tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55761563366041466122024-03-13T12:45:21.962-07:00RickPresleyMFTRickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-40391531240900832272012-10-08T20:09:00.000-07:002012-10-08T20:09:14.134-07:00Funny commercial for what I doI just saw this commercial on tv and immediately had to find it on youtube. Made me laugh at how many clients I have worked with that acted just like this. So funny. <br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TP6-KlwACM&sns=em</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-31235061843104732132012-02-28T12:08:00.003-08:002012-02-28T12:10:55.806-08:00Dying and living, at the same time.WOW! This is a great read about what it means to be crucified with Christ and also live at the same time. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 1.4em; font-family: AllerBold, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(16, 78, 115); line-height: 1.2em; font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(243, 237, 229); ">*I will live out of who He says I am on my worst day.<br />*I will trust the Spirits power over my sin instead of my will power, promises, or resolve.<br />*I will trust His love of me as motivation rather than the ought of obligation.<br />*I will trust the power of the resurrection which lives in me to fight sin for me.<br />*I will allow others into my hidden stuff, so that Christ may protect me through them.<br />*I will learn to believe that Christ took my shame identity with Him to the Cross.<br />*I will learn to believe that Christ gave me a completely shame-free identity at the Cross.<br />*I will each day choose to live out of the total lack of God’s condemnation.<br />*I will chose to stop giving myself permission to live out of my own condemnation.<br />*I will grow to trust in the redemption found in Christ’s shed blood for every failure.<br />*I will die daily to the lie that I ought to, should be more than I am.<br />*I will die daily to the lie that I am not enough.<br />*I will die daily to the lie that one day I will be almost righteous enough.<br />*I will die daily to imagining that I have the power to kill sin by my good intentions.<br />*I will die daily to imagining that I have the power to manage my sin.<br />*I will daily grow to enjoy this new life of His power and freedom beyond my wildest dreams.</h3></div><div><br /></div><div>To read the entire post, click here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://truefaced.com/it-has-to-jive">http://truefaced.com/it-has-to-jive</a> </div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-86906846151658565962012-02-23T10:13:00.002-08:002012-02-23T10:24:22.193-08:00Staying on top of it.<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">Have you ever experienced the problem of anxiety getting in the way of doing what you need to do? I recently had this </span>experience<span style="font-size: 100%;"> again when I met with a friend to help me do some marketing and web site brainstorming. This friend is full of wisdom, </span>experience<span style="font-size: 100%;">, and practical tools to help me and others like me grow our business. However, I felt like I was drinking out of a fire hydrant while meeting with him. I let the anxiety and overwhelmed feeling get in the way of doing something with the great information that he was giving me. </span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">So, what can I do about it? One thing. I am going to take the one thing that stood out to me the most and begin to make a plan of how to accomplish it. I am an expert in some things in life, </span>marketing<span style="font-size: 100%;"> is not one of them. I am choosing to not let anxiety and stress keep me stuck. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">If you feel stuck with issues in your life, let's meet and talk about how you can find hope and healing in your life. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://rickpresleymft.com/">rickpresleymft.com</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">913-764-5463</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Marketing help</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://www.strategynewmedia.com/" style="font-size: 100%; ">strategynewmedia.com/</a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-81511433390704995512012-02-18T17:45:00.000-08:002012-02-18T17:45:00.141-08:00Grand Story | The Cure<div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">A video to wet your </span>appetite<span style="font-size: 100%;"> to read these books. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7UZwkaP4uX8?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><div><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=rickpres-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0984757708&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=rickpres-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1576836932&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-44622823771417207462012-02-16T14:11:00.000-08:002012-02-16T14:14:52.483-08:00The CureEver found yourself wondering how to be good enough for God. Why do I keep doing the things I don't want to do that makes God made at me? Am I good enough for God to love me? Great resources from one of my favorite writing teams.<div><br /></div><div>Check it out. You will not be disappointed. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=rickpres-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0984757708&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" style="font-size: 100%; width: 120px; height: 240px; "></iframe></div></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-74895501865684222652011-11-05T08:40:00.000-07:002011-11-05T08:53:32.921-07:00Staggering Reality<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBHJxUiXGBTRBd7ekpKtE5LXuXQU8YAMPaAtcQitbm8RAc8QqBJx-Ha-EQVSXHancNlVOJfWcxLHkDVCbxRgx0Wyyfm7BSWhqRNk0Mp6auWmDXItrZN-w96YV-A1BxV96TPUQVA5jSpkX/s1600/mcdowell+child+with+porn+in+glasses.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBHJxUiXGBTRBd7ekpKtE5LXuXQU8YAMPaAtcQitbm8RAc8QqBJx-Ha-EQVSXHancNlVOJfWcxLHkDVCbxRgx0Wyyfm7BSWhqRNk0Mp6auWmDXItrZN-w96YV-A1BxV96TPUQVA5jSpkX/s320/mcdowell+child+with+porn+in+glasses.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671538869859911538" /></a><br />I recently had the opportunity to read a report by Josh McDowell that has some updated statistics about the use and availability of porn in our world today. These statistics are staggering when you look at the change in our world over the last 10 yrs alone. I believe with many other world church leaders that internet pornography is the biggest threat to the family. If you are caught in the trap or a family member is caught please ask for help. This is a bigger problem than you can fight on your own. You will need help and resources to find long term success and healing. <div><br /></div><div>Below you will find the link to the McDowell's paper which includes these statistics. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.josh.org/atf/cf/%7BE9179AF3-15DC-4EB0-9E59-6491B9F4693C%7D/J1CABookletFINAL.pdf">http://www.josh.org/atf/cf/%7BE9179AF3-15DC-4EB0-9E59-6491B9F4693C%7D/J1CABookletFINAL.pdf</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-20574588555656566192011-10-03T11:50:00.000-07:002011-10-03T12:14:40.483-07:00We were created for this!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMvKRx51zpX_KWIL8C7LxawgnSxvvG2taQGK1JbRy0TPloLNU1Q7g7K5N-ql3K0u0t6OCdO5ZcMfoaa6p_hgFLlXeIlDvNza0tNfVH6ffPoaNaa32KjcPalHu329he8dpFvclUCywFcf0/s1600/shame+-+painting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMvKRx51zpX_KWIL8C7LxawgnSxvvG2taQGK1JbRy0TPloLNU1Q7g7K5N-ql3K0u0t6OCdO5ZcMfoaa6p_hgFLlXeIlDvNza0tNfVH6ffPoaNaa32KjcPalHu329he8dpFvclUCywFcf0/s320/shame+-+painting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659345833678456066" /></a><br /><br />So many times when I am counseling men, I hear these words "I just wish God would take this away from me". Whenever I hear that from a man who is struggling with lust, sexual impurity, or sexually addictive behaviors, I have to stop them and ask, "What is it you are asking God to remove"? Often we want God to just zap the struggle out of us, miraculously "remove all our shortcomings", take it way. I have found that the healing is in winning the battle over lust. Walking the journey out with others who can help you along the way. <div><br /></div><div>The Message version of James 5:16 says "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-seif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and heale</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-seif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">d. ". </span> This says to me that part of the healing journey is walking this out with others and learning how to manage our temptation, lust and sin.