Yearly Evaluation

By Leave a Comment

Have you ever felt that you were always running just a little late in life? Here we are 3 days into the new year and I am just now getting started with evaluating last year and looking forward to this year. I usually try to accomplish this task during the last week of the year, but better late than never. RIGHT?

HIGHLIGHTS

  1. Our fifth grandchild was born. Amos was born in January so the year started out with a lot of excitement. My wife and I now have 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. That sure makes life fun as we talk on the phone or visit our kids. There’s always a lot of laughing and of course some crying.
  2. Another great thing about 2016 was the fact that I was the Interim Pastor of a local church. I got to preach every week, do Bible studies, and pastoral visits and counseling. I had a wonderful time each week. My wife and I made a lot of new friends as well as grew in our relationship with God and each other. This experience was one that I will hopefully grow from the rest of my life.

STRUGGLE

The not so highlights can be summarized with a simple phrase…I lost focus of Directed Path Ministries. I spent most of my study time for the church so I overlooked the need to continue to read and write for DPM. Because of that loss of focus, I almost feel that I am starting over. The best part of this starting over is that most of the pieces are still in place. Those pieces just need to be readjusted and put back in place with tweaks along the way.

FUTURE

So as I look forward to 2017, I am looking with a keen awareness of a renewed focus on DPM and other ministry opportunities that are offered. More Reading…More Writing…as well as other changes that are in the works. Of course I will not share those with you until it is time to unveil what God is leading me to do.

I sure hope that your 2017 is on the right track to being wonderful. I am so full of enthusiasm and hope for this year, I feel I am bursting at the seams. (Maybe that’s just the weight I’ve put on recently.) Oh well, it’s time to start with all things new.

 

9435cd9f6e99291ddc7518e85be79fbe

Spiritual Markers

By Leave a Comment

This post was originally from 11/16/2009.  I find it to be a good reminder of what God has been doing in my life over the past several years.

Joshua 4:20-24 (NASB)
20 Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
21 He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’
22 then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’
23 “For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed;
24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

spiritual markersYesterday, my pastor preached on the benefits of having spiritual markers in our lives; which motivated me to remember the spiritual markers I have placed in my life over the years.  I appreciated the fact that as he was preaching, he identified a few of his.  Just as he did yesterday, I would like to take the opportunity to identify some of mine.

  • Marker 1:  My adoption, 1962.  I know that I do not “remember” anything about being adopted except what I have been told, yet it is a marker in my life of how God was and is very active in developing who I am.

 

  • Marker 2:  My salvation, 1969.  I was six years old at the time I received Christ.  I remember going each night to the revival services and coming home and talking to my mom about what was shared.  I remember her attempting to talk me out of making a decision because so many others were.  On the Sunday I made my decision public, my dad was home sick and I was sitting by myself in the sanctuary of my home church.  My mom came out of the choir and asked me if I was for sure Jesus was speaking to me.  I made my decision public that morning.  I was then baptized with about 15 others the following week.
  • Marker 3:  Glorietta, 1978.  It was the first year for Centrifuge and I was 15.  I was walking with a girl up the side of the mountain and talking to her about her relationship with her boyfriend.  That night during the service, God called me to the ministry, but I told Him I would be the best Christian friend and listener I could be.
  • Marker 4:  My call, 1982.  I had just experienced a true rededication as I had been running from God in my life.  On a Thursday night, I was sharing with a group of teenagers about trusting God with all they had and God asked me if I was doing what I was speaking about.  I knew the reason for the question.  He was calling me again to serve Him.  The following Sunday, I was going to make my decision public when the pastor began preaching on “Sexual Sin.”  I decided I would have to wait because I did not want anyone to think that I was guilty of any of what the pastor was preaching on.  God told me to go ahead and make the decision public.  I remember asking God if He really wanted me to do that.  I then said that I would step out and if He did not want me to continue, He could break my legs.  He did not break my legs and my made my decision public on that day.  Just a couple of weeks later, my home church licensed me to the ministry and I left for East Texas Baptist College at that time to begin the formal training for the ministry.
  • Marker 5:  My Marriage and Family.  God has given me a wonderful wife and two awesome children to help me and motivate me in my daily living for the Lord.  Yes, there have been some struggles along the way.  But as I look back on the past 24+ years I see the hand of God directing us, providing for us, and taking care of us.  On one specific occasion, a man gave me $67 and told me that it was the most unique amount of money God had ever given him to give to someone else.  The next day I went to seminary to buy books and they cost me $66.90.  God even gave me $.10 to buy some gum for the drive home which was 125 miles.  On several occasions He has blessed us in the same way.
  • Marker 6:  The Defining of my ministry, 2008.  As I was driving back from an interview with my home church I was praying about what God wanted me to do.  I really thought that going back “home” was exactly it as in my mind that would be the right thing to do.  I could help my parents.  I knew the town.  I knew the church.  To me, this was going to be an easy decision.  God had other plans for me.  During the 5 ½ hour drive back to Wake Village, He laid on my heart the vision for Directed Path Ministries.  He began placing names of men to serve on my board of directors.  He outlined many of the steps that I was going to have to take in order to pursue this Pastoral Counseling ministry.  When I got home and shared it with Lisa, she had many of the same confirmations of the direction for my ministry.  Over the past eighteen months, God has reaffirmed the direction.  I have had people who have donated money for the launch of my website, a design for shirts (even gave me several), as well as becoming regular donors for the ministry.

