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Community Wins! Find and Be Just That.

I cannot imagine going through the rough spots in my life without key people that were there for me. At times these people were one’s I didn’t realize we close. Times of crisis reveal. These times reveal who our true friends are. These moments of revelation bring to the surface the truth about our lives, how we have lived, and what may be missing. Have you had a time where no one showed up – or you had no one to call? I sure have – and it lit a fire in me for what I was missing. 

My hope and prayer for you is that you find yourself in these inevitable moments and are in awe at the support and friendships that are present. Don’t do marriage without help. Know that parenting was never meant to be a solo sport. Reach out for help as needed. Band together with others and be a support for them in areas you are strong in – and allow them to be support with their strengths. This is a beautiful picture of God’s perfect design in humanity. If we are not careful we see and hear about the dark side of mankind and we pull away and are less likely to build those lifelines that can save us in difficult times.

Sickness – In life, sickness will come. For some it may be life threatening, or nearly so. For some of us it may be a child. We need one another in these difficult times. Reach out for help, Ask! Be that friend for another in a time of sickness.      

Parenting – This is an impossible task. It is all an experiment. Listen to others that have gone before you. Reach out for help. Never do this alone. Find groups to be a part of that help you as a parent, community groups, church groups, support groups, or something like this. Band together with like-minded friends. My personal focus is on raising your children in a Biblical Sexual Ethic. Others have their strengths. Band together. Reach out to others in need and be available to them.         

Conflict in Marriage – This is potentially an impossible crossroads for so many couples. Get help. Know there is hope. Find the beautiful gift of forgiveness – freedom in vulnerability – clarity in healthy relationships. Marriage is meant to be a sacrament. Hold it up as such – sacred. Get help in difficult times in your marriage. Be an example to others as well.       

Loss – Life gets hard. We have losses that impact our lives forever – and we are never the same. Surviving these incredibly difficult times has immeasurable hope when in community.

We live – and we potentially die based off of our community. Don’t go it alone. I love what I do – and am incredibly humbled by families and couples that invite me into their stories to help them navigate rough waters. Build community. Be community. Find community. Be hope! 

Corey Gilbert, PhD, LPC

http://www.HealingLives.com 

by drgilbert

Parents – Membership – Micro-Conversations

Short and sweet – the concept of “The Talk” is not helpful. In all my years of research and teaching I have found a theme among 20-somethings – that for those that their parents had “the talk” – it was way too late. For some they were teaching their parents about stuff during these “talks.”

So – what I propose are micro-conversations. We begin planting seeds intentionally from birth in the areas we want our children to grow a solid belief system. This goes for all topics, manners, beliefs, and ethics. So – with what I do – may we learn to invest in our children’s sexual ethic.

I have a membership site built for you as a parent that I am launching aimed to give teaching and training for parents on a biblical sexual ethic. In my new membership site you will be empowered to have micro-conversations with your 1 and 2 year old that are age appropriate and prepares them for the micro-conversations you have with them at ages 3-6. These prepare them for those micro-conversations you will intentionally have with them from ages 7-10. As they grow we are meant to prepare them.

What I find in my counseling and research is that the main source of knowledge and learning for most of our Christian children are from porn, the internet, and friends – scary sources. Another big finding is that many 20-something year olds wish their parents had been a safe place to have these hard conversations.

Prepare. Lead. Be Confident. Know your own personal theology. Pass that along intentionally and strategically to your children so that they can make wise informed decisions and live from a solid ETHOS – a biblical sexual ethic.      

Check out more information at http://membership.healinglives.com

Counseling and coaching options available at http://www.HealingLives.com  

by drgilbert

Your Children’s Beliefs are Established Earlier than You Think!

Parents of babies through age 10. THIS IS FOR YOU! Parents of children ages 11+ be aware. You are building into your children each and every day a worldview, an ETHOS about the world, those different than you, grace, war, politics, church, and sexuality. Have you thought through what guidelines you want for your children in their teenage years relating to dating, sex, birth control, and even friendships? Let me tell you a secret – those conversations are TOO LATE if you begin “going there” when they are ages 11+. You have already left your imprint, whether it was intentional or not. SO – the prescription – go there early. Teach them well, intentionally, and hopefully from a strong, healthy sexual ethic that you have decided upon and are eager to teach them and lead them towards as they make it theirs.

If you want help developing your ETHOS surrounding sexuality, gender, dating, marriage, and relationships – check out my new book coming out soon, the workbook, discounted coaching options, and even a very low cost membership site where we ill have discussions on hard topics and help teach you and lead you to have those hard conversations and lead your family with confidence. Your ETHOS matters. Their ETHOS is established earlier than you think. GO THERE!!!!  Lead from the front. I would be honored to help you succeed. Check out my free book at http://freebook.healinglives.com    

Honored to serve, 

Corey Gilbert, PhD, LPC

Founder and Owner, HealingLives, LLC

http://www.HealingLives.com

by drgilbert

Homeschooling and S-e-x Ed

A few weekends ago I had the amazing honor to speak at the OCEAN Network Homeschool Conference held in Albany, Oregon.  I did 3 breakout sessions that were jammed packed.  The topic? I had three.  

The first was “Sex, Porn, and Your Kids: Age Appropriate Conversations.”  

The second covered tech – “Leading Your Family in a Teched-Out World.”  

And the final topic was “Developing and Teaching Your Family a Biblical Sexual Ethic.”

Wow what a weekend. What a turn out.  And what a need.  I had so many amazing – and also heartbreaking conversations.  The need for healthy discussion and help in these areas is obvious. Know that you were never meant to navigate this alone. I want to come alongside you and help you prepare your family for what’s to come. So a few tips:

  • Be proactive – lead the conversations – I would say it is all about the micro-conversations that build as they grow. Make these often and short. 
  • Learn an biblical human sexuality, theory of marriage, dating, etc. Know what you believe. 
  • Do not avoid tech and see it as evil – It is not. Teach healthy usage and that these are tools – tools to be managed and used appropriately. Remember that this is about their hearts and their own inner compass of right and wrong. You want to captivate their hearts for any kind of transformation.
  • Remember that it is OUR responsibility as parents to be early (not late) to the conversations about pornography and and an ethic on dating, and ther hard and hot topics our children are facing today. Be ahead of the curve – not late.
  • If you don’t teach them, someone else WILL (and probably already has). Train them to be discerning regarding good and appropriate versus bad and grooming touch.
  • Invest in yourself as the parent so that you KNOW your ETHOS and can lead with confidence.
  • Do not do this alone. Find a community for support – face-to-face or virtual, either way – grab on to a community and be teachable. Be sure that what you are teaching is also biblical.

I hope these tips are helpful. You can find more of this in my upcoming book (working on it now) and my membership site for parents at http://www.buildyourethos.com 

Sign up for more information at http://www.drcorey.org 

For me to come speak to your church or homeschool or school group contact me and find out more at http://www.drcoreygilbert.com               

For Counseling and Executive, Marriage, and Family Life Coaching request more information at http://www.HealingLives.com

It is an honor to serve,

Dr. G

Corey Gilbert, PhD, LPC

Owner and Founder of HealingLives, LLC 

by drgilbert

Parents – Your Children Need your Preemptive Guidance

Parents.  You may have heard of a movie in theaters title “Show Dogs” (2018).  This is about that and not about that.  My worry and concern is that many movies like this have subtle hints and lessons that – if not caught – teach our children things that can put them in harms way.  So this is a reminder to us parents to be vigilant.

Movies like “Deadpool 1 & 2” are reaching for our children and have trailers that draw them in – VERY successfully – and we must be the bad guys and say “NO!”  Movies like the first one mentioned are PG and easily fly under the radar and thus we have on conversations with our children about what they contain.

I am not advocating boycotting everything or banning anything. I do not see this as effective and early see it work at all.  It is about the short conversations about pieces of movies and shows and conversations our children hear that will empower them to stand up for themselves and NOT become a victim.  May we lead with confidence. May we prepare our children to spot things that are not just way off, but that are even subtly off.  May we teach them an ETHOS that they can become invested and grounded in – and is theirs.  Their ETHOS matters.  And this begins with ours as parents.

