Dementia, Can you beat it?

Hi everyone,
For some reason we tend to not think of dementia as being a mental illness. I think this will change. Dementia (a more general category) is a result of something gone wrong in the brain. The result is a person is severely disturbed in the area of the intellect, the emotions and the will. This sounds very much like mental illness. At Heartfelt Ministries we do help (usually by a referral), persons who have dementia. We also provide family support. Please read a piece from the highly esteemed John Hopkins is below.


Advice to Keep Dementia at Bay

Recently, researchers looking into cognitive decline and dementia have made encouraging findings. Although it was believed that the adult brain could not develop new neurons (or brain cells), scientists have learned in the past decade or so that the human brain is pliable and adaptive. The brain can actually add new neurons even late in life and continually form new connections among existing neurons -- a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity

This means that while an aging brain may have signs of damage, it can often compensate for them, at least initially. And engaging in mentally stimulating activities like reading, taking a class or playing board games is one way to bolster this process.

This compensation process depends on your "cognitive reserve," the extra, perhaps unused, amount of cognitive ability that can make up for the loss of brain functioning when your brain shows signs of dementia due to the death of cells and their replacement by beta-amyloid plaques. Genetics, early childhood stimulation and education level can influence cognitive reserve but are essentially immutable once you're an adult.

Fortunately, studies have found that you can also increase your cognitive reserve and delay the onset of dementia through a variety of intellectually stimulating leisure activities in middle and later life.

You can delay Demnetia

A study in the journal Neurology, for example, found that among 101 people who eventually developed dementia, those who frequently participated in one or more activities, such as reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, playing card or board games, having group discussions or playing music experienced memory decline more than one year later than those who participated in these activities less often. These pursuits built cognitive reserve and delayed dementia as much as a higher education level did.

T.V. is too much of a passive activity.

It's worth noting that researchers have discovered that watching television is a passive activity that doesn't really stimulate your mind at all; on the contrary, watching television is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. One study found that TV watchers were 10 percent more likely than nonwatchers to experience cognitive impairments over a five-year period. A possible explanation: Time spent in front of the TV means less time for the mental, social and physical activities that can help delay dementia.

Posted on John Hopkines Health Alert on January 9, 2012

Sodom and the Poor, Part 2

Isaiah, a prophet to the nation of Judah, rebuked them for desiring the nearness of God even to the point of fasting, but sadly neglected God's standard of righteousness. Isaiah in chapter fifty eight begins with, the LORDs call, "Cry loudly, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet and declare to my people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1, NASB).

The Jewish people were very close to God's cascading judgments rolling over their heads because of their sins against the poor. Part of Isaiah's message includes, "Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh" (Isaiah 58:6) ? We should not deceive ourselves thinking that America has no real poor in it. The church of Jesus Christ should not only help the poor in the United States but believer's in other countries. (Please read 2 Corinthians 8).

Sodom did not have a covenantal relationship with God like Israel.

However, both were judged because of their failing to help the poor and the needy. The more light that Israel, in the north and Judah in the south, were given the more severely were they judged in regards the poor. Our Lord Jesus teaches us in the New Testament about sinning against God's special revelation. In Matthew 10, Christ is ordering the disciples to preach the gospel to Israel. He then tells them, if they are rejected, Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city .

Sodom was a well organized society. It was financially well off.

One of the reasons for this was it was located in the valley of Jordan and was rich in well irrigated land which would make for a booming economy. This prosperity created arrogance and a hardening of the heart toward the poor and needy. According to John Calvin, "Sodom’s sin was not merely her notorious lusts but the secret spring of them, pride flowing from fullness of bread, caused by fertile soil producing idleness" (Calvin's commentary, Volume 12, The Book of Ezekiel).

The Economy, the Economy and don't forget, the Economy

At this time in the United States and many times before, the issue that concerns Americans the most is whether or not we have a good economy. I am thankful I am an American and I am aware that I have benefited financially more than many my brothers and sisters in other nations. However, there are many in this country and others who think that they are self made men or women and should be congratulated for their God given intelligence and health. "Give the glory to God' for whatever you have achieved.
In the part 1 Ezekiel text, the word arrogance in the Hebrew has its origins in a word that denotes, "excellency, majesty, pride and swelling." Sodom and her sister city-states felt that they should be congratulated for all the prosperity that had come to them.

The fact is that any of us are a mere paycheck away from poverty and homelessness. At age 29, when hit by a severe clinical depression, I could not sleep, I could not eat and I could not work. I was a college graduate but I had to go to a government agency to get food stamps and Medicaid. All of our savings were spent on medical expenses and daily living. My wife, Robyn, and our three children (at the time) had to live in a basement of a relative’s house. (Please see our book Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It.

