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Why Choose Biblical Counseling?

"Blessed is the man who walks NOT in the COUNSEL of the ungodly" Psalm 1:


6 Common Detachments From Reality


- SUBSTANCES:


Street drugs, prescription drugs, OTC (Over The Counter) drugs, food, adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin.


- ACTIVITIES & AMUSEMENTS:


Gambling (with money, with relationships, with life, with eternity); sex and other pleasure pursuits; electronic (chat rooms, games, porn, TV, soaps, news, sports, shopping, etc.); work (especially high-stress related work); sports (active not passive); shopping & collecting (when you really don't need things); forbidden, illegal, or criminal activities; adrenaline-related activities (thrill seekers); direct fantasy (theme parks, movies, phone sex).


- RELATIONSHIPS:


Inability to be alone; sexual confusion; serial monogamy, distortion of importance of pets, pornography illusions.


- POSSESSIONS:


Accumulation, collecting, financial confusion, chaotic surroundings.


- MIND GAMES:


Absorptions, distractions, searches & quests, time related distortion.


- DENIAL:


There is nothing wrong; I'm OK; it's not "my" problem.


Sometimes the power of these reality disconnection mechanisms are multiplied when found in various combinations. A prime example is pornography which can be 8 times as powerful as other addictions because it can be a 3 point activity addiction; a 2 point mind game; a substance addiction (dopamine); a relationship addiction (sexual intimacy without commitment); and denial. When its use includes the collection of related paraphernalia, it covers all of the above.


WHY IS ULTIMATE REALITY COUNSELING SO DIFFERENT & SO ESSENTIAL?


UNIQUE GOALS


Non-Biblical counselors have as their goal, to change behavior to conform to the standards of the world. Worldly behavior is considered "normal." (a must-read is "Making Us Crazy" by Kutchins & Kirk)

Ultimate Reality counselors' goal is to confront the client with reality as stated in the Word of God; show them how disassociation from (God's) reality creates a life filled with fantasy, lies, and illusions; show how a realization of their new identity will promote a change in behavior; and challenge the client to conform to God's standards, not man's relativistic standard for human behavior. (Rom 12:2)


UNIQUE METHODS


Non-Biblical counselors assume that the way to change a person fundamentally, is by changing the persons' activities or behavior. The non-Biblical counselor's method is usually to help people to find their own answers, often in a non-directive way. The non-Biblical counselor has no absolute standard, and all morals, situations and ethics are relative.

Ultimate Reality counselors realize that the Identity must first be changed (2 Cor. 5:17), then the behavior will change according to the new identity (Jn 3:30, Ph 3:7-9). Finding "your own answers" may lead to further (self) deception. There is an absolute Standard for behavior, the ultimate test for reality, the Word of God (Mat 5:18, 24:35). God uses a highly directive approach to behavior modification.


UNIQUE ASSUMPTIONS


Non-Biblical counselors assume certain things about the nature, composition, and origin of man, and man's enviornment. Unfortunately, these man-derived assumptions are frequently opposed to the Designer / Creator's statements!

Ultimate Reality counselors assume that the perspective of the Designer & Creator of man is the most accurate perspective for reality. They accept God's statements about the origin, nature, composition, and final destiny of man. They accept God's statements concerning the world and things unseen. God alone, as The Designer, sets the Standard, and defines what is true and what is false.


UNIQUE COUNSELOR CHARACTERISTICS


Non-Biblical counselors often have severe problems of their own, and frequently are "in recovery" themselves. They are among the highest suicide rate of any profession because they are forced into the realization that they have no real answers for themselves much less for their clients. That's why non-Biblical counselors have a very high suicide rate.

Ultimate Reality counselors however, have recognized that their imperfections and dysfunction's (sinful behavior) have been reconciled by God, who alone has a complete restoration plan. This means that the Biblical counselor trusts God's solutions for his own life's problems, and is therefore fully equipped, and totally furnished to share these life-changing truths with others. God's only example of a fully functional human being, and perfect counselor was His Son, Jesus. He was absolutely honest, deeply compassionate, highly sensitive, spiritually mature, and totally committed to serving his Heavenly Father, and his fellow human beings. In Ultimate Reality counseling, God gets the glory for emotional stability, glory that would otherwise go to Lithium, Prozac, and other psychotropic drugs.


SO....WHY CHOOSE ULTIMATE REALITY COUNSELING?


Most what passes for "faith-based" counseling today, is not Biblical, and it may not even be Christian! Those who practice it may be Christians. They may pray before or after the counseling session, but almost all of what passes for "Christian" counseling is merely secular counseling in disguise. These counselors have secular goals, use secular methods, have secular assumptions, and achieve short term, superficial results at best.


It is for this reason that an Ultimate Reality based method of dealing with life-controlling issues has resurfaced (it's been around for a very long time, pastors have just ignored it in favor of secular ideas). It is called Ultimate Reality Therapy® because it is designed to bring people face to face with reality as God has defined it, hence "Ultimate Reality."


Life is a constant struggle between Truth and error (non-truth is deception, fantasy, and illusion). That is why seeing things as God sees them, Ultimate Reality, is so crucial!


Ultimate Reality Therapy® gives us the discernment to exercise faith in God's Word rather than leaning on our own understanding, misconceptions, and assumptions. These errors occur in what we believe about ourselves, our relationships with others, and our environment. Ultimate Reality Therapy® offers God's corrective measures directly out of His Word, the Holy Scriptures.


This process is called "Hospice Of The Soul®." Dying to the soulish desires of the flesh has its basis in Scripture (Gal. 2:20, Rom 6:11, Rom 12:1, etc.). Through it, individuals are taught to make the transition from a self-centered life, to a Christ-centered life, and in the process, redefine success, their purpose in life, and their true identity.


Oscar D. Ramirez, Ph.D.


The Founder and President of Crossfire Inc. Veterans Ministries received his Bachelors' Degree in Biblical Education from Florida Bible College in 1974, and was ordained into the Ministry.


He served as Intern for Dr. Mark Cambron, renowned author and former Dean of Tennessee Temple. In 1976, he received a second Bachelor's Degree in Theology and was immediately asked to become a faculty member of Florida Bible College. Over the following 25 years, he developed the highly effective process known as Ultimate Reality Therapy®.


He received his Master's Degree in Christian Psychology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary, and began doing research with severely traumatized combat veterans, refining and applying Ultimate Reality Therapy with amazing results.


While conducting research to find a Biblical approach to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) he received his Ph.D. in Christian Psychology, and was extended a formal letter of invitation to conduct group therapy sessions at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Substance Abuse Center. Shortly thereafter, the invitation was expanded to conduct group sessions within the Psychiatric (PTSD) Ward of the VA Hospital.


Dr. Ramirez worked with the Miami Rescue Mission, supervising and training counselors, and frequently speaks in churches on topics such as "How to Live the Christian Life." He conducts seminars in the community on addictions and other life-controlling issues, and is in the process of establishing Crossfire, a re-entry, readjustment, recovery and research center for prior military personnel struggling with life-controlling issues.