GOD NEEDS MEN OF INTEGRITY

By: Carol Clemans

All men, young and old, need to see the newly released DVD, “COURAGEOUS.” The subtitle of DVD is, “Honor Begins At Home.” One of the biggest problems we have in America is absentee fathers. Even if the father is in the home, the problem can be he is emotionally detached from his wife and children.

The description on cover of DVD says, “Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes and their partners are confident and focused, standing up to the worst the streets have to offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are prepared for: fatherhood. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, fears, faith, and fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God…and to their children?”

Integrity with God, self and others is the core value all men need. The influence of the father for good or evil is branded on each child’s heart. I counsel adults today who have deep painful emotional issues because of an absentee dad, an abusive dad or an emotionally absent dad. This creates the problem of a distorted father-God concept. If a birth father is absent, abusive or passive, it leaves the child without a firm foundation upon which to build their lives at every level. When their natural father is not there for them in a positive manner, it’s difficult for a child to trust and believe that their heavenly Father loves sight unseen.

These men are challenged with integrity on the job and within their families. Every husband and father faces these issues. It takes a strong man who has deep roots in Godly values to stand for righteousness at every level of his life. I highly recommend this DVD.

Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/Bible seminar speaker for churches/conferences. She provides counseling nationwide by phone & web cam – (636) 448-0121. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for bio, teaching CD’s & new book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE. Email: carol@carolclemans.org.

FULL RECOVERY FROM DIVORCE IS A PROCESS

By: Carol Clemans

To recover from divorce, there are emotional issues that must be faced. Many people do not take the time to recover from divorce before they start moving forward looking for another mate when the divorce papers have not even cooled down. There are spiritual and emotional aspects of your life you must process before moving on. On the spiritual realm, you need to counsel with your pastor. The thought of a remarriage needs to be considered by the truth of God’s Word regarding the circumstances of your divorce. But the emotional recovery is your responsibility to process.

You are not a failure. Your relationship failed, not you. God’s intent for marriage was for two to become one. This oneness has a much larger definition than coming together physically. If both spouses were helping each other become all he and she could be, there would not be a break down in the relationship. The relationship fails when selfishness starts taking a foothold. There needs to be an honest evaluation of the role you may have played in the breakdown of the marriage. No one is perfect. So as you set back and assess how the relationship deteriorated, be honest with yourself and look introspectively at signs you may have ignored that were a problem that you could have encouraged your spouse to work with you to improve. This is taking ownership of your actions. It’s also allowing your ex-spouse to take ownership of his/her actions from your perception. You want to learn from this life experience and not repeat it in the future.

Forgiveness is an act of obedience to God and a gift to self. Forgiving self as well as forgiving your ex-spouse is a major step in your healing process. Forgiveness is not based on whether someone repents and asks for your forgiveness for the pain they caused you. Forgiveness is a decision that you make to set yourself free from the pain of the past. God is our avenger. Turn the sin of that person over to God. Only God can forgive the sin if the offender repents and seeks forgiveness.

In the process of recovery and healing from divorce, take care of yourself. Do something enjoyable just for you. Many single parents give, give and give to their children. They may sacrifice helping aging parents, etc. If it’s as small as taking time to rest in a lounge chair and read a book or get a professional massage, etc. Trade childcare with another single parent and take a day off just for self. This is another way to care for one self and return the same gift to someone else.

Take this opportunity to move forward with you life. What goals and dreams have you put on hold in your life? Now is the time you could take a college course via the Internet working toward a degree you desire. You could write a book about your experience and what you have learned that may be a blessing to others. As you move forward, keep God the center of every aspect of your life. Please do not search for a new spouse on the Internet. I’ve seen great heartache from this source. Seek God’s wisdom, provision and guidance for your future in victory.

Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/inspirational Bible teacher for churches/conferences. She provides counseling nationwide by phone & web cam (636) 448-0121. Carol loves teaching from God’s Word to help others grow spiritually, emotionally & relationally. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for her bio, over 100 articles posted, order CD’s & new book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE. Email: carol@carolclemans.org. Rev. Harold & Carol Clemans attend Pastor Dieter Skowron’s church in Johnstown, CO.

