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Are We Afraid of Authenticity?

5/13/2022

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I love the Psalms because the writers are often authentic with their thoughts and feelings. For instance, in Psalm 22 (NIV), the writer writes, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent." The writer begins in despair but finishes in hope. I believe that people usually cannot get to hope without feelings of some form of sadness or unfortunate circumstances. The problem is that we are all uncomfortable with anything perceived as a negative feeling. 
As pastors, ministers, or other helping professionals, we try to rescue them from their despair. The other day, I saw a social media post that stated the writer was tired. A response from someone was that Jesus was tired on the cross. That might have been true; who would not be exhausted if they were hanging on the cross! However, the response was like slapping someone in the face, telling them they were not allowed to feel tired because Jesus was on the cross for us. 
I do not know the writer's motivation for the response. I will assume it was supposed to encourage the tired writer. I thought about how we sometimes come across saying things that do not affirm the other person and, in fact, shame them or guilt them for being authentic. It is ok to be tired, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It is ok to experience a broad range of feelings because it makes us human. The most significant examples for us in the bible are the Psalm writers. The most important model for us was Jesus himself when he cried out, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach-thani?" - Which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" See Matthew 27: 46, NIV. Yes, the Psalm writer had penned the Psalm many years before Christ was on this earth. I encourage pastors, ministers, and counselors to allow the parishioner or client to express their feelings. Walk with them in their journey, and be empathetic to them.
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    Dan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.  

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Dan and Maribel Kinjorski 

Dan and Maribel are Bible Teachers. They love to expound on the Word of God. Maribel has been involved in Church since an early age. A graduate of the University of San German, Puerto Rico, in Business Administration and Economy. Dan is a graduate of East Coast Bible College (now shuttered) and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (1999) , Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), and now working on a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology:  Counseling Education and Supervision. 
Maribel Pastored Lilly of the Valley, Church of God, a Hispanic Community in Medford, Oregon. Dan Pastored, at the same time, Family Life Church, Medford, Oregon. They both were each other's assistant in their perspective communities. Dan and Maribel were able to bring together an English speaking, Spanish speaking, and a Deaf (non-hearing) community as "one" in community. 
While serving in the military, Dan spent his last 13 years as an Army Chaplain, previously enlisted for seven years as a Communication Specialist. As an Army Chaplain, Dan often pastored Chapel Services ranging from the Gospel Service, General Protestant Service, to an Assembly of God Samoan Chapel Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maribel supported her husband and often found herself assisting in the Family Readiness Groups when Dan deployed to Iraq or the Middle East (Kuwait) and also working with the Protestant Women of the Chapel.  Dan and Maribel are proud parents of David (and Megan) with Olive (2nd grand); Michelle (and Street Wise Hercules) with Lilly (1st grand) and soon to be MJ, (3rd grand). 

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