Please see our donation now page if you desire to give a gift to the poor. When you give let us know that it is for the "poverty fund" and it will only be spent on the poor and none to salary or printing costs, etc.

Suffering is a highway to usefulness and Heaven

Spurgeon near the end of his life.
He died when he was fifty seven years old.



Hi blog readers, I hope this part of the e-letter will help some suffering soul to take courage in their afflictions. Robyn and I have seen many days and even years of suffering. Suffering without purpose and a sense of God’s love leads to cynicism, burn out, despair and extreme discontent. The great pastor teacher, preacher, Charles Spurgeon has a word for those who are overwhelmed with sorrow and trials.


Here is the quote

He whom God would use must be taught sympathy with God’s poor people. Hence we get these words of David, in the sixth verse, I am brought very low. If the Lord means to bless you, my brother, and to make you very useful in his church depend upon it; He will try you. Half, perhaps nine-tenths, of the trials of God’s ministers are not sent to them on their own account; but they are sent for the good of other people. Many a child of God, who goes smoothly to heaven, does very little for others; but another of Lord’s children, who has all the ins and outs and changes of an experienced believer’s life has them only that he may be the better fitted to help others; to sit down and weep with them that weep, or to stand up with them that rejoice with them that rejoice. So then you, dear brethren who have got into the cave, and you, my sisters, who have deep spiritual exercises… You are to be tried, my friend, that God may be glorified in you. (Spurgeon, Charles. Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, David’s prayer in the cave, (Psalm 142 May 18, 1890), pp. 90,91.

You can read more about Spurgeon's Post Tramautic Stress and Seasonal Affective Disorder in our book,Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It. It is published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

The Fiend behind the persecution of the church

Matthew 16:13-18

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi; He was asking His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist;and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of [Hell] will not overpower it, NASB .

Hell's Assault - powerful but not victorious

The gates of hell, as all agree are the power and policy of it, or the acting’s of Satan, both as a lion and as a serpent, by rage and by subtlety. He does not act in a visible manner, in his own person, but by his agents. He always has two sorts of them, that work for him. He uses one class of demons and through them carries out his intention, which is his rage,and by the other his craft; which is his seductions, he now is acting like a lion and then acting like a serpent.

The Satanic work of this kind is of a double nature; ---the one, an effect of his power and rage, acted by the world in persecution--- the other, of his policy and craft, acted by heretics in seduction. By both means he works so as to separate the church from its foundation. The Works of John Owen.

Help the Persecuted Church

Christ our Leader was treated by contempt, insults, slanders, false accusations, blasphemy of his doctrine, reviling of His person and the like. Christ has made it clear to His followers that for the most part, persecution will be their lot in life.

Application

Heartfelt Ministries reports show that one of the highest web page visits is that of the Persecuted Church. I am sitting at a computer in West Palm Beach, Florida. My wife and I went to the beach on the sunny Atlantic Ocean. I am not on the run. However our brothers and sisters are not so well treated.
I fear that I will leave some out. But these are some of the countries where severe persecution is the worse: China, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, South Sudan, Indonesia, Burma, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Pakistan, Vietnam and North Korea.

Let us obey the Scripture, Hebrews 13:3; Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body, NASB.

If a member of your physical body was hurting, you would take care of it and nurture it back to health. These persecuted people are evangelical believers, pray and go to our website for links to the Voice of Martyrs .

Why Have a Mental Illness Support Group?

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone, (NASB (1 Thessalonians 5:13,14).

The Greek word (para-mutheomai), which is translated encourage in the above text of Scripture, is a compound word which means, to get close to someone (who knows Jesus Christ as Savior) and in a very friendly manner use narratives of Scripture to bring comfort and give hope to fellow believers who are suffering.

The word fainthearted in the New American translation is the Greek word, oligos-psuchos,which literally means small souled. The minds of mentally ill people are subject to great weakness. They possess a fractured mind, and the result is they have very very little inner resources to cope with depression, sorrow, mental illness, lack of assurance of their salvation and the like.

The need for this comfort is reflected in Proverbs 18:14, which says, the spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear (NASB)?

According to the great scholar, Gerad Kittel,the encouragement of the fainthearted, in the above New Testament text, indicates that comfort for the fainthearted is God’s comfort through the Christian community (Kittel, Gerhard. TDNT C.1967), Grand Rapids: William Eerdmans, See pages 816-823).

It cannot be emphasized enough that support groups for the mentally ill done in the right fashion will help accomplish the strengthening and edification of the mentally ill and their families and bring great blessings to their lives.

It is difficult for a member of church to start one of these groups without pastoral support. Please make your pastor aware of this blog.
If they are wary of the use of psychiatry, then you can show them our doctrinal statement which is available on our web sight.

