Three Reasons for Me to be Buried on American Soil

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Idaho Falls is about to double its population this Saturday with the Melaleucha Freedom Celebration.  The fun run, parade, picnics, and fireworks in the city make July 4 a spectacular day in the river city.  My oldest daughter proclaims July 4 as one of her favorite holidays.

In light of the patriotic festivity, I want to take a moment to express three reasons why I say – “Bury my heart in America!”

A debt for what I have received

I am thankful for those Americans who pioneered, sacrificed, and suffered deeply so that I might experience religious liberty.  I don’t take this for granted.  I have the joyful opportunity to carry a Bible everywhere.  In Idaho Falls, I take the opportunity to read my Bible in the library, coffee shops, city parks, and restaurants.  I share Bible verses.  I give out Bibles.  I could not do this freely when I was in Turkey and Kazakhstan.  The United States of America printed and gave me my first Bible.  No matter how this country might treat me in the future as a Christian, I will throughout my life be in debt to my Christian upbringing in Idaho.  How could I leave the country that I owe so much?

A joy in my surroundings            

I have lived in the United States for 45 years, and I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface in exploring and seeing everything in all 50 states.  Just in my neck of the woods, I have not come close to camping or hiking all the grandeur in the beautiful region surrounding my town and eastward into the national parks of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.

A desire to share hope

Some say that America is a difficult mission field.  We hear word descriptions like “post-Christian”, “secular”, and “immoral”.  All around us there are people who are sad, mad, or bad.  God hasn’t called me to be with people who have it all together.  He wants my life to be immersed in the lives of those who need to hear the good news.  I cannot and I will not abandon those who are hurting all around me.  I am the spiritual beggar who has been placed undeserving at God’s banquet table.  I am compelled to share this hope with others.

Happy July 4th weekend to you all!

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Three Thoughts on Death

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Some say that death is a natural and beautiful concept that we should embrace.  I will be straight up about my hostility.  I consider it my enemy.  I hate it.  It delivers for me no good feelings.  I experience no pleasant vibes.

I long for a utopia where death is removed.  Gone forever.

I am getting older.  And despite what people might say about the golden years, I think the whole aging process stinks.  There are aches and pains.  And then more pain.  And then one dies.  Despite all of our modern technology in our big, sophisticated hospitals, death is inescapable.  The medical community only offers short-term band aids.  I despise empty promises and fake smiles of assurance.

If death is such a nice part of our global culture, why does it invoke such tears, grief, and heartache?  Don’t sugarcoat the idea of death with me.  The pain of losing loved ones has lingered through most of my life.

I have had buddies commit suicide.  I have had family members die in tragic accidents or after long, lingering battles with disease.  I have witnessed firsthand what I consider careless and senseless death.  In my arms, I have held sobbing ones affected by the deaths of others.  I have shed tears to the point where I was unable to cry anymore.

For me, the deep down ache does not go away.  As one friend recently and candidly shared, “Time does not heal.”

In my struggle with death, let me point out three thoughts seared upon my spirit.

  1. The hatred toward internal and external evil

I don’t get mad at an all-benevolent and all-powerful God who is above and beyond me.  I allow my spirit to rage over the tangible expressions of our very messed-up society.  There are problems within me.  And there is disease all around me.  We are sick.  And it makes me angry.  Don’t you sense a curse hovering over us?

  1. A hunger for mercy

I am the beggar.  Apart from divine intervention, the older I get, the more pessimistic my thoughts become.  My life is not a Hallmark movie.  My existence is not a continuous thread of positive facebook pictures.  I am a pitiful creature who desperately depends on the tender mercy and compassionate care of the Creator.  As I head towards my death, I need a Savior.  My only hope is a Deliverer who can bring me through death itself.  I need love in the midst of limitation and loss.  I need peace in the midst of turmoil.  I need comfort in the midst of my ongoing weakness.  I need salvation.  Full and complete.

  1. Increased longing for an eternal home

Imagine a brand new earth, actually where heaven and earth literally encompass one another.  During funerals and memorial services, I dream of eternity, untainted by human misery.  Everything good that I am blessed with now will be there in the future.  And so much more.  Death does not have the final say.  God does.  Every death that touches my life increases my longing as a pilgrim for my final destination.  And as I think of my own death, I anticipate the sum of all experience – seeing God face to face.

