information on the vast expanse of human diseases, disorders, and injuries, as well as their symptoms and treatments. Intended for physicians, it is still useful for the lay person. As one sage has commented, "a must for everyone in a human body."
The The Soul Physician's Desk Reference
If the PDR and Merck are the Old Testament and New Testament for physicians treating the body, then the Bible is God's final, authoritative word for soul physicians treating the soul. It is the soul physician's desk reference manual for dispensing grace. It's "a must for anyone who is a soul." God's Word provides not only the latest, but the eternal, lasting information on the soul's design and disease, as well as its care and cure.
What do we discover as we read the pages of the Soul Physician's Desk Reference (SPDR)? We learn what makes Christian counseling Christian. We learn our Great Physician's authoritative truth about:
1. Nourishing the Hunger of the Soul: Preventative Medicine—God's Word
2. Knowing the Creator of the Soul: The Great Physician—The Trinity
3. Examining the Spiritual Anatomy of the Soul: People—Creation
4. Diagnosing the Fallen Condition of the Soul: Problems—Fall
5. Prescribing God's Cure for the Soul: Solutions—Redemption
6. Envisioning the Final Healing of the Soul: Home—Glorification
7. Dispensing God's Care for the Soul: Spiritual Friends—Sanctification
These seven biblical categories are essential for developing a theology of soul care and spiritual direction. In Soul Physicians (http://tinyurl.com/d8grf6), we examine them meticulously, as a physician would the skeletal structure of the human body.
Watered-Down or Nourished with the Spring of Living Water
Christianity today is all-too-often watered-down. You can attend church and not even need to bring a Bible. You can attend seminary and not even be equipped thoroughly in biblical studies and biblical languages. You can go through training in biblical counseling and not even open your Bible!
However, if you want to do truly biblical counseling, then you must have a biblical foundation. The bare minimum includes the seven content areas listed above.
Seven Questions Every Biblical Counselor Must Answer
If we are to do God's work in God's way, with depth of insight, then we need to be able to ask and answer the following seven questions:
1. Do I know how to use God's Word to change lives?
2. Do I comprehend how the Trinity serves as the foundation for how I relate to others?
3. Do I understand people—biblically?
4. Can I diagnose problems—biblically?
5. Can I prescribe God's solutions—biblically?
6. Do I grasp how our eternal future makes all the difference in how we live today?
7. Am I able to dispense God's grace and care for others competently?
Truth and Love
If we can't answer these questions, then we need to go back to "soul school"!
It was the Apostle Paul who prayed that our love would abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9). Society today says, "Let your love abound more and more in more love!"
No. We need truth and love—love grounded in God's truth.
We have no "love life" if we have no "truth life." We need both, with our love founded in God's Word.
Do you need a theological foundation for your people-helping ministry? I do!
Do you want to know the seven topics every person must master if they are to do truly biblical ministry? I do!
*Quick Link to your copy of Soul Physicians on RPM Ministries: http://tinyurl.com/d96hc6
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Tributes
The first tribute honors African Americans and their service for our country. Go to http://tinyurl.com/d8xtvm to read about the opening of a new African American Military History Museum.
The second tribute is from the President of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Dr. Tim Clinton. View his moving tribute to those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms: http://tinyurl.com/p9uccc
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Where to Go for Evangelical Book Reviews
Interested in book reviews written by Evangelicals? Then look no further than Discerning Reader:
"Doc. K" Writing for Them Now
Ever since I discovered the site, I've visited it regularly. When they read some of my reviews on Amazon, it became apparent that we were kindred spirits. So a month ago they added me to their select list of reviewers--I'm honored to play a small part.
Why They Are Unique
What I've always appreciated about Discerning Reader (DR) and their founder, Tim Challies, is that they are both loving and discerning. Far too many folks in the "discernment movement" are unloving and quite frankly, undiscerning. Tim and DR are not part of a "movement." They show great wisdom and great grace as they review books from an Evangelical perspective.
About Discerning Readers
Here is what Tim Challies, the founder of Discerning Readers, says about the site. Enjoy.
Around the world some 120,000 new books are published each year. That adds up to ten thousand every month; over 300 each and every day. Americans buy over 4.5 million books every day, including many of these new titles. This adds up to over 1.5 billion books per year that are consumed within America. Yet even this totals only 35% of the books that are sold worldwide. While it might seem that television and the Internet are decreasing our love for reading, it is clear that books sell better today than at any other time in history.
As the number of books rolling of the presses increases, the discernment of Christians decreases. Local churches are finding it increasingly difficult (and tragically, increasingly unnecessary) to equip their people to discern good from bad, better from best.
We would like to help.
Discerning Reader is a site dedicated to promoting good books--books that bring honor to God. At the same time, we hope to help Christians avoid being unduly influenced by books and teachers that are not honoring to God.
We do not seek to be harsh or judgmental. Rather, we seek only to be discerning as we compare books to the written Word of God. We let the words of authors speak for themselves and simply hold the books up to the light of Scripture. In doing so, we are building a database of reviews which we feel cast a discerning light on the books that are found in Christians homes, churches and bookstores.
We invite you to browse around, to read the reviews, and to examine the features of this site. We think you will find it to be a blessing.
On behalf of the Discerning Reviewer review team,
Tim Challies
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Counsel of Heaven on Earth
Author: Ian F. Jones, Ph.D.
Publisher: Broadman & Holman (2006)
Category: Biblical Counseling, Christian Counseling, Christian Living, Discipleship
Reviewed: 05/22/09 by Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, Author of Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Sacred Friendships, and Beyond the Suffering (order here: http://www.rpmministries.org/)
Recommended: A valued addition to the field of biblical Christian counseling that is well-balanced, practical, and theologically-sound.
Review: What Makes Biblical Counseling Truly Biblical?
In The Counsel of Heaven on Earth, Dr. Ian Jones, Chair of the Counseling Department at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, outlines the essential features of biblical counseling. He clearly demonstrates how the Bible from cover to cover provides Christian counselors with the blueprint for developing an effective counseling ministry.
Jones' foundation follows the CFR Narrative: Creation, Fall, Redemption. He rightly sees Creation as the starting point for biblical Christian counseling, building on the imago Dei and the truth that we are born to relationship. He moves from our family of origin to the distorted image and the deceit in our family history. Jones places us in the Fall, calling our lostness "the human location." Appropriately, Jones does not leave us in our lost condition, moving his readers to "the supreme rescue"—Redemption.
Thus Jesus, the Counselor of heaven on earth, becomes our primary model. Jesus' commandment to love God and others becomes the essential guide for "methods" in counseling. In this, Jones follows the Apostle Paul, who in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 stated that he loved the believers so much that he gave them not only the Scriptures, but his own soul. Scripture and soul, truth and relationship, are the twin compass points for the truly biblical Christian counselor. Jones spends several chapters then developing the "relational how to" of communicating truth in love in the counseling process.
Jones also links biblical Christian counseling with spirituality through chapters on the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, spiritual disciplines, and spiritual formation. Thus "counseling" for Jones is discipleship that forms the image of Christ in the counselee through dependence upon the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jones augments each chapter with personal illustrations, counseling narratives, and descriptions of counseling in the local church. Additionally, the built-in discussion/application guide, along with extensive references, make The Counsel of Heaven on Earth a valued addition to the field of biblical Christian counseling.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Plea for Listening to One Another
Discussing the ABC Symposium
My Plan Today, And My Hesitancy Today
My plan today is to discuss some possible stereotyping that may continue to exist in the field of biblical Christian counseling today. To be very honest, I am very hesitant.
The ABC Symposium was an incredible bridge-building time—which is a major passion of mine. Since the event, I have received numerous emails and comments like the following one, which was posted on the blog of my friend Dr. Phil Monroe: (http://tinyurl.com/oxpjr9):
"My gratitude to the four Doctors. I had the privilege of attending the symposium and listening to the discussion. The evidence of love for things primary was apparent. The respect for disagreement on tertiary matters was exemplary. The love for each other in Christ was encouraging. Hats off 'gentle-men'. Thanks ABC."
I believe that the vast majority of people connected with the modern biblical Christian counseling movement interact and think like "the four Doctors." They/we all try to evidence love for things primary, and respectful disagreement on tertiary matters, with a love for one another and for Christ.
So, why bring up any possible "stereotyping"?
Precisely because of my passion for building bridges of communication.
A Hypothesis
Here's my hypothesis. We all give people we identify as being in "our group" a much greater benefit of the doubt than we give to people we identify as being in "another group."
I do a great deal of teaching, writing, speaking, and consulting on Christ-based Intercultural Relationships. The Bible has a tremendous amount to say about relating across cultures. In fact, everyone one of the ten classic doctrines of systematic theology address intercultural relationships!