By: Carol Clemans

Life Enrichment Ministries, Inc. (501c3) is a unique ministry that was birthed in 1992. My website, www.carolclemans.org, shares my heartbeat for ministry and bio. Through teaching, counseling and writing from the Word of God, this ministry God has given to me helps other grow and heal spiritually, emotionally and relationally.

Every ministry has a source of income. LEM, INC. income is from my teaching, counseling and selling CD’s and books. I am appealing to everyone that has been touched from God’s Word, through my heart to yours to consider a monthly $10.00 donation to LEM, INC. (501c3). Since LEM, INC. is a non-profit 501c3, donations are tax deductable. The daily donation is 33 cents a day.

In the last seven years, I’ve provided counseling nationwide by phone and web cam (636) 448-0121. This opportunity opened through my writing for the PERSPECTIVES. Some people call me and need help desperately but do not have the funds to give an offering to the ministry for counseling. I do not turn the hurting away, but I cannot give away counseling and survive financially.

Please consider my request for your support. The monthly $10.00 donation can be sent by check to: LEM, INC. (501C3), 1437 N. Denver Ave., Ste. #251, Loveland, CO. I also have a www.paypal.com account: carol@carolclemans.org. (Or could be a yearly donation of $120.00).

If you have any questions regarding my integrity, you may contact my Pastor Dieter Skowron of Johnstown, CO – www.altonline.org. I have posted over 100 articles on my website that are written from a Bible base that can be a blessing to pastors and others. This ministry is my heartbeat. I love teaching God’s truth for churches and conferences. Above all, I ask for your prayers for God’s wisdom, provision and guidance for LEM, INC. (501c3).

THE TONGUE HAS THE POWER OF LIFE OR DEATH

By: Carol Clemans

In this pre-election political atmosphere, many tongues are wagging rapidly to and fro. Instead of sticking to the issues, politicians start degrading each other by their words. It’s like watching children fussing and no one taking the blame for all that has gone wrong.

The Bible talks about the tongue and the words we speak. It tells us that the tongue has the power of life or death. Abusive cutting words have the ability to be branded on a person’s heart. An adult that was verbally abused as a child can still ‘hear’ the degrading cutting words he was told. “Your stupid, your ugly, I hate you, your no good, you’ll never amount to anything!” These painful words can bring ‘death’ to the dreams and hopes of a child because they believe what they heard. The opposite is true with words of love, encouragement and acceptance. These words implant faith and confidence in the heart of a child to become all they desire to be as an adult.

What types of words are spoken in your home? Are your words loving, kind, encouraging and patient? Do your words wrap themselves around the hearts of your family with a feeling of warmth and safety? How do you deal with stress? Do you ‘blow off the handle’ when you are angry? Does the family cringe in fear when you get upset?

Many people do not want to be reminded that all of us will stand before God and give an account for every idle word that we speak. Yes, it’s true. God knows every word we say. The tongue can only be tamed if we allow God’s Spirit to have control of that one unruly member of our body.

Isaiah the prophet said, “The LORD GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary–.” (Isaiah 50:4) Our politicians need to pray for a ‘tongue of the learned.’ America needs words of wisdom, guidance, direction and hope for this great country. God, stir the hearts and tongues of our leaders to speak words of truth and life for our nation.

Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastor Counselor/Christian Life Coach/inspirational Bible teacher for conferences. She provides counseling nationwide by phone or web cam – (636) 448-0121. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for bio and products.

By: Carol Clemans

Modern technology offers the opportunity to do ministry through the Internet that can save money for churches desiring to schedule seminars. I do nationwide counseling by phone and web cam. The free download www.Skype.com makes face-to-face counseling convenient internationally from Sweden to South America. This also makes it possible to have me teach a seminar for churches through the Internet.

In today’s tough economy, churches can save money and still provide inspirational Bible based seminars through the Internet. I love teaching from God’s Word on marriage, sexual purity for all ages, parenting, healing from abuse, spiritual, emotional & relational growth, etc. My heartbeat is helping others to ‘grow up in all things into Him.’ (Ephesians 4:15).

If we schedule seminars through Skype for your church, you would save the expense of my travel and hotel. As usual, a ministry offering would be expected for preparation time and the seminar teaching. I encourage pastors to contact me by phone (636) 448-0121 or by email (carol@carolclemans.org) and let’s schedule a Skype get-acquainted interview.