Bipolar Disorder Type 1 or 2:

Bipolar disorder can begin with a bout of either depression or mania, but about two-thirds of cases start with a manic episode, and mania tends to predominate. Just as there are many forms of depression, there are several types of bipolar disorder. The two main subtypes are bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2. Both are characterized by one or more major depressive episodes, but the type and degree of mania differ.

Bipolar type 1
People with bipolar type 1 experience mania consisting of distinct periods of persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. The mania may involve delusional ideas and impaired judgment. A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more other symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for one week or longer.

Bipolar type 2
People with bipolar type 2 experience what's called hypomania, a mild to moderate level of mania that is generally a less destructive state than mania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Impaired judgment is rare. Symptoms of bipolar type 2 can be so mild that patients -- and their doctors --mistake these periods of good mood for recovery between depressive episodes. Therefore, even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can turn into severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

Manic Episode

By definition, a manic episode may include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoia during euphoria. About one-half to two-thirds of people with mania have psychotic symptoms. In hypomania, no psychotic symptoms are present.

Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial. Certain medications and health conditions can cause significant mood swings that mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder. These include corticosteroids, antidepressant or anti anxiety drugs, drugs for Parkinson's disease such as tolcapone (Tasmar), abuse of alcohol or other drugs, an under active or overactive thyroid gland, a neurological or adrenal disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency and other mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. These potential causes of mood swings should be taken into account when a person is suspected of having bipolar disorder or is not responding to treatment.

Dementia, the facts

Hi everyone,
For some reason we tend to not think of dementia as being a mental illness. I think this will change. Dementia (a more general category) is a result of something gone wrong in the brain. The result is a person is severely disturbed in the area of the intellect, the emotions and the will. This sounds very much like mental illness. At Heartfelt Ministries we do help (usually by a referral), persons who have dementia. We also provide family support. Please read a piece from the highly esteemed John Hopkins is below.


Advice to Keep Dementia at Bay

Recently, researchers looking into cognitive decline and dementia have made encouraging findings. Although it was believed that the adult brain could not develop new neurons (or brain cells), scientists have learned in the past decade or so that the human brain is pliable and adaptive. The brain can actually add new neurons even late in life and continually form new connections among existing neurons -- a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity.

This means that while an aging brain may have signs of damage, it can often compensate for them, at least initially. And engaging in mentally stimulating activities like reading, taking a class or playing board games is one way to bolster this process.

This compensation process depends on your "cognitive reserve," the extra, perhaps unused, amount of cognitive ability that can make up for the loss of brain functioning when your brain shows signs of dementia due to the death of cells and their replacement by beta-amyloid plaques. Genetics, early childhood stimulation and education level can influence cognitive reserve but are essentially immutable once you're an adult.

Fortunately, studies have found that you can also increase your cognitive reserve and delay the onset of dementia through a variety of intellectually stimulating leisure activities in middle and later life.

You can delay Demnetia

A study in the journal Neurology, for example, found that among 101 people who eventually developed dementia, those who frequently participated in one or more activities, such as reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, playing card or board games, having group discussions or playing music experienced memory decline more than one year later than those who participated in these activities less often. These pursuits built cognitive reserve and delayed dementia as much as a higher education level did.

T.V. is too much of a passive activity.

It's worth noting that researchers have discovered that watching television is a passive activity that doesn't really stimulate your mind at all; on the contrary, watching television is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. One study found that TV watchers were 10 percent more likely than nonwatchers to experience cognitive impairments over a five-year period. A possible explanation: Time spent in front of the TV means less time for the mental, social and physical activities that can help delay dementia.

Posted in on January 9, 2012

Part 2, He is mentally ill; Should I divorce him?

Steve and Robyn Bloem
Heartfelt Counseling Ministries


What about a Definition of Marriage?

Marriage is a covenant union, ordained by God from creation. It is the joining together of one man and one woman by God in the presence of witnesses. This involves an unparalleled, physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological intimacy that can ever be otherwise realized on planet earth. Parenthood is transitional and preparatory but the marriage union is permanent in its origin and is rooted in God's creation of the woman from the man. Marriage is one man and one woman leaving their families and establishing a new unit, becoming one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 –For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

The word joined in Hebrew is transliterated dabaq - to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, join to, cleave to stay with, to be joined together, to cause to cleave to pursue closely to overtake, to be made to cleave


Here is a brief Word study of leave. The Hebrew word is aw-zab.'

to leave, loose, forsake to leave to leave behind,
to leave, abandon, to let loose, set free, let go, free


Implications of One Flesh

1. Marriage is a God ordained institution of society. Monogamy is one woman with one man until death do they part.

2. Marriage relationship is a oneness, socially,intellectually, emotionally, physically, economically and spiritually.

3. Never think of yourself as only a father or mother

4.Your loyalty is to your spouse, not to your parents. Your duty to love and honor your parents remains but not your devotion or your attachment.

