Hi Alvin,

Glad you are interested in the Biblical Counseling course. My wife and I started going through this about a year ago. We do it online since many of the class are not local. There are different modules comprised of different cohorts. So if you were to join it would have to be with a group that is just starting. That way you remain classmates until the end of the course. I think it’s about 3 or 4 years to go through it all. Each module is different and different with intensity and reading. You do have to read a lot. It culminates in the last class where you are to present your assigned project to the class (online or in-person in Vancouver, Washington). The most important thing to do is attend the regular weekly classes. They are usually in the evening around 6:30pm. If you can Skype, you can do this. We actually use Zoom instead of Skype.

Here’s a link to the website:

https://www.vancouverbible.com/

The course is run by Dr. Warren Lamb who went through secular pysch with many degrees to his belt but he realized there were a lot of inconsistency with God’s word. In fact, secular psych’s success record is very low … many never fully get healed but are fooled into lifelong counseling. Dr. Warren had to leave his lucrative profession and re-educate himself with psych in light of God’s truths.

I had to admit this is a life-changing course because it touches both me and my wife and we are gearing up to help our fellow believers. We are not going through this as a career option … at least not yet … but more to be equipped to help the many who come to us for marital and personal advice. It would be beneficial if you and your wife and some of your friends were to go through this together. The world needs a more accurate understanding of scripture. Many seasoned “believers” need a richer understanding of who we are and what our role is in the bigger picture of God’s plan. This seems to be God’s calling for us.

Raoul

I was wondering about the biblical counseling course.

So for some reason millennial-age guys come to me for input (advice, mentoring, coaching, counseling, parenting, or whatever).

I will admit to being a survivor, but beyond that . . . I’d have to say there isn’t enough actual discipleship going on.

So as I’m called not to Christian Counseling (grad school, licensing, ministerial credentials) but to walk the walk on the entrepreneurial side. And so it would be a very expensive side hobby to my main calling.
So any information you can send my way on how to train for providing biblical counseling would be much appreciated.

Thanks and blessings

Alvin

Again, thanks for the latest TGIF. Though i’ve read it before, i particularly liked the article on John Gokongwei and your opening message. JG donated a building in Ateneo (one of the top schools in the Philippines0, named after him. That is where they teach the business management courses. There is a new and bigger building in the area near gate 3. It looks avant-garde but it’s almost as big as a mall. It’s dedicated to the Arts. I think part of the financing came from George Ty, a banking tycoon. Ateneo now also has a medical school but is located in Pasig City near Medical City hospital. The only criticism i have is that they have not improved their science and engineering programs. The campus has changed a lot. More buildings now and Katipunan has become a congested major thoroughfare. I liked our old Ateneo. Idyllic, quiet and more conducive to learning. Lots of open spaces, the envy of other schools. Now it’s teeming with students. But that’s the way of the world. Our population is now 110 or so millions. Congestion is everywhere and it hasn’t spared our alma mater.

Choy of the Philippines

Heather

[My husband and I] visited China a few decades ago (late ‘80’s!) with friends who ‘work’ there. On Sunday we attended a state-run church and on exiting, [my husband] yelled ‘RAY!’ and ran off to meet this American guy with a group of young men on bikes.

Turns out [my husband] met Ray in Navigators. Ray had a vision for China ‘pre-Nixon’s Grand Opening’. Nav’s told him to go after something else; because China was a closed country. His response, ‘If we are ready God, will open a door’ and he separated from Navs. 15 years later [my husband] sees him doing what God called him to do.

Encouraging word!

All the best,

Melanie

Please pray for one of my coworkers. He’s got cancer in his throat and it doesn’t look good. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve met here at work.

Thanks.

Art

marilyn

Tom