And guess what, our alphabet soup of counseling groups involve intercultural relating. We don't think of it that way because we often think of "culture" as ethnicity and race and color of skin. But culture includes any way we have been taught to relate, think, choose, act, and feel by the "group" we associate with, are connected to, and surrounded by. Keep that in mind as you keep reading.
Here's What Struck Me
Pastor Steve Viars is a great friend of mine since kindergarten! Honest—we attended the same elementary school, middle school, high school, Bible college and seminary, were saved in the same church, and discipled in the same youth group. Pastor Steve is a past President of NANC (National Association of Nouthetic Counselors). I assume that the majority of the nearly-500 people at the symposium self-identify with the NANC more than they do with the group I am with—the American Association of Christian Counselors' Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Forum (AACC/BCSFN).
Pastor Steve talked with passion about his church's nine-month residential treatment center for young women: Vision of Hope. Pastor Steve also talked about wondering if he and more of his staff might want to become state licensed so that more referring agencies would be able to refer. (I am paraphrasing and certainly encourage you to buy the DVD).
I assume that the vast majority of people who self-identify with Pastor Steve thought, "Incredible. Wonderful. They are reaching out to hurting women. They are taking biblical counseling places it has not always gone!" I do not assume that most people who self-identified with Pastor Steve thought, "He's going liberal. He's an "integrationist. He's sold out!"
But what if I had highlighted similar ideas and ministries? Would people who do not know me as well, who are not members of the AACC/BCSFN, who may have some caricatures about the AACC, have given me the same benefit of the doubt? Or, would some possibly have taken some of my words out of context and perhaps reported that, "Dr. Kellemen is an "integrationist"?
Now, in all fairness. I have had Pastor Viars speak for me at an AACC/BCSFN event. When he spoke candidly and passionately on Ephesians 4:17-32, did all those who self-identify with the AACC/BCSFN truly "hear" what he said? Did they all truly "hear him out"? Or perhaps did some "hear him" only through their stereotyping grid of "nouthetic counseling" and misinterpret what he said, why he said it, and what he meant?
Here's the Thing
As the TV detective, Adrian Monk, would say, "Here's the thing." Let's be good biblical Christian counselors and listen to one another—really listen—without preconceived notions, false caricatures, and unhelpful, inaccurate stereotypes. I'd like to think that is exactly what was modeled by "the four doctors" and President Jeremy Lelek.
Putting It into Practice
So how could we put this "cross-cultural listening" into practice? Here are a few practical suggestions, in no particular order.
1. Learn from those "outside your group." Buy books and attend seminars of folks from the AACC, BCSFN, CCEF, SCP, NANC, FBCM, etc.
2. As we read and hear folks from outside our "circles," allow them to define their own terms. Too often people think, "He used the word _____. Other people use it to mean ______. And I think it means _____. So he obviously thinks it means ______ and that is bad!" Instead, we need to listen with interculturally-sensitive ears so we really hear one another. Only once we've accurately heard and understood can we adequately assess.
3. As we read and hear folks from other agencies, we need to be good Bereans, not bad Corinthians. That about sums it up. Bereans rightly divide the Word of God. Corinthians wrongly divide the people of God. Bereans have a critical mind minus the critical spirit. Corinthians have a critical spirit minus with a shallow mindset. No one is saying "buy everything every person from every group says." Instead, I am saying, "Let's all practical good biblical counseling listening where we accurately hear one another without bias, where we rightly divide the Word of God, and when we disagree, we do so without a critical spirit, but with a sharp mind and a loving heart.
What Do You Think?
And thus ends my three-part blog mini-series on the ABC Symposium on the State of Biblical Christian Counseling. For those of you who attended and for those of you purchase the DVD, what do you think about the ABC Symposium?
What is the state of modern biblical Christian counseling?
How can we build bridges of understanding where we rightly divide God's Word with sharp minds and loving hearts?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Connect through the VineLine
What do you get in each issue of The VineLine? Every issue you receive:
*Links to free ministry equipping resources that empower you to change lives with Christ's changeless truth.
*A timely, engaging article that relates Christ's Word to your daily life and ministry.
*Updates about RPM Ministries' speaking, writing, and consulting.
*News of note about what's happening in biblical counseling and spiritual formation in the church and para-church.
*An opportunity to share your praise and prayer requests with a community of people who care.
*Special offers with major discounts on RPM Ministries' equipping products.
What's Up with The VineLine?
Many people have asked how I decided on The VineLine as the name for our e-newsletter. One hypothesis is that the Chicago Cubs used to have a magazine called The VineLine, named because of Wrigley Field's famous ivy-covered walls. Truth be told, that was part of my inspiration, being the diehard Cubs' fan that I am!
One novel idea was that it came from the song I Heard It Through the Grapevine! Well, the idea of keeping connected and communicating that is association with that imagery is intriguing, however the overall meaning of the song doesn't quite fit the RPM image.
Abide in the Vine
No, the true source of the name The VineLine comes from John 15:5. "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Okay, "Great verse," you say, "but how exactly does that connect to RPM Ministries?"
Ah, that leads to another little debate. People often want to know if RPM stands for "Revolutions Per Minute," like "How many RPMs does your car have?"
Well, there is something of a play on words there with the concept of power. But . . . there's more to it . . . much more.
What some people don't realize is that RPM Ministries stands for:
The Power of His Resurrection
And resurrection power multipliers comes from the theme verse for RPM Ministries: Philippians 3:10, where Paul says, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection . . ."
Keep following the logic here. Think about another key aspect of RPM Ministries: "Equipping you to change lives with Christ's changeless truth."
Paul knows that it is Christ's power that changes our lives. In fact, he prays in Ephesians 1:18-23, that we could be enlightened to know the incomparably great power at work in us who believe, that power is like the working of God's mighty strength which he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead!
As new creations in Christ, we have the same power residing in us that raised Christ from the dead!
"But, but, but . . .," we mutter and sputter, "then why in the world do we so frequently live such defeated lives!?"
The Creation of Adam
Here's the final piece to the puzzle.
We live defeated lives because we are not tapping into Christ's resurrection power. We must commune with Christ and connect with the Body of Christ if we are ever to experience Christ's resurrection power and thus live victorious lives.
That's why RPM Ministries is all about comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally-informed biblical counseling and spiritual formation. Being formed into the image of Christ is the ultimate goal of all biblical counseling, of all biblical ministry. We want our inner lives increasingly to reflect the inner life of Christ.
We do that only as we connect to Christ's resurrection power.
The RPM logo of The Creation of Adam (the picture of God's hand reaching out to touch Adam's hand) represents this concept. I bet you never realized that!
People have often wondered why Michelangelo painted Adam's hand so limp and lifeless. Because he was lifeless! Michelangelo was depicting Adam just before God breathed into him the breath of life.
Without the breath of God, without the touch of God, without the resurrection power of God, we are lifeless. Defeated. Dead.
We must abide in the Vine. We must tap into the power already resident within us. We must connect to and commune with Christ.
The VineLine
The name of our monthly newsletter captures the mission, vision, passion, and commission of RPM Ministries. Through The VineLine we want to connect you to Christ's resurrection power so your life can change and so you can change lives with Christ's changeless.
The DNA of Biblical Counseling
The Plan
My plan, Lord willing, is to blog (www.rpministries.blogspot.com) several days this week about this significant event. Today, I summarize the unique biblical counseling DNA of each speaker.
"But You Didn't Disagree Enough!"
It was interesting during the Intermission, directly afterwards, and the day after the Symposium, how many times the four speakers plus President Lelek heard comments like, "There wasn't enough disagreement!" Perhaps some people were expecting a "Biblical Counseling Four Views Debate."
More likely, most people simply wanted to hear how four leaders from four different counseling organizations distinctively nuanced what makes biblical counseling truly biblical. I'd challenged readers to purchase a copy of the DVD (the ABC will have them for sale on their website soon: www.christiancounseling.com). Then…do what good biblical counselors do—listen well. I guarantee that you will hear the distinctive vision and passion of each speaker.
Tertiary, Not Primary Differences
What may surprise many is that the differences you will hear are, as David Powlison noted, tertiary (third level) and not primary. Primary differences would be foundational differences in our beliefs about the sufficiency of Scripture.
We don't have those! David Powlison (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation—CCEF), Steve Viars (National Association of Nouthetic Counselors—NANC, Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries—FBCM), Eric Johnson (Society of Christian Psychologists—SCP for the American Association of Christian Counselors—AACC), and Bob Kellemen (Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Network—BCSFN for the AACC, and RPM Ministries) really are "on the same page about primary issues like the sufficiency of Scripture."
