The Worth Of Our Lives

13. February, 2012ArticlesNo comments

The Worth Of Our Lives

A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it…?” Still the hands were up in the air. “Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air. “My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.

Be Not Afraid

14. December, 2011ArticlesNo comments

Picture this quiet scene… shepherds late at night tending their flocks. Maybe they were sitting around a camp fire, gazing at the stars, or just laying down to sleep. There is no sound of freeway traffic, no cell phones, and no airplanes flying over head. Now imagine the shock when suddenly, out of the night sky “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). As we would expect, these shepherds were terrified. The angel’s first words to these shocked onlookers were words of comfort: “do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10).

The shepherd’s natural response to this shocking situation was fear. Often it is the unknown which is the most frightening to us. In today’s world, we encounter many more unknowns. An unstable economy, shifting cultural norms, natural disasters, and threats of terrorism are just some of the unknowns that we live with on a daily basis. Still, God’s word to us is the same: “Do not be afraid”.
Emotions (especially fear) often seem to be beyond our control. So how do we obey God’s command not to be afraid? We change our feelings by changing our thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says “you will keep in perfect peace him who’s mind is fixed on you”. The cure for fear is focusing on God’s promises. As we focus on God’s promises of provision (Mt. 6:31-34), protection (Ps. 91), and eternal life (John 3:16) we find peace in all circumstances (Phil. 4:7). I encourage you to take the opportunity to fix your eyes on Jesus this holiday season and be not afraid.

-Carla Munger BA

Copyright Tern Christian Counseling 2011

Christmas Grief

14. December, 2011ArticlesNo comments

The holidays can be hard enough but when you have lost a loved one it can make things a lot harder.

I lost my husband to cancer 16 years ago and the holidays just have not been the same since. We have four children who were 16, 14, 6 & 3 yrs old when he passed. The first Christmas was hardest for our youngest. She missed her dad, knew he was with Jesus but wanted him home for Christmas. We all missed him, but she was the vocal one. The older kids didn’t say much but I could see the sadness in their faces. Those first few years I coped by giving them the “material wants”, thinking that would make them happy and not miss dad as much. That wasn’t the answer.

Just being together was what we all needed. I feel that people who know God have it a little easier-they know where their loved one is. It’s still a difficult time, but He will get you through it. People would ask if I was mad at God for taking him. My answer was always no, I’m not mad just wonder why now. There is no timeline for grief. Some years are better than others, but you will always feel the void they have left behind. Keeping the old traditions and adding new ones do help. We continue to have much to celebrate! Scripture tells us “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:3-5.

-Written By Pat Dorning

Copyright Tern Christian Counseling 2011

The Brains Response To Marijuana

9. November, 2011Adolescents, Articles, IndividualNo comments

Marijuana is often called pot, weed, grass, ganja, or skunk. Its chemical name is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. When some use this drug, the chemicals travel quickly through the blood stream and attach themselves to special places on the brains nerve cells, these cells are called receptors. They are called that because they receive information from other nerve cells and chemicals. When these receptors receive information it causes changes in the nerve cell.

In the case of marijuana, scientists have discovered that it can cause same people to lose focus of their surroundings and make others more aware of their physical sensations. Scientists have also discovered that marijuana’s effects can cause uncontrollable laughter one minute and paranoia.

One of the receptors it affects is the part of our brain that controls our emotions, the limbic system. This also contains the hippocampus, the part that processes memory. When marijuana attaches to the receptors in this area, it can affect our long and short term memory. Along with that, it can also affect the ability to process new information.

So although in some instances scientists are finding useful ways to use marijuana in the medical field, we do not want to take lightly using something that has also shown to have long lasting harmful effects on both young and old minds alike.

Our heavenly Father has blessed us with a very special gift in that our brains are capable of doing many great things. Out of love and respect for this gift we would never want to put something in our bodies that could cause potential damage to this gift.

Resource:
Www.drugabuse.gov

When is “Too Late”?

9. November, 2011Adolescents, Education Services, IndividualNo comments

Do you have thoughts of things you wished you had accomplished? Is your employment one in which you receive fairly good pay, but leaves you dissatisfied? Do you often wish your career had gone in another direction? Are you thinking that it is now too late to follow your heart and implement your God-given talents and desires?

As a society, we are living longer, retiring earlier, and not achieving Maslow’s “self-actualization.” More and more, men and women are staying employed beyond the full Social Security age of 65-67 years of age. Why? Perhaps we need to be around the friends we have developed in our years of working. Perhaps the economy does not support a 25-30 year retirement for us. Perhaps we need to feel productive at something. If we are going to work longer, we might just as well work doing what we like to do. My brother-in-law, Paul, says that if you struggle to get up to go to work, you have the wrong job.

So what is the answer to the problem? “I am just too old to change my career path.” Perhaps not. Borrowing the Brief Therapy technique of the miracle question, ask yourself, “If I woke up tomorrow morning and everything was just what I wanted, what would that look like?” Then ask yourself, “What do I need to do to make that happen?” From this beginning, you can forge ahead with a plan to reach a goal of making your vision achievable. So far, this is free to you. You can research the internet to locate the resources you need. You can interview college advisors to learn how someone your age can enter into academics and even excel. Are there scholarships available to you? Does your employer offer reimbursement for getting an education?