This is taken from my seminar How to Keep the Honey in the Honeymoon.
Heartfelt does marriage counseling by phone.


Steve and Robyn Bloem also do a marriage seminar for those suffering from severe addictions such as heroin,cocaine, methamphetamine and any other drug that interferes with the marriage relationship.
Steve has spoken on dual diagnosis at Dunklin Memorial Camp,CAP program in Okeechobee, Floria and at the Transformation Life Center in New York State.

This Thing Is From Me

1 Kings 12:24, Thus says the LORD, "You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel ; return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me.""' So they listened to the word of the LORD, and returned and went their way according to the word of the LORD. (NASB).

Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” Rev. C. A. Fox.

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from me.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye.” (Zech. 2:8) You are very precious in My sight. (Isa. 43:4) Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless. (Phil. 4:19) I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1:32).

Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation. (2 Thess. 2:16,17) Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things.
Laura A. Barter Snow

The Bohemian Martyr,John Huss

When John Huss, the Bohemian martyr, was brought out to be burnt, they put on his head a triple crown of paper with pointed devils, he said, My Lord Jesus Christ, for my sake wore a crown of thorns, why should I not for His sake wear this light crown, be it be it ever be so ignominious? Truly I will do it, and that willingly. When it was put upon his head, the bishops said, Now we commend thy soul to the devil.
But I,said Huss, lifting his eyes to Heaven, do commit my spirit into Thy hands, O, Lord Jesus Christ; to Thee I commend my spirit, which Thou hast redeemed. When the fagots were piled to Huss's neck, the Duke of Bavaria was officious enough to desire him to adjure, No, said Huss, I never preached any doctrine of evil tendency; and what I taught with my lips, I now seal with my blood. (From the Sword Scrapbook, complied by John R. Rice, Sword of the Lord Publishers, (1969).

Luther about Huss

Early in his monastic career, Martin Luther, rummaging through the stacks of a library, happened upon a volume of sermons by John Huss, the Bohemian who had been condemned as a heretic. "I was overwhelmed with astonishment," Luther later wrote. "I could not understand for what cause they had burnt so great a man, who explained the Scriptures with so much gravity and skill."

For a biography see the link below.

If you would like to share about someone who has endured persection, please join the blog and leave a message in the comments section, SB

Heartfelt Ministries New Year Resolution

It is a new year and Heartfelt Ministries is in a new city, West Palm Beach, Florida. The mission of our ministry remains the same. Some think we only minister to the mentally ill population. We do this but we also have a ministry to those who are bereaved and to the persecuted church world wide. What do all these have in common? They are people who suffer from mind and mood.

This year Heartfelt Ministries is asking for your involvement.
This blog is two sided. If you join the blog, you can communicate with us and others.
I would like to ask a question and invite you to answer. How would you describe what depression feels like?

Happy New Year!
Please stay stay tuned for more blogs.

If you would like to receive our e-letter please go to the link below.
Rev. Steve Bloem
Co-founder Heartfelt Ministries
Executive Director

Why you should have a "blessed" new year

What about happy new year?
I was going to say,” Why should you have a happy new year;” but really that is not very biblical. Being happy is not a bad thing, unless it is mixed with sin. But happiness is quite fleeting and can quickly turn to boredom, sadness and a spirit of discontent. Often, people who seek happiness and think they find it, attribute it to getting lucky or think it was a matter of destiny. Then at the zenith of their search they realize achieving it is a mirage or like an animal chasing its tail. For the true believer in Christ, a blood bought child of God, there is no such thing as luck. The biblical order is the Christian seeks holiness and righteousness and the happiness that follows is a byproduct.

Why Christians can have a blessed new year
I would like to give three reasons why you, as a Christian, can be wished and prayed for to have a Blessed New Year.

The first reason is because your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ purchased with his blood on the cross of Calvary an inheritance in heaven, for you, which cannot be taken away. Our Bible text is found in 1 Peter 1 3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you...

A second reason you can have a blessed New Year is because God's people are eternally secure and He powerfully keeps them in every trial and sorrow even to the redemption of their body when they are glorified. Our Bible text is found in Peter 1:5-7: ...who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Our third and final reason that you can have a blessed Christmas is because you have a Savior who intercedes for you at the right hand of God and nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ.
Our Bible text for this is found in Romans 8:33-39; What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, for your sake we are being put to death all day; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered, But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Have a blessed new year!