The Unique DNA of Each Speaker
That said, the four speakers were not clones of one another. Again, listen carefully to the DVD and you'll hear clearly the different perspectives, the unique passions, and the individual emphases of each speaker.
My goal today is to highlight something of the unique thumb print of each speaker. Obviously, I can do a better job remembering my own words and conveying my own passion, than I can those of my three fellow speakers. I'd love to hear each of them summarize what they shared during the Symposium.
Eric Johnson's Unique DNA
Listen to Dr. Eric Johnson's (see http://tinyurl.com/pvq3wj for his bio) interactions throughout the Symposium and you'll hear several messages.
1. A Humble, Gentle Heart and a Brilliant Mind
First, Eric uniquely balances a gentle heart and a brilliant mind. Eric is a theologian/philosopher of biblical Christian counseling. Yet, he is no mere "academic." His passion for people, his humble heart, and his desire for people to grow in grace all came across loud and clear throughout the Symposium.
2. Reclaiming "Psychology" for the Church
Second, listen to Eric on the DVD and you will pick up his passion for "psychology"—Christian psychology, biblical psychology. Eric, like myself, is a student of Church history. He knows that psychology is native to our faith—not secular psychology, but biblical psychology. Eric wants to build a foundation for soul care from a biblical and historical (Church history) basis. He wants the biblical counseling movement to reclaim what is rightfully theirs—understanding people, diagnosing problems, and prescribing solutions—biblically. Eric spoke consistently about how biblical counseling must mine the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God's Word to develop a theological grid out of which we then build our counseling approaches.
Steve Viars' Unique DNA
Listen to Pastor Steve Viars (see http://tinyurl.com/pvq3wj for his bio) interactions throughout the Symposium and you'll hear several messages.
1. A Passionate Heart and a Love for the Church
Steve got people fired up about biblical counseling in the church—because Steve is fired up about it! And his words are not mere theory. Faith Baptist Church practices what Steve preaches. They are on the cutting edge of equipping people to be biblical counselors. They are not a church with biblical counseling, they are a church of biblical counseling. Principles of progressive sanctification flow through everything they do. How they preach, teach, do small groups, do evangelism, etc.—all flows from their model of biblical counseling.
2. Reclaiming Biblical Counseling for the Community
What may surprise some, because it blows away the false stereotypes about Nouthetic counseling, is Steve's passionate commitment to community outreach through biblical counseling. Every Monday nearly 50 people from their community receive biblical counseling through Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries. These are not church members (they receive counseling from one another and from the staff throughout the week). Unbelievers are coming to Christ, having their sins forgiven, and their lives healed every week through biblical counseling.
Another example is Faith Baptist's Vision of Hope Ministries. Vision of Hope Ministries recognizes the worth and sanctity of human life by ministering to young women, children, and families in a Christ-centered environment. They offer a faith-based residential treatment program for girls age 14 to 28 struggling with: unplanned pregnancy, alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, and/or self-harm. Steve Viars is convinced that God's Word has real answers for real people with real problems.
David Powlison's Unique DNA
Listen to Dr. David Powlison's (see http://tinyurl.com/pvq3wj for his bio) interactions throughout the Symposium and you'll hear several messages.
1. A Love for People and a Love for God's Word
Clearly, David Powlison loves people and loves God's Word. He uniquely united these twin loves in every interaction during the Symposium. He is a biblical scholar with a pastor's heart.
2. Reclaiming the Sufficiency of Scripture for Theory and Practice
Repeatedly I heard David highlight the sufficiency of Scripture in theory-building and for counseling practice. David does not believe in a one-verse-one-problem-one-solution simplistic approach to biblical counseling. Rather, he wisely builds his model on a thorough, theological-biblical understanding. Every life issue, when considered conceptually, is addressed with wisdom in the Bible. Our role is to trace conceptual categories of living throughout the Bible and relate those to modern categories people face today.
No mere theoretician, listen to the DVD and you will hear great practical wisdom from David about how the counselor/pastor can interact in love, insight, creativity, and engagement with a counselee/parishioner. You can tell quickly that David has remained active in the field—as a practitioner. His use of images, humor, stories, biblical vignettes with people bring his counseling to life.
Bob Kellemen's Unique DNA
Listen to Dr. Bob Kellemen's (see http://tinyurl.com/pvq3wj for his bio) interactions throughout the Symposium and you'll hear several messages.
As I noted, obviously I know my own passion for counseling better than the passion of Eric, Steve, or David. And, I remember better what I said—because it is what I would say in any setting. Anyone who knows me will listen to the DVD and say, "That's Kellemen! I've heard him highlight that a million times!"
Since it would seem arrogant for me to attempt to categorize my own "heart" and "mind," I'll let others attempt that. Instead, I'll share two summary areas of theory that I recall highlighting during the Symposium.
1. Reclaiming the Profundity and Relevancy of Scripture for Theory and Practice
If I said it once, I said it half-a-dozen times, "true biblical counseling must be comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally-informed." The "comprehensiveness" of biblical counseling comes out, in part, when we think of the profound nature of Scripture. I believe 100% in the sufficiency and supremacy of the Word of God. I also happen to believe that if we talk about the Scripture's sufficiency but ignore how it deeply relates to life, then we've missed the point entirely. Our calling is to relate Christ's changeless truth to our changing times. Our calling is to change lives with Christ's changeless truth. God's Word, rightly interpreted and aptly applied, has real answers to real problems of real people. During the Symposium, I shared the example of 2 Samuel 13 and the rape of Tamar by her half-brother Amnon. Carefully exegete that passage in context, and you begin to see the profound wisdom of the Word for the horrors of sexual abuse and sexual sin. You begin to see the amazing timeliness and relevance of God's Word for life as we live it today.
2. Reclaiming the Necessity of Compassion for Theory and Practice
I also highlighted passages like Romans 12:15; Philippians 1:9-11; Romans 15:14; Ephesians 4:15; and 1 Thessalonians 2:8; all of which insist upon speaking the truth in love. I called upon us as biblical counselors to be like the Apostle Paul who said that he loved the saints so much that he gave them not only the Scripture, but his own soul, because they were dear to him. Do a DNA analysis of Kellemen's biblical counseling approach, and you will find truth and love. I believe that in modern biblical counseling we have not emphasized enough the relationship of the counselor to the counselee. We have at times been too focus on "information in" (listen to data) and "information out" (read a verse/apply a principle). Instead, when listening—we should be engaging, feeling (that's not a bad word!), empathizing (another good, biblical word), and climbing in the casket (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-11) as we weep with those who weep. And, when sharing truth, we should be doing it soul-to-soul, in a three-way trialogue relationship—counselor, counselees, and the Divine Counselor—it is a collaborative, relational, even intimate interaction.
Part of that truth-compassion connection that I highlighted at the Symposium also means that we must deal both with the evils people have suffered and with the sins people have committed. Modern biblical counseling has done good work dealing with sin. But it has, at times, not done as much work developing a biblical "Sufferology"—a theology of how to apply God's Word to suffering parishioners and spiritual friends. It should never be either/or: suffering or sin. Biblical and historically, the Church has always dealt with both. We need to develop biblical approaches to soul care for the suffering through sustaining and healing. And we need to develop biblical approaches to spiritual direction for sin through reconciling and guiding.
The Distinct DNA Was There!
I could go on and on about each of us. The differences were there. God fearfully and wonderfully and uniquely created each of us with individual passion, calling, life experiences, personality. It all came out in numerous ways during the Symposium.
And Tomorrow . . .
Tomorrow I take a risk. I'm going to address some stereotypes and the dangers thereof. See you then.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The State of Biblical Counseling Today, Part I
The Plan
My plan, Lord willing, is to blog (www.rpministries.blogspot.com) several days this week about this significant event. Today, I want to give a "shout out" to Jeremy Lelek, and then I will share a brief biography of each participant (along with links for further information).
In the coming days, I will share a summary of what occurred, along with my own perspective as one of the participants. My hope is to continue the conversation as readers leave their comments and responses.
A "Shout Out" to Jeremy Lelek and the ABC
The Association of Biblical Counselors is a new organization—the "new kid on the block." Like any newer organization, they are carving out their niche and creating their own identity. Thus, in my opinion, it was an amazingly bold move for them to invite speakers from four different biblical Christian counseling groups to join together at their first annual conference.
The risks, potentially, were great. Attempts in years past to convene diverse speakers to discuss the state of biblical counseling have, shall we say, not necessarily ended well.
Additionally, our modern tendency to stereotype people based simply on affiliation, could have left the ABC open to criticism such as, "By inviting _______, you're not endorsing the _______ are you!?"
For these and many more reasons, I applaud Jeremy Lelek and the ABC for great courage. In order to equip the nearly 500 attendees, the ABC rejected the fear of man. They built bridges. They extended the conversation. They have my utmost respect.