For more information and resources – check out my free facebook group we I am adding content and building community for parents that want to do this well – https://www.facebook.com/groups/familycounsel/

Dr G.

Corey Gilbert, PhD, LPC
Founder & CEO of HealingLives, LLC
Executive & Family Life Coaching, Counseling, Speaking, & Membership Site Owner
www.HealingLives.com
www.buildyourethos.com
www.drcorey.org/free

by drgilbert

Men – How to Marry Well

Kevin Leman says that “Sex Begins in the Kitchen.”  Les and Leslie Parrott talk about “Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts.”  Greg and Erin Smalley say that “Before you Plan Your Wedding…Plan Your Marriage.”

These are incredible resources for the man or woman wanting to MARRY WELL.  What I am finding as a professional counselor and family life coach is that most men will not read these books.  So how can we educate men on key issues they need to watch for, pay attention to, and be aware of – both personally, and in a future wife?  

A Brief Summary:

  • Men, Be Intentional.  Create, know, and live by an Ethos that honors others.  This goes for how you talk to a woman, touch, look at, etc.  
  • Sex is about relationship, not a thing you do.  You are a sexual being. This is to be stewarded and guarded.  Doing so saves so much fear, headache and heartache.  There are no scares or need to seek medical attention for a potential disease or pregnancy.  
  • Men, what kind of marriage and family and home life do you want?  Know the answer to that.  Have a vision for your future.  Discuss this with others and refine and mature this vision – in community.  
  • Do not live together!  This is a critical one for marital success.  
  • Kill your porn consumption.  This, for many healthy wives is nearly as bad as cheating.  Learn to live without this junk NOW!  Don’t wait until you are married – I guarantee you will bring it into your habits in marriage if you do not kill it now.    
  • Be active in your local church – not just attending.  Use your skills and talents to serve those in need.  This shows a potential life-partner that you are more about others than yourself.  
  • Be making a difference in your community – serve in scouts or athletics or in some way that impacts your community and makes where you live a better place.  

Follow these men and you will be very attractive to the healthy women in you world.  Go now and make your world a better place!

TO find out more about how to do this – check out my online course on “Love, Sex, Dating, & Marriage with Dr G” by clicking here.  

To work on Building a strong er Sexual Ethic and diving deeper into this part of who you are – join my membership site (opening soon) by going to www.buildyourethos.com 

Dr. G

www.HealingLives.com
www.drcoreygilbert.com

by drgilbert

2 Keys for Successful Dating

Do you want to marry well?  What do I mean by that?  Do you want to marry someone you can call your best friend, conflict with and find resolutions that are mutually beneficial?  Do you want a life-partner that gets you – and you get them, you would fight for, and they would fight for you?  This is possible!  

  1.  Create a list of Must-have’s and Can’t-stands
    This list includes ABSOLUTES.  I know this sounds crazy – but this can eliminate so much heart ache and poor decisions.  These are those non-negotiables – like character issues, moral boundaries, faith and value minimal standards.  Be intentional.  Be proactive.  Constantly come back to this list and be sure these continue to remain ABSOLUTES.    
    Check out Neil Clark Warren’s great book “Date or Soulmate – How to Know if Someone is Worth Pursuing in Two Dates or Less” to learn how to do this well! Click on this link to buy and help support HealingLives, LLC in the process.
     
  2. Be intentional about sexual boundaries so as to honor others as if they are NOT yours. 
    What you do and enjoy with a potential marriage partner matters.  The more you do with many takes away from the depths of the beauty and enjoyment with the one you marry.  So what?  Treat each date and each person you are getting to know as if they are NOT yours and they will pay dividends for you both.  Your sexuality is meant to be enjoyed – but also stewarded.  Create an ETHOS that celebrates patience and intentionality – as well as forgiveness and grace.  Check out Doug Rosenau and Michael Todd Wilson’s book “Soul Virgins: Redefining Single Sexuality” for more information.  This is an incredible read and resource for you single adult journey toward marriage. Click on this link to buy and help support HealingLives, LLC in the process.
      

