...Abstract This paper presents a personal view of spiritual discernment and the process. The paper examines the importance of mainly career decision making, my view of the struggles and things that influence decisions. The paper first explores decision making factors that are very important to me based on the survey in the Horton (2009) article. I also explain my choice of discernment approach based on the factors that are important to me. I explain how I feel they related to the approaches explained in the Horton (2009) article. I reveal past experiences that influence my approach, and influence how I may career counsel someone. Personal Position After doing the survey in the Article, I found that the decision making factors where all either somewhat important to me, important or very important. Although some factors were only somewhat important to me no factors fell in the category of not important. I see value in all the decision making factors listed in the article. I will start with saying the most important factor in any decision needing to be made is relying on God for wisdom and guidance. I believe for all the other aspects or factors of decision making to fall into place Prayer is a must. Using Common sense is very important to me as well, when making a career decision I feel one must be reasonable and apply common sense. Applying common sense would be asking yourself questions like is this job attainable for me, is it appropriate...
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...Spiritual Discernment in Counseling Paper Instructions Purpose: To practice ethically as a professional counselor, it is important that you as a counselor trainees develop an awareness of your personal values and an ability to identify and manage potential biases. The American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics mandates that “Counselors are aware of their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and avoid imposing values that are inconsistent with counseling goals. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants” (A.4.b.). Therefore, it is important that you spend time identifying your own values, understanding the origin of these values, and discovering how your personal values may adversely affect your ability to work with clients with differing values. The purpose of the Spiritual Discernment in Counseling Paper is to 1) familiarize you with the views of vocational decision making and the will of God that are advocated in Christian circles today, 2) explore and identify your own approach to spiritual discernment, 3) increase your awareness of how your approach may influence your counseling, and 4) develop a strategy to work with clients with different approaches to spiritual discernment. Directions: To complete this paper, download the article “Discerning Spiritual Discernment: Assessing Current Approaches for Understanding God’s Will” by Dennis Horton, found in Blackboard. Divide your paper using the headings below (without...
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... No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher The pdf copy of this book is A$10. It has been provided free for those who can’t afford it in order that they may be blessed and grow spiritually. Please feel free to donate whatever amounts you can afford towards the upkeep of our ministry. Donations can be made via paypal to elshaddai1@bigpond.com. Please contact us for any other form of donations: Peter Tan Evangelism PO Box 27 Belconnen ACT 2616, Australia. Tel: +614 17755613 Email: elshaddai1@bigpond.com We are still in the process of paper publishing of this book. If you are interested in the translation and publishing of this book, please write to Ps Peter Tan at the above PO address. © Copyright 2008 Peter Tan Evangelism. All rights reserved. 2 PREFACE In this book we seek to focus on the practical aspects of operating the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Definitions and explanations are given on each gift but we also explain the ‘how’ of each operation. Christians need to understand what type of gifts they are receiving before they can operate in them. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not manifesting much in some places because of a lack of teaching. It is teaching that brings faith and understanding for the operation of the gifts. This book was written with this purpose...
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...Servant-Leadership Theory from a Socially Constructed World View and a Biblical World View Mark J. Dixon Jr. Liberty University Abstract Servant-Leadership Theory has been a progressive theory in which much study has been done. Robert Greenleaf began using the term servant leadership to encourage leaders to first want to serve. There are two different world views discussed in this research paper that will shed light into what it takes to be a servant leader and how it can be successful if there is a full understanding of the theory present. There is the secular and the biblical world view in which differences in the two are identified. Servant-Leadership is meant to be more than just a way to see positive outcomes in a business, but it also transfers into effecting people’s lives. An attempt to enhance understanding and the question trying to be answered here is what separates the secular view of Servant-Leadership Theory from the Biblical worldview. This paper examines the characteristics and goals of servant-leadership though both worldviews to give a better understanding of servant-leadership theory. Keywords: servant-leadership, characteristics, biblical, secular Servant-Leadership Theory from a Socially Constructed World View and a Biblical World View There has been much attention given to leadership theories since the introduction of Servant-Leadership Theory by Robert Greenleaf in 1970. Greenleaf’s intent for servant-leadership is to help not only the leader...
