Confessions Of Woman Counselors: Part 6

Should Woman Counsel Men?? 
Vanessa Ellen July 17, 2012


Women Counseling Men?
Statistically, most churches report a larger percentage of women in attendance than men; or they report a slightly higher percentage of women attending church more often than men. Most often women make up the bulk of the volunteer force as well. So quite naturally we can assume that the majority of members serving as counselors in the local church are women.

On one hand, this is a great opportunity for women to use their gifts and talents to serve the Body of Christ. On the other hand, one might wonder if having women counsel men is the best approach to a counseling ministry. In order to continue the discussion on this issue a couple of things must be considered such as: theological implications and fleshly temptations.

Theological Implications
If indeed the words Pastor, Bishop and Elder are synonyms and refer to one who rules over the church, then Paul’s instructions to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:11-14) become relevant to this discussion. In this verse, the Apostle Paul instructs women not to teach or exercise authority over a man. The context of Paul’s admonition is the local church.

Women who serve as counselors in the church are providing spiritual insight; they are teaching men biblical truths and holding them accountable to fulfill biblical mandates. They are ruling over their counselee in an authoritative manner. In my interpretation and application of this passage, this would be a violation of Paul’s instructions to women because they have authority over their counselee and are instructing their counselee in biblical truths within the local church. The Apostle Paul is emphasizing definite role distinctions that are timeless and are commands for all Christians to obey. Women should not be in any position of authority in the local church that would resemble the Pastoral role of shepherding men.

Even so, in the book of Titus (Titus 2:3-5) women are encouraged to teach other women how to live a righteous lifestyle. In essence, women can assume the role of guiding (shepherding) other women in the Body of Christ under the authority of their male leadership. Thus, one can conclude that women can serve as biblical counselors in the local church. However their focus should be on teaching and instructing other women in matters of spiritual difficulty as it relates to living the Christian life.

As we recall the statistics of women to men ratios in most local churches, there are more women in the church therefore a woman can have a rich ministry life counseling other women. She never has to feel unworthy or less useful because she cannot counsel men. It is just the opposite, she can find joy in the reality that God can use here mightily in the area of counseling women.

Fleshly Temptations
As we continue to search for biblical answers to the question, “Should women counsel men?” we must consider the potential perils of the flesh when women counsel men or vice versa. Our great God has given us natural inclinations of attraction: female to male and male to female (Romans 1:22-27). These natural inclinations can become emotionally confusing when the counselor “seems” to understand you or “seems” to provide the spiritual conversations that are missing at home. Many tragic testimonies can be told of the counselor and the counselee crossing a moral line and ruining marriages, ministries and their gospel influence to a lost world.

It is important for us to remember that too much time spent talking and being transparent with people of the opposite sex can lead to moral compromise. This does not pertain only to the area of counseling. This is a reality worthy of consideration across the board: at work, in school, in the church, on vacation, at family gatherings and many others.

Additionally, due to the fallen nature of man these same attractions can happen with the same sex. However, we were designed to have a natural desire for the opposite sex but not the same sex. Thus, we could conclude that it is better for women to counsel women and men to counsel men. This certainly will not prevent anyone from choosing to sin and engaging in ungodly relationships; however, it will provide a system for a spiritual safety net for those who diligently seek to live a righteous life before God.

As it relates to men counseling women, this is not an all-encompassing rule that should always apply to pastors or male leaders of a local congregation. Women should be able to receive the counsel of their pastor; he is their shepherd and as such, he does have a responsibility to disciple those whom the Lord has placed in his congregation. However, the conversation needs to continue in order to expand our awareness of practical ways for male leaders of congregations to further develop creative ways of handling such a sensitive matter.

Concluding Thoughts
Many ideas have been suggested to assist in keeping fleshly temptations at bay such as: developing a counseling ministry that includes woman to woman counseling opportunities so that women will have an opportunity to speak to other women who understand spiritually, emotionally, and biologically what they are going through.