As I have looked at each one of these markers as well as some of the others in my life, I know that God is still working in me and defining my calling so that I can better serve Him and glorify Him.  What are your markers?  Do you understand the significance of each one so that your life reflects who God is creating you to be? Are we using the markers to help us teach our children who God is in our lives?

 

Brad 2014

Bradley D. Watson, BCBT
Directed Path Ministries

After spending more than 25 years on church staffs, God has allowed me to take the experiences and knowledge that I gained to develop a Biblical Counseling ministry.  The basis of this ministry is to allow God’s Word to shine on the main issues in peoples’ lives in order to bring His resolutions to problems.

Develop The Life and Marriage You Desire

Why I Am A Biblical Counselor

By Leave a Comment

Why Biblical CounselingI have been asked on a few occasions “Why do you do what you do?”  Also, “why did you leave the local church ministry?”  Both of these questions have basically the same answer.  I could go all the way back to when I was 15 and God called me to the ministry the first time to answer these questions.  I was on the side of the mountain in Glorieta, New Mexico talking with a girl about her relationship problems when I first heard God’s voice of calling me to the ministry.  I could go to the night that God called me and I finally said “yes.”  I was speaking to a group of teenagers about trusting God and I felt Him ask me “Are you truly trusting Me?”  I was using Proverbs 3:5-6 as my text (hence the name Directed Path Ministries).  I could answer the questions by referring to the classes I took in seminary on counseling that truly peaked my interest in counseling and had me wanting to learn more and actually practice what I was learning.  I do not refer to any of those scenarios to answer this question.

What I do refer to is what God has been doing in my life over the past several years.  While I was on a church staff, I began to do more and more of the pastoral counseling.  I began to study more and be trained in some different ways of counseling, all the while seeking God’s direction for my life.  When the time came for some major changes in my life and ministry, I believe that God birthed the vision for Directed Path Ministries in my heart and I began to pursue what I saw in my spirit.  Here are some of how God is using His Word to .

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB95)

16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.Open Bible

This passage of scripture has become my basis for the method of my counseling.  As you can see that God tells us that His word is profitable for the counseling experience.  As a Biblical Counselor, I take the principle of scripture to help teach individuals the truth of God’s Word and how it applies to life.  If needed, I then lovingly show them how their lives do not match the principle and how correction is needed.  Finally, I use scripture to help train the individual or couple in using the principle to equip them for the life that God has laid out for them.

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95)

12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Counseling ProcessI have been asked about using other methods or modalities of counseling.  I have even been asked why I did not get my license in Professional Counseling.  I looked into getting an LPC but the place I did at the time did not recognize any of my work as valid nor did they see scripture as a valid tool for counseling.  I sought out a license through a Christian organization called Therapon and am now working on getting a PhD in Biblical Counseling through Masters Theological Research Institute.