Death is swallowed up in victory.

O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?

For I am persuaded that neither death nor nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Church Mowing

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Roses are in bloom . . .

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Micaiah with an Echo SRM-210 Straight Shaft Trimmer . . .

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Micaiah on a Craftsman LT 1000 Riding Lawn Mower . . .

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A little “Roots by the River” touch in Rexburg, Idaho

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New, maintenance-free landscaping at Grace Baptist Church in Rexburg, Idaho

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Forgiveness

“In my counseling experience I have seen that there is no greater impediment to change than the unwillingness to seek and grant forgiveness.” – Paul David Tripp

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War of Words

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Title – War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles

Author – Paul David Tripp

Publisher – Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing, 2000

There are four things that I would like to say about Paul David Tripp.

  1. He writes alongside of you and not above you.  He shares with you his own struggle with words that point to the deeper struggle within his heart.  He communicates to you his desperation each day for God’s grace.
  2. He explores topics with lists and simple step-by-steps.
  3. He probes you at the end of each chapter with questions: piercing, revealing, pin-pointing questions.
  4. He continually leads you to what is our hope – the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

This book is a good resource for providing biblical help to squabbles among teenagers, communication conflict in marriages, and unforgiveness among Christians.

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Counseling – Personal Data Inventory

Roots by the River Counseling                                Personal Data Inventory       

Personal Identification

Name:____________________________________________________________________________  Birth Date: ________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________  Zip Code:  __________________

Age: _____________ Sex: ____________  Referred by:________________________________________________________________

Marital Status:  Single___ Engaged ___ Married ___ Separated ___ Divorced ___ Widowed ___

Education (last year completed) _________________________________

E-Mail: ____________________________________________________  Best Contact Phone: ________________________________

Employer: ____________________________________  Position: __________________________  Years: ______________________

Marriage and Family

Spouse: ______________________________________________________________  Birth Date: _____________________________

Age: _________  Occupation: _________________________________ How long employed: _________________________________

Home phone: ____________________________  Work Phone: ________________________________________________________

Date of Marriage:  __________________  Length of Dating: ____________

Give a brief statement of circumstances of meeting and dating:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Have either of you been previously married? __________________  To whom? ___________________________________________

Have you ever been separated? ________________  Filed for divorce?  ____________

On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your marriage? _______________

Is spouse willing to come for counseling?    NO          YES         Uncertain

Information about Children

Name                       Age              Sex         Where Living                                      Grade

1.

2.

3.

4.

Describe your relationship to your father: __________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Describe your relationship to your mother: _________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Number of sibling(s): ______________________ Your place in sibling order: ___________________

Did you live with anyone other than parents? _______________________________________________________________________

Are your parents living? _______________________  Do they live locally? ________________________________________________

Health

Rate your health (check):      Very Good       Good      Average      Declining      Other: ________________________________________

Weight changes recently:      Lost      Gained

Do you have chronic conditions?  ______________  What: ____________________________________________________________

List important illnesses and injuries or handicaps: ___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever used drugs for anything other than medical purposes? ______________  If yes, please explain:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Have you ever been arrested? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Do you drink alcoholic beverages? _______________  If so, how frequently and how much: _________________________________

Do you drink coffee? _______________  How much: _________________________

Other caffeine drinks: _______________ How much: _________________________

Do you smoke? ________________  What: ______________________________  Frequency: ________________________________

Have you ever had interpersonal problems on the job? ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever had a severe emotional upset? ________________  If yes, please explain: ____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever seen a psychiatrist or counselor? ________________  If yes, please explain: __________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spiritual

Church attending: ____________________________________________  Pastor’s Name: ___________________________________

Member (Circle):  Yes  or  No       How long have you been attending with this church fellowship? _____________________________

Church attendance per month (Circle):  0     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8+

Do you attend a small group or home church? ______________________________________________________________________

Do you believe in God? _________  Do you pray? _________  Would you say that you are a Christian? _________________________

Please explain how you believe one becomes a Christian? _____________________________________________________________

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Have you ever been baptized? ______________  When and by whom? __________________________________________________

How often do you read the Bible? ________________________________________________________________________________

How would describe your relationship with God? ____________________________________________________________________

