Inspire, Fall 1999

The Renewing OfThe Mind(continued) Contemporary cognitive psychology reinforces the importance of thinking (cognition)in the totality of life. One's thinking influences actions,emotions, attitudes, and morality. The internal process ofthinking is a constant process that only rarely shuts down.It is imperative,then,for every believer to be aware of the contents of their thinking. Any content which is antithetical to growth in spiritual maturity and holiness of life is to be discarded (II Corinthians 10:5). In order to develop spiritually as God desires, Paul instructs believers to be constantly engaged in mind renewal.As one's mind keeps on being made new by the spiritual input of God's Word,prayer, reliance upon the indwelling Spirit of God,and Christian fellowship, his lifestyle keeps on being transformed to the image of Christ.The lordship of Christ extends into the thought life of all believers. The teaching ofPhilippians 4:8 is instructive at this point:"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." The department ofpsychologyfaculty also includes Dr. Robert Abbas,Dr. Charles Dolph '74, Dr. Michael Firmin,and Dr. Chi-en Hwang. ortneff„ 9/ 11014 r 111,14 trAt15, . tt r tA,41,-1.qs tit,17cPtle The Love Of Christ In A Hurting World have always had the desire to help people that are emotionally hurting," states Shawn Abbott Burke '92."A degree in psychology from Cedarville College not only began to equip me with the skills to meet their needs, but also gave me a biblical foundation on which to build a successful mission as well as career." After graduating from Cedarville,Shawn attended Wright State University and earned a master of science degree in mental health counseling. She has also completed course work toward a master of social work degree and plans to earn a doctorate in criminal psychology. Shawn is currently working as a caseworker for Montgomery County Children Services in Dayton,Ohio. Her greatest challenge is dealing with the frustration caused by the lack offollow-through and commitment that parents show toward regaining custody of their children. She states that it is also extremely difficult to deal with the injustice of abuse and neglect ofinnocent children. However,#Shawn is thankful that Cedarville College helped prepare her"to respond to a hurting, broken world with the love of Christ." In spite ofthe challenges she faces,Shawn finds it very rewarding when a neglected or abused child who has been in the foster care system for years is successfully matched up with responsible,loving adoptive parents who commit to the ongoing treatment and nurturance of a child. In April 1996,Shawn attended a weekend Christian retreat and met Patrick Burke. After dating for a year, they were married in May 1998 and now make their home in Cedarville, where they are active in Grace Baptist Church. The Lord Determines His Steps J eremy Haskell'96 admits that while at Cedarville College he took many things for granted. However,today he is grateful for the Bible training he received, as well as the way professors taught him to think within the realm of absolute truth. Jeremy discovered that this is rare as he continued his education at Shippensburg State University in Pennsylvania, where he encountered all kinds of philosophies. The truth ofProverbs 14:12 has become very real to Jeremy as he has realized that the world is full of quick answers and easy steps out of problems, which in the end lead to destruction. Jeremy married his high school sweetheart,Amy(Varner)'96, in December 1997,and they lived in Shippensburg where she was a special education teacher. Jeremy graduated with a master of science in counseling in the spring of 1998,and he and Amy began making plans for Jeremy to start a doctoral program in the fall of 1998,something which Jeremy had looked forward to since college. It appears God had other plans. "The week before graduation,Amy and I were having a casual conversation with a missionary from Hungary. He and his wife began asking us about our plans. We explained to them about the doctoral program and how that was what we were working towards. They knew what my degree had been but were unsure about whatAmy had majored in at Cedarville. They explained to us that there were some positions open at the International Christian School in Budapest for a counselor and for a special education teacher," Jeremy relates. Shawn Abbott Burke '92 with husband Patrick Jeremy and Amy committed to pray about it and both found it amazing when,within an hour, all they could think about was this opportunity to go to Budapest and work in this school! Jeremy states,"The roles seemed to fit us exactly, but we weren't sure because it didn't fit into 'our little plans.'The Lord changed our hearts and revealed to us that He had a different plan(Proverbs 16:9—In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.'). We committed to going short-term and began raising our support in June 1998.The Lord brought in the support we needed,and we were in Hungary by the end of August." The Haskells have completed one year in Hungary.Jeremy works as a counselor in the high school and teaches a few Bible courses. Amy works with students who have learning disabilities. They also help lead the youth group in their church. Jeremy hopes to begin working on his doctorate when they return to the States in the summer of 2000.He would like to someday work on a college campus because "college students are a wonderful and exciting group to work with," Jeremy says."It is wonderful to be able to establish a therapeutic relationship with a client. It is exciting to 'walk alongside'individuals as they work through issues that they have struggled with in their lives." Jeremy looks forward to seeing what God has for them next! Jeremy Haskell '96 with wife Amy(Varner)'96 Professing Psychology chose psychology because it matched my interests and gifts," states Dr. Stephen Snyder'80. During high school, Steve's youth pastor suggested that he look into Cedarville College,and after an interview at the college with Dr. Stanley Ballard and Dr. Robert Gromacki,he decided to major in psychology. After graduating from Cedarville, he pursued his master's degree in counseling psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and later earned his Ph.D.in educational psychology from Indiana University. Steve is currently a professor of psychology at Taylor University, where he has been teaching and discipling students for the last 17 years. He began teaching at Taylor after Dr. Bill Secor, his advisor at Trinity, encouraged him to try teaching. He teaches a variety ofcourses,and he and his wife,Debbie,enjoy discipling students and teaching them how to disciple others. "I wanted to be the most effective teacher I could be," says Steve, when asked why he specialized in the area of how to effectively teach and research classroom variables. He enjoys preparing and teaching classes in creative and applicable ways,and he states,"The most rewarding part of myjob is watching students succeed and apply the truths they have learned." When asked how he integrates his faith with his work,Steve responds,"I integrate my faith with psychology on four levels. I try to first integrate the content oftheology with the issues that are addressed in psychology. Next,I seek to show how psychology can help apply many of the absolutes ofthe faith. Third,I seek to analyze the assumptions of models of psychology through the filter of a Christian worldview. Last,I try to live a life that would model the Scriptures in attitude, behavior, and support of students." Steve has been married for 20 years to his wife, Debbie,and they have two children: Stephanie (14)and Ryan(10). Debbie enjoys discipling young ladies, teaching piano lessons, and being a mother. Stephanie has won numerous awards for her artwork,and Ryan is becoming a leader who is full of diligence and care for others. Steve enjoys gardening, working with wood,running,reading, and hiking. He has received three teaching awards during the last five years,and he is looking forward to publishing his book, Celebrating the Differences: Adapting Biblically to Marital Differences. Dr Stephen Snyder '80