Therefore, we could conclude that it is biblically appropriate and spiritually beneficial to encourage women to counsel women and not men. Certainly there may be times, such as with Pricilla and Aquila (Acts 18:18-28) where women encourage men in spiritual matters, on an individual basis. This is more of an exception than a rule. Also, this does not suggest that these instances draw to an ultimate conclusion that women should hold official positions of authority over men in the local church in order to fulfill these exceptions.

Join the Conversation
This is, of course, a much discussed topic. What are your biblical views on whether women should counsel men and whether men should counsel women?

These questions can lead to other important aspects. How can women fruitfully impact the lives of other women in the local church? How can male leadership use women in the counseling ministry as a help and support to them?

Confessions Of Woman Counselors: Part 5

THIS ONES FOR THE GIRLS 
Haley Satrom July 16,2012


Preparation for Ministry
Once upon a time, I lived in a house of 80 women.

Count ‘em: 8-0.

I was in a sorority in college, and this meant that I willingly chose to live in a house of 80 college-aged women. When you live in a house with 79 female roommates, many things become normal to you. Three girls to a bedroom, thirty girls to one very large bathroom, TLC A Dating Story, TLC A Wedding Story, TLC A Baby Story. Tears of laughter, tears of disappointment. Late nights studying, snacking on Twizzlers, dancing to Martina McBride. And late nights talking—about silly things, deep things, sometimes hard things, and often important things.

To some, this lifestyle may sound less than appealing, I realize. But to me, it was truly the source of much joy. I couldn’t have known back then, living in that crowded sorority house, that God was preparing me for the ministry I am so passionate about today.

Women Counseling Women
I am a woman who counsels other women. I get the privilege of spending my work days basically just spending time with other women. I talk with them, I learn about their life stories, I listen to their hearts’ concerns, and I try to come alongside them to seek God in the midst of their trials. I try to encourage them with God’s Word. I comfort them. Sometimes I have to do the hard work of confronting them. I problem solve with them. I pray for them. I pray with them. I watch as God grows and heals them.

In summary, I have the best job in the world; I am a biblical counselor, and I love what I do.

Why It’s Important
I value the ministry of women counseling women—both as a counselor who counsels other women, and also as a counselee who’s been counseled by other women. I appreciate it as someone who works on staff at both a church and a private practice, where I witness daily its many benefits. I believe the ministry of women counseling women is a needed ministry that does much good for the body of Christ.

I could write a long list of reasons why I believe women counseling women is so valuable. I’ll only mention a few at present.

Reason # 1: Women connect with other women in a powerful way, perhaps more quickly and deeply than they do with the average man. The mysteries of the female heart are not so mysterious to females, and because of this, we understand each other in a unique way.

Reason # 2: Furthermore, that connection is safe between counselor-counselee, in a way that (I would argue) it is more safe than it is between a male and female. There is not the same room for confusion of the heart that can occur in a counseling relationship that crosses gender lines.

Reason # 3: That connection is not only quick, deep, and safe, but it is also useful in the tricky moments of the counseling room. My observation has been that female counselors generally feel more freedom to rebuke a fellow female than the average male counselor feels (especially when tears are involved!). A female counselor is going to be quicker to detect manipulation and call it out, because we are, simply put, hard-wired the same.

A Vision for More
For these reasons and more, I desire to see more women of God trained and working as biblical counselors. This occurs with the proactive support of their churches and pastors. Godly women need encouragement from their shepherds to consider this vocation. They need financial help with seminary fees. They need staff positions at churches and in private practices. And they need congregations who understand the benefits of women formally biblically counseling women.

May the Lord let it be so. He has already done so much to grow biblical counseling in its influence and practice among the body of Christ. I look forward to seeing how He will raise up more women to participate in this ministry in the future.

Confessions of Woman Counselors: Part 4

Why Bother? He'll Never Change 
Keri Seavey July 11, 2012 


Thoughts on Submission, Passivity, and Vigilant Love in Marriage
“I just can’t do this anymore!” said a hopeless and exasperated Gina, following yet another relational bomb that had gone off over the weekend with her husband Mark. Gina and Mark have been married for 26 years. They are both believers who are active in church and ministry.

Mark is a very structured man who is always in control. He lives life on his own terms, managing his life to the minute. When his scheduled plans fall into place like clockwork which they often do, Mark is easy to get along with. Yet when people or circumstances impact his rigid schedule, sinful anger is quick to flow which leaves a  wake of relational damage in its trails.

