A Classy Day for a Want-To-Be Classy Man

So I saw this blog about the 5 best men's fashion stores in Minnesota so my (almost) brother-in-law and I hit the town.  We went to 3 stores but only one of them was actually on this list, as I found out when I got home and looked at the names of the stores (which we had foolishly forgot to write down).  We went to martinpatrick3, which is probably the coolest store I have ever been in.  We also went to Brooks Brothers and Saks Off 5th, which were pretty cool but more like a very expensive Macy's rather than a boutique.  After than he had to go to work but I was still waiting for Carl the Bi-polar Neon to get fixed at the shop (which I am still waiting on 2 days later); so I walked around the mall a bit, drank some coffee, and read part of The Great Gatsby.  Then as I was walking back to campus to get a ride back to my place of residence I had a thought.  I decided to use an old Montana Notebook and write down all kinds of notes on being a gentleman inside of it.  These notes would include great books, stores and their prices for clothing and other such things, contact information for my "go to" companies (pharmacist, mechanic, jeweler, barber, etc.), and a few notes about cigar brands to return to or avoid.  I am unsure what I will do with this, maybe keep it forever and continually update it, give it to my son int he future, or just throw it away; I really have no idea.  Whatever I do with the notebook, it was certainly a day to remember and I hope to do it again with Nate and maybe a few other good friends of ours.

Biblical Counseling, Part 2

The number one most read post on my blog is my Introduction to Biblical Counseling Notes.  Because of that I decided to post my Practice of Biblical Counseling notes on here as well. Enjoy.

Addiction- A compulsive pursuit of a self-defeating, mood-altering experience

Stages of Addiction

1)    Social Use Phase

A)   Pleasant surprise

B)   Relationship of trust develops

C)   Enhances life

a)    More aware of things

b)    Greater perspective

c)    Focused, prepared, clear-headed

D)   Mental files expand through reinforcement and association

E)   When you go too far you learn to adjust

2)    Abuse Phase

A)   Relationship takes priority over responsibility

B)   Mental files grow and other on ramps to pleasure are ignored

C)   Intra-personal conflict begins

a)    Romans 7

D)   Trust turns into craving

E)   Inter-personal conflict begins

F)   Rationalizations by telling ourselves lies

G)   Diversion tactics and deceit

H)   Learning problems

I)     Accidents and illness

J)    Strong association becomes triggers

3)    Dependency Phase

A)   Craving turns into needing

B)   Relationship becomes unpredictable

C)   Geographical, occupational, and social relocation

D)   Systemic, physiological, pathological

E)   Most on ramps are shut doors

F)   Blackouts fallowed by euphoric recalls

G)   Lies in all relationships

H)   Life revolves around something for nothing

I)     Switch addictions

J)    Temporarily stop using

K)   Disease aspect becomes relevant

a)    Progressive

b)    Chronic

c)    Fatal

L)    Innumeral associations become triggers

M)  Triggers create cravings

As you counsel tell yourself that yourself

1)    Resistance is the beginning of learning

2)    Let them believe lies about me and don’t let that get discouraging

Declaring War on Addictions

1)    Rehears truth daily

A)   Create your own list of truth statements

2)    Confess your sins and struggles to others and be specific

3)    Be part of an accountability group(s)

A)   Layers and layers of accountability for all types or addictions and all levels of disclosure and vulnerability

4)    Change your environment

5)    Hang around the right people

A)   Minister to everyone, but have a specific group of friends

6)    Get good counsel

7)    Journal your journey

8)    Face the struggle

A)   Deal with what is on your plate

9)    Use your imagination

A)   Rejoice and thank God for your journey through your struggle

10) Eat right, move right, sleep right

God’s grace is eternal, but comes in 24 hour installments-you only have to do the difficult right thing today, tomorrow you will get another installment and another chance, but if you focus too far into the future you will become overwhelmed and fail