Jeff Townsley, Christian Counseling

Jeff Townsley, Christian Counseling Finding Christ-centered answers for the challenges of life. Change begins with a God-centered perspective.

The purpose of the ministry is two-fold: (1) to provide services to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of area church members, their friends and neighbors and (2) to be a training resource for pastors and laymen interested in Biblical counseling. My counseling is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for clients. Counselors recognize that every man is made in God’s image and is therefore a

spiritual being. To change the nature of the heart and begin the healing process it takes the role of God and His Word, the Scriptures and redemption through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These central points are the foundation of this ministry. Those seeking assistance will find counselors who will use Biblical principles as their counseling foundation. As stated in II Timothy 3:16, All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. The Word of God is sufficient for dealing with all issues of the heart. As this counseling ministry provides “Hope Through God’s Word,” it also designs methods to help as many church communities as possible. While there is a main counseling location, it will be the philosophy of the ministry that counseling should also be taken directly to the participating churches as needed or required.

Don’t Miss the “Good” Waiting on the “Perfect”We live in a world of imperfection. We live with imperfect people, we work...
12/01/2016

Don’t Miss the “Good” Waiting on the “Perfect”

We live in a world of imperfection. We live with imperfect people, we work at imperfect jobs and we walk in an imperfect world. Imperfection is everywhere. Even we say recognize these truths, we seem to always tilt our perspective to an expectation that we will only settle for “perfect.” We continuously wait on the “perfect” moment, we are often disappointed that it was not a “perfect” day; we are frustrated by the less than “perfect” behavior of others. When we try to explain our flawed approach, we often hide behind excuses that hide the real truth that we are not satisfied with what we have been given today by our eternal provider.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that aspiring to see things better is wrong, but I worry about whether we have a good grasp of balance. We can see this type of balance by looking at cooking and eating. Can you remember the last time you were trying to decide what to eat for dinner and you started by looking at what ingredients you had in your kitchen and then considered what meals you could prepare by what you already have on hand? Sometimes, we see that we have everything we need to fix a nourishing meal; sometimes we recognize that we only need a few ingredients to correctly prepare a filling dish and other times we see that have to start from scratch because more ingredients are needed. Whatever the case may be, the process that makes this a positive moment begins with the right attitude about cooking. It is always about taking inventory of what you have, appreciating what you have been given and then making it work for the good. We rarely scrap the idea of eating because we do not have the “perfect” ingredients. We find a way to eat and be nourished.

Our spiritual journey is filled with moments when we are asked to trust that God has put the perfect “ingredients” into our lives and He wants us to include Him in deciding what delicious dish to “cook”. Just as we would be foolish to skip cooking because we did not have the “perfect” ingredients to make what we want, we are equally foolish (and disobedient) when we skip opportunities to make our days everything they can be by not using what we have been given by our perfect God.

How do we get better at seeing “good” and not expecting “perfect”? Consider these guidelines:

1. Remember that your God gives you new mercies everyday and that they are “perfectly” suited for your use.
2. Remember that change begins when we stop expecting other people and situations to be “perfect” and we start looking for the “good” in moments, people and things.
3. Accept the challenge to be a “good” ingredient in situations and in other people’s lives.
4. Make the commitment to always add, not subtract, in the lives of others you care about in your world so that they experience the “good”.
5. Make your day a living testimony of how you celebrate the “good” by enjoying the “perfect” care of your heavenly Father.

May your Christmas season be filled with wonderful expressions of great tidings of joy for the only “perfect” gift that leads to the only “perfect” answer for an imperfect world.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cle...
10/26/2016

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

Today's question: Husbands, do we love our wives this way? Are we participating in our wive's sanctification by being an living example of Christ? Are we adding or subtracting from the spiritual walk our wives are traveling on today?

Jesus, motivated by love, washed the feet of his disciples the night he was to be betrayed, tried and then sentenced to death. He knows the painful end of his earthly life and yet one of His final actions is a deliberate demonstration of His holy purpose to display a servant's heart to his disciples.