This verse that I reference is another verse that indicates that scripture is the source for what God has called me to do.  God’s Word will separate the person’s emotional self from his spiritual self and communicates how to correct the differences.

Obviously there are many more verses, but for today these I believe give a good demonstration of why I am a Biblical Counselor.  I believe that biblical counseling can minister to all that struggle in the areas of relational, emotional, spiritual, and even some physical needs.

I would love for you to respond with your thoughts.

Does God Answer Prayer with Sin?

By Leave a Comment

A young couple had been married for several years and they had reached a point that they were not satisfies in their marriage.  Something was missing.  They had children, owned their house, and drove fairly nice cars.  Each had jobs that kept them busy and then they chased kids during the evening.  They had very full lives but still there was something missing!!  The wife began to pray about having a better husband.  See, her husband said he was a Christian, but each Sunday he chose to stay home rather than go to church.  He worked most Saturdays and so Sunday was the only day he could sleep in or do whatever “he wanted to do.”  This attitude left his wife wanting more in the relationship.  The husband would argue with her that he was working so much to provide for her needs as well as the kids needs.  Those arguments still left her wanting more.  He would just get angry and go out to the shop or work in the yard.  He was a good dad, most of the time.  He went to the kids events, when he could.  He helped around the house, he thought.  He was a good provider and that should be enough.  The wife continued to pray for a better husband.  One day she was talking with a man at her work.  He was married and faithful to church.  She started thinking that she wanted a husband like this man, which the more they talked she decided she wanted this man.  What she didn’t realize was that he too was going through some struggles at home and he was looking for more.  She began to believe that this was God’s will for them both to divorce their spouses and marry each other.

I could go on with this story.  Many of you have heard it before or even could write a better version. I begin with this story today in order to address a question that I believe many Christians have answered incorrectly…Does God answer our prayers with sin?  Your immediate response to this question should be a resounding “NO,” yet the scenario mentioned above is far too common in the church.  Why do we even consider such a thing as God answering our prayers with an answer that leads us to sin?  Here are a few suggestions as to why.

  • People have the wrong idea of God.  We understand that God is loving, merciful, and full of grace.  We concentrate on those aspects of God.  (I am very thankful for the grace and mercy He shows me daily.)  We forget that God is equally as just, holy, and righteous.  We also do not wrong to think about the wrath of God.  We have put God in a box that mostly reflects what we would like in a god.  We do not see God as who He really is.
  • People are selfish.  I know that this is an obvious statement.  We allow our selfishness to control our thoughts and our actions.  In our selfishness, we are also impatient when it comes to waiting on God to answer our prayers in His timing.  When we pray for God to change someone or our circumstances, we must allow Him to do His work.  Sometimes, God does things immediately while other times He works methodically which takes time.
  • People have their own idea of how the prayer is to be answered.  When we pray, do we want God’s solution or do we want God to bless our solution?  I know that Psalmist says that “God will give us the desires of our hearts.”  What people fail to realize is that there are conditions to that promise.  “Delight yourself in the Lord,” “Commit your way to the Lord,” and “Trust in Him” are the three conditions to the promise. (Psalms 37:4-5) When we are willing to follow the conditions, He is willing to give us the desires of our heart.  Not before.

The Bible says in James 1:13b “and He Himself does not tempt anyone.”  God has never tempted anyone to sin.  He would not answer a prayer with a sin.  When someone tells you that God has told them to do something that is sin, don’t believe them.  God will not and does not go against His Word at any time.  It is important that as we walk on our journey with God that we consider that God is wanting our lives to give Him glory and show His character to others.  We cannot do that if we give God credit for the sin in our lives.

Finding Hope

By Leave a Comment

Psalm 31:24 (NASB95)Image

24  Be strong and let your heart take courage,

All you who hope in the Lord.

Romans 15:13 (NASB95)

13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Recently I was talking with a man who had lost all hope for a future.  As I was listening to his blight, I began to feel his hopelessness.  Boy, I did not like that at all.  It just seemed the world was getting gloomier and gloomier.  As I was listening to him, I had to mentally picture the “Son” shining in my life.  My conversation with this man reminded me that so many people have lost sight of the Hope that is in Christ.