Gina is normally an easy-going person who does not like conflict. Overlooking Mark’s anger has often come easy for her. Lately, however, she has been finding it harder to forgive and move on, simmering over past events, stewing in her own frustration. She feels powerless  to control her own angry eruptions. She is desperate for help and prayer.

While I agreed that change is needed in how she responds to Mark, she gave a shocked look when I asked her if she planned to speak to Mark about his sin and how it impacts relationships. She quickly dismissed the thought and retorted, “Why bother? He is so set in his ways. He will never change!”

The Perils of Passivity in Marriage
Unfortunately I have seen in many broken marriages the damaging results that years of passivity toward sin can bring. Frustration, disappointment, apathy, and hopelessness are often the result. This passivity essentially chips away at the foundations of love and respect in the marriage and weakens its structure. When life in a fallen world has finally applied enough pressure, the weakened structure may begin to crumble as the sin that has been ignored for years often becomes the sin that we can no longer tolerate.

Exasperated wives are often confused, shocked or even angry at the suggestion that they may be just as responsible for the current condition of their struggling marriage due to their passivity and unwillingness to speak the truth in love regarding sin. Confusion regarding submission is often a culprit.


What’s a Submissive Christian Wife To Do?
With a biblical understanding of complementarian roles, submission, and the Genesis 3 curse, are Christian wives limited to merely “submit, pray ,and get out of God’s way” when faced with our spouse’s sin? Though widely misunderstood and attacked in our culture today, biblical submission is undoubtedly a powerful means of grace in any marriage. It is a beautiful, God-honoring, divine calling of a wife to honor, respect, and uphold her husband’s God-given leadership in the home.

However, does the call to submission negate a wife from lovingly speaking the truth to her husband when he is either blind or stubborn toward the destructive patterns of sin in his life? Would confrontation violate the call to submission?

John Piper has said:

“Submission…does not mean that a wife cannot seek the transformation of her husband, even while respecting him as her head—her leader, protector, and provider… Wives are not only submissive wives. They are also loving sisters. There is a unique way for a submissive wife to be a caring sister toward her imperfect brother-husband. She will, from time to time, follow Galatians 6:1 in his case: ‘If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.’ She will do that for him.”

Love for our husbands would move us to these measures.


The Call to Vigilant Love
Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III define love well in their book Bold Love.

“Bold love is courageously setting aside our personal agenda to move humbly into the world of others with their well-being in view, willing to risk further pain in our souls, in order to be an aroma of life to some and an aroma of death to others.”

Genuine love for our husband would compel us to not only “cover a multitude of sins” by extending grace (1 Peter 4:8), but also, when appropriate, courageously stand against the sin that mars the beauty and grace that God desires (and purchased through Christ) for our husband.

Standing against sin because we love requires sober conviction regarding the bondage and evil of sin and its devastating consequences. It is motivated by a deep longing for, and envisioning of, the beautiful freedom from sin that the application of the gospel would bring to our husband. Loving desires would compel the pushback, yet self-interested fears may keep us from it.

The Obstacles to Overcome
There are many obstacles that may need to be overcome in order for us to love boldly. The love of comfort and/or the desire for peace at any cost may keep us from “rocking the boat” through humble confrontation. Nevertheless, resting in the unshakable peace with God that we have through Christ may free us to risk discomfort for the sake of the one we love.

Fear of man may also keep us ensnared and be a barrier to love when we hang our hope for happiness and meaning in life on the approval we are after from our husband (Proverbs 29:25). However, understanding that we already have the approval from God that we most need because of Christ’s atonement, we can be liberated to love our husband well for his ultimate good.

Fear of our husband’s rejection or retaliation may also paralyze us from engaging in truthful love toward him. Yet, marinating in the perfect love of God through Christ and the resulting fear (awe) of the Lord casts out immobilizing fears regarding the consequences of this bold love (1 John 4:18). The perfect love of Christ in the gospel both sets us free us from our fears as well as informs the manner in which we love.

