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God’s Leading: A Thanksgiving Reflection

God’s Leading: A Thanksgiving Reflection

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4–7 NIV84).

Over the past couple of years, this passage of Scripture has come to be a staple in my daily spiritual life. I have memorized it, recited it, and repeatedly found comfort in it. That’s why for this blog, I want to rejoice in the Lord and give Him thanks for His gracious leading in my life. The following is just a short synopsis of God’s wonderful leading in recent years.

Come and Reason Ministries was founded in 2010 as a not-for-profit Christian ministry with the goal of creating and sharing materials that help people grow in their knowledge of God and His methods and principles for human thriving, and to develop their God-given reasoning abilities to think and discern for themselves. We have sought various outlets to share our resources, and one of those has been the American Association of Christian Counselors annual meetings, where we have hosted a booth in their exhibit hall every year since our inception.

Through this outreach, we have met many wonderful Christians and made many friends who share our passion to advance God’s kingdom of love in practical ways that result in health and wellbeing for people, both physically and mentally. Through these contacts, many doors for sharing have been opened—such as being introduced to editors at Intervarsity Press who accepted and published The God-Shaped Brain, as well as invitations to speak at various denominational and non-denominational churches and organizations around the country.

Now the story gets interesting! My wife, Christie, recalls that for the past several years, beginning around 2018 or 2019, Karl Benzio, MD, a psychiatrist, friend, and founder of Honey Lake Clinic (HLC), had frequently mentioned to me that they were searching for a Christian psychiatrist to be their medical director. I have no recollection of these comments, but Dr. Benzio has confirmed that he did, indeed, discuss this with me on more than one occasion at AACC events. I must not have paid this much attention or registered the need, likely because I had my full-time private practice in Chattanooga and didn’t know any psychiatrists interested in moving to Florida. So, after three years of mentioning this opportunity and my mind not even noticing it, God moved in a different direction. However, God was already preparing our ministry for what was about to happen, and we didn’t even know it.

In February 2021, Come and Reason Ministries’ board members participated in a brainstorming retreat to pray and strategize how we could be more effective in advancing the message God has given us. From its inception, the ministry had been renting space at Collegedale City Hall for three hours each Saturday morning to conduct our class. This put us at the whims of the local government, policies, and competing events, and we occasionally had to move locations to conduct our class. Additionally, we had no facility for any other meetings or activities, such as potlucks and fellowship. We also realized that at any time, the city could cancel our agreement and we would be left scrambling for a place to meet. We were convicted that we needed to buy our own property to both ensure a stable meeting place and to expand our meeting and fellowship opportunities, as well as our sharing ministry. (We now have a great packing and shipping room to mail our free resources.)

After a prayerful search, we purchased our current building on July 20, 2021, and began renovations shortly thereafter, projecting that the renovations would take six to eight months, with a move-in no later than February 2022. Our plans included not only an expanded kitchen to accommodate potlucks, but also a state-of-the-art broadcast studio to allow our weekly classes to be live-streamed and for remote interactions. As things often go, it was delayed. But as you will see, God knew of our need before we did.

On April 25, 2022, I was nominated by Dr. Benzio to be Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine. The recruitment pitch stated that they wanted a chair to develop an integrated Christian psychiatry residency training program that would incorporate biblical truth with modern neuroscience. This vision was exactly what I had spent my career developing and the focus of many of my books, so after much prayer, Christie and I were convicted that God was leading. I accepted the job in July of 2022 with my start date as September 16.

What I didn’t know, but God did, was that the professional building in Chattanooga where I located my psychiatric practice had been sold and that when my lease expired the new owner was not renewing any tenant leases. I would be out scrambling for a new professional office. My lease expired on September 30, 2022—the Lord’s timing was perfect!

I moved to Lynchburg on September 14, 2022 and our ministry had our grand opening on October 22, 2022; and because of our ministries’ decision to purchase the property and build a broadcast studio, I was able to continue teaching live interactive classes to our local group and live stream to our larger online audience. God foreknew and planned for these events! But that is not all …

After I moved into temporary housing in Lynchburg in September 2022, we put our home in Chattanooga in the hands of a real estate agent to sell, but there was no interest shown at all; no one wanted to buy it. But we believed God was working, so we kept trusting. And we are so thankful the house did not sell at that time. For, as you might already know, the job at Liberty University did not work out. The university believed they would be able to obtain a contract with the local hospital for access to their inpatient psychiatric unit; however, that did not happen. And without an inpatient psychiatric unit, a residency program could not be established. Therefore, my job there ended on April 21, 2023—and I did not have a clue as to what my next job would be!

It just so happened that I had been scheduled for over six months to attend a mental health conference in Rome, Georgia, that began three days later on April 24, 2023. And it was at that event that I was introduced to the CEO of HLC and discussions began for me to be their medical director.

After an interview and onsite visit, I signed a contract on July 7, 2023, to be their medical director. Providentially, our home in Chattanooga came under contract on July 26, 2023, seven days before my first day at HLC, which was August 2, 2023. God was working!

But God knew that we not only needed to sell our Chattanooga home, but we also needed to find a home near HLC. Several homes in which we had serious interest sold to other buyers within hours of coming on the market, even before we could place an offer, but we were not discouraged because we knew God was leading and that those homes must not have been the ones for us. Eventually, we found a home and placed a contract, which was accepted—and the timing could not have been more perfect!

We closed on our Chattanooga home on October 31, 2023, and on our new home on November 2, 2023. Well, our wedding anniversary is November 1—we believe God was letting us know our marriage and our home are book-ended by His care!

I have no doubt that God has been guiding my entire life, but it hasn’t often been so clearly marked out as this for me to see and recognize. I am so thankful to God for His love, goodness, faithfulness, and guidance in my life. When new difficulties and trials occur, I will remember God’s leading in times like this. I find this insight to be true in my life:

In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history (E.G. White, LS 196.2).

I encourage each of you to reflect on where God has led in your life and remember His leading, as it will bring encouragement as we face the events about to break upon the world.

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Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA