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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 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, 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 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 26

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 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

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