Rick Baker LPC

When a family member, friend, acquaintance, coworker, or stranger shares their concern, need or struggle with you, stop! Take a moment to pray. Set aside your own emotional reaction and respond to their need. Your opinion, emotional reaction or personal agenda is not what they need. Try to be sensitive to where they are coming from. Really listen the way you want others to listen to you. If you are a believer in Christ, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and respon...se. He truly knows the other person's needs and is uniquely qualified to meet them. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.3-4.NIV

From the devotional, "Praise Before My Breakthrough." PROPHECY YOUR PROMISE - PSALMS 23 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil...Continue reading

The actions of the New York Sate legislature were nothing short of demonic. Sadly a similar bill is currently being considered in Virginia. While these developments are cause for dismay, we, as followers of Christ, must not lose hope. We are called to be light in the midst of darkness. Prayer is our greatest weapon. The Holy Spirit within us will empower us to accomplish His plan and purpose if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6: 7-10 7 Don’t be misledyou cannot mock the just...ice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyoneespecially to those in the family of faith. See more

September is Suicide Awareness month. While I hope that you never have to face this in your life or family or friends, I do believe it is important to be informed of symptoms that may be present in those you love. If you see these symptoms, please ask that person if they are having thoughts of suicide. Asking will not put the thought in their mind, and it may well provide them with an opportunity to talk about their feelings and thoughts with someone that cares for them. If these plans include a method, place, time, or stated intent, please call 911. It is much better to make the call unnecessarily than to hesitate and tragedy happen. If these thoughts happen often (frequency) and are overwhelming (Intensity) please encourage that person to seek counseling immediately.