Jesus’ Valliant Love
Rather than remaining passive toward our sin and the devastating consequences of wrath incurred by it, Jesus’ fierce love compelled Him to act valiantly on our behalf! Throwing off comfort and forsaking all fears, He loved sacrificially and intentionally by atoning for sin by His own death, thereby purchasing our eternal acceptance before God. Though God accepts us solely and fully on the merits of Christ’s death, it is also true that He accepts us with an agenda to change us.

God’s love for us motivates Him to continue to mercifully confront the sins that beset us with the gracious goal of transforming us into the image of Christ from one degree of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18). This process involves ongoing sight, confession, and repentance of our sin alongside the forgiveness and grace that our Savior purchased for it. Sight of sin, Lord-willing, leads to gospel gratitude and grace-empowered change. Sight often comes by way of loving, gospel-soaked, grace-filled confrontation. Wives, are you willing to love your husband in this way?

Confessions of Woman Counselors: Part 3

Little Trials Or Big?
Amy Baker July 10, 2012 


Things
More often than I’d care to admit, I’ve found myself struggling to be compassionate toward those whose trials just don’t seem to be that big in my opinion—the menopausal woman having a hot flash, the good student who missed 3 points on a test because the question was ambiguous, the guy whose lawn mower won’t start. (These only seem big if I experience them.)

Does this reflect my view of God? Do I think God doesn’t care about little things, so these people should just get over it?

Big Things
It can be easy to see my need for God’s grace when big trials come—when my son is in a serious car wreck and is in intensive care, when my father dies, when my house burns to the ground. Do I notice my need in “smaller” trials too? When my filing cabinet won’t open, when ants invade my office, when my computer locks up, when my cell phone battery dies when I need to make a call, when my grandson breaks something I really like, when I’m interrupted when I’m trying to study…

Little Things and God
Am I willing to cry out to God and study His character in these little things? Or, are the little things, just little things, not significant enough to look for God at work in them? Not significant enough to thoroughly examine whether my representation of Christ truly reflects His character? Not significant enough to cry out to Him?

Do I treat God as if I just need Him for the “big” things, I’ll take care of the little things without bothering Him? Do I leave those trials more in love with my Savior or simply proud of myself for taking care of things efficiently and well? Do I give Him the praise He is due for helping me in the smallest details of life?

And then, do I treat others as if they should have the same disregard for God that I often have? Should they “get over it”? Should they not bother me or God unless it’s something “big”?


Opportunities
Maybe little things aren’t really little things (cf. 1 John 15:5, 1 Corinthians 10:31). Maybe they are just frequently missed opportunities to reflect God’s glory.

Here are 5 ideas I’ve come up with to help me grow in this area.

• Thank God daily for things which I often overlook unless there’s a problem—for cold water from the faucet, for soap in the shower, for elbows that bend…
• Cry out to God for help with “minor” problems—the strength to open stubborn jar lids, the hair which refuses to go in the right direction, the friend who is running a few minutes late…
• Praise God daily for His attention to detail—eyelashes, wood grain, shades of color…
• Daily ask for God’s help not to function as if I only need Him for “big” things.
• Daily ask for God’s help to recognize and make the most of the opportunities He gives to show compassion to others in their trials—no matter how big or small I think they are.

Join the Conversation
What items would you add to the list?

Confessions of Woman Counselors: Part 2

Works Based Woman 
Eliza Jane Huie July 12, 2012 




Works-Based Acceptance
There is something imbedded deep in all of us that draws us to a works-based acceptance. It’s just easier to get along with others when they are doing things we like. This seems to be especially true for women. While men can and do struggle with these same tendencies, we’re going to look specifically at how women can be works-based in their relationships.

With Your Friends
Women are often more focused on building and growing friendships than men. We take time to really get to know and connect with friends. Women often do both recreational and non-recreational things with friends. I have cooked, cleaned, grocery shopped, and exercised with my friends as a way to connect.

Appreciating friendship is easy when it’s supportive, cooperative, and convenient. However, if friendship is always easy, you may be simply basking in a shallow pool of met expectations. Do you maintain the same level of connectedness when your friend becomes difficult? What about when her children become difficult? Scripture speaks of friendship as being willing to lay down your life for another (John 15:13). If you find that your friends become an intrusion when things get difficult you may have a works-based friendship.

