Someone recently called from another state. She was struggling with family resentment, criticism and outright lies against her character. Often in counseling sessions, I will ask questions to cut through the maze and get to the heart of the matter. This case was no different. I asked her very simply to reflect upon the 23rd Psalm which begins with "The Lord is my shepherd". Then, I asked her "Who is your shepherd?" Are you going to let trouble lead you or are you going to let the Lord lead you to green pastures and beside the still waters? Are you going to let the Lord restore your soul or are you going to let trouble lead you into heartbreak, depression and despair? At the end, we both were shouting "Gloooory!" It is up to us to decide. Are we going to let trouble lead us or the Lord? Who is your shepherd?
Bio of Dr. Emily Grant DeCarlo
Literacy Instructor for RoseBridge Community Arts, a program of the Hopewell Museum of Art and Intercultural History
Author, poet, educator, spiritual adviser, evangelist, consultant
B.A. Social Welfare Systems-Hampton University-Hampton, Virginia
M.Ed. Guidance Counseling-Hampton University-Hampton, Virginia
M.Ed. Special Education-Virginia State University- Petersburg, Virginia
Three year Leadership Training Institute- Chesterfield County Public Schools Leadership Program in conjunction with University of Richmond’s Jefferson School of Leadership
PhD.-Christian Education- 2007 Living Waters Biblical Institute-Petersburg, Va.
Special Education Teacher: Chesterfield County Public Schools- 1996-2011
Special Education Teacher: Petersburg Public Schools- 2011-2013
Associate Minister- Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Hopewell, Va. 2003-present
Co-pastor- Bible Covenant Believers in Christ Deliverance Ministries, Petersburg, Virginia
Founder of The Grant DeCarlo Institute for the Healing Arts -2013
Licensed in ministry-July 1998-New Hope Christian Center-Hopewell, VA
Ordained as minister-May2007-Living Waters Biblical Institute, Petersburg, Va.
Inducted into Tau Sigma Delta honor society for contributions to Literature (Virginia State University Chapter)
Book: “Let it Shine” used as supplemental text for English 211 (creative writing class) at Virginia State University
Poem: “Epiphany” published in Essence magazine, January 2008 edition (page 116)
Published works (poetry): “Secret Dimensions”; “Full Moon Rising”; “True Stories”; “So You Can Know Me”; “Come Sunday Morning”
Research based published works: “Using Poetry to Promote Reading and Language Acquisition”
Other published works: “The Crab Effect” (inspirational book on handling the haters in your life based on the story of Joseph in the Bible);
Poetry CD entitled “Journey” 2009
Blog: “The DeCarlo Files” emilydecarlo.blogspot.com
Founder and executive director of WEN (Women’s Empowerment Network)-1992
Guest speaker and lecturer: various colleges, universities and churches throughout the United States.
Poetry for Healing Workshop and Books
Contact Information:
emilydecarlo.blogspot.com
Facebook.com
Myspace.com/emilydecarlo
Selfgrowth.com
Cell:804-605-7227
Email:emlydcrl@aol.com