When a person has lost their hope, there are several steps that I have found to be very helpful when needing to “find my hope.”

  • Remember — The Israelites were instructed to erect stones in the middle of the Jordan River as they crossed over into the Promised Land.  The purpose of the stones was for the people to see them (not during the flood stage) and be reminded of what God had done for them.  I think that a person needs to set up some “stones” of what God has done in his/her life for times of remembering.  Writing them in a journal or in the back of a Bible helps keep them in a place that will be seen.
  • Repent — Again, using the Old Testament as a guide, the Israelites often would lose sight of God and turn to idols or their own wisdom.  Each time they took their focus off of God, He would allow calamities, bondage, and defeat to happen.  When they would turn back to God, He would require of them to Repent.  Repentance happens when a person realizes that he/she is going in the wrong direction and turns around to go in the opposite direction.  Repentance carries an attitude of brokenness and humility.  If hope is lost, it might be because the focus is on worry or on loss and not on God.  Repentance is needed.
  • Recite — The Israelites were told to recite the book of the law and to meditate on it.  There is power in the Word of God.  It is living and active, as well as being comforting and applicable.  I believe that it is important that a person memorizes scripture to be used in times of need.
  • Refocus — Paul tells the Philippian church to dwell on the things that are good.  It takes a great deal of effort to change focus, yet it is an exercise that is worth every bit of the effort.

As I have helped many people find the Hope that is in Christ, these steps have been extremely helpful.  I hope that you find them as helpful as I have.

2014 and Directed Path Ministries

By Leave a Comment

LogoforteesAbout this time every year, I begin evaluating the year that is winding up and looking toward the year that is just around the corner.  I know that a lot of people and business owners do the same thing.  I believe that it is a healthy practice because with out proper evaluation and goal setting, the status quo would be the norm.  I don’t know about you, but the status quo is not what I want to accomplish.

As I reflect on this past year, I can see some progress in Directed Path Ministries.   The operation budget has increased, which means growth.  The clerical needs have increased as well.  Over the course of the year, I have averaged 11 appointments per week.  I have had at least 1 new appointment each week.  Now I realize that these numbers do not sound like a lot, yet it reflects an increase in the ministry from last year.

Now as I think about this coming year, I obviously want to see more growth.  I have been asking myself as well as praying about how that is going to be accomplished.  Over the past few weeks I have been in several pastors’ offices introducing the ministry of DPM to them.  I believe the more pastors that I can have a face-to-face with, the more referrals I will receive.  I also am asking for more feedback from individuals so that I can be more sensitive to the “customer service” aspect of owning a business (even if it is a ministry). I am looking to visit with more business-minded individuals as well to understand the business side of running the ministry.  I know that you might be thinking, if it is a ministry why do you need business ideas?  I believe that I have ignored the business side of Directed Path Ministries for the first 3 years of her existence and it is beginning to show in some areas.  My desire is for Directed Path Ministries to be seen as a ministry of excellence as well as a ministry of compassion for people.

I share this with you today for two main reasons.  The first is that I would ask that you would pray with me concerning the future of DPM.  In relationship to the future, I have some specific requests for prayer. images

  1. The ministry would increase.  I would love to be able to see more people each week.  I know there are hurting people and I believe that Biblical Counseling can help heal the hurts.
  2. There would be an avenue into the churches.  I am praying about offering seminars or different events to minister to the area through the local churches concerning specific topics.
  3. The finances would increase.  Yes, I am asking for prayer concerning the finances of DPM.  Even though I have seen growth in the ministry, so many of the people I counsel with are individuals that cannot pay for the counseling.  I am asking that God provides all the needs so that I can continue to minister to each and every person that calls.

images2The second reason that I share these things with you is to ask you to pray about you becoming a financial supporter.  To be quite honest with you, I hesitate to even write this request.  My board of directors knows that when it comes to asking for money, I am the worst.  I never want to be seen as someone that is only doing something for money.  I know that God is going to meet the needs of this ministry.  I am asking you to see if you are supposed to be an instrument of God concerning the finances of Directed Path Ministries.  If you would like to give, you may do so through the website, www.directedpathministries.org.