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...WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF IGNATIUS LOYOLA PAPER PRESENTED TO DR. GARY MITCHELL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RLGN5354 SCHOOL OF RELIGION BY MARK D. RIGG PLAINVIEW, TX OCTOBER 15, 2015 THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF IGNATIUS LOYOLA Introduction This biographical research paper will focus on the life of Ignatius of Loyola. It is the intention of this writer to deal with three major concerns regarding this post-New Testament Christian personality. First concern: to provide some background and personal history. Next, to set forth the contributions of Ignatius and the significant impact he had on the Church in general among his contemporaries, right up to the present day. Finally, the writer will reveal how the life of Ignatius relates to and has personally influenced his own. Background and personal history Iñigo Lopez de Oñaz y Loyola, whom we know as St. Ignatius, was born the youngest of thirteen children in northeastern Spain in 1491. He was raised in a noble Basque family of high Catholic piety but lax in morals. His father had several children by another woman, and his grandfather's lawless behavior led to the top two floors of the Loyola castle being demolished by order of the crown. Iñigo hardly knew his mother, Marina Saenz de Licona. As was the custom of the time, “A few days after his birth Iñigo was handed over to a wet-nurse, Maria de Garin, wife of the blacksmith living in a cottage...
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...Spiritual Discernment in Counseling In my life I have been faced with many unique and wonderful situations. Each of these events have shaped me into the person I am today, and consequently have influenced my career path as well. In this paper, I will explore my personal position, my past and present influences, and the practical application of all of this in order to identify my calling. I assert that, more importantly, the struggles and challenges I have encountered have made an even bigger impact on the person I have become and allowed me the clarity to focus in on my life’s purpose. Personal Position When considering the major approaches in Spiritual Discernment, I find myself drawn to two. I strongly believe that we are all on a journey and that we are unable to stray far from our destined path. This is the essence of the Bulls-Eye Approach. God is in control. He has a plan for our lives. We have the power to make choices that can lead us astray, but only so far. God will always guide us back to the path we are meant to walk. However, I also find myself considering the Wisdom Approach when looking at my life’s path. I do not believe that God’s gentle guidance always comes in the form of signs. I believe that the Holy Spirit guides us through His wisdom, and that if we are self-aware, we will know what is right. God will guide us through the influence of our strengths, talents, and abilities. He also provides us with the influential counsel that have our best interest...
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...Paul Muth Spiritual Principles and their applications to counseling and to career counseling I live by certain spiritual principles and as I reflected on this paper, these are the same five I come back to. Where I read them, where I am quoting, who said them is a mystery because I’ve been exposed to so much. Rather than memorize a verse or saying, I try to internalize and make it part of me. I’m sure I am not one of the great prophets of the universe that gets hit with these revelations to move a million or a burning bush. I’m not at all sure I haven’t been one of the chosen who has seen the pits of hell right here on earth and the way out. So, that way out has become my spiritual path. Part of the first principle I live by, and which applies to any decision and where I find myself is: I AM NOT GOD Fairly simple, right? It should be simple to everyone else that I am obviously not, or, I‘d just make people forget I owe an assignment or I’d be in Barbados. Looking back over this road to happy destiny, I see the first pit I hit hard was the God-sized one. I fell and fell and fell and lost everything the big I had acquired after my first escape from junkie-land. A very wise soul who had interrupted my meditation while standing in line to buy my own tape on Self acceptance (hopefully not available anywhere) pointed out I never mentioned God while I pontificated on all that I had accumulated on earth. People died as a result. I didn’t, but eventually came to realize I am not...
