About Pastor Don Carpenter Expertise I am a father of four and a Baptist Pastor. Before becoming a senior pastor, I was a youth pastor and worker for over 10 years. If you ask this volunteer a question, you will get the benifit of 20 + years experience in the ministry and the counsel of the Bible, God`s perfect book. Feel free to ask any Biblical or moral questions.
Experience I have been involved in pastoral type counseling for 20+ years. Most of my experience has been with chemical addiction, crisis intervention, and some types of severe mental illness. I have some secular training in those areas as well as a Bible College degree.
Organizations Evangelical Baptist Church
Publications Revival Baptist Chronicles
The Fundamental Baptist Voice
Education/Credentials BS in Bible from Baptist Bible College in CLarks Summit PA
Various training seminars in, Co-occuring disorders, treatment of those who have been sexually abused, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Question I'm 18 and the last 12 months have been some what of a roller coaster ride for me. My girlfriend broke up with me in July after 12 months of being together and for the following 4 months I was in a constant state of depression even with the company of my friends I found it hard to get over her considering she was my first serious relationship. I then started going out with another girl who was very kind, smart and beautiful. However, after a few months I decided to ask her if she wanted to get together and be more then friends after thinking it was a definite with how well the dates were going. Unfortunately I was rejected but decided that maybe after a few more months of going out she would say yes. My ex then came back into my life, saying how much she missed me and loved me, which felt like a bomb had been dropped into my lap as for some reason I was feeling conflicted as to whether continue on with the new girl at the possibility of being rejected again or to give it another shot with my ex. I decided that maybe a second try was my best option as my friends enlightened me to the fact that maybe the new girl was just playing me to pay for stuff. Well after a month of what seemed like a great month for us my ex decided that she didn't want to be tied down in a relationship anymore and wanted for us to be in an open relationship to which I decided against and once again we broke up. A few months on and were friends now and staying that way regardless of how we feel about each other. I'm in a state of loneliness where sometimes I wish I had a girlfriend and sometimes I don't. I believe that everything happens for a reason and god has a plan for us all. I'm just still trying to figure out what the point of these events were and am wondering when and if I'll feel better and what it's going to take?
Answer Hi James,
Thanks for this great question. I feel your pain! I went through something very similar in my Senior year of College. I was dating a girl I was madly in love with, even engaged to, but the relationship ended, plunging me into deep depression and lonliness. After two years, God brought the person who is now my wife into the picture, just as my ex started to show romantic interest again. I was facing the same conflict you seem to be discribing here. I can tell you that after 21 1/2 years, I am bery glad that God put me through what He did so that I can know the pure love of my wonderful wife. I do not deserve such a woman. I cannot promise how things will work out, but I can tell you that the pain refined me and brought me closer to God... and He gave me a wonderful lady to be my wife... but it took some time.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