Your plan should include a timeline, means to afford your plan, motivation and determination, family support (but don’t let that stop you), and prayer. The younger people in your life will witness your effort to reach your dreams and instill in them the importance of using their God-given talents to bless their careers.

China Ministry

5. November, 2011MinistriesNo comments

Dr. Dennis Frederick and his wife Dr. Glenna Frederick, made their first short-term mission trip to China in 2003. During their first mission trip, the Fredericks were introduced to the principal and vice-president of bi-lingual studies at Jaiding School #2. A partnership was quickly formed that led to a return trip to Jaiding in 2004. During this second trip, Dr. Dennis Frederick lectured to school faculty and members of the communist party on the subjects of depression and suicide, while Dr. Glenna Frederick lectured on teaching style and curriculum development.

Among the many accomplishments of this second trip was that a “sister school relationship” was formed between Jaiding School #2 and Cascade Christian School located in Puyallup, WA. In 2005, the Drs. Frederick brought several Cascade Christian school students with them to China in order to teach the Jaiding students English, while participating in a cultural exchange. This program is still in effect today and growing each year. The Fredericks continue to cultivate their God-given passion to forge mutually beneficial relationships with the people of China. Currently, the Fredericks are in the process of raising funds for another mission trip to China in the very near future.

During this next trip, the Frederick’s will continue to form new friendships and alliances with the Chinese. Again, they plan to continue teaching our friends in China how to handle feelings of depression, as well as the English language.

Dr Fredrick and his wife Dr. Glenna Frederick planning extensive trip to Korea possible to work with orphans and to continue to establish international educational programs for Cascade Christian school.

Rooftop 5:19

5. November, 2011MinistriesNo comments

 

In the same way that the paralytic man’s friends brought him to the Great Physician, Rooftop 519 helps bring children from their community to the place of their healing. Rooftop has an abundance of healthcare professionals and resources in the United States, and they strategically partner with those professionals to provide inbound patient care for critically injured and ill children who need the hope of a healer.

Dr. Frederick has become very involved with Rooftop 5:19. They heal the sickest kids in the world in the name of Christ. If your purpose is fulfilled though this mission, we invite you to learn about how you can help critically injured and ill children become well.

To find out more about Rooftop 5:19. Please visit their site Rooftop519.com.

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

2. November, 2011Seminars, Services, Speaking EngagementsNo comments

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

Dr. Denny Frederick spends considerable time in corporate circles addressing issues like conflict resolution, human resource planning, and strategic coaching.

Through his consulting firm, Frederick & Associates, Dr. Denny has spent the past 25 years collaborating with companies and organizations to effectively manage strategic change, postive conflict resolution, and employee personal development. Dr. Frederick’s goal is to see your objectives accomplished and maximized; to meet that goal, we employ industry tenured professionals who are dedicated to seeing your plans succeed, whatever they are.

Topic Specialties:

  • Management & Supervisory
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Hiring
  • Communication
  • Effective Delegation
  • Motivation
Programs/Services:

  • Management Training (specialties)
  • Executive Coaching
  • Management Consulting
  • Conflict Intervention
  • Corporate and Individual Counseling
  • Employee Outplacement Counseling
  • Organizational Focus Groups
Past Clientele:

  • Moss Adams, LLP
  • Adaptis
  • LifeTouch
  • American Bankers Association
  • Oregon Bankers Association
  • National Association of Profess. Mortgage Women
  • World Vision
  • Bank of America
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Oregon Trial Lawyer’s Association
  • First Heritage Bank
  • Sterling Savings Bank
  • Puget Sound Bank

Educational Services

2. November, 2011Adolescents, Education Services, IndividualNo comments

Tern Educational Services

“Promoting Success for All Children”

Our Mission
To provide professional, child-focused services directed at building success through
psycho-educational evaluation, prescriptive programming, inservice training and
consultation for program development.

Services

  • Psycho-educational evaluation
  • Intervention plans for improved learning
  • Educational planning
  • Inservice training for teachers
  • Consultation with school systems for developing programs for diverse
  • learners.
  • Parent trainings
  • ADHD diagnosis and interventions
  • On site referral for mental health concerns

Paul L. Kelly, M.Ed., Ed.S. – Educational Psychologist

Paul@ternchristiancounseling.com

With almost 30 years of experience in the field of education, Paul comes to this service
with experience as a special education teacher, school psychologist, headmaster and
trainer of teachers. He received a B.A. in Special Education from Seattle Pacific
University in 1979, a Master’s in Education from the University of Washington in 1982
and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology and Educational
Diagnostics from Seattle University in 1997. Paul has worked in educational settings in
the PNW and cross culturally as a missionary for five years in Ghana.

Marriage/Couples Counseling

2. November, 2011Home Featured SliderNo comments

Maintaining a marriage and solving problems within the marriage takes skills. Relationship skills that few of us are naturally equipped with. We may think we are doing all we can to solve the problems in a marriage but, a marriage counselor can be of great benefit in teaching us new ways of solving problems and getting our needs met.

Marriage counseling, also called couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy. Marriage counseling helps couples  (married or not) recognize and resolve conflicts and improve their relationships. Through marriage counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding your relationship or, in some cases, going your separate ways.

Relationship skills needed to maintain a fulfilling marriage could be learned. A marriage counselor can teach you those skills while monitoring your progress, mediating conflict and giving objective feedback.

 

Contact our office to set something up with one of our counselors today!