Through Skype I counsel couples, individuals and pre-marital couples. I will be doing group counseling with more than one couple at a time scheduled in coming weeks. As my teaching and counseling is done from Biblical principles, it enables others to learn how to integrate godly character into their personal lives and relationships.

My new book, GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE, is available in hard copy by sending a $12.00 check to LEM, INC., 1437 N. Denver Ave., Ste#251, Loveland, CO 80538 – include return shipping address. This book is also available as an eBook download from www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnobles.com – Nook book for $9.99.

Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/inspirational Bible teacher for spiritual, emotional & relational growth. She offers counseling and teaching through www.Skype.com. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for teaching CD’s, bio, plus over 90 articles.

SNEAKER FRENZY REVEALS HEARTLESSNESS

BY: Carol Clemans

Christmas is over, but certain events revealed the selfishness of many. The Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil. The love of money and what it can buy is fueled by selfishness. This was proven by the sneaker frenzy that took place across the country when Air Jordan offered a limited number of a new design of sneakers for the price of $180.00. In many stores across the nation, security cameras caught the heartless action by would-be buyers who broke down store doors and trampled other people to be the first to get to the limited sneakers on sale. The employees of the stores were terrified of the ‘gang-like’ mentality of the people.

What happened to mutual respect for one another? I believe there are several causes for this type of behavior. Since Roe vs. Wade, America has made it lawful to murder unborn children. Millions of babies have been killed in their mother’s womb – over 4,000 babies are aborted each day in America. This sends a subliminal message that human life has no value. So lack of morals that has its root in selfishness says, “I can have sex any time I want with whomever and if I get pregnant, I can kill the consequences of my action.” That same selfishness tramples others physically and emotionally without any feeling of guilt or wrongdoing.

With the tough economy, people will figure out ways to scam others for money. So someone decides, if I can get a pair of those limited edition sneakers for $180.00, then maybe I could sell them for a $1,000.00 on the Internet. That is based on greed that is rooted in selfishness.

Being selfish is having no consideration for others in pursuit of obtaining what you desire. It’s another definition of being heartless. As a counselor, I see selfishness as the root of all relational problems. It’s me, myself and I. I want my way in everything and I’m going to do whatever makes me feel good!

What most people refuse to accept is that they are acting just like old Lucifer, the devil. His pride and selfishness got him thrown out of Heaven. He wanted to be like God. He wanted the worship of the other angels. God threw him to the earth with the curse of eternal damnation. The sneaker frenzy is rooted in the same heartless selfishness.

Jesus came to earth in a robe of flesh to bring peace on earth and goodwill to all men. Our actions tell others whether we are following in Jesus’ footsteps or in the devil’s footsteps. I’m determined to follow peace and goodwill and not the sneaker frenzy.

Carol Clemans is a Cert. Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/nationwide speaker. She provides nationwide counseling by phone & web cam (636) 448-0121. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for teaching CD’s and new book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE.

carol@carolclemans.org

Counseling = Helping Ministry

Carol Clemans

I thank Bishop Kenneth Haney for believing in the ministry God led me into through education in becoming a Certified Pastoral Counselor. Pastor Haney agreed to allow me to provide a counseling ministry for Christian Life Center in Stockton, CA., in 1992, after graduating from the Institute of Christian Counseling (a 2 year college program integrating counseling principles through the Word of God).For the last ten years that Kenneth Haney was pastor of CLC, I provided counseling for the church. I also taught six years at Christian Life College under Dr. Dan Segraves – one subject being: Principles of Counseling.

Through my writing monthly for the Perspectives, readers started calling me asking for phone counseling across the nation. I now offer phone and web cam counseling nationwide for individuals and pastors. I am part of www.pointsofrefuge.org for the UPCI. Through www.Skype.com, I have worked with pastors in joint counseling their membership in the privacy of the pastor’s office.

Life Enrichment Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit (501c3) ministry. Pastors Dan Batchelor and Todd Gaddy are on my Board of Directors. It is my mission to provide Bible teaching, counseling and written materials to help others grow spiritually, emotionally and relationally.