With Your Children
Moms are in constant demand. There is so much to be done in a day; laundry, cleaning, shopping, caring for the kids, meals, and on goes the perpetual list. So, when a child makes life easier, it is natural to express love and appreciation for them. Unfortunately, our kids will not always naturally oblige themselves to helping. Instead we end up dictating what needs to be done. This can become so common that our kids see us more as task manager than mother.

When they step up to help it is easy to give them praise and smiles. But when they go about their day walking around piles of laundry, adding yet another dish to the sink or counter, or bickering about meaningless issues, our interaction with them begins to change. Is the response they get one of displeasure unless they are “doing the right thing”? If so it would be very logical for a young child to translate this as, “Mommy loves me most when I’m good.”

Older children are no exception. My teens can quickly see the displeasure on my face as I walk into the still messy room. They also keenly observe the smile and relief when they do what they are told without pushback. This habitual interaction can lead them to view their acceptance as based on their good behavior, helpfulness, and compliance. Even into their adult years they will hold to the conclusion that they are most loved by their performance. They may even translate this to how God operates. Are you a expressing your love and acceptance to your children in who they are and not just what they do? When correction is needed do you make it a point to affirm your love to them regardless of their behavior?

With Our Husband
Next to being works-based with the children, women may find that their spouse can be the easiest person to relate to in a compensating way. Familiarization and the busyness of life can lead us to put little emphasis on affirming and encouraging your husbands unless they are doing something for you.

Do you find yourself nicest to him when he is agreeing with you? Are your words, your facial expressions, your tones and inflections most amiable when the honey-do list is getting checked off? If this relational legalism characterizes your marriage, chances are your husband will see you more as a boss than a friend and partner.

This can work in reverse as well. Women can become works-based in their marriages when your focus to serve and care trumps loving and enjoying. (Guilty!) I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself busily cooking dinner when my husband comes home. It’s common for me to have my hands literally full of ingredients or my fingers gooed up with whatever it is I’m preparing for dinner when he walks in the door. All he wants is a tender gesture of affection, but instead he is greeted with a quick peck as I swoop by him. My justification; he knows I love him. I am, after all, busy serving him. I have work to do and it is my “God-given” work (Justification!) Unfortunately I see that at times this can simply be the spirit of Martha that misses the better part. Your husband doesn’t want a servant he wants a lover and a companion.

Indispensable Grace
Grace is unnatural. While it is given to us freely, we actually have to work to give it to others. To break out of the mold of works-based relationships, we must be intentional in our actions. We need to give grace. One simple way to do this is to be more encouraging in your relationships. Look for things you can affirm. Let forgiveness be the anthem in your interaction with others. Your friends, your kids, and your husband are all going to make mistakes. One way you can avoid becoming a relational legalist is by allowing and covering mistakes.

Finally, focus on the grace given to you. We have been given what we don’t deserve and what we have deserved and earned has been forgiven in Christ. Jerry Bridges rightly describes grace as “God’s blessing through Christ to people who deserve a curse.” Let that gospel truth shape how you interact in your relationships.

Join the Conversation
If our God is not works-based in His relationship with us, neither should we be with others. Women, do you see a propensity for this in areas of your life? What do you do to create an environment of grace and not works in your relationships?

Confessions of A Woman Counselor: Part 1

The next few blog posts that will be up are from the Biblical Counseling Coalition Website. It is a series of articles that woman counselors have written so I hope that by me sharing you will  enjoy reading these as much as I have!!

Real Women and Their Real Savior
Elyse Fitzpatrick July 9, 2012




BCC Staff Note: You’re reading Part One in a multi-part BCC Grace & Truth blog mini-series by women biblical counselors.

The Headlines of Our Lives
Like you, I frequent grocery stores. And like you, I scan the headlines of the magazines and newspapers while I wait my turn to slide the debit card and be on my way. Although there are times when the headlines of some “newspapers” are laugh-out-loud funny—Monkey Boy Actually Nostradamus!, most of the other headlines are heartbreaking—Famous Starlet Arrested Again! Beautiful Couple’s Marriage On The Rocks! Celebrated Director In Drug And Alcohol Rehab! And these are reports of the lives of people we’re tempted to envy. They’re the ones who are able to take long and luxurious vacations, who have achieved the American dream, who have access to all the “best” help.