</div><div>We were created to be sexual beings. God crafted this amazing gift of sexuality into each of us. We were created to be aroused by the sexuality around us. It is right and normal that we are "turned on" by the media and how much sexuality is in our culture today. We find our bodies and minds responding in a normal healthy way to the sexuality in our culture today. However, we are called to renew our minds. Romans 12:2 In this act of renewing our minds we are choosing to focus on healthy, Godly and relationship building things rather than t</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0riWSCXzmuuMen3IP68eJhfQ6sjN2oCrBGhGjUtTO0BsmLxWtl5mGZ6UMCs8W-R6EhPp6ZUUWR-zYiNMB1PEggsXGDwgjJzuFD6PL_MY2sBGTBvI-9T_frLc1jFJySkd6V_200tK-gih/s320/married+couple+on+couch" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659345372737626082" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 184px; " /><div>he temptations that are around every corner. </div><div><br /></div><div>So give yourself a break, acknowledge the temptation is there, acknowledge that you are normal and that the goal is to be successful in navigating this beautiful gift of sexuality and learn to manage it in a healthy marriage relationship. It's about learning to avoid the temptations, relationally confessing when the temptation is nearby, and choosing to connect sexually in a marriage relationship rather than false intimacy. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-31470332923802943222011-09-14T12:53:00.000-07:002012-02-16T14:19:08.239-08:00Reading True Faced<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQScel_Jhxv5wiagTHhD8hFzJlUcwUyL9TUhOY7muUyovXUITdpxLpofSNTdDq-oG9g8WcuVc1H-5f9jMLABRG9O3d5f-lTCW463aL7ePOir432GjG3Btz1mTdJ9LORiO9j5DTdv6H4Bd/s1600/true+faced.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 147px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQScel_Jhxv5wiagTHhD8hFzJlUcwUyL9TUhOY7muUyovXUITdpxLpofSNTdDq-oG9g8WcuVc1H-5f9jMLABRG9O3d5f-lTCW463aL7ePOir432GjG3Btz1mTdJ9LORiO9j5DTdv6H4Bd/s320/true+faced.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652308396958658658" /></a><br />Over the last year I have been reading and re-reading a book recommended by a former professor of mine <u>True Faced</u>. My professor recommended this book about three years ago and it took me a couple of years to pick it up. I used the excuse that I was too busy in grad school to read anything else. Now I realize what he was trying to get me to see. This book has radically transformed my life. <div><br /></div><div>If there is anyone one book that I recommend to my clients it is this one. I believe that the subject matter of True Faced is what many of my client struggle with. Are we going to be honest with God and others as to who we really are? We have all experienced actions from others that have hurt us as well as our own behaviors that have hurt others. It is our shame and denial that keeps us from admitting the truth about ourselves that often keeps us in relational conflict. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEvuQc5NW5826JJdhm8URaSvXCjKjaBfUhFF1DGfJPAvBpXdK58qQ5cl2KI3C_tEpZXSsuiAz_skIzXGEQTOzE43A02_Jr991Oji1z3OUZn4xZO5V7u_zSes5LxHnT0tVY592qi1Z8QF9/s320/man-experiencing-shame.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652309224813718082" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 183px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I know in my own life, when I am in conflict with my wife it is usually because one of us is having a difficult time admitting our own flaws. (usually me). I have found that relational healing takes place when I remove my mask of "I've got this all together" and admit that I am not really who I am pretending to be that we are able to see each other and intimacy is created. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If there is one book that I would recommend this year it is <u>True Faced.</u> Pick it up and let it change your life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also check out these helpful resources from the authors. </div><div><a href="http://truefaced.com/">http://truefaced.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://truefaced.com/blog">http://truefaced.com/blog</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=rickpres-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1576836932&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-49858412035168388372011-08-15T18:45:00.000-07:002011-08-15T19:02:41.189-07:00The Problem is....
