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Balm of Gilead
Kim Houghton is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has over two decades of experience in counseling in one form or another. Kim offers her valuable time leading us in an “Effective Series,” to help us in the daily struggles we often face.
In her “Effective Series,” she covers “Effective Parenting,” Effective Communication and “Effective Responses.” If you are interested in taking these highly informative classes, then please check out our Events page to see when they are available.
The lessons, covered in this series, each have two-hour, four-week classes that cover invaluable ways to deal with our emotions in a Biblical way. Kim will explore how the three in the series all connect. The skills we learn can be used in our everyday handling of various problems we face, often on a daily basis, whether for Church, Bible Studies, Work Environment, Home life, and more.
Effective Parenting
Parenting is not easy, especially in the fast-paced and complex world we live in today. You may feel stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed by the many responsibilities and expectations that come with raising children. But you are not alone. There is help and support available for you.
Kim offers a four-week workshop where she will guide you through some practical and effective ways to deal with the common issues and challenges that parents face. Kim is a certified parenting coach and educator who has helped many parents improve their relationships with their children and themselves. She will cover topics such as how to communicate better, how to set boundaries and enforce consequences, how to take care of your own needs, and how to navigate the legal aspects of parenting.
This workshop is for anyone who is a parent, a grandparent, or who is thinking of becoming a parent in the future. You will have the chance to interact with other parents, share your experiences and concerns, and learn from each other. Don't miss this chance to enhance your parenting skills and enjoy your parenting journey more.
Effective Communication
Communication is a vital skill for anyone, but it can be hard to master. How do you convey your message clearly, concisely, and confidently? How do you adapt your communication style to different situations and audiences? How do you avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that can undermine your credibility and effectiveness?
These are some of the questions that Kim, shares in this workshop. She will teach you the best practices and techniques for effective communication in various contexts, such as face-to-face meetings, emails, presentations, and more. You will learn how to listen actively, empathize with your listeners, tailor your message to their needs and expectations, and use appropriate language and tone.
Whether you want to improve your communication skills for personal or professional reasons, this workshop is for you. You will gain valuable insights and feedback from Kim and your peers, and you will have the opportunity to practice and apply what you learn in realistic scenarios. By the end of the four-week workshop, you will be able to communicate with more confidence, clarity, and impact.
Effective Responses
Emotions are part of being human. They can enrich our lives and help us express ourselves. But sometimes, they can also overwhelm us and cause us to struggle with our mental and physical health.
How can we manage our emotions in a healthy and godly way? How can we turn the negative emotions into positive ones?
In this class, Kim will guide us through the different types of emotions, their causes and effects, and how to cope with them according to God's word. We will also learn how our emotions affect our relationships, our choices, and our faith.
Kim has a wealth of experience and wisdom in teaching her other two classes on Parenting and Communication. Many of us have benefited from her insights and practical tips. In this class, we will discover how everything is connected and how our emotions shape our lives.
Why the Balm of Gilead?
BALM is often a plant product taking the form of an ointment applied for the purpose of medicinal healing or to provide a pleasant aroma. Some Balms were used to anoint a body for burial.
Uses of these Balm s are found throughout the Bible. Here are a few.
“Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, Balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.” (Genesis 37:25, ESV)
“Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little Balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.” (Genesis 43:11, ESV)
“Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken; wail for her! Take Balm for her pain; perhaps she may be healed.” (Jeremiah 51:8, ESV)
“Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and Balm.” (Ezekiel 27:17, ESV)
BALM OF GILEAD is an ointment used on wounds, referred to metaphorically by Jeremiah in a prophetic oracle.
“Is there no Balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?” (Jeremiah 8:22, ESV)
“Go up to Gilead, and take Balm, O virgin daughter of Egypt! In vain you have used many medicines; there is no healing for you.” (Jeremiah 46:11, ESV)
Why the Balm of Gilead? (see video below)
The word Balm is used throughout Scripture, either directly or metaphorically as a remedy for healing. Although it mostly refers to a physical treatment for healing, it can be construed to apply to psychological, physiological, or Spiritual healing as well.