And yet, something is desperately wrong. Not money, fame, nor beauty can shelter any of us from it. We’re not shocked by the troubles of the rich-and-famous because, at heart, we know they’re just like us. We know that we’re all in trouble and we all need help. How would the headlines of our lives read? Aside from the paparazzi, are we all that different?

The Answer Is a Person
We’re all very well aware of the fact that we’ve got problems. We sin. Others sin against us. We live in a sin-cursed world. We know that there are as many answers to our problems as there are problems themselves. But there is only one answer strong enough to transform us into loving, humble servants. Every other answer tends only to more sin, more unbelief, idolatry and lovelessness. The answer we need is found in the Bible and because every part of the Bible testifies about Jesus (Luke 24:44), the answer is found in Jesus Himself.

The Bible isn’t a self-help book. It isn’t a book of heroes (aside from One!), nor is it a book of rules. The Bible is the story of God’s love for us and his determination to have a people for his own pleasure and our unending joy. The Bible is the only book that can correctly diagnose our sin problem, it reveals our deepest hearts, even down to our inmost thoughts and motives (Hebrews 4:12). No other system of help can do that.

The Bible is also the only book that can give us real hope, power and motivation for change. Because of God’s love demonstrated in the gospel and most powerfully at Calvary, we can have hope. As Paul put it so beautifully thousands of years ago, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) Here Paul argues for our hope from the greater to the lesser.

“Look, if God is willing to give up His beloved Son for you, why would you doubt His love? If He’s willing to give you the greatest gift ever given, why would He withhold any blessing from you?”

You can have hope today simply because God loved you so dearly that He gave His Son for you and then powerfully raised Him from death so that you could live with Him eternally. There’s also power for you to change because of the resurrection. The Bible tells us that the enslaving power of sin in our lives was broken when Christ overcame the punishment for sin, that is, death, through his resurrection.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life…We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:4, 6).

A Lively Hope and a Sure Motivation
The only hope we have to overcome our sin, our idolatry, unbelief and lovelessness, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but what a lively hope that is! He died once and will never die again so that right now He’s providentially protecting and providing everything we need to persevere through this difficult life and join Him in eternal happiness.

And finally, there’s only one motive that will stand the test of time, that will enable us to keep serving, keep obeying, keep believing, even when the trials we face seem interminable. The motive: love. But how can we love? What will make us love? This and only this: God’s prior love for us. If we start our day thinking about our obligation to love, serve and believe, we’ll very shortly find ourselves falling into either pride (because we’re doing so well) or despair (because we’re not). But if we start (and stay) with this thought: Jesus Christ loves me and gave Himself up for me ensuring my Father’s smile on me, no matter how the day wears on we’ll know the joys of obedience and the joys of repentance. We’ll understand the promise inherent in our Savior’s words, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”

The Bible is the only book that has sufficient, deeply profound, and yet amazingly simple answers to real problems. Yes, we have a problem: we’re sinners. But that’s not all. We’ve been given real help: we’ve been loved. And this love is powerful enough and long lasting enough to change everything about us and about our world. This love is genuinely and eternally life-transforming. It makes us new.

But this love isn’t some impersonal force, this love is embodied in human form, in our Savior, the One who has gone through every temptation we face, and so is “able to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). He knows that we have real problems but He’s given us a real answer: Himself.

Because He was willing to leave the bliss of heaven, He became a real man with thoughts and feelings and desires just like ours. He embraced us when He embraced our mortal flesh. He was stripped of His glories so we could be clothed in His goodness. And He forfeited the pleasure of uninterrupted fellowship with His beloved Father so that we could share in that relationship forever. Yes, we have real problems but He’s given us His life. Yes, we’re real women who need real answers. But he’s a Faithful Husband who has supplied all we need. And so we look to Him we find that our hearts are satisfied, our lives transformed, and our deepest problems are solved in the shadow of the cross.

