Matthew 25:35-40 tells us to visit those in prison. When was the last time you were in prison, visiting people, encouraging them and bringing the word of God to them?
You might ask, how can I go to prison and minister? I will tell you that there are some ways that are easy and ways that are a bit harder. Let’s start by thinking about your local Detention Center. You could call the Chaplain at your local Detention Center and ask them if they have openings for volunteers.
One such ministry is called Overcomers In Christ. Check with your local Detention Center and find out if they have this program inside. If they do, maybe you can help facilitate the program. If they don’t why not try to start this ministry. It teaches people how to overcome life’s trials day by day. You can find out about Overcomers in Christ at http://www.overcomersinchrist.org/index.html.
Another thing that you can do is ask the Chaplain what needs the inmates have. Something simple like greeting cards could be donated to the Detention Facility. In the next edition of this blog, I will tell you about another ministry called Kairos Prison Ministry International and the work they are doing.
Start with a simple pray, something like this: “Lord, if you want me to help in jail or prison ministry, show me the path you want me to take. Give me a love for those incarcerated, not loving what they have done, but loving them as You love them....in Jesus name....AMEN.
Blessings,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT,All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Denial
The definition of denial is a refusal to believe or accept or acknowledge and the second definition is the act of contradiction. You might ask yourself: Is denial ok?
It can be a healthy way of dealing with an uncomfortable and painful situation. Denial functions as a buffer after unexpected shocking news. It allows the person to collect him/herself, and, with time mobilize other, less radical defenses. Denial is a usually a temporary defense.
You might know that denial is one of the stages of Grief. Helen Kubler-Ross set out the stages of grief in her book On Death and Dying. The stages of grief are: Denial and isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
The focus on denial is because we use denial often in our lives. Think for a moment of the last thing you denied. Was it something small or something big, “No, I wasn’t speeding, Officer.” or “No, I didn’t take that cookie/CD/car/IPOD, etc.
Often, when we deny something we are lying. How different do you think your life would be if you told the truth. How different would you feel about yourself if you let your yes be yes and your no be no?”
Let’s try this, shall we. For the next 10 days, practice telling the truth and not be in denial. At the end of that time, I imagine that you will see a difference in how you feel about yourself.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT,
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
It can be a healthy way of dealing with an uncomfortable and painful situation. Denial functions as a buffer after unexpected shocking news. It allows the person to collect him/herself, and, with time mobilize other, less radical defenses. Denial is a usually a temporary defense.
You might know that denial is one of the stages of Grief. Helen Kubler-Ross set out the stages of grief in her book On Death and Dying. The stages of grief are: Denial and isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
The focus on denial is because we use denial often in our lives. Think for a moment of the last thing you denied. Was it something small or something big, “No, I wasn’t speeding, Officer.” or “No, I didn’t take that cookie/CD/car/IPOD, etc.
Often, when we deny something we are lying. How different do you think your life would be if you told the truth. How different would you feel about yourself if you let your yes be yes and your no be no?”
Let’s try this, shall we. For the next 10 days, practice telling the truth and not be in denial. At the end of that time, I imagine that you will see a difference in how you feel about yourself.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT,
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Read the Book of Proverbs
A long time ago I started a practice of reading a chapter of the Book of Proverbs out of the Holy Bible every day. You see there are 31 chapters of Proverbs which nicely correspond to the approximate number of days in a month.
Proverbs 1:1-4 tells us what Proverbs is all about. It says that the Book of Proverbs is for attaining wisdom and discipline, it’s for understanding words of insight, for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just an fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
That is a tall order for any book, and the Book of Proverbs delivers. So, ask yourself, “Do I want to have wisdom and discipline? If you do, read Proverbs. Do I want to understand words of insight? If you do read, Proverbs. Do I want a prudent life? If you do, read Proverbs. If that sounds like a broken record, it is, the message is simple, read Proverbs.
So, why not start today? Upon rising or before you lay your head down to sleep, consider reading a chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month, you will be glad you did.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT,
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Proverbs 1:1-4 tells us what Proverbs is all about. It says that the Book of Proverbs is for attaining wisdom and discipline, it’s for understanding words of insight, for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just an fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
That is a tall order for any book, and the Book of Proverbs delivers. So, ask yourself, “Do I want to have wisdom and discipline? If you do, read Proverbs. Do I want to understand words of insight? If you do read, Proverbs. Do I want a prudent life? If you do, read Proverbs. If that sounds like a broken record, it is, the message is simple, read Proverbs.
So, why not start today? Upon rising or before you lay your head down to sleep, consider reading a chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month, you will be glad you did.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT,
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Blessings Journal
What would it be like if you took a few minutes every day and jotted down what blessings you experienced during each day? Do you think that you could find a blessing, even one each day? I think that you can do it!
Find a journal or notebook and start today. I learned about this from my good friend Glenna Hadley. At our annual Thanks Giving Party, she stood to share about taking moments each day to write down the blessings she experienced. She listed simple things like a smile from her grandchild or her husband, Joe getting her coffee. Simple things.
So, for my birthday, which is in December, my friend Gwen Pangborn gave me a blank journal and on the front page she wrote the words Blessings Journal and gave it to me with the reminder of Glenna's sharing. She encouraged me to do what Glenna had suggested.
I have begun to do that. Each day after my Bible reading and before I turn out the light, I ask myself what blessings I experienced that day. I have written in simple things like "finally finished a letter" or "slept in" or "worked on geneology today." I have also written bigger things as well like "Dad's PSA numbers came back the lowest that they could be!"
It is a wonderful thing to do. I would encourage you to find a time of day that you can do it consistently, it is important for you to do it daily. So, go out and get that journal or notebook and start this today.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Find a journal or notebook and start today. I learned about this from my good friend Glenna Hadley. At our annual Thanks Giving Party, she stood to share about taking moments each day to write down the blessings she experienced. She listed simple things like a smile from her grandchild or her husband, Joe getting her coffee. Simple things.
So, for my birthday, which is in December, my friend Gwen Pangborn gave me a blank journal and on the front page she wrote the words Blessings Journal and gave it to me with the reminder of Glenna's sharing. She encouraged me to do what Glenna had suggested.
I have begun to do that. Each day after my Bible reading and before I turn out the light, I ask myself what blessings I experienced that day. I have written in simple things like "finally finished a letter" or "slept in" or "worked on geneology today." I have also written bigger things as well like "Dad's PSA numbers came back the lowest that they could be!"
It is a wonderful thing to do. I would encourage you to find a time of day that you can do it consistently, it is important for you to do it daily. So, go out and get that journal or notebook and start this today.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Where Do You Cast Your Cares
1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all of our cares upon him (Jesus) because he cares for us. Other words for cares might be worry or concerns or anxiety. What are you worried about, what are you anxious about? One only has to turn on the television or radio and the pundits will be telling you the next thing to worry about.
Phillipians 4:6 tells us Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Proverbs 12:25 tells us that anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good work makes it glad. So, it seems to be a simple solution to our cares/anxieties/worries. Step one, cast your cares on Jesus. Step two don't worry. Step three present your requests to God. Step four give thanks. When you do these four steps, you will not be weighed down.
So, the next time you are anxious, call on Jesus because he cares for you.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Phillipians 4:6 tells us Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Proverbs 12:25 tells us that anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good work makes it glad. So, it seems to be a simple solution to our cares/anxieties/worries. Step one, cast your cares on Jesus. Step two don't worry. Step three present your requests to God. Step four give thanks. When you do these four steps, you will not be weighed down.
So, the next time you are anxious, call on Jesus because he cares for you.
Blessing,
Carol
2009 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT
All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
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