Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Mental Illness -Shepherding God's Flock



Image result for shepherds




Shepherding the mentally ill can be troublesome and exhausting. Many homeless people are mentally ill.  What is our responsibility toward this population? Do we even have a responsibility? We have seen individuals who have families who live less than ten miles away.
Maybe their families have been burned out and over time have lost track of their cousin, brother or even mother. These lost relatives are sometimes violent and we understand that.  That is why pastors and leaders need training.


At Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, we have a number of programs in place to reach out and stabilize the mentally ill. This type of advocacy should be familiar to those, who are acquainted with the Old Testament.  The Hebrew word anah and other related words tell us about God’s view of helping those, who are oppressed, bruised,and poor in spirit.  The mentally ill are certainly part of this populace.  The study of this word, and related words in the Old Testament .is a wonderful way to prepare your heart, and the hearts of your people to minister to the mentally i;ll. Someone, who was once a baby boy or girl,, lives as a vagabond



But not all mentally people are homeless.
There are iindividuals, who sit in your church every week, teach your Bible study classes .and sing in the choir.  There are days they miss because of illness. The true reason they are not available is that they are in a depressive episode or experiencing a panic attack and, they cannot get out of bed. The stigma and the judgmental attitudes they have encountered over the months, and years of sickness have caused them to go into deep hiding.   There are also people who have stopped going to church completely because they feel no one understands and they don’t have the energy or resources to educate everyone. This is a major problem in our churches right now!
This quote is from The Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness: A Guide for Training and Review.





Anah, to be put down, become low, to be depressed, to be downcast, to be afflicted, to stoop. Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gessenius Lexicon; this is keyed to the “Theological Word  Book of the Old Testament.”

heartfeltmin.org

Thursday, November 22, 2018

A great story about neglecting Christ at Christmas

This is a repost

We all talk about Christmas being a time for friends and family, a time for gifts, choice desserts and even new cars. Have you ever complained about Christmas being too materialistic? I know I have.  But we still spend too much money for presents (and sometimes even go into credit card debt) in spite of resolutions to cut back on the craziness.


I would like to briefly share what the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ means.  
The Bible is the place to look for who really is the Christ of Christmas. Christmas is about the birth of the Son of God.  As a nation drifts from what the Bible says Christ becomes more and more neglected. 










Luis Palau tells this illustrative story of this very problem:
"Many years ago a wealthy family decided to have their newborn baby baptized in their enormous mansion. Dozens of guests were invited to the elaborate affair, and they all arrived dressed in the latest fashion. After depositing their elegant wraps on a bed in an upstairs room, the guests were entertained royally. Soon the time came for the main purpose of their gathering, the infant’s baptismal ceremony. But where was the child? No one seemed to know.

The child’s governess ran upstairs, only to return with a desperate look on her face. Everyone searched frantically for the baby. Then, someone recalled having seen the child sleeping on one of the beds. The baby was on a bed, all right-buried underneath a pile of coats, jackets and furs. The very object of that day’s celebration had been forgotten, neglected, and nearly smothered!"

Truths about Jesus Christ Birth.

Image result for messiah 
1. It was a Messianic birth; Matthew 18:21 tells us, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: He was the Logos, the Son of God who was born of a woman, and born under the law. As the God/Man, Jesus was the promised Messiah. The term Messiah translates as the "Anointed One."  Jesus was and is the anointed Prophet, Priest and King.  As a prophet He preached the gospel, As the Priest He offered Himself through the Spirit as a sacrifice for sin; As the Son of David He will reign  during the Millennial period      He now is on His Father's Throne.

2. It was a Virgin birth; when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child  by the Holy Spirit. Joseph had nothing to do with the birth of Christ except to help Mary during her pregnancy. The virgin birth is miraculous and to deny it is blasphemy. The apostle John tells us that Christ was the Word of God (second person of the trinity) who became flesh and revealed God to mankind (John 1:1-18).
Image result for angels

3. It was a birth that was accompanied by angels; we know that angels are beyond numbering (Hebrews 12:22). The special angel called Gabriel appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist in the Holy of Ho lies. Gabriel  also appeared to Mary and told her that she would give birth to the Messiah (Luke 1:19).