We have ‘walking wounded’ people coming to our churches weekly who have received their salvation experience with the Lord, but still have emotional pain from their past or present that robs their joy of the Lord. Abuse of all types, pornography addictions, broken relationships, etc., are a part of their life and they need godly counsel through God’s Word on how to heal from the pain and to walk in victory. God removes our sins at salvation, but He does not remove our memories or emotions.

The good news is that He did come to heal the broken hearted and to set the captives free from their ‘stinkin thinkin’ through His Word! I have posted over 90 articles on my website: www.carolclemans.org that share my heartbeat for this ministry. My new book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE can be ordered by sending a $12 check to LEM, INC, 1437 N. Denver Ave., Ste. #251, Loveland, CO 80538 or paypal.com – acct. – carol@carolclemans.org – email shipping address.

Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/inspirational Bible speaker for churches/conferences. She provides counseling nationwide by phone/web cam – (636) 448-0121. Rev. Harold & Carol Clemans are part of Pastor Dieter Skowron’s church in Johnstown, CO.

Carol Clemans

Addiction to pornography can happen with one 20-minute exposure. I heard this stated by experts in the field on a Focus on the Family program a few years ago. In my 19 years of being a certified pastoral counselor, I’ve had to work with many people who are addicted to pornography. I call it the ‘silent’ killer because it’s a subject the church does not like to deal with. But this addiction kills the person’s relationship with God, self, and others.

The experts say it is the most destructive addiction one can have even above other drug or alcohol abuse in the fight to recover and be victorious. The reason is because the addicted person who ‘acts out’ while viewing pornography is producing a self-induced chemical high that is more powerfully addicting than any other substance that creates an insatiable desire.

This addiction ‘kills’ marriages. The images engraved in the memory of the user of porn do not leave. The users have told me that the porn images are constantly on their mind. Porn addiction consumes every waking hour. This addiction steals the person’s soul. The time invested in the addiction needs to be the time invested in a relationship with God and others.

Because porn is available through the Internet, lay men/women, pastors and children can find and use it. The addiction must be exposed. The addicted person needs an accountability partner (not spouse). He/she needs Bible based counseling for spiritual healing and helping them understand how they have destroyed their marriage relationship and how to build it on godly principles. I address this subject in my book GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE in the chapter “Protect the Sexual Purity of Your Marriage” including references for healing.

Order by sending $12 check to LEM, INC. 1437 N. Denver Ave. Ste. #251, Loveland, CO 80538.

Carol Clemans is a Cert. Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/inspirational Bible teacher for conferences. She provides counseling nationwide by phone & web cam (636) 448-0121. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for additional products and bio info.

CHRISTMAS – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

By: Carol Clemans

This year some merchants had Christmas decorations up before Halloween! I know the economy is very sluggish, but trying to sell Christmas before Halloween was stretching things just a little! What does Christmas mean to you and your family?

I’m thankful that I was taught the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a celebration of the birth of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. God manifested in the flesh. It’s not about the date. It’s about the event. I Timothy 3: 16 (NKJ) states, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” This is the reason for Christmas.

Because Adam and Eve chose to disobey God’s command in the Garden of Eden, they suffered a broken relationship with their Creator. Their disobedience brought a curse of natural death upon the human race without a hope for eternal life. Since God knows all things, He planned before the foundation of the world for a Saviour to be born to redeem those who desired a right relationship with Him. He gave Adam and Eve choice in the beginning and He still gives each of us a choice today.

The world has turned Christmas into a commercial celebration – selling, buying and giving man made gifts that will eventually all deteriorate, wear out, be thrown out or replaced with new stuff. God came in the flesh as a gift to mankind to redeem them back to Himself for eternity.

For God so loved the world that HE gave. God is love. His gift of salvation through the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is still alive today and will give us eternal life with Him if we accept it. The book of Acts shares this gift in detail. I pray that you give the gift of Jesus to your family. “His name shall be called Emmanuel, God with us.”Jesus gave His life on Calvary to purchase our salvation. We all need His gift of salvation. This is what Christmas means to me.

Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastoral Counselor/Christian Life Coach/inspirational Bible seminar speaker for churches/conferences. She provides counseling nationwide by phone & web cam – (636) 448-0121. Her new book, GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE, is available through her website: www.carolclemans.org