The Symposium Participants
Joining Dr. Lelek and Dr. John Henderson were the following leaders in the field of biblical Christian counseling (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Eric Johnson
Eric is Professor of Pastoral Care at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY (http://www.sbts.edu/theology/faculty/eric-johnson/). Dr. Johnson is the author of numerous books and articles, including co-editor of Christianity and Psychology: Four Views, and author of Foundations for Soul Care. He also is the Director of the Society of Christian Psychologists (www.christianpsych.org), a Division of the American Association of Christian Counselors (www.aacc.net).
Dr. Robert Kellemen
Bob is the Founder and CEO of RPM Ministries (www.rpmministries.org) where he equips God's people to change lives with Christ's changeless truth. He is the Chairman of the MA in Christian Counseling and Discipleship Department at Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, MD (www.bible.edu). Dr. Kellemen has authored over 75 articles. He is also the author of the books: Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friend, and Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction. He is the Director of the Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Network (www.aacc.net/divisions/bcsfn/) for the American Association of Christian Counselors (www.aacc.net). Bob has pastored three churches.
Dr. David Powlison
David is a counselor and professor at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) (www.ccef.org). For almost two decades Dr. Powlison has served as the Editor of the Journal of Biblical Counseling. He has authored scores of articles and many books, including Seeing with New Eyes, and Speaking Truth in Love. David is also adjunct professor at Westminster Theological Seminary (www.wts.edu) in Philadelphia, PA. David is an internationally-known and gifted speaker, equipping believers around the world.
Dr. Steve Viars
Dr. Viars is the Sr. Pastor of Faith Baptist Church (www.faithlafayette.org) in Lafayette, IN. Pastor Viars also oversees Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries (http://www.faithlafayette.org/ministry4.aspx) which trains 1000s of biblical counselors around the globe. Under Steve's direction, Faith Baptist recently launched their own church-based seminary, Faith Bible Seminary (http://www.faithlafayette.org/Ministry3.aspx). Steve is a past President of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (www.nanc.org). In his many roles, he is a nationally-known speaker who is passionate about equipping churches for biblical counseling.
The Next Step
I invite you to return tomorrow as I will attempt the impossible: summarizing the symposium.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Most Interesting Man in the World
For those of you who have been asleep the past few months, or don't own a TV, or TIVO everything and never see commercials, or simply are out of the "in" loop, the hottest commercial in the world right now is about the most interesting man in the world. Like lots of the most creative commercial, this one, unfortunately, is also a beer commercial. But before you're offended, take a deep breath, keep reading. There really is a biblical point to be made…
The Mythological Most Interesting Man in the World
In the commercial, they mythologize the most interesting man in the world with such outrageous, hilarious assertions as:
You can see his charisma from space.
The police often question him, just because they find him . . . interesting.
If a monument was built in his honor, Mt. Rushmore would close, due to poor attendance.
His blood smells like cologne.
On every continent in the world, there is a sandwich named after him.
He doesn't believe in using oven mitts, nor potholders.
His cereal never gets soggy. It sits there, staying crispy, just for him.
Respected archaeologists fight over his discarded apple cores.
He has been known to cure narcolepsy, just by walking into the room.
His organ donation card, also lists his beard.
When it is raining, it is because he is sad.
His shirts never wrinkle.
He is left-handed. And right-handed.
Even if he forgets to put postage on his mail, it gets there.
He is The Most Interesting Man In The World.
Not Myth, But Fact
I've never met this mythological man.
However, I do have a personal relationship with the One Who truly is THE most interesting Man in the world. Perhaps you know Him. May I introduce you?
He is before all things.
He is eternal.
He created . . . everything.
By the Word of His power He upholds the universe.
He was born of a virgin.
He walked on water and it wasn't even ice.
He cured the sick.
He forgave the sinful.
He never sinned, not once.
He is the most fascinating teacher who ever lived.
He died for those who hated Him.
He is Savior, Redeemer, Lord.
Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
He rose from the dead.
God exalted Him to the highest place.
At His name every knee shall bow.
His love surpasses knowledge.
He sympathizes with our weaknesses.
He gives rest.
He offers abundant life.
In everything He has the supremacy.
In Him are hidden all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.
He is Alpha and Omega.
He is the radiance of God's glory.
He is God.
He is THE Most Interesting Man in the World—Jesus!
And You Would Add?
You who know Him personally . . . what would you add? Feel free to share additional testimony that you would you give about The Most Interesting Man in the World—Jesus!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Change Lives with Christ's Changeless Truth
"Soul Physicians is no naїve verse-to-issue, sin-to-solution, mix-and-match biblical counseling reference. This is rich theology relayed in readable terms for grace-based care as shared by a stellar scholar-teacher. Soul care worthy of the title 'Christian' must address the core of shalom, the cancer of shame, and the destiny of the sacred. Soul Physicians passionately brings that holistic biblical redemptive story line to bear on the everyday life stories common in the practice of discipleship, Christian counseling, and spiritual formation."
—Stephen P. Greggo, PhD., Professor of Counseling, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Dr. Kellemen's book came as a great refreshment to me. It was both clear and comprehensive, elucidating a theological foundation for counseling ministry based on a solid biblical hermeneutic. This book is beneficial for a multitude of audiences: from the lay counselor, to the pastor, to the licensed clinician. Its impact is to clarify the need, mandate, and roots of personal ministry taken from the Word of the One who created all. Soul Physicians addresses all the imperative issues of our fallen and redeemed state without trying to simplify the complexities of sanctification. It should not be considered merely a textbook contribution to the literature on biblical counseling, but instead a foundation for a curriculum. I require it for all my biblical counseling students."
—Lynelle Buchanan, Professor of Counseling, Baptist Bible College
"Soul Physicians swaps shop-worn theology for biblically sound, compassionate soul care. Dr. Bob Kellemen skillfully invites readers into the huddle where academic theology is spelled out and onto the field where practical theology is lived out. It's a privilege to endorse such a fine work."
—Tammy Schultz, Ph.D., LMHC; Department Chair, Graduate School in Counseling, Grace College
"Soul Physicians is an excellent resource for counselors, pastors and students who believe that knowing and loving people in our world begins with knowing and loving God and His Word. The confluence of Dr. Kellemen's comprehensive grasp of the story of redemption in Scripture and his practical wisdom about people with problems makes this book a unique and important contribution for those that want to counsel from a distinctively Christian perspective."
—Sam R. Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"The tremendous issues that people face today call for a work that skillfully guides those who labor in helping Christians reach maturity in Christ. Soul Physicians meets that need and will be of great value to pastors, professional Christian counselors, students, and lay people. Dr. Kellemen's credentials both in the theological world and the world of counseling make him uniquely qualified to produce a work like Soul Physicians. His work will prove to be invaluable in the field of Christian counseling."
—Dr. Homer Heater, Jr., President Emeritus, Washington Bible College
"Soul Physicians is a 'theological breath of fresh air.' This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of knowledge that translates theology into everyday human relationships. It catapults the reader into confidently connecting with people soul-to-soul. My life and ministry will never be the same after reading Soul Physicians."
—Pastor Dwayne Bond, Senior Pastor, Wellsprings Church
"Soul Physicians captures the essence of Christian soul care and spiritual direction. A unique balance of biblical theology and compassionate spiritual friendship makes Soul Physicians vital for the pastor, Christian counselor, or student of counseling. Soul Physicians will revolutionize the study of counseling at higher learning institutions that embrace the Christian worldview in their counseling programs."
—Douglas McCracken, Professional Christian Counselor, Safe Harbor Counseling
"Personally, I can attest to the challenge of facing deep hurts and overcoming them through the use and application of Soul Physicians' principles. Professionally, as a biblical counselor, pastor's wife, and teacher, God has allowed me to use Soul Physicians as an equipping tool to mentor women. My classes using these concepts have now included over 500 women who testify that Soul Physicians deepened their personal maturity and equipped them to more powerfully minister to others."
—Sister Ellen Barney, Women's Ministry Director, New Antioch Baptist Church
"Soul Physicians revives the timeless tradition of soul care in the Christian community. If you are longing for a deeper relationship with the Lord and others, read on. If you desire to see others as God sees them, keep reading. If you want to relate God's Word to suffering and sinning as you interact with image bearers, Soul Physicians is for you. If you're willing to allow God to pierce your heart with His holiness and grace, then Soul Physicians will transform you and those you encounter."