<br />
<br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">Those words of Dr. Tim Nelson at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Friends</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> often ring in my ears.<span> </span>I get the amazing privilege of sitting with a couple or family who are having difficulty in their relationship.<span> </span>These words many times are sitting in the back of my mind to help me with the case.<span> </span>“The problem is, the definition of the relationship.”<span> </span>This simple yet complex diagnosis can be the help that a couple needs to see the changes that they wish to make in their relationship.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Most relationships can be categorized under two categories that define how the relationship is going to operate.</p><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoJ1wgqYWYhY3B1xjt1xy6n0wS7_NagKKdlg8Iew4gsEFHhqyO_E0bLF2SecSM4Y-rX1ZMFq4kn1fCebNmPmyAXUKMwRoo3iwhTyzCh8g2o4lJ3zimohW9x2D4tPYPHORbgG05smx6c_9/s320/man+and+wife+fighting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641267676309268258" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 146px; " /></div><div>
<br /></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">PEER relationships are those husband-wife, friend-friend, brother-sister, coworker – coworker, ect.<span> </span>These relationships are characterized by each of the persons involved in the relationship have the same amount of power, control and influence.<span> </span>There is not one side of the relationship that is unbalanced. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">POSITIONAL relationships are the employer – employee, parent – child, judge – defendant, ect.<span> </span>These relationships are characterized by one of the individuals having a greater degree of power, control, and influence over the other.</p></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When we have entered into a relationship such as a husband – wife, each spouse is expecting to have a balanced amount of power, control, and influence.<span> </span>Conflict begins to happen with one spouse begins to experience that the other is taking a greater degree of power, control, and influence.<span> </span>The husband – wife relationship could be characterized as a parent – child relationship.<span> </span>It is at the point that the relationship has been redefined as a positional relationship rather than a peer, conflict begins.</p><div>We get one relationship with any given person.<span> </span>When we begin to play more than one role we start to create blurred boundary lines.<span> </span>Example.<span> </span>Boss – Secretary = Positional relationship.<span> </span>Things are good.<span> </span>Boss starts to confide in secretary and they build a friendship, = peer relationship.<span> </span>That relationship might have just taken a detrimental turn.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Play the one role in all your relationships well and you will find peace, safety and security with those you love.<span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs92u-0Jjre-K9FgwzAijRSiQaBty2in6YCRe-BKBBc-6HKJ5p0X0q4iSbhyphenhyphenHDHnwV_lH3acjpzZjlbws7uHlS4JQ516QiUo2XQLF8zm0sxHKm1c_o0WodGmhjp8i0LjZQOT386BFjkHdy/s320/man+and+wife+laughing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641265541348604242" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5576156336604146612.post-71069807575363556802011-08-01T17:09:00.001-07:002011-08-01T17:09:57.832-07:00Family Reunions<p class="MsoNormal">Recently, I had the experience of reconnecting with some of my extended family in the ever dreaded FAMLY REUNION!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am sure that my nervous anticipation of the judgment and ridicule is a familiar experience to many others. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As a kid, I was experienced by my cousins and extended family as being extremely spoiled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, on the inside I experienced great shame and embarrassment of who I was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I reflect on what I must have been like as a child, I am sure that I was trying to cover up my feelings of inadequacy and shame by being annoying, frustrating, and generally rotten.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fast forward 30 years, I am sitting around the campfire with the same family members who I provided great material for teasing and harassing and I was able to experience love and acceptance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Much of the time was spent catching up on each others lives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, there were moments when I felt we were able to look past the image of our youth and see who we are as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of us have had tremendous relational difficulties, marriage failures, and deaths that have impacted us deeply. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While there were the usual jabs at each other, there were also the moments of reality that each of us is tied to the other through the stories of our lives, our parent’s lives, and our past generations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In this place of pain, struggle, success, and love, we were able to stand together and find acceptance and healing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As with many of my clients, I am no different in that the story of my life has played a significant role in creating who I am today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The same insecurities that I experiences as a child can often show up and have me behave in ways that are frustrating and hurtful to others.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In these moments when these insecurities show their ugly head, I find it difficult to stand firm in who I believe that God has created me to be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I find that to be the honest, confident, self-accepting man that God created me to be can be extremely difficult in times that are awkward, scary and uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Over the years, I have had the opportunity to be involved in a seminar that is built on the idea that “you cannot change or heal what you do not acknowledge’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, I continue to acknowledge my wounds, fears, and shame and step forward into the future with confidence that God will continue to work in me to be whom I was created to be all along.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is also my greatest pleasure to walk beside my clients who are struggling to find who they are created to be, and help them find acceptance and love.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am sure I am not alone on this journey, so if you find this a difficulty for you, talk with a trained professional that can help you find the amazing person God has created you to be. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>RickPresleyMFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411600426351033602noreply@blogger.com0