4. It was a birth that made it possible for the God/Man to preserve the honor of womanhood that was lost in the fall. His birth was also the conduit where the Son of God could shed His blood for the sins of the world.

Monday, November 19, 2018

Lessons from the Civil War


It is a known fact that the Union Army was able to defeat the Southern Confederate state , because their K-rations (food that was prepared and given to the Union troops) enabled them to fight stronger and longer. We know that good solid food causes an increase in energy and strength. I remember reading that the Confederates were fighting the Union forces and the battle moved to a large Apple Orchard.  It was one of the few times, the South,was not lacking strength and vigor.  Why was this so? It was  because, they continually ate big red apples right off the trees 

The Apostle Peter tells us   in Peter 2:2,-3

Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to your salvation, if you have indeed tasted the kindness of the Lord.

If you want to grow.in grace, you must have this longing for Scripture. As one man  said, "either sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin."

Paul said to the struggling Corinthians ;I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,If you want  fight the battles of the Lord you must eat "solid food" But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil"(Hebrews 5:14, NIV).




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Saturday, November 17, 2018

The story of John Huss, imprisoned and burned at the Stake






New post on The Reformed Reader

If Thou Drawest Me Not (Huss)

by Reformed Reader
John Huss Collection (7 vols.) 

In 1415 John Huss was in prison for "heresies" such as saying that belief in the Pope is not necessary for salvation, that laypeople should be able to drink the wine in the Lord's Supper, and for pointing out other inconsistencies and immorality in the Church.  Huss also faced many false accusations, such as the one where he supposedly called himself the fourth person of the Trinity.
Although Huss was suffering terribly in prison (headaches, toothaches, vomiting, [kidney or gall] stones, and horrific nightmares), he would not recant.  Some thought he should just admit to the false accusations - since they were obviously false, everyone would understand.  Others even tried to sort of trick Huss into recanting.  But he continually said he would not recant of anything he taught that agreed with the truth of Scripture.  "I would not for a chapel full of gold recede from the truth," he wrote.  Huss said that if he did recant, he would be breaking the 9th commandment and scandalizing God's people who had heard his sermons.
The last letters Huss wrote from prison are very much worth reading.  He knew he was going to die, and at times he was afraid that he would waver in his faith.  Here's one moving prayer he wrote in a letter to his friends at Constance in 1415:
O loving Christ, draw me, a weakling, after Thyself; for if Thou drawest me not, I cannot follow Thee. Grant me a brave spirit that it may be ready. If the flesh is weak, let Thy grace prevent, come in the middle, and follow; for without Thee I can do nothing, and, especially, for Thy sake I cannot go to a cruel death. Grant me a ready spirit, a fearless heart, a right faith, a firm hope, and a perfect love, that for Thy sake I may lay down my life with patience and joy. Amen.
Although many of us reading this are not in prison for the sake of the gospel, the attitude and ethos of this prayer is one we all should share as we call on the name of the Lord.  Indeed, we are weak, but he is strong!
Shane Lems
Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Hammond, WI, 54015

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Monday, November 12, 2018

PTSD, Pray for the Veterans of War


I am not a veteran of wars. But I am a victim of (PTSD) Post  Traumatic Stress Disorder. My daughter Lindsay was hit by a drugged driver,.We had left in two cars after attending attending a special prayer vigil for the nation.. Her vehicle was right in front of  us. My family and I witnessed  the whole horrible encounter.It happened on Septembre 11, 2001. 