—Susan Ellis, Author of Sacred Friendships
"Soul Physicians offers theological depth leading to personal maturity. It unlocks a systematic, exhilarating understanding of how God created us to relate, think, choose, and feel in an imperfect world as redeemed Christians. Providing a myriad of scriptural tools, Soul Physicians equipped me to understand suffering and sin, enabling me to connect with people who are impacted by the evils of suffering and with those who are dealing with personal sin issues. In Soul Physicians, Dr. Kellemen shares his years of experience, diligent research, and dependence on the Spirit to endow counselors, pastors, students, and lay people with a scriptural blueprint to become more soul aware and, in turn, empower others with God's profound grace."
—Robin Shell, Graduate Counseling Student
"As a pastor and a church planter, I resonate with the major theme found in Soul Physicians—how to change lives with God's changeless truth. The principles found in Soul Physicians are so practical and life-giving that I am using them in the foundation of our church plant. Solidly biblical and refreshingly relational, Bob combines his wealth of experience as a pastor, shepherd, coach, and counselor with his strong exegetical skills to outline an easily understandable theology of counseling that masterfully addresses the human soul's need for healing from both suffering and sin."
—Pastor Tom Gill, Church Planter, Life in the Balance Ministries
"Not only is Soul Physicians based upon solid exegesis and deep theological convictions, it is also presented creatively and insightfully. God will use these truths to transform readers into greater lovers of God and better lovers of God's people. Personally, I 'understood' truth before I was introduced to these concepts, but now God is giving me His heart through Soul Physicians. Undoubtedly, I am more like Jesus and better equipped to minister for Jesus because of Soul Physicians."
—Chris Boucher, Counseling Professor, Capital Bible Seminary
To Order Your Copy at 40% Off, Please Visit: http://tinyurl.com/d96hc6
Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction
Understand People, Diagnose Problems, and Prescribe Solutions—Biblically!
Join the growing number of lay people, pastors, professional counselors, and students who are using Soul Physicians as the twenty-first-century theology manual for Christian counseling. Learn our Great Physician's authoritative truth about:
Nourishing the Hunger of the Soul: Preventative Medicine—God's Word
Knowing the Creator of the Soul: The Great Physician—The Trinity
Examining the Spiritual Anatomy of the Soul: People—Creation
Diagnosing the Fallen Condition of the Soul: Problems—Fall
Prescribing God's Cure for the Soul: Solutions—Redemption
Envisioning the Final Healing of the Soul: Home—Glorification
Dispensing God's Care for the Soul: Spiritual Friends—Sanctification
Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D. LCPC, is Chairman of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship Department at Capital Bible Seminary where he has field-tested Soul Physicians for a decade. In his three pastoral ministries, Bob has trained hundreds of lay people as soul physicians. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, he brings a practitioner's sensitivity to his writing. Bob is also the author of Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, and Sacred Friendships.
Soul Physicians, Part I
"Soul Physicians is a great and unique book: deeply shaped by Scripture; promoting of a personal engagement with biblical teaching and with Christ; challenging and focused against sin; but practical, gentle in spirit, and discerning in method and counseling skill. The book itself exemplifies what a biblical counselor should be like. Its use of a redemptive-historical structure (creation-fall-redemption-consummation) alone is worth the price of the book, since the value of this framework has not yet been fully realized in Christian counseling. It should be widely used in counseling programs and local churches that value the Bible."
—Eric Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of Pastoral Theology and Biblical Psychology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"The Puritan writers were excellent counselors because they were also excellent theologians. Dr. Kellemen follows in that rich tradition; his quality leadership in counselor education flows from the depth of his theological underpinnings. Few books on counseling today are true to biblical hermeneutics; Soul Physicians is one significant exception, which is why I am using it as a required text for our course exploring Methods of Biblical Change."
—Dr. Dow Pursley, Director of Counseling Programs, Baptist Bible College Graduate School
"Unlike many other books currently available, Soul Physicians can easily serve as a primary and comprehensive resource for those studying the theology of soul care. Dr. Kellemen's innovative approach places the theology of soul care in the appropriate context of the Christian's spiritual formation and discipleship. The text provides the vital addition of significant questions for the reader's study and reflection, thus providing further options for classroom use in plenary or small group discussion."
"In Soul Physicians, Robert W. Kellemen explores seven key biblical categories for developing a theology of soul care and spiritual direction. The result is a thoroughly biblical systematic theology written with the insights and illustrations of a mental health professional—appropriately constructed against the backdrop of a relational emphasis. I highly recommend this book as an important reference for evangelical pastors, counselors (both professional and lay), and other soul care providers."
—Gary W. Moon, M.Div., Ph.D., Vice President and Chair of Integration, Psychological Studies Institute, Author of Falling for God
"In Soul Physicians, Dr. Kellemen captures the essence of delivering practical ministry in the real world. His teachings are applicable to the 'every member a minister' approach to caring for others, as well as being foundational for the professional Christian counselor. This material has enabled me to incorporate solid biblical principles into my counseling practice."
—Melvin Pride, Director of Strategic Planning, Southern Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware
"The information in Soul Physicians, the perspective it gives on life, and the passion with which it is written has been the catalyst for my walk with Christ soaring to an entirely new level. The framework for life it presents has deepened my understanding of who Jesus is and provided me a clearer picture of God's plan for my personal life and pastoral ministry. It has greatly enhanced my understanding of people and equipped me to powerfully minister to them."
—Pastor John Heater, Youth Pastor, Forcey Memorial Church
"I read Soul Physicians expecting to learn many facts that I would need to become an excellent Christian counselor. God's plans were that and so much more. He used Soul Physicians to speak truth into the deepest regions of my heart. It is naїve of us to plan to make an impact on those who are hurting, and hurting others, without first dealing with those parts of ourselves. Soul Physicians gave me a thorough knowledge of the subject, an increased self-awareness, and a realization of the many sensitive areas I face as I minister to God's people. Soul Physicians is an apt title for a work that so eloquently presents the application of the Word of God to human suffering and sin."
—Terri Polm, Lay Counselor
To Order Your Copy at 40% Off, Please Visit:
Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction
Understand People, Diagnose Problems, and Prescribe Solutions—Biblically!
Join the growing number of lay people, pastors, professional counselors, and students who are using Soul Physicians as the twenty-first-century theology manual for Christian counseling. Learn our Great Physician's authoritative truth about:
Nourishing the Hunger of the Soul: Preventative Medicine—God's Word
Knowing the Creator of the Soul: The Great Physician—The Trinity
Examining the Spiritual Anatomy of the Soul: People—Creation
Diagnosing the Fallen Condition of the Soul: Problems—Fall
Prescribing God's Cure for the Soul: Solutions—Redemption
Envisioning the Final Healing of the Soul: Home—Glorification
Dispensing God's Care for the Soul: Spiritual Friends—Sanctification
Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D. LCPC, is Chairman of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship Department at Capital Bible Seminary where he has field-tested Soul Physicians for a decade. In his three pastoral ministries, Bob has trained hundreds of lay people as soul physicians. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, he brings a practitioner's sensitivity to his writing. Bob is also the author of Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, and Sacred Friendships.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Turkey Bacon
Ingredients: Turkey.
Instructions: Bake on a new stove in a pan to make fluffy bacon. Cook for 40 hours. Give to children.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Ingredients: Chocolate, sugar, and powder.
Instructions: Use a pan. Flip with a spatula. Cook for ten hours.
Ingredients: Sausage
Instructions: Cook it by turning with a special thing in a pan. Cook for a long, little time—like 9 minutes.
Ingredients: Green things and brown meatloaf.
Instructions: Put it in the oven. It cooks and cooks, and cooks. Then it is done. It takes like 5 hours.
Sugar Cookies
Ingredients: Eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla.
Instructions: Mix together. Pour into a pan. Sit in the oven for a second.
Ingredients: Cheese.
Instructions: Order it. Or make it in the oven for 35 minutes.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients: Chocolate, cookie dough, butter, and flour.
Instructions: Make it into circles. Put in the oven for 64 hours. Give it to children.
Grilled Cheese
Ingredients: Eggs, bread, and butter.
Instructions: Take bread and make it into toast. Take an egg, crack it, and put on a plate. Mix it up. Cook for 5 minutes.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Is the Emergent Church Theologically Healthy?
Classic Book Review Date: 2005
Book Author: D. A. Carson
Book Publisher: Zondervan, 2005
Because the Emergent Church Movement is new and so disparate, a brief primer is necessary to intelligently review D. A. Carson's groundbreaking work, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications.
The Emergent Church began to emerge in the early 90s (to the extent that a date can be affixed) through the writings of authors such as the late Stanley Grenz, Brian McLaren, L. Newbigin, N. T. Wright, and Don Miller (to name a few). In his first chapter, Carson provides a summary of his understanding of the Emergent Church. "At the heart of the 'movement'—or as some of its leaders prefer to call it, the 'conversation'—lies the conviction that changes in the culture (post-modernism) signal that a new church is 'emerging.' Christian leaders must therefore adapt to this emerging church. Those who fail to do so are blind to the cultural accretions that hide the gospel behind forms of thought and modes of expression that no longer communicate with the new generation, the emerging generation."