I want to thank each one of you for reading today and doing what God has laid on your heart to do.

Hearing the Voice of God

By Leave a Comment

Hearing-the-voice-of-God-700x400I was asked a few days ago by a couple of different people ” how to hear the voice of God.”  The Bible says in Hebrews 3:7 (NLT) 

7 That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice,…”

Hearing God’s voice seems to come natural for some people, while others truly struggle with that concept. Dr. Henry Blackaby in  his study, Experiencing God,  wrote that God spoke in five different ways:

  1. Through the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself, His purposes, and HIs ways.
  2. Through the Bible.
  3. Through Prayer.
  4. Through circumstances.
  5. Through the church and other believers.

This list might not be comprehensive, but it seems to be very accurate.  I have heard God’s voice in each one of these ways on different occasions.  Sometimes God uses a combinations of each of these.

Why do people not hear God’s voice?  The conclusion of the verse quoted above says  Hebrews 3:8 (NLT) 

8 don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.

I think the first reason that we do not hear God’s voice is that we have hardened our hearts toward God.  We would rather rebel against God’s Word than be obedient to God’s Word.  It seems to be easier to do things our own way than to look to God to find His way.

A second reason is that our lives are cluttered with a lot of “noise.”  What do I mean by noise?  I mean the cares of this world along with the hustle and bustle of life.  We get consumed with what is going on at work, at home, or in our social circles that we cannot hear the still small voice of God.  When Elijah needed to hear from God, God showed him several major events but He was not in any of them.  Then the Bible says that Elijah “heard a gentle whisper” which the word means total silence.  We have to be quiet before the Lord to hear Him.  That is very difficult for us to do in 2013 as we have so many things that occupy our thoughts and our lives.

Do you want to hear God’s voice?  In order to do so, we must be willing to be obedient to God’s Word.  In order to be obedient to God’s Word, wemust spend time reading it.  Secondly, we must be willing to be quiet and get rid of the noise around us.  Are we willing to turn off the social media, TV, radio, along with any other distractions that prevent us from hearing?  When we get serious about hearing from God, He will speak to us.

 

Believing God

By Leave a Comment

images There is so much going through my mind at this time that I really don’t know where to begin. I have been on a roller-coaster over the past few days as far as my ministry is concerned. On some days, it is very evident that I am to minister to people through the counseling ministry of Directed Path Ministries. I know God’s hand is on me and He continues to give me wisdom and discernment for the individuals and couples that come to see me. Then there are other days that I long to preach and lead a group of people as their pastor. The burning desire to preach gets so hot that I don’t think that I will ever be able to survive if I don’t get to preach.
A few weeks ago, I began talking to a small church to be their pastor. It would be a bi-vocational position, so I would be able to keep my counseling ministry and still get to be a pastor. Things progressed very well and God seemed to confirm His call to the church. Lisa and I agreed that God was moving toward there…Just not everyone in the church heard the same thing from God. Several members decided that they would prefer someone else as their pastor. Man, was I disappointed! I truly felt that God was calling me. I realize that God is still working and I am not counting anything out, yet I have to focus on God and not on the disappointments.
As far as the counseling ministry is concerned, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that God has called me and gifted me to help people work through their problems using Biblical principles. The main issue today with the ministry is the financial aspect. I have not been good at raising money or even asking for money. I have listened to the fundraising that is taking place on the radio and I have wondered about all the emotionally charged tactics that are used and how God is glorified in that. I know that it is not my place to judge other ministries. I am only pointing out that I have had to ask myself about trying to make Directed Path Ministries more financially stable.
I am asking you today to pray about possibly giving to Directed Path Ministries. There is a link on the main web site that will allow you to give directly. If you cannot give, would you please take a moment to pray for God to provide for the ministry of DPM to continue so that couples and individuals alike can find the help that only God can give for the solutions to their life’s problems. Thank you in advance for both your financial and prayer support.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Forgiveness and Repentance

By Leave a Comment

“My husband has been cheating on me and I do not know if I can ever forgive and forget such an act.”

“My wife talks to me with such disrespect and hatred that I’m not sure that I will ever be able to forgive and forget that.”