There are many triggers,  which affect those who suffer from PTSD. They will be determined about the nature of the trauma My  PTSD came from the trauma of seeing my precious daughter being hit by durg addicts and killled before my eyes. It could be flashbacks such as:the sound of a siren. Or it might be the anxiety, I felt, when I had to drive down the street  where my daughter was killed.When I went back to work, I  could no longer do CPR training .When a young  a woman who looked like my daughter (she had long hair with curls) fainted:I had to leave my triage post and began  to hyperventilate                                                                                                                                                                             .
For some one else, for instance a person,who has  been sexually abused, might have  contact with  a person who uses the same cologne as  the abuser, and the flash backs are devastating to the person , who has been abused.
The accident scene was very surreal, and the words uttered by the chief police, "she has passed," were, and still are the worst words that  I have ever heard in my life.The Lord has sustained us, and we have been able to persevere in the faith. We look forward to the promise in the Bible 

 " And God shall wipe away all their away all tears from from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. For the former things are passed away:.( Revelation 21:4).. SB

Veterans

Coping with post-traumatic stress disorder can put stress on not just veterans but also their families and friends. More than a third of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have or will experiencee PTSD. And veterans of past wars are still dealing with the ghosts of their time in the service.if you know a veteran who might be dealing with PTSD, you can connect them with helpful resources. The VA offers  https://www.ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/apps/ptsdcoachonline/default.htm  to help veterans learn to manage symptoms, come up with ways to cope, and find professional help. The  provides a Veterans Crisis Line by phone at 1-800-273-8255, by text at 838255 and by online chat at this link:  

Friday, November 9, 2018

Story of Asia Bibi,, Her Death Sentence Has been Overturned!


Asia Bibi spent almost 10 years on death row.














Nov. 08, 2018 | Pakistan

Supreme Court Overturns Asia Bibi's Conviction and Death Sentence


Asia Bibi spent almost 10 years on death row.

Please pray for Asia Bibi
Steve Bloem"I have been praying for her for many years."


CChristians around the world are rejoicing at the news that Asia Bibi’s blasphemy conviction and death sentence have been overturned after nine and a half years in prison. Pakistan’s Supreme Court announced its ruling on Oct. 31, after reviewing her appeal several weeks earlier. The Court’s ruling is highly controversial in this conservative Muslim nation; in addition to widespread protests, two churches have already been attacked. Pray for Christians throughout Pakistan in the aftermath of this ruling. Praise God for this result, and continue to pray for Asia and her family.
Who is Asia Bibi
Asia Bibi is a Pakistani Christian and mother of five.  She helped feed and support her family by working in fields picking berries, working alongside Muslim women in Punjab province.  Asia’s was one of three Christian families in a town of 1,500 Muslim families.  As many readers can imagine, the Christians lived, and continue to live, with constant abuse, harassment, and threats.

One day while working in the field, Asia became thirsty.  She walked to a well and drank some water from a small metal cup set nearby.  A Muslim women saw her do this and spread the word among the other Muslims in the field.  As a kafir, Asia was not allowed to drink from the same place as Muslims drink using the same cup they use.  As a kafir, she was considered filth, and the cup was now tainted.
The Muslim women in the field surrounded Asia, verbally abused her, and insisted she convert to Islam immediately.  Asia said, as she had said so many times before: “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  He died on the cross for me.”  The Muslim women became enraged.  That evening, a mob of Muslims converged on Asia’s house, where they beat her and her family.

Eventually the police arrived and put her in prison to protect her from the mob.  Shortly thereafter, the police arrested her after discovering that she had committed blasphemy.  Because Pakistani courts follow sharia law, a non-Muslim’s testimony carries half the weight as that of a Muslim.  As a result, Asia couldn’t adequately defend herself.  (The crime of blasphemy is so grave that reporters refused to repeat her testimony for fear they would be accused of blasphemy.)


Monday, November 5, 2018

What type of depression is biological?



This was published by Kregel Publications;
 It is taken from chapter 6

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The following are general physical or emotional symptoms associated with clinical depression. These symptoms relate to the illness itself. Other effects on the body will come from taking prescribed medications to combat the depression. Doctors and pharmacists should explain these effects in detail at the time they are prescribed. If you aren’t sure if some symptom is medication or illness related, ask the professionals.


    •  Gastrointestinal complaints. Many suffer symptoms of nausea and diarrhea. Others tend to become constipated.

    •  Increased heart rate and migrating pains in the back. Such symptoms are common with normal reactions to stress, but they can be strongly related to biological depression.


