Healing On The Internet
This week I have a special treat for you readers. I have a guest article from my good friend Dr. Bill Curnow that reveals another tremendous good that can be accomplished over the Internet. You know I often warn of the dangers of the Internet, but I am pleased to share this article with you because it describes a powerful good that the Internet can serve. Please enjoy the following article by Dr. Curnow.
Healing through Online Counseling
By Dr. Bill Curnow
Mention the word "Internet" and many Christians will react as if you had said a swear word. The most common reaction I hear is how horrible the Internet is. It is true that there are many horrible things available on the Internet. I would like to present another side and tell you the following story.
I was searching for something on the Internet when I received an "instant message." The woman wrote: "How do I know that God is real?" She had gone to the member directory, typed in "pastor" and picked out my name. She didn't live in my city or state. In fact she lives 1000 miles away.
So we began a conversation. I invited her into a private chat room and we talked for a while. Then I emailed her that night. She had disclosed that she had an eating disorder. I responded by telling her of our daughter's battle with bulimia. When she wrote back she asked, "How did you know I had bulimia? I didn't tell you that! Maybe there is a God!"
I had referred her to my web page (http://www.lifecoachinginternational.net) and of course she thought she was taking advantage of me when she found out I also had a private counseling practice. I asked her to keep talking and so we have now for many weeks. She disclosed many other things besides her eating disorder each week when we had our online appointment.
At Easter she decided to go to church. She found a spirit filled church near her and has been attending ever since. We have continued to talk about this "God stuff" as she calls it and I have been able to watch her open up to the spirit. Just this week the church needed to fill the position of an administrative assistant and the pastor called to offer her the job! She was so shocked that she didn't give him an answer until she had talked with me. Each week I save our conversation and email it to her. I have been able to go back and see how the Lord has worked in her life in a very short time. God prompted her to choose my name and she was ready to consider God's claim on her life.
This was not the first counseling experience I had online. I used to open a chat room called "Christian Ex-gay." I called it going fishing for people struggling with same-gender attraction but who had not heard the good news that there was a way out. I was able to connect several people with the nearest Exodus referral ministry. I still talk with and encourage a couple of the people I met online.
Don't let anyone fool you. God is using the Internet as a tool for good. Satan may think he's got the corner of using it for evil, but AFO is staking a claim on the Information Superhighway and making God's presence known. We have just as much opportunity and right to reach people for Jesus Christ on the Internet as we do anywhere else.
Online Counseling is one way that we minister to people with various needs. We'd like to reach those who cannot afford Christian counseling. We'd like to reach those with working hours that do not lend themselves to traditional counseling schedules. We'd like to reach those who live in places where there is no Christian counseling available. The Internet allows us to reach people not only in this country but also all over the world. As you subscribe to and support AFO by urging your family, friends and churches to sign on, you expand the possibilities of reaching hurting people. Together we are bringing in a harvest using the best technology available.
For more information regarding online counseling, I urge you to contact Dr. Curnow by going to his web site at http://www.lifecoachinginternational.net. You will find information on how to contact him and more about online counseling. Good bless you and talk to you soon.
Steve Ensley
President, AFO