I invite you to visit John 13:1-17 and relive the moments in the upper room. Reflect on the divine example given to us all on being a servant to our Father, always ready to participate as obedient children in the santifying work being done in the lives of our spouses and family. Make it your goal today to love your spouse in a way that shines brightly on the image of Christ.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; be...
10/25/2016

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

In Paul’s writing to the Colossians, he took special efforts to describe what the new life in Christ looks like to the world. In many Bibles, we see this passage included in a section called the “Character of the new man”. I want to invite you to look at the words of this passage and consider if these characteristics are on display in your life.

I am struck by the Paul’s instruction to “put on” tender mercies, kindness, and humility. Each one of the qualities mentioned in this passage express themselves in relationships. A significant measure of our Christian life is found simply in how we treat people and the quality of our relationships with them. One commentator writes, “It is most significant to note that every one of the graces listed has to do with personal relationships between man and man. The great basic Christian virtues are those which govern human relationships.”

Do you exhibit “tender mercies”? If something is tender, it is sensitive to touch. One commentator said it this way, “The apostle would have them to feel the slightest touch of another’s misery; and, as their clothes are put over their body, so their tenderest feeling should be always within reach of the miserable.”

Do you exhibit “kindness”? One commentator writes “The ancient writers defined kindness as the virtue of the man whose neighbor’s good is as dear to him as his own…It is the word used when Jesus said, ‘My yoke is easy.’”

Do you exhibit “humility”? It is the “parent” of both meekness and longsuffering. Meekness shows how humility will effect my actions towards others; I will not dominate, manipulate, or coerce for my own ends, even if I have the power and the ability. Longsuffering shows how humility will effect my reaction towards others; I will not become impatient, short, or filled with resentment towards the weaknesses and sins of others.

Do you “forgive others”? We are told to live forgiving one another, after the pattern of Jesus’ forgiveness towards us. Understanding the way Jesus forgave us will always make us more generous with forgiveness, and never less generous.

Finally, do you put on “love”? Paul refers to this as the “bond of perfection”. Love is the summary of all the things described in this passage. Love perfectly fulfills what God requires of us in relationships. Note that Paul puts love above and over all other things. One commentator writes: “Upon all, over all; as the outer garment envelopes all the clothing, so let charity or love invest and encompass all the rest … Let this, therefore, be as the upper garment… that invests the whole man.” Another comments, “The other virtues, pursued without love, become distorted and unbalanced.”

Spend some time today looking at your life. See what areas display these characteristics and which ones do not. Commit your time to looking for ways in which the “new you” can be better displayed for your Lord and be more apparent to others as a witness to the Gospel transformation in your life.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still water...
10/20/2016

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

Such familiar words, such sweet words! We have heard the 23rd Psalm all our lives, but how often do we go to those often-repeated words for comfort? Go back and read the words slowly. Read each phrase and consider the power David was trying to convey. To the sheep, there was total reliance on the shepherd. Their lives depended on his commitment to them. In each phrase, in each sentence, we can sense the power of the Master Shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd. What a wonderful place to start, If the Lord is your shepherd, you know that he will provide for and protect you perfectly. You will be fed. You will receive refreshing water. You will be made to rest. You will be restored.

We are led in paths of righteousness for the glorious purpose of proclaiming His name. We are given righteous instruction so that our message to the world will be unmistakable. He gives to us and leads us so that we will understand the eternal message of salvation He wants us to share with the world. This is what we see in verse 4 when he states that even when we are in the darkest places of gloom and despair, even when death lurks nearby, we have nothing to fear. In those moments we can know in the clearest terms that He is with us. Our comfort and protection and guidance come from knowing that His rod and staff, his Word and His Spirit, are our eternal gift and promise.

Wherever you are today, go back to that well-read Psalm and look at it again. Look at it closely. It may be a good day to reconnect to the sweetness of the God’s promise to you.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57The victories we desire...
10/12/2016

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

The victories we desire are not elusive. The victories we desire are not prohibited. The victories we desire are not out of our grasp.
The thing we must realize is that our desires must first be for our creator. In His word he says that there will be victory, but only when it is through Him. Look at Philippians 4:13. It is very close to this verse and is often quoted in the face of trials. It also points to the unavoidable truth that we can only do things through Him.

Today, I encourage you to look for the things in your life that you incorrectly use as your strength in the fight to “win” in life. Is the victory you seek based on your ability alone? On your exclusive perspective? Look at your heart and consider what God wants you to have victory over in yourself before anything else in life.

If anxiety, fear, worry is your master, see victory when you turn those battles over to God. Do you have a prideful heart that only sees one view? Where and when is your “strength” really your weakness? Seeing these truths is the victory God wants you to have today. Pray with me that God will fill our lives today with the confidence in life that comes from abiding in Him alone. I pray that we will have faith that extraordinary things happen when we pray against the earthly strangleholds that hold us captive. I pray that you will have victory over those strongholds that limit you and keep you feeling broken. Remember that we always find victory when we find Christ first.

"with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the S...
09/23/2016

"with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3

Look at the words in these two verses. We find words like humility, gentleness, patience. We also find the fruits of the spirit springs from us as we seek to do the kingdom work in our lives. What is that work? To eagerly bear one another in love and to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace. Bonds of peace are all the product of the Spirit, delivered through our obedient actions to eagerly maintain unity in Christ.

Our broken world gives us far to many reasons to abandon these verses. We too often accept the thought that there can be no peace and there can be no unity. All of that will be true if we leave the power of God out of the equation. When we live with a spirit of humility, gentleness and patience, see our objective to love without exception, then seeing God's Spirit unifying and binding in peace.

Make it you life's work to making this scripture real in your world.

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and ...
09/21/2016

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. Hebrews 12:15

A wonderful verse of instruction today. A command given by God that we strive to insure everyone is given a way to receive God's grace. When that is our priority, we take huge steps towards avoiding the "root of bitterness". Consider what happens when bitterness takes hold:

1. If we don't deal with bitterness, that bitterness will progress toward extreme anger (that's wrath).
2. If we don't deal with the anger, we will start to clamor or demand what we want.
3. If that doesn't work we will start to talk bad about the object of our bitterness in the hopes of recruiting others to agree with and justify our feelings (that's slander).
4. If that goes unchecked we will eventually have a desire to cause harm to the person we are bitter toward.

An ugly progression that demonstrates no characteristics of Christ. When we participate in this destructive pattern, all along the way people are hurt, relationships are derailed, joy is stolen, and the Fruit of the Spirit growth is stunted.

Take time today to meditate and apply this important passage.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inherit...
09/19/2016

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

As we start our work week, let's refocus our priorities. Do not become sidelined by your limited view of your worth and purpose for the kingdom of God. Gaze towards Him and remember that you live to display Him and to witness Him in your words and deeds. Whether in the home or in another workplace, make this day a celebration of His glory and care.

In our lives nothing is quite as involved and emotional as moving to a new home. Whether it is across town or the countr...
08/09/2016

In our lives nothing is quite as involved and emotional as moving to a new home. Whether it is across town or the country, there are always moments of reflection. Sometimes sad, sometimes joyful, but always filled with a vividness that is unmistakeable. These are now the events in my life with my bride.

We are ended a chapter of life in a larger home and taking on the motto: "Simple." We are making changes to get ready for new memories with our children and our grand babies, spend more time together and to enjoy having to care for less. Simple is good because it brings focus to what is important in a home.

What is important? Is it the "stuff"? Nope. Is it status? Nope. It is about bringing clarity to what makes a family. Laughing, listening, sharing the experiences of life. Displaying what you believe in the way you live. In the end, I want my children and grand children to remember us as deeply loving the Lord, always being available to them and for constantly building the Christ-centered heritage of our family.

Today we live the verses of Luke 12: 29-34: “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

May your "stuff" be the focused on these verses also. Live your life as a testimony of these truths of Scripture.

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Huntsville, AL
35801

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Monday 7am - 7:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 7:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 7:30pm
Thursday 7am - 7:30pm
Friday 7am - 7:30pm
Saturday 7am - 7:30pm

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+12564790881

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