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...Understanding the role of Christ in Christian Counseling and Some Ways to Implement Him in Your Practice Abstract In this paper it is the student’s desire to discuss a few points regarding the importance of implementing Christ into Christian Counseling including some of the ways that this can be done. He is going to note the difference between mental illness and spiritual bondage/oppression. He is also going to cover habitual sin more pointed in addiction and its ability to have a stronghold over an individual. He also would like to express some of the ways that people are deceived by the enemy, the Devil and he is going to show some ways to Biblically combat that deception. This will be done through scripture so that each individual will be able to reference these to come to conclusions for themselves as to whether or not it can apply to different ones that they may be ministering to. Keywords: root issues, theology, psychology, mental illness, spiritual The student would like to first note the difference between mental illness and a spiritual stronghold. After he reviewed the book “Discipleship Counseling” by Dr. Neil T. Anderson he now has a better understanding as to what that can and will entail for himself and for many others that may choose a similar line of work in the field of counseling…specifically in the form of Christian counseling. He found that one can suffer for extensively long periods of time with what may be perceived as a mental illness but in fact...
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...Influence………………………………………………………….7 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..9 Bibliography………………………………………………………………….10 Introduction It is evident that many believers lack significant spiritual growth in their Christian faith. This paper will first discuss the history of Andrew Murray and how he established his theology for Christian life. Next, the theological principles that encouraged his views as he sought to commit his life to Christ, will be examined. Finally, it will investigate how he used theology to encourage spiritual growth in the church. The goal of this paper is to examine Andrew Murray’s view on the concept of practical theology as it relates to Christian life and the lack of spiritual growth in the church. Andrew Murray Andrew Murray illustrates his experiences from his youth to adulthood and his steadfast dedication to God. Born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1828, Andrew was reared by parents who were in the ministry. His father, Andrew Murray, Sr., was a minister. Andrew knew at an early age that he wanted to be a minister, but that was originally a career choice and not an act of faith. It was not until he completed his master’s degree and went on to study theology that he discovered he wanted much more than that. The information he and his brother received from their Father Andrew Murray Sr. was a stepping stone to the spiritual values he went on to develop later in life. Andrew studied in the Netherlands at the University of Utrecht. He continued on an enduring quest for God and his...
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...Sexy Too Soon: The Media’s Sexualization of Our Daughters English 101-B13 Abstract This paper explores the ways media productions have become the main culprit in the sexualization of children. The Bratz Doll itself is a device of the media and all the media images posted on her demonstrates the extent of influence that media hype has on children. Kids are inundated with marketing to sell sex products, including but not limited to provocative clothing which interferes with the healthy development of kids. Harmful images embedded with media misconceptions objectify girls and woman. Children are being transformed into miniature adults with the Media assuming the role of guidance counselor. With both parent’s working in the majority of households, the Media also serves as a substitute parent. A lost childhood is a formula for disaster and long-term issues on all levels of functioning in society. Education, communication, and setting boundaries are essential in creating a reality mindset regarding media ploys. Teaching girls and women that they are not mere vessels of sexual pleasure; rather daughters of God designed to project intelligence and virtue (Proverbs 31:10). Understanding technology, including social media is imperative; however, it is a matter of discernment and balance. Sexy Too Soon: The Medias’ Sexualization of Our Daughters One of the epidemics in the world is the Medias ’sexualization of children. Women and teenage girls are sexualized and objectified...
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...THE DRAMATIC IRONY OF SOLOMON’S REQUEST FOR WISDOM INTRODUCTION King Solomon was a scholar and intellectual who knew the importance of discernment and wisdom in governing the people of Israel. He knew that it was important enough to ask God to grant him this wisdom rather than health, wealth or prosperity. The granted wisdom would ultimately lead to his downfall from God’s grace. Solomon, born to David at the height of his reign, never knew simplicity, David had erred once in fidelity, resulting in marriage to Solomon’s mother; Solomon erred many times over by marrying hundreds of pagan wives. Any service Solomon did perform for his people was more self-centered than other-centered. Living a lifestyle so far outside of God’s protective ideals resulted in a growing love for self, rather than for God. Solomon differed greatly from David, even early on, in his seeming lack of the passionate love for God that David possessed. His choices did nothing to kindle a growing love for the God he honored (Foster, 2005, 492). This paper will discuss how Solomon’s request for wisdom is an example of dramatic irony on the part of the Kings historian. This will be accomplished by defining what dramatic irony is and then examining Solomon’s character and the early years of his reign as king of Israel. The wisdom that he requested led to choices that he made in his personal and professional life that ultimately...
