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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 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

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 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

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 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

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 14

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

Anonymous

 

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 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia