Good morning Family !

Wow! It has been a while since I have been on the board. It is so exciting and encouraging to see many, many more new names. What a blessing to see our family grow. I praise God for all of you and for those who are new Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!!

Wanted to give you all an update.

1.) First of all, I am finished with school and have earned by BA in Religion with a concentration in Ministry and Leadership from OCU!!! God honored me by allowing me to be inducted into the Pinnacle Honor Fraternity, a GPA of 4.0, suma cum laude, valedictorian and being selected as the Outstanding Standing Student for 2006. But all of these honors pale against the One Who has been working in my heart and mind. He has allowed me to grow spiritually and given me incredible opportunities to serve Him and His people. It is He who deserves all of the honor, glory and praise! Amen!!!

This has been a bittersweet achievement as I so much wanted my mother to be here to celebrate with me but as you know she went home to Father June 22nd.

My amazing mother in an effort to bless me and let me know that she was pleased and proud had ordered by college class ring for me as a graduation gift. She had to have guessed at my ring size because I didn't even know it. But it came in the mail to me a couple of weeks ago and fit perfectly. God gave her the insight and although she is not here in body she made a way of telling me that she loved me and was pleased. It was incredible and blessed me beyond measure. I wear it proudly and every time I look at it I am reminded of her great love for me. God blessed me with a wonderful mother!

2.) Need your prayers for what is next. I have a couple of seminaries who have been courting me to pursue a Master's in Biblical Counseling. However, I have been considering getting a Master's in Community Counseling or Social Work. I believe that by remaining in the secular mode I have a greater opportunity to work for and help a greater and more diversifed cross-section of the population. I would suppliment my coursework with Biblical training as well.

What do you think? I could use some Godly counsel from you all.

3.) Finally, our church plant continues to grow and it has been an exciting journey to be a part of. I am the Associate Pastor now have been given the opportunity to teach from the pulpit. Please be praying for us and that God uses me as His humble instrument to get His Word to the people in an easy to understand way so that they may hear it, absorb it and be able to apply it to their lives as well as be able to share it with others in the hope that it has a positive impact in their lives as well.

Thanks for listening!

Know that I am praying for you all and that I am so pleased and excited about how God is using this powerful ministery to minister to so many people.

It is encouraging to see Christians encouraging Christians. I challenge you all to take this attitude to those who do not know Christ as well as sharing this web site with them.

All of you be blessed and may God's richest blessing be abundantly poured into your lives.

Howie

Hi Howie. First of all, congratulations on completing your BA and for doing so extremely well! Secondly, you must have had an amazing mother and I'm sure you are comforted knowing she is with our Lord. About which Master's program you should pursue: I'm sure you are continuously praying to our Lord and seeking out which way He has planned for you. It seems as if you are leaning towards the Social Work and feel that is your calling. I would go towards the Masters that you feel you would enjoy and the one that you feel the Lord has you working through. God Bless you for learning His word and for teaching it now and in the future.

Hi Howie!

First Congratulations are due! Way to go, bro! OCU -- is that Oklahoma Christian University? -- almost in my backyard! You must have had a very loving, thoughtful mother. I know she must have been very proud of you. It's a blessing to have such great memories.

As far as the counseling -- there was a time when I pursued counseling to help in reconciliation with ones who could best be considered to be nominal Christians. I felt there was very little help out there. So, I can say from experience good Christian counselors are very definitely needed and hard to find. Particularly, if you choose the secular route, I think it would be very important that you be able to incorporate your Christian ethics and values into your counseling. I have confidence that God will use you for His glory!

God bless,

Chelki