A PLACE OF GRACE

That's the name of the new PASTORAL COUNSELING AGENCY I'm working on starting-up through a secular counseling center, that happens to be owned by a born-again Believer and follower of Jesus Christ!  SOMEHOW OR OTHER (Holy Spirit, maybe?!?) he had 'heard" that I was availbe to do pastoral or Chirstian counseling, and had his Intern track me down!  She had the wrong phone number for me, so called every
Buchanan' in the local phone book, until my phone rang, and, after I said hello, I heard, "Please tell me there's a CIndy in this house who's a therapist!?!?!"
"OK!  I said. "I'll tell you that!"
So, a meeting was scheduled, discussions were had, prayers were shared and lifted up, and eventually, an agreement that I would commit to see clients there who called specifically looking for help with spiritual concerns.  Who doesnt' have spiritual concerns or hurts and one time or another?  I have approached many of the churches in my area, and most of them especially the larger churches, feel that they are self-sufficicent, able to meet all of th eneeds fo their parishioners.  My own beloved church has many 'support-type' groups available, including GriefShare, Divorce Care, 
Celebrate Recovery, you name it, plus a Marriage Ministry, and of course some of the associate Pastors do some brief counseling.  BUt sometimes people need to go to a trained professional who is both educated in the sound principles of psychothera[y, and solution-focused pastoral counseling!  Our church DOES refer such people out to a licensed psychologist, Praise God!  But many local churches just won't refer people out, and say its because they 'don't know you!"  I UNDERSTAND!  So, let's get together, meet a few times, and GET to know each-other, and then you, Pastor_______, can prayerfully consider whether you feel I'm a trustworthy individual!  Such did the Pastor of a local United Methodist Church, and by the end of our meetingm he agreed to 'cautiously ' make a referral at some point!  That's all I can ask for!
I hope you'll all pray for hurting spirits, searching for the Truth, will come into a Place of Grace.

Father God, thank you for opening doors!  I have been searching and seeking out your will for my life;  looking at where you are working and going there with you!  I pray, in  the name of Jesus, that you will bless this new ministry that you have entrusted to my care.  Let me minister to others as Your light shines through me.   Let Place of Grace be a lamp unto someone's way today.  I pray these things in the name of your Precious Son.  Amen.