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Explain any recent changes in your spiritual life? ____________________________________________________________________

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Are you involved in some kind of ministry at your church or elsewhere? _________________________________________________

Do you financially support your church on a regular basis?          Yes          No

Problem Check List (circle any that pertain to you):

Abuse     Adultery     Anger     Anxiety     Apathy     Bitterness     Cheating     Children     Communication     Conflict (fights)

Concentration     Decision making     Depression     Discontent     Drugs     Drunkenness     Eating disorder     Envy     Fatigue     Fear

Financial debt     Forgiveness     Gambling     Gossip     Greed     Guilt     Hatred     Health    Inconsistency    In-laws     Insecurity

Lack of discipline   Laziness     Loneliness     Lust     Lying     Marriage issues     Masturbation     Materialism     Moodiness     Overeating

Overspending     Passivity     Perfectionism     Pornography     Self injury     Selfishness    Self-pity     Sex     Stealing     Sleep    Suicide

Teenage rebellion     Other: ____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Briefly answer the following questions:

What circumstances led to your coming here at this point in time? _____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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What have you done about the problem? __________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________­_____

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What are you expectations from counseling? _______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Is there any other information that we should know? ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Counseling – Personal Consent Form

Roots by the River Counseling                                          Personal Consent Form

A major aspect of the counseling relationship involves making clear the rights and responsibilities we share. Counselors are required to provide this information to their clients. It is important that you read the following information carefully, return one signed copy to me for my files, and keep the additional copy for yourself.

Professional Qualifications

I possess 18 years of pastoral counseling in Idaho Falls.  I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings.

Counseling Philosophy

My goal in providing Christian counseling is to help you meet the challenges of life in a way that will please and honor the Lord Jesus Christ and enable you to enjoy fully His love for you and His plans for your life.  It is my desire to pray for you in all counseling sessions.

Appointments

An individual counseling session is 50 minutes in length. The time and frequency of our counseling sessions will be arranged by mutual agreement.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Fees

Currently, there is no fee for any 50-minute individual counseling session. At this time, I do not work with insurance companies or manage care companies. I am not a licensed professional counselor in the state of Idaho.

Statement of Confidentiality

All of our communication becomes part of the counseling record, which is accessible to you upon request.  I will keep confidential anything you say as part of our counseling relationship, with the following exceptions:  (a) you direct me in writing to disclose information to someone else, (b) it is determined you are a danger to yourself or others (including child or elder abuse), or (c) I am ordered by a court to disclose information.  Any release of confidential information will be discussed with you.

For your benefit, and for my professional growth, I may sometimes seek consultation with other professionals regarding my work. I will carefully avoid disclosing your identity if I seek consultation regarding my work with you.

Client Consent to Treatment

 

___________________________________________                       _____________________

Client Name (Print)                                                                             Date

___________________________________________                       _____________________

Client Signature                                                                                  Date

 

___________________________________________                       _____________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Print)                                                         Date

___________________________________________                       _____________________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                 Date

___________________________________________                       _____________________

Counselor                                                                                             Date

Note: Please sign the form indicating that you attest to the following and make a copy of the signed form for your personal records:

  • I agree to the stated terms of this disclosure statement.
  • I have read the above information and clarified any questions I have.
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Sample Constitution and Bylaws: Annotated Version

Title – Sample Constitution and Bylaws:  Annotated Version
Author – Gibbs Law Firm
Publisher – Seminole:  Christian Law Association, 2003 edition
This is a fifty page document that provides:
  • sample church bylaws of 12 articles (name and purpose, statement of faith and covenant, membership. officers, meetings, ministry of education, ordination, indemnification, committees, designated contributions, binding arbitration, and amendments)
  • three articles that exhibit tax-exempt provisions, ministry of education for the operation of a Christian day school, and procedures for arbitration

All the information is also included on a CD packaged inside the back cover of the booklet.

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Lawn Mowing and Trimming

Today is the last day of school.  My teen son is seeking more lawn mowing accounts.  He is currently involved with seven jobs.  Here are pictures of the yards:

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His first goal is to build up to fifteen accounts.  Do you need a responsible young man to save you some time and energy this summer.  Would you like to hire Micaiah to eliminate your yard work hassle?  Give me a call.

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