D. A. Carson (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. In February 2004 he presented the substance of this book as three Staley Lectures at Cedarville University. (Readers interested in a review of Carson's original lecture series, can visit http://people.cedarville.edu/employee/millsd/ the home page of David M. Mills, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy, Honors Program Director, Cedarville University.)
Carson's core premise is that we must not only be aware of and interact with post-modernity, but also have our assessments of it and responses to it shaped by biblical theology. Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church assists readers to understand and evaluate the Emerging Church and its response to post-modern culture.
In his Preface, Carson explains how he plans to accomplish his purpose.
Carson begins by defining the Emergent Church as a protest movement against modernist churches and pragmatic mega-churches. In this section, Carson offers a perceptive introduction to the movement and its leaders and begins his critique of what he sees as troubling weaknesses of the movement. He style is frank, thoughtful, and fair throughout. He constructs for readers a list of Emergent Church core principles in the form of contrasts, such as narrative over against propositional truth, and experience over against rational insight. While Emergent Church writers would say that they highlight a both/and approach (such as narrative and propositional truth, the emotions and affections and rational truth), Carson adeptly reveals extremes in these contrast areas.
After providing his list of emphases, Carson offers observations on several praiseworthy aspects of the Emergent Church. These include areas such as valuing authenticity, understanding the need to read the times, reaching out to those who are left out, and exploring the degree to which traditions now followed may or may not be biblical. This section is an example of Carson's desire to present a fair and balanced portrayal of the Emergent Church Movement.
In the next section, Dr. Carson focuses on whether or not the Emergent Church is seeking to reform the Modernist Church through the Word of God (as Luther and Calvin sought to reform the Medieval Church with the Word of God). Noting the complexity of the movement, Carson offers specific critiques including: the Emergent Church does not truly understand post-modernity, it does not assess modernism and the Modern Church accurately or fairly, it tends to cater to post-modernity rather than confront it, and it fails to capture a balanced fully-orbed biblical theology instead choosing proof-texting (a very modern method). Carson provides logical argument and biblical theology to support his assessments throughout each of these areas of critique.
Finally, Carson presents his own positive view on a biblical theology of integrating truth and experience. This section is vital since many authors critique opposing views without ever presenting a biblically thought-through, real-world-relevant alternative. Here he also emphasizes the role of historical theology in developing current models of biblical theology and church methodology. This, too, is an often missed aspect in the Emergent Church Movement and in those critiquing it.
It's difficult to overstate how important this discussion is. The Emergent Church Movement is a watershed issue at an epic time in Church history. D. A. Carson's Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church truly is a "must-read" for those who want to biblically ponder how to do ministry in today's culture and how to develop a theology of how to do ministry in any culture.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, is the author of Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, and Sacred Friendships. www.rpmministries.org


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subset: commoncrawl


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I am the creator of my company page and for better management I want one of my employee to be designated as admin. As I am reading through the articles it seems he can remove me from admin anytime. Is it true? Or is there any concept called admin and super admin for LinkedIn company page?
Active 11 months ago
Viewed 13 times


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"We don't have a choice on whether we DO social media, the question is how well we do it." – Erik Qualman
It's widely accepted now that social media is a must for pretty much every organisation out there in the crazy world of the interweb. But, unless you're lucky enough to have a dedicated Social Media Marketer on your team, it can be tricky to find the time to post, tweet, like, retweet, share and promote everything, let alone monitor and analyse your strategy effectively.
Thankfully, the fantastic folks over at Dendrite Park have created the ultimate 'know how' guide…in the form of a cocktail! What's not to love about that?! According to their recipe, 'if you are not doing social media for a job there is very little reason to be spending more than 60 minutes on it daily' and they've even allocated that 60 minutes out across various social activities for us; perfecto!
Check out the full cocktail mix here to ensure that you're using your social media time effectively. Thanks, Dendrite!
To receive regular newsletters including great insights, tips and how to's – sign up here to our blog newsletter
> Are you measuring social media ROI?
> Free Social Media eBook just for you!
> Are you being followed?
> Evaluating social media- it's more than just Facebook 'likes'
> Are you targeting customers on the right social media platforms?


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2016 Lowe Boats Ultra 162 Fish & Cruise Mercury 25HP Live Well ... - Kingston in Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Date/Time:11 Oct, 06:35 a.m. EST
Type: Yachts
Type: Yachts
Province: Ontario City: Bobcaygeon Boat type: Yachts
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I Only Have One Arm
June 30, 2014
Hi, my name is Hope and I'd like to introduce you to our world. Earth is full of two races, the Avoidables and Perfects. I'm an Avoidable because I only have one arm. I was born that way apparently. Because of my defect, my mother had to move to the Lower Side. The Perfects are humans that have no physical flaws. They live in luxury, while we live in filth.
Avoidables have defects ranging from looks to unexplained gifts. Some of us are half breeds. Dragons and animals were known to have bred with the human race thousands of years ago. We all live in cities, usually divided in two. The Perfects live on the Upper Side, while the Avoidables inhabit the Lower Side. We've been consumed by hate for a race that rejects us so heartlessly. We've become dangerous.
I like to sneak over to their side sometimes. It's fun to watch how they live. To watch their perfect gorgeous faces react to the one armed freak. Until I met Jason anyway. He ignored the fact that I had one arm, even daring to touch my shoulder stub. What happened when he did, blew my mind. I was no longer an ugly Avoidable. I was much, much better than any Perfect.
More news:
Avoidables launch day is today! This is a serialized work of fiction. This means that you will get a short piece of fiction in your inbox once a week for five weeks. Each episode will have a cliffhanger leading to the next episode.
I have a competition to win a £10 Amazon voucher, a copy of The Deadliners and the second series of Avoidables for free. There are several ways to enter. Come over to my facebook page and like the photo, RT on twitter, reply to this email to tell me if you like the new series or review either The Deadliners or Avoidables on Amazon and Goodreads.


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Release: Dec 26, 2011 - Author: Muck47 - Translator: Mr Miau - external link: IMDB - more from this series
Compared are the TV Version and the uncensored DVD Version.
- 8 alterations, including one instance of audio censorship, three with alternative footage and one blur effect
- Difference in running time: 45,7 sec
Looks like FOX wants to fly high with the Family Guy releases in the UK. While the recently released US box "Vol. 9" at least contains the last episodes of S8 plus the first ones of S9 (available as S10 in the UK since May 2011! / the comparisons are already online), S11 (aka Vol. 10 in the US) is available since November 2011 in the UK. This DVD box contains the remaining episodes of S9. Unfortunately, this DVD release doesn't contain any audio commentaries like the previous releases did. It might be, but that's just an assumption of mine, that the commentaries haven't been recorded so far because the release of the US counterpart "Vol. 10" isn't yet in sight. The episodes themselves are completely uncensored, as usual.
The eleventh episode on the box, 9x14 ("Tiegs for Two"), features a few new scenes which have that special censoring smell. For example, Peter is somewhat racist towards the Asian dry cleaner and Brian's "big" one-night-stand also comments on sex. Both scenes are not that bad, though. Worth mentioning is the application of a blur effect, when Brian uses his middle finger for an obscene gesture.
Alternative Footage
The scene in the house, in which Lois tells Peter to say sorry to Mr. Washee-Washee, features slightly different animations at the beginning and the ends completely different.
Only in the TV Version, Peter talks to him on the phone, that is why the phone is then in the background. On DVD, he only tells Lois a racist joke.
Lois' part in bold is missing in the TV Version: "I am not finding another dry cleaner. He knows the way I like my clothes and he is very skilled. Now we are going to invite him over for dinner..."
The scene then ends differently:
TV Version
Peter says "All right, fine", takes the phone and says: "Hi, Mr. Washee-Washee, it's Peter Griffin. Um, my wife wants to invite you over for dinner."
Mr. Washee-Washee: "What you having?"
Peter: "Number 32?"
Mr. Washee-Washee: "Ooh!"
DVD Version
Peter agrees: "All right, but I don't want him scooping out our house looking for other things to steal. So when he gets here, I'm gonna blindfold him with this dental floss."
He fetches some dental floss, which obviously suffices to blindfold an Asian person. He laughs towards the audience and hums "Racial slur."
DVD Version 1,3 sec
Alternative Footage
Peter goes on: "Take one step closer, and I'll kill the shirt myself!"
Mr. Washee-Washee: "You bluff."
Peter flexes, causing the shirt to stretch more.
Mr. Washee-Washee surrenders: "No, don't hurt shirt!"
Due to continuity reasons, the following body animations are slightly different (no pictures).
DVD Version 7,1 sec longer
Audio Censoring
Stewie says: "Oh, what the fuck!"
Bettina is in the same Bar and approaches Brian, after Denise has left.
Bettina: "Hey! Oh, my God! Two nights in a row!"
Brian: "Oh, hi, Bettina."
Bettina: "Thanks for the sex last night. But just so you know, you didn't really get in."
8,4 sec
Alternative Footage
In both versions, Quagmire says "All right, let's see what you guys have done to make yourselves look like douchebags.", but the TV Version shows it from further away.
The DVD Version then also contains a Mayor West appearance:
Quagmire: "Mayor West, come up here."
Adam West approaches with bald head, topless and a lot of tattoos.
Quagmire: "All right, good. Looks good. All right, I'm a hot chick in a club. What do you say to me?"
Adam West: "You're not attractive, but I'll do you as a favor."
He laughs: "Lucky for you!"
DVD Version 12,1 sec longer
When Brian comes in, Quagmire says "Hey, Paw, you're late..."
The following frames differ only marginally.
DVD Version 1,7 sec longer
Brian's middle finger can only be seen on the DVD Version, as it was blurred on TV.
Cheryl Tiegs says: "Brian, you've been using me."
Quagmire: "You're right, Cheryl, he's just a user."
Cheryl: "And you, Glenn, I was always waiting for you to grow up, but you are still that unicycle street performer with a dream in his eye and a parrot on his shoulder."
Quagmire: "The parrot's still alive, you know? Those fucking things live forever."
14,9 sec


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on December 7, 2018
Terracycle, Mars Petcare recycling UK pet food packaging
Currently, some pet food packaging can not be recycled via curbside pick-up.
Terracycle collaborated with Mars Petcare's United Kingdom division on a pet food packaging recycling program, reported Global Pets. Through Terracycle's system, pet owners in the United Kingdom can recycle their animal's food packaging from any brand by dropping it off at certain locations around the country or by…


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Mariah Carey & Billionaire James Packer are getting married?
According to TMZ, the happy couple are staying on a yacht during their getaway and will next head to Cannes and St. Tropez. Carey looked smitten with the tall hunk, 47, (the fourth wealthiest person in Australia!) while walking around town. She wore a tight cleavage-baring dress while he donned a blue top and pants.
"He's wooing her," a source tells Us Weekly. A second insider notes that Packer co-runs RatPac Entertainment with Brett Ratner, Carey's good friend.
In August reports surfaced that as of 2014 that Carey and Cannon were living apart. In January, the America's Got Talent host reportedly filed for divorce after six years of marriage. (The couple are parents to twins Moroccan and Monroe, 3.)
"It's truly just staying focused on family and what's right and getting through these times and just doing what's right for the kids," Cannon said on The Meredith Vieira Show back in October.
He added: "They love Mommy, they love Daddy. We've always been people who are kinda on the go, coming and going, so their life hasn't changed one bit. We spend holidays together, we do everything that we're supposed to do together."


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A-Year-old Miss Chen, because the stomach pain pale white ran to us, because the blood pressure is too low and shock, with ultrasound examination, only to find that the body has been a large number of bleeding, Doctor Chung diagnosed is " Sub-ectopic pregnancy, also found that the embryo formed, and has a heartbeat, and finally we emergency laparoscopic surgery!
Because this news, let everybody also notice "the child Ectopic pregnancy" is an apt to be neglected not time bomb.
What is a child ectopic pregnancy?
Normal pregnancy
1. Approximately tens of millions of sperm enter the vagina, through the cervix to the uterus of spermto calculated.
2. The sperm will move toward the left or right toward the fallopian tube, and the number of sperm passing through the uterine tubal joint remains one out of 10,000.
3. sperm continues to advance to the second half of the fallopian tube and meets the egg.
4. after ovulation, sperm will surround the egg through the fallopian tube, melting the egg transparent band to complete fertilization.
5. After fertilization, the fertilized egg will continue to divide the cells into the uterus
Ectopic pregnancy
In other words, if implantation and development of embryos outside the uterine cavity , known as Child Ectopic Pregnancy , medical name is ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms of child ectopic pregnancy
the symptoms of a child ectopic pregnancy are divided into early symptoms and later symptoms, in after menstruation 6 to 8 Week most often when you find menstruation continues without reporting , and appears lower abdominal pain or pain , you can first through the urine or blood test is pregnant, if the determination of pregnancy, can go to the hospital for further examination, can generally find the embryo location through ultrasound, if the uterus has been unable to find an embryo, usually very likely to be a child ectopic pregnancy; In addition, if the belly appears Pain , Point Bleed or Abnormal Bleeding the symptoms of the may also be symptomatic of an ectopic pregnancy.
Probability of ectopic pregnancy
according to the data, people , there are 1 people because of the relationship between the ectopic pregnancy to the hospital, and most of the people in attendance because of abnormal pain. and early found to be able to keep the fallopian tube , but if too late found also may be because of excessive blood loss may lead to death, so as long as the detection of the above symptoms, it is best to check carefully!
If you have a habit of drinking and smoking, be advised to quit and maintain a normal routine to improve your immune system. Special attention should be paid to the phenomenon of vaginal inflammation, do not buy their own medicine to take, because these drugs without a doctor to open and symptoms do not cure , you may think that the treatment of good inflammation, but in fact there is no radical cure, once accumulated for a long time, it will recur, The probability of a child ectopic pregnancy is also significantly higher .


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It is a very well-known fact that blood pressure and sugar problems can lead to very critical problems like heart attack and even stroke. The above two problems can even take an individual's life. Thus, it is very important to control blood pressure and glucose level to avoid such dangerous problems. New research published claim controlling blood pressure, and glucose level can help to control the arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat for which pacemaker assist. Heart pacemaker is a small device placed inside the skin of the chest, which helps to control the irregular heartbeat more regularly. A surgical process flows to implant pacemaker inside the skin of the chest. Blood pressure and glucose level can lead to the problem of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, also called AV block. Yes, avoid pacemakers if blood pressure and glucose level have control in the body. Alternatively, there are many programs in the market which assist patients to avoid pacemaker implantation through lifestyle and dietary programs, one such renowned regime is Blood Balance Advanced Formula method.
AV Block
AV blocks a condition under which the atria and ventricles are partially or completely blocked because of the weak conduction of electric signals from the top chamber to the bottom chamber of the heart. AV block, also known as the atrioventricular block, is the blockage of atria and ventricles, which carries blood and oxygen to the whole part of the body. AV block leads to the irregular, which can then become stroke due to blockage of the atria and ventricles. Some of the core symptoms associated with AV block are fatigue, dizziness, pain in the chest, difficulty in breathing. One of the issues associated with the AV block is that this condition irreversible by dieting and exercise. There is no evidence till now that cure of AV block by a diet or exercise. But on the other hand, the AV block is not a chronic condition and depends upon the severity of the AV block. Although AV block still needs treatment, the pacemaker is implanted in the chest to avoid the problem associated with AV blockage.
Since blood pressure and high glucose level leads to various cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke. Proper measures are required to avoid such chronic problems. There are ways to control sugar and blood pressure. Medical interventions can be costly and simpler to avoid blood pressure. And controlling blood pressure can be helpful to avoid pacemakers since controlled blood pressure and glucose level helps to avoid the cardiovascular problem and thus helps to avoid the implantation of a pacemaker. Research had concluded that out of 47 AV block patients, 11 patients are diagnosed due the high blood pressure. Other factors triggering AV block can include old age, high blood pressure, the high sugar level in the body, history of heart failure, or previous heart attacks.
Control Blood pressure in the following ways:
- Diet exhibits a crucial role in controlling blood pressure and sugar level. Many natural products are very beneficial for controlling the overall blood pressure and glucose level. The following food items help to avoid high or low blood pressure and sugar level:
- Whole grains like barley, brown millets, ragi, etc. helps to control sugar and blood pressures. Since whole grains are fibrous food products they help to reduce appetite and blood sugar as well
- Nuts: nuts contain unsaturated fats, various vitamins, and proteins, which helps to lower insulin levels, cholesterol, and inflammation. Nuts like chestnuts, almonds cashew helps to reduce the blood sugar level.
- Bitter gourd: bitter gourd contains polypeptide insulin, also known as p insulin, which helps to control the blood sugar level of the body and controls cholesterol.
- Fenugreek seeds: two spoonfuls of fenugreek seeds along with warm water are suggested by many doctors daily in the morning to control body cholesterol and insulin level of the body. Fenugreek seed helps to control the high blood pressure and sugar level.