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...Running head: Biblical & Secular Views Biblical & Secular Views on Counseling John Smith Liberty University Abstract Whether a counselor comes from a strong Christian background, or a secular one, the goals of the professional should remain in the best interests of the client. Still, it remains important where the views of that counselor originated from and where the source of their motivation and ethical standards are derived. This paper attempts to compare and contrast the viewpoints of secular and biblical worldviews, as it relates to the counseling profession. Biblical & Secular Views on Counseling No matter what philosophical background counselors come from, the theme of their work should remain the same: It is all about the client. Whether a counselor uses the Code of Ethics adopted by the American Counseling Association, (2005) or the code adopted by the American Association of Christian Counselors, (2004) the goal of the professional still need to keep the client’s best interests at heart. Still, with this thought in mind, Christian and secular groups differ in the ways in which they go about not only helping clients, but how they define their perspective roles in the exchanges between the therapist and the client. In order to accurately evaluate the ways in which Christians view the role of the counselor, it is first important to go to the source of their opinions of the matter;...
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...An Exegetical Paper on Ephesians 5:15-21 Paper Presented to Dr. Michael Dusing Hermeneutics Jason Fuchs Southeastern University February 2012 This paper will show an in-depth analysis of Ephesians 5:15-21. Items such as the historical analysis, contextual analysis, it will look at textual boundaries and commentary on each verse including grammar and semantic analysis. Towards the end of the paper there will be a theological summary of Ephesians 5:15-21 will be shown with relevant application for us today will be shown. 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ Historical Analysis In regards to authorship and recipient, there are disagreements in the many opinions of scholars. In the thought of authorship, “a good number of scholars have esteemed Ephesians as “the crown” of Paul’s thought.” However, according to O’Brien, “contemporary scholars, who have claimed that Paul was not the author of Ephesians, have maintained that the writer of the...
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... In the New Testament, the Last Supper refers to the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the night of his betrayal. This last meal mentioned in different terms in different texts. These terms include the Lord's Supper, Eucharist, communion and mass. The last supper serves as an encouragement and a unifying factor to Christians. It binds them in fellowship of love, trust and mutual acceptance. Sharing of the last supper is one of the orders that Jesus gave to his church. It is ideally Christian’s remembrance of Jesus, acknowledgement of his presence, confident hope in his second coming, fellowship with him and his people, self-examination, thanksgiving and gratitude. 1This paper explores the last supper event as presented by the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and 1st Corinthians. Historical Background of the Last Supper The last supper concept dates back to the early times in the Old Testament where Jews used to celebrate the Passover. The Passover ritual entailed an opening course where the paterfamilias spoke a blessing over the first cup of wine. The preliminary dish comprised green herbs, bitter herbs and a sauce made of fruit puree placed over a table also containing a bowl of salt and water to remind the partakers of the tears they shed while they were in slavery in the land of Egypt. Then the meal would be served but not yet taken. A second cup...
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...two approaches? * Root Causes (“cycle”) of Poverty (structural analysis) (52-53) * Rhetorical device? * Cites 5 of them * “social capital” (56-58) is a rich illustration * Solidarity involves “learning” and “sensitivity” and “collaboration” (60) * Corresponding interventions/Solutions * E.g. “not charity but capital” (Clarence Jordan, cited 54) * 62-63: justice = level playing field (Sen. M. Fenwick, grandmother) * Housing is one of several interventions, but foundational (59) * Note structural components (infrastructure) of this intervention * E.g. ONE Campaign (http://www.one.org/us/) : 1% of US budget against extreme poverty * Immigration as “spiritual pilgrimage” * Religion/Public Square (ch.4) * “Do I believe in the moral teaching of my faith more than...
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