    •  Poor concentration and short-term memory. In deep depression, it can be impossible to pull even simple ideas from what is written or stated. The brain may not be able to process daily events or familiar ideas. Inability to concentrate is normal during times of grief and can indicate other problems. It is present even in mild forms of depression. A sustained inability to concentrate or remember should be investigated by professionals.

    •  Psychomotor agitation. Our narrative has already mentioned physical agitation. I paced the house endlessly, rubbing my head and wringing my hands. At times it felt like a flame was running red-hot from my upper torso down my legs.

    •  Psychomotor retardation. Sometimes symptoms run opposite to agitation. Depressed individuals can tend toward agitation at one time and psycho motor retardation at another. With retardation, the tendency is to sleep or eat more than usual. The general level of functioning is slowed.

    •  Loss of appetite. Those with psychomotor retardation may want to overeat, while those in a more agitated state never feel hungry and may be made nauseous by food. For me, loss of appetite was one of the first indications that something was wrong. I had symptoms of a gastrointestinal virus. This is one reason a depressed person who goes on antidepressants and starts to feel better may gain weight.
    •  Diurnal mood variation. During an episode, it is common for feelings of depression and agitation to reach a climax late in the morning. I was sometimes so agitated at this time of day that only walking for miles with a friend or relative could be a distraction. The intensity of symptoms normally subsides through the afternoon and evening.

    •  Sleeplessnesss. There are clinical descriptions for difficulties related to sleep. Terminal insomnia means the person wakes up at two or three night after night and is unable to return to sleep. Others have difficulty falling asleep (initial insomnia) or in reaching the deeper levels of sleep state (middle insomnia). Again, the insomnia must be a fairly frequent problem to be an indication, and insomnia can relate to other causes. Also, as with psycho motor activity levels, some depressed people go to the other extreme—called hypersomnia. The person sleeps for abnormally long periods, dozes off during waking hours, or takes excessive naps.

    •  Chronic fatigue. I’ve sometimes felt “exhausted to the bones,” an intense, overwhelming tiredness that only someone who has been really sick can understand.

    •  Intense sadness. Intense sadness is the signature symptom associated with being depressed. It can feel like a tortuous pain in the chest. Minutes drag like hours. How intense is intense? This is suffocating gloom, far beyond the “doldrums” or being “down.” I believe the literal hell is far worse than depression, but I understand why depression is described as “a living hell.”

    •  Tearfulness. Some shut down emotionally during depression, but tears are a frequent symptom. I have wept so often during an episode that my cheeks became red and chapped from crying.
    •  Feelings of worthlessness. Depression generates dark, negative thoughts and feelings of failure. The feelings are accentuated when the sufferer knows that this illness is placing burdens on loved ones. A depressed person looks at others who are adequately and easily fulfilling roles of employee, parent, or spouse. Brain dysfunction intensifies feelings of failure when one can’t meet the obligations for these roles.

    •  Inability to feel pleasure (anhedonia). The depressed person cannot experience normal reactions of pleasure or joy. In this unrelenting inability to feel pleasure, no special expression of love will make a difference, nor will “good news” bring cheer. For instance, the person cannot feel the warmth and wonder of surveying God’s creation.
    •  Suicidal thoughts and plans. As seen in chapter 4, suicidal thoughts accompany depression as fever accompanies the flu.


    •  Loss of sex drive. Depressed libido can be a symptom of depression and a side effect of antidepressants. Other antidepressants sometimes alleviate the problem. This can be especially difficult for a man to accept.  This was copied from the book Broken Minds




This is a new book that was published by Kregel Publications.

Here is what Dr. Steve Brown had to say about it,
“I have been a pastor and a seminary professor for many years, and I don’t think  I’ve ever encountered a book as helpful, as complete, and as biblical as Steve Bloem’, "sThe Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness: A Guide for Training and Reference."
This will become one of the most important books in your library.
Steve Bloem is incredibly knowledgeable and refreshingly authentic. The compassionand sensitivity of these pages is Christ like. Get this book and, when you do, you’ll
thank me for having commended it to you.”

—Steve Brown,
Professor of Practical Theology Emeritus,
Reformed Theology
Founder of Key Life Ministries