- Amla: Amla is a citric fruit, which is the traditional way to reduce blood pressure and sugar level. It contains a mineral known as chromium that helps to control the carbohydrate level of the body and helps to boost metabolism and insulin level of the body.
- Bananas: banana, potatoes, and legume seeds help control blood sugar, makes fit and healthy, and enhance the overall safety of the body. Dietary fiber foods are easy to digest and thus should be preferred.
- Protein-rich foods like legumes: various protein-rich fruits like moong dal, paneer, Kabuli Chana are useful since they affect the overall blood sugar of the body.
- Mostly vegan products like legumes, whole grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables as well help to control the blood pressure and sugar control level of the body. Also, the dairy foods, food containing some potassium like fruits and vegetables and other supplements, and a healthy eating plan.
- Drinking an adequate amount of liquid is actually helpful in controlling the insulin and blood pressure of the body by boosting metabolism and sugar level. Fresh juices of various vegetables and fruits, like the bottle guard juice or bitter guard juice help to reduce the cholesterol and blood sugar level of the body. Insulin level and blood pressure stay in control.
- Regularly exercising for about 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes a week can help to lower the blood pressure if having high blood pressure. Some aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming can help to reduce hypertension, blood pressure, high insulin, and high cholesterol of the body.
- Avoid drinking alcohol because alcohol leads to hypertension and blood pressure of the body. Drinking too much alcohol at a time can raise blood pressure, and drinking too much alcohol reduces the effectiveness of medications which ate taken to control the blood pressure of the body. Alcohol finishes the effect of medicines on the blood pressure and sugar.
- Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, and thus stress has a very chronic effect on blood pressure. Reducing stress could be done by changing the expectations from life, focusing on goals of life, spend some me time to get rid of stress, and relax for a bit, showing gratitude and a positive charm to everyone. Stress can lead to various health-related problems as well and can also form blood clots in atria and ventricles as well. Thus, stress relief must be regular to stay healthy.
- Smoking can also trigger blood pressure of the body, and thus it is advised to the smokers to quit smoking to get a healthy and balanced life.
- Apart from these non-medicinal practices to avoid blood pressure, the use of various medicines help to cure blood pressure and sugar level as prescribed by a doctor.
A very well said quote is that blood pressure and increased sugar level are silent killers. They not only harm an individual in day to day life but also put someone completely in bed and can even take someone's life away. The practice, as mentioned above, if performed daily, help to cure a person of cardiovascular disease, without the intervention of a doctor or some surgical treatments like pacemakers. Although implanting pacemaker is a low-risk procedure and must only be done if necessary, or there are no reversible causes present there.
At last, lowering blood pressure and insulin level of the body can be helpful to avoid the implantation of pacemaker inside the body. It is a well-known fact that all peoples mostly avoid surgical treatments; most people prefer natural ways to cure disease instead of taking heavy dose medicines with plenty of side effects.
Thus follow the above-mentioned practice to get rid of blood pressure as well as maintain the sugar balance in the body. There are still many more remedies, like avoiding an excess of caffeine, losing extra weight, and making body fit, monitor the blood pressure and insulin level at home and take precautions accordingly. Reducing sugar consumption also helps to avoid cardiovascular problems. As we all know that cardiovascular problems, if ignored, could be deadly, and thus, the proper prevention measure should be taken to avoid surgical treatment like pacemakers.


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Articles and Case Studies
Reduce the Stress of Applying for Internship
27 Jun 2017
Have you attended MDA National's "Applying for Internship" workshop? Here's what some of the audience had to say.
We've crunched the numbers from 479 Australian medical students who filled out the evaluation form at 28 sessions run between 2013 and 2017.
- Nearly everyone (average = 99%) indicated the activity met their personal learning needs (average of 66% selected "entirely met" and 33% "partially met").
- Most respondents (average = 95%) stated they enjoyed the session.
- The majority (average = 85%) reported that they were considering doing something differently as a result of attending the education event.
Will you do anything differently?
The three main themes in what participants indicated they were going to do as a result of the activity related to:
- contacting their referees early
- updating their CV
- planning and practising answers to interview questions
- doing more research relating to the hospital and position they're applying for
- talking to others who've previously applied for internship to learn from their experience.
What did your peers say about this workshop?
- Excellent presenter, inspired me to better prepare, and eased concerns"
- Highly valuable"
- Great presenter, good practical application and examples"
- Very helpful session, restored confidence in applying"
- Great session. Like the examples given unlike other 'career sessions' where usually only vague information was given"
- The presenter was great and extremely helpful during this stressful period".
Want more?
- The Internship Interview Hot Seat Survival Guide provides practical tips for your medical internship interview.
- The Australian Medical Students' Association Internship Residency Guide includes information about each Australian hospital, such as the number of intern positions and rotations offered.
- Email firstname.lastname@example.com if you want more information. We can send you a sample CV and summary handouts with tips for preparing an effective CV, interview skills, and contacts for further information about applying interstate.
MDA National Education Services
Employment Essentials, Anaesthesia, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, General Practice, Intensive Care Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Sports Medicine, Surgery, Physician, Geriatric Medicine, Cardiology, Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Paediatrics, Independent Medical Assessor - IME
Diplomacy in a hierarchy: Tips for approaching a difficult conversation with a senior hospital colleague
05 Aug 2020
Contemplating competence and care in a crisis: considerations if asked to perform a new medical role
29 Jun 2020
Telehealth Q&A
Learn from the telehealth questions hospital-based doctors asked MDA National earlier this year. From managing a procedure follow up, to what you need to consider when using a personal phone for a consultation.
27 Jun 2020


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Philip is a farmer, author, and educator with decades of experience and expertise in founding and in leading sustainable agriculture and food systems programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
As an educator, Philip is intrigued by innovative approaches in helping students and communities develop more complex understandings of sustainable agriculture, food systems, and social change. Having founded a 23 acre organic college farm and also the first online graduate program in food systems in the US, he is an advocate of hands-on experiential education and the best of what online education can offer — and revels in the tension between those two radically different approaches. As a farmer, he is particularly interested in grass-based agriculture and livestock conservation. As an author, he is driven by digging into cutting edge issues and revealing the complexities of their lessons for a broad audience.
Philip is the author of A Precautionary Tale, Rebuilding the Foodshed, and UpTunket Road, published by Chelsea Green Publishing. Most recently, he has served as Professor of Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems and Sustainable Food Solutions Initiative Director at Green Mountain College, where he was instrumental to that college's sustainability initiatives.
Philip teaches in and leads Sterling's continuing education program, The School of the New American Farmstead, with its leading-edge short courses that inspire lifelong environmental stewardship for residential and non-residential adult students of all ages.
He and his wife Erin live in Pawlett, Vermont on UpTunket Farm, where they manage a grass-based herd of approximately 30-60 rare breed cattle, American Milking Devons.


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Is he just trying to make friends?
I was eating on my own and he asked if he can eat with me; we don't know each other really well at all. We tried to get to know each other, but there were few awkward pauses.
We have also been waving/ smiling whenever we pass each other in hallways for the past 6 months. Is he trying to make friends or is he interested? I feel that if a guy was interested he would have made a move by now.
He is a year ahead of me in school and he already has many friends, I am not sure why would he want to be friends with me... do guys just befriend random girls?
7 Answers
- PearlLv 78 months agoFavourite answer
maybe he wants to get to know you
- JuanBLv 78 months ago
He is interested. There are people at the school who see you together and already just assuming that you 2 are an item. So he's got to be okay with people thinking that.
- Sunday CroneLv 78 months ago
It sounds like he is interested in MAKING FRIENDS/
- linkus86Lv 78 months ago
There is no question he is interested. And I am willing to guess that all those awkward pauses are generally your fault. Being a guy makes you have to initiate conversation and when the person you are talking to doesn't want to talk, you get those awkward pauses. Chances are he is super shy so if you are open to the idea of dating, you might have to lead him to the idea of hanging out outside of school. I mean give the guy a break, he has been making the effort.
- What do you think of the answers? You can sign in to give your opinion on the answer.
- ChanelLv 68 months ago
Time will tell and school does not last forever.
Once you have left school there will be plenty of time for you to play the dating game.
- WLv 48 months ago
Sometimes but not often. He's probably scared to do anything for fear you'll accuse him of being sexually molesting you. Welcome to 2019.
- roderick_youngLv 78 months ago
High school? It can take a guy a full year to ask a girl out. It's that scary. If you like him and want to speed things up, you need to throw huge hints. Subtlety is lost on guys who self-doubt.


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Ladies and gentlemen, I am now cool
25 Jun 2010 in Life with loved ones, Photo Blabs
The other day a package arrived. In fact, there were two packages. In one was the long awaited, long overdue, severely missed replacement of our old video camera. It has … Continue reading