Traveling Time!!

Ok so I have has this itch over the past few years and it just seems to get stronger and stronger. I haven been blessed in my life to be able to travel to a few places over the course of time. I went on a missions trip to Romania when I was 13, took a family vacation to Florida to tour Disney World, did the whole East Coast Route, and the typical resort trip to Phoenix a few times. I am so blessed to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a place that every one wants to visit and live in and here I am wanting to travel and see places away from here. Funny how that all works right. I want to see the world and have adventures, exploring the way others live and their culture. 

I am soo happy to finally have a chance to be able to get my travel on and begin checking destinations off my to see list. School will be completely finished in 7 short weeks and then I will have some time to hang around studying for my state board test and waiting for my test date to arrive. I have decided to take a breather in life and use this down time to relax and have some me fun time. I have been going, going, going, dedicated to school 24/7 for the past 10 years and I am slowing down starting now. This is a huge thing for me because it is very hard for me to live as if I am wasting time , but I am beginning to realize how short life really is and how to take one day at time, and being ok with not rushing through it. 

So with that I kick of my first week as a graduated hair stylist having the amazing privilege of leading worship for a woman's retreat up in Pine Valley. This will be a great time of refreshing as I get to celebrate being done with school, soak in the Lords goodness, and spend the weekend with my Mom and church family. Second stop will be family vacation with my parents and little sister, I think we decided on going to visit Canada, Victoria Island to be exact. Looking at pictures it is filled with gorgeous hikes, forrest's and beaches. Super excited to say the least. Next I will take a few days and road trip out to Casa Grande Arizona where I get to meet my little baby cousin for the first time. I am very excited to stay a few days with my cousin Shawn and his wife and new little daughter. Then it just keeps getting better and better. My roommate from college and I have a tradition to spend the weekend at a family friends cabin up in Lake Arrowhead. I absolutely love this little mountain and look forward to be in the midst of nature, bundled up in front of a fire place enjoying good company, doesn't get much better then that!!! Then if i am not completely wiped out by this time and still have energy Mom and I want to road trip up to San Fran. I have heard so much about this city and can not wait to see it and explore it for myself. We have some family friends that moved up there that we miss alot and are very excited we have a free place to stay as well as some great company. 

It is for sure going to be a jam packed couple months but I cant be more ready to close the chapter of school and open this new chapter of adventure, travel and actually entering the real world. !!!! Thank you Jesus for all the things you have given me and for the blessing you continue to poor forth everyday. 

More Then "Freedom"

Tomorrow is July 4th. It is definitely one of my favorite holidays in the year, I think this is because of the fun traditions that my family established from a vey young age. Every summer we would spend this special day with friends and family, going to the parade, eating food, hanging out at the beach, and watching an amazing firework show. For me it just isn't totally 4th of July unless its spent on the Island of Coronado with the sun, sea, and fun. 

This day in America's history marks a great turning point. With out this day America would not have all the freedoms and rights that it so proudly lives with today. On this day we remember all of those men and woman who have sacrificed their lives, time, and energy to ensure that the citizens of this great nation can live in comfort and safety. This day we also take time to recognize those men and woman who are still on the field fighting currently and who will be leaving their families in the future to continue the fight to protect our freedom. 

But as a believer I have come to appreciate this theme of freedom that we so patriotically celebrate year after year. For me this day can mean more to me then just celebrating the wonderful blessing I have to live in a country where I have rights and am safe. There is a deeper level of freedom that I can celebrate, my freedom from sin and slavery. For once I was held bondage by this world, it desires, motives, and its lies. Christ in His love, faithfulness and grace reached down and saved me from the battle ground of my own heart and life and transported me into a country where I am kept safe, and held secure till His precious return in the future. As a follower of Christ we can celebrate independence every day of our lives because of the great sacrifice our heavenly Father made for us. His love poured out onto us compelled Him to give His life for our life so that we may never have to die but inherit eternal life. How precious and humbling that thought is, because of Christ's death on the cross we now have all the rights, riches, and blessings through Christ Jesus. All glory be to the One who paid my debt and raised this dying life up from the grave. 

Colossians 2:13-15

 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.