Enjoy the Process!  The BEST is Worth Waiting for!  DO not Settle!

Check out my online course on “Love, Sex, Dating, & Marriage” here if you are interested in more training on healthy and successful dating, courting, and marrying. 

Dr. G 

by drgilbert

5 Things Parents of PREteens MUST Do

Are you a parents of a preteen and wondering what the next stages in life are going to look like?  Let me give you a hint – way too much of it depends on you – as the parent.  

Here are some steps to make the teen years an amazing time of growth and adventure and maturity – and not the typical chaos so many experience:

  1. Date your son or daughter
    Go to the movies, on a walk, out to dinner, a hike, picnic, paint balling, golfing, a bike ride, etc.  
  2. Change your discipline techniques (they are older now and need more age appropriate consequences)
    They are not 7 anymore.  Adapt your approach, which often means more intentionally severe consequences – it must hurt sometimes (not physically) for them to learn.  Remember you are leading them towards adulthood.
  3. Go on a retreat with your preteen and complete the Passport to Purity with them
    This is a 3 day 2 night outing with steps to follow, audio to listen to – and the audio by Dennis and Barbara Rainey does the teaching, and activities to complete and adventures to be had.  My eldest son and I went to the coast and went golfing and stayed in an RV.  My middle son and I went to a place up in the mountains that had zip lines and a climbing wall and tomahawk throwing and we stayed in a tent.  These are great memory makers as well.  
  4. Give them freedoms that allow them to test the world (within reason)
    Let them take risks.  We have watched our preteen son take the bus around town.  My wife at times has followed the bus to watch from afar.  Eventually you let go and must trust them.  These small victories are life changing for a growing maturing young man or woman. 
  5. NO allowances – Commissions – teach them the value of work and pay (and tithing and saving)
    As Dave Ramsey says – let them earn it.  They must learn that you are not their money tree.  A valuable statement I learned years ago was to NOT say “we can’t afford it” – rather to say “We choose to NOT spend our money that way.” – this is freeing.  
  6. Go on adventures with them (as a family or just you and your preteen)
    Get outside.  Go as a family.  Camping!  We love to go snowshoeing, skiing, sledding, to the coast, bike riding as a family, kayaking, or float down a river in inner-tubes, and out favorite – cross country road trips tent camping across the US.   

I hope these ideas are helpful.  Also – do some of these things with other families that have kids the same age.  

Be proactive and intentional as you lead this young man or woman into and through adolescence and into adulthood.  I hope even the hardest times of this stage of life are better because of your implementing the above strategies.  Lead well. Lead intentionally. 

Dr. Gilbert

 

by drgilbert

Parents of Young Kids – Your Must Have Book List

Parents.  It is time to be proactive.  I find that most parents worry about introducing conversations with their kids too early.  I find the opposite problem to be the biggest predictor of future failure (as parents and in our kids actions as they mature).  

Be intentional.  Start the conversations when they are 1, 2, and even 3 years old.  How?  Make these age appropriate.  Here below is the list of books we have had on our kids book shelves since they were born.  These books would pop up every once and awhile and enter normal family conversations, then disappear into the mix.  Allow this to happen.  Lean into these harder conversations.  Even make them happen at times as events in life unfold (more on this coming).  Be ready for harder one’s as they enter the preteen years.  I will post more about what to do then in an upcoming video blog and training.  Stay tuned!  

So here is a great starter list for your kids bookshelves – FYI – click on these links to buy and this actually help HealingLives, LLC.  Let’s get these amazing resources into the hands of our children. 

 

And here is the Full set:

I hope these provide a starting point.  Email me or message me if you have specific questions. I am here to serve, as you serve your family with excellence in a difficult area most are afraid of entering.  We can do this.  Let’s also not do it alone.  Lead well!

Dr. Gilbert
 

by drgilbert

Must-Have Resource for Parents of Young Kids

Check out this amazing book we have personally found very helpful with our kids over the years.   Leave it on their shelf and let the conversations come out of no where – or intentionally sit them down and go over it a few times a year.  Start at any age!  

Click on the link below to help support HealingLives, LLC with your purchase.  

 

 

by drgilbert