I know that I could continue with different scenarios, but I think you get the picture of how many people feel about forgiving someone.  It is a misnomer that someone would be able to forget something that has created such hurt in his/her life.  Since that is the fact, what does it mean for us to forgive someone?

Matthew 6:14-15 (NASB)
14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Every person I know wants to be forgiven by God, therefore they struggle with the idea that they have to forgive whomever has hurt them.

We read also about God’s forgiveness: Isaiah 43:25 (NASB)
25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Wow!!! God says He will not remember our sins and we are supposed to forgive as He has forgiven.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NASB)
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (emphasis mine)

I want to add one more verse to the list of verses I’m using today because I think that we need to have a better understanding of how we are to forgive as well as then behave with the offender.

Luke 17:3 (NASB)
3 “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

This verse seems to be saying something different than the other verses.  I do know that the following verse tells us Luke 17:4 (NASB)
4 “And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

In order to get a grasp on forgiving someone, we have to look at each principle that is given to us in scripture.

The first principle that we need to understand is that we have to have a attitude of forgiveness if we expect God to forgive us.  As Jesus is teaching us how to pray, he includes that we must forgive so that we can be forgiven.  How presumptuous it would be for us to expect God to forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive someone else.  If we harbor unforgiveness, then we are not willing to be Christ-like.  When we choose to be unChrist-like than God is not going to forgive us, until we repent.

The second principle that we need to understand is that God chooses not to remember our sins.  God cannot forget anything.  He knows every thing.  I believe that when God sees us, He is looking at us through the blood of Christ that has been applied to our lives through our salvation.  Therefore, He chooses to see the sacrifice and not the sin and He does not hold the sin against us because of what Jesus has done for us.  We can enter into God’s presence because of this.

What does this mean for us as we forgive others?  We will not forget what has occurred to us.  Our minds hold on to hurts and trauma as well as special events and details.  When someone has wronged us, it would then be unrealistic to ever believe that we would be able to forget.  What we must do is to make a conscious effort to not hold the wrong against the person who has wronged us.  This effort obviously would be easier for lesser offenses than it would be for something major.  If your spouse has committed adultery, then you will have to wrong harder at not “remember” the offense.

The third principle that we need to understand is that our ability to forgives comes from our understanding of how much God has forgiven us.  That understanding only comes when we truly consider the cost of our forgiveness in the first place.  We are in the days of celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus.  He had to leave heaven to be born into this world.  He lived a sinless life and then died a substutionary death for us so that the penalty of sin would be paid.  He then rose from the grave and then assended into heaven so that we could join Him one day.  Our forgiveness cost Jesus Christ every thing.  When we forgive others, we must be willing to “pay” a price.

The final principle that I believe is important for us to understand about forgiveness is that true forgiveness cannot come without repentance.  Dr. Ronald Hawkins wrote that forgiveness without repentance is cheap.  (Totally Sufficient, pg. 213)  The word repent means to do an about face and go the other direction.  Repentance carries with it an attitude of humility and a willingness to follow the guidelines that are in place.  When forgiveness is offered without repentance, the offender will continue to abuse or misuse the offended.  In salvation, we have the ultimate forgiveness.  Our relationship with God is secure because all of our sins (past, present, and future) are forgiven.  But we are told in scripture to repent and to ask for God’s forgiveness. (I John 1:9)  When we sin after our salvation, the fellowship with God is broken and we must repent in order for Him to restore that fellowship.  The same is true with people around us.  The true fellowship of the intimate relationship of marriage or family can only be sustained when there is repentance along with forgiveness.  When there is repentance, trust can be rebuilt and reconciliation can take place.  Without repentance, the relationship is void of those qualities.

We must be forgiving people.  We must live with an attitude of forgiveness.  We also are told by Christ that we can expect repentance for true forgiveness to be given.

Purpose Statement

I provide Biblical Counseling for:
  • People who are hurting in their marriages and families.
  • People who are hurting emotionally and spiritually.
  • People who are seeking freedom from the bondage in their lives.

Brad’s Latest Tweets

Location & Phone Number

5411 PLAZA DR STE G
TEXARKANA, TX 75503
PHONE: (903) 244-5150


View Larger Map