Disconnected

About the Book

Secular counseling developed out of the disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, and sociology having evolved into the "Big Business of Counseling." Counseling and Christianity have collided into what we now call "Christian Counseling." There are those who reject and accept Christian Counseling as it is practiced today. By some, it is considered hypocrisy, while others consider it a blessing and gift-ministry from God.

As a basis for defining Christian Counseling as it is practiced today, I will refer to the paper of 38 affirmation and denial statements entitled: "The Christian World View of Psychology and Counseling: A Biblical Approach to Counseling."

My purpose here is not to repeat or reaffirm previous works in support of Christian Counseling. I whole-heartedly support Christian Counseling. My purpose is to first lay a biblical view of the human environment from which the disease of sin thrives in. That is the sin that Christian Counseling, as one small part of ministry, is designed by GOD to remedy.

Secondly, to show who is qualified and responsible for Christian Counseling.

Thirdly, to show how our best efforts are, in many cases, missing the mark or are misplaced.

Chapters 1 through 6 deal with the environment of man. Chapter 7 defines, in a purely biblical fashion, the current condition of man's brokenness. Chapter 8 provides a brief description of Christian Counseling and Psychology. Chapters 9 through 11 bring it all together in discussions about the environment of counseling. Lastly, in Chapter 12 are some handy tools to stir your mind and spirit during the journey.

The reader must be aware of the numerous shades of sin and brokenness that can and does exist in the human condition from mans point of view. To God sin is sin. All man kind (save Jesus) has fallen far short of the glory of God. It is just that some manifest "sin or brokenness" or "God's glory or wholeness" in different extremes and/or in different ways than others. I do not attempt to cover any one person, particular situation or address all the permutations that brokenness and wholeness can and does manifest. I speak in terms of total brokenness or total wholeness. One could easily get lost in the various aspects of a broken spirit and the point would easily become lost in tangential explorations. I believe God will give each reader a particular perspective that is applicable to their lives.

Paul had left Thessalonica abruptly when the Jews sought to arrest him. Because of his hasty departure, he was anxious about the Thessalonian Church. Not only were they still very young Christians, but they were also being persecuted for their new faith. When Paul could stand it no longer, he set to find out about their faith, He sent Timothy back to "strengthen and encourage" them "so that no one would be unsettled by these trials" (1 Thessalonians: 2-3).

And again Paul writes to Timothy in 1 & 2 Timothy. In 1st Timothy dealing with doctrine, worship, leadership, and the ministry of the pastor which all largely put things in order or, simply said, structure to the church. However, 2nd Timothy is quite different. It is a letter of five exhortations.

Then we have the record of Apollos in 1 Corinthians and Priscilla and Aquila in Romans, in addition to Silas and Barnabas.

What is the common thread connecting these events, the Thessalonica Church, Pauls letters to Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, Silas and Barnabas?

It is watering the church. The primary focus of this book is therefore, about the spirit of WATERING.

In addition, in the text I am critical of my country and, specifically, the capitalist system. For a moment you may think that I am not a true American. I would ask you to focus on the spirit and theme of this book. I love my country, but I love GOD much-much more. "Let it be done on earth as it is in heaven" is more than just a fanciful phrase to me. I think this country is great, but I think heaven is much, much greater.

I also think we are in danger of defining heaven through man's eyes, or through the eyes of the "all mighty dollar." The Word of GOD talks about the streets in heaven as being made of "transparent gold." I believe the meaning of this statement is that we will see through the lie of the value of gold. That we will walk on gold realizing it (as man has valued it) is valueless!

I believe money is a tool (corrupted time) just like all other physical things, and we must be good stewards of it. However, it has no real value other than to represent an exchange of chronological time. I am paid for my time, and when I pay you, I am giving you that representation of my time. In heaven, as you will see" there is no measurable time, therefore no money. "Let it be done on earth as it is in heaven?" Therefore, life as GOD created it has no use for money! The only value material things have is the value we give it which translates to, ultimately, our time corrupted. The reason we value our time is because it is corrupted and limited.

We need time to water and when we water we give our time.

This is the first book in a series titled "Beyond ABC & 123." I will, "God willing," publish subsequent books on individual topics that will all have their foundation in this first book "DISCONNECTED," which is to say, "The Holy Bible." The Word of God is the only authority!

God's blessing to you in your walk in the LIGHT.

AMEN

About the Author

Born in Florida (1954) Mark's childhood military family traveled until settling down in Waukegan, Illinois just north of Chicago. Following in his Father's foot steps he joined the US Marines in 1973 and retired in 1995. In the military the majority of Mark's education was military subjects but his favorite topics have always been Biblical Theology and Psychology. Mark is now a graduate of the Tyrannus University of Biblical Studies College of Theology & Divinity with a "Doctor of Ministry in Christian Counseling" and also a Minister at Carver Park Baptist Church, Waco, TX.