Remember those who are in bonds

The Apostle Paul said,I persecuted this Way to the death, binding

and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high

priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I

also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus

in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as

prisoners to be punished. "But it happened that as I was on my

way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright
 light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell
 to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul,
why are you persecuting Me?'"And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord
 ?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene,  whom you
  are persecuting. 
 persecute the true disciples of Jesus Christ, they are actually persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. It is true that He  
  is the resurrected exalted Christ whose deity cannot be
 diminished and He is also is forever the God/Man and the
 Head of the church. Note the text, I am Jesus whom you
 are persecuting. Could they in any way lay a hand on the
Ascended Christ? Could they smite him with rods as they
once did? The answer is no, but to malign and crush His people
is to by association persecute him.
Persecuted Christian, think about this when the devil roars like
 a Lion and seeks to do away with you.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 19, 2012
On Thu. Oct 18 2012 at 03:26 PM Moderator wrote: Philippines--Philippine Government and Rebels
Make a Deal Source: BBC News
The Philippine government reached a peace deal with the
largest Muslim terror group last week, ending 40 years of
conflict between the two groups. The government
conceded another autonomous region in Mindanao
to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
While most Filipinos are Catholics, in the Mindanao
region, Muslims are the majority. The MILF has
long agitated for an independent state, but the
agreement to give Bangasamoro leaders more
political and economic freedom appears to have
pacified them. What is not clear, is how this will
affect Christians in the Mindanao region. Christians
have long been the victims of violence and
land-grabs. Pray for the protection of Christians
in the region, that God will strengthen them in his power.
Picture courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs

 

Iran--Another Christian Convert to Spend Six Years in Evin Prison Sources: VOM Contacts A Christian convert from Islam was sentenced to  six years in prison after he was charged with crimes  against the regime and caught trying to flee the country. Alireza Seyyedian, 37, has been a Christian  since 2006. Last year, authorities found a video  of his baptism in Turkey on his laptop, which had been seized in a raid. In December 2011, he was  charged with crimes against national security and propaganda against the regime. The judge cited his baptism in Turkey as evidence that Alireza was trying  to express dissatisfaction with the regime. He was also accused of hosting a house church and distributing  Bibles to youth. In March, Alireza was caught fleeing  to Turkey, and was brought back to Iran to Evin prison.  He is being held in the section for political prisoners. Pray for Alireza. Ask God to strengthen his faith and give him endurance.Indonesia--Bomb Attacks Revive Church Fears Source: Release International, BBC News, The Jakarta Globe Bomb attacks on Christian targets in the city of Poso have  revived painful memories of religious violence in Central Sulawesi. Explosives were detonated outside a Christian's home just after 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 -- then, about an hour  later, a bomb went off outside Imanuel Church in nearby  Taripa, Pamona Timur. Police said the house targeted  in the first attack was that of Okrifil Mamuaya,  a Christian working for the local government. No one  was injured in the blasts -- but they have alarmed Christians in an area blighted by religious conflict in the past. Groups such as Laskar Jihad have carried out jihad, or holy war, against Christian communities,  particularly in the Moluccas and Central Sulawesi between 1999 and 2002. Pray that Christians in Poso and other parts of Central Sulawesi will know God's peace and love. Thank God that His perfect love drives out fear.Vietnam--VOM Project Pray for tribal Christian training centers operating in Vietnam. The centers provide materials and training  for 400 rural and tribal Christian pastors with the  goal of strengthening house churches in rural areas,                                                            which face more persecution. Please look at our book from Kregel Publications.  It is called Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing.  Mental illness has the effect of making a man a prisoner in his own mind.  Please feel free to go tour web site and go to the contact us form and give me your name, email, etc. and send a check or pay on line $11.00 for the book Broken Minds and $3.00 shipping and handling, a total of fourteen dollars.  Leave your name and email.  I will send you a signed copy for $14.00.  This includes shipping. Please visit us at www.heartfeltmin.org God bless Rev. Steve Bloem Co-founder, director of Heartfelt Counseling Ministries.

ADHD Medication May Improve Driving Performance

This article is by Deborah Brauser, copyright Medscape, 2012

 

 

 

October 16, 2012 (Vienna, Austria) — Effective pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may help improve driving performance in young people with the disorder — a population that is commonly known to have high rates of automotive crashes and speeding citations — new research suggests.

A study of 61 young adults with ADHD showed that those treated with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for 5 weeks reacted 9% faster to startle events and were 67% less likely to have a collision during a driving simulation than those who received placebo.
"There was an old American advertising saying, 'Don't leave home without it.' And that's the message here," lead author Joseph Biederman, MD, from the Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News.
"Effective treatment appears to improve driving behaviors," said Dr. Biederman.
The study was presented here at the 25th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress.

High Accident Rate

Previous research has shown that not only do people with ADHD have a high rate of traffic accidents, but these collisions are often more severe than for the general population, reported Dr. Biederman.
"While stimulant medications have proven efficacy in reducing ADHD symptomatology, there is limited knowledge as to their effects on driving impairment," write the investigators in their poster.

Who took part in the study?

For this study, 75 outpatients with ADHD between the ages of 18 and 26 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either titrated doses of 30 mg to 70 mg lisdexamfetamine dimesylate or matching placebo. A total of 61 of these outpatients completed the study.
A simulated driving program, completed within a simulated automotive environment, was administered twice to all participants at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, once before starting treatment and again 5 to 6 weeks later. During the second visit, 5 surprise events were added to the program. Other measurements included the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Report Scale (AISRS) and the Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) Scale.
       
Public Health Issue

Results showed that the participants who received the active treatment showed significant clinical improvement in their ADHD symptoms, as measured by the AISRS and the CGI.
This group also showed significantly faster reaction/braking times during the simulator's surprise events (P = .02) and a lower likelihood of collisions (odds ratio, .33; P = .048) than the group receiving placebo.
"The reaction time result means that there was a space after stopping that was about 30 to 50 feet longer for those receiving the treatment. In that period of time, you can keep from hitting another car, a pedestrian, etc," explained Dr. Biederman.
       
In the active medication group, 22.6% had a collision after a surprise event vs 46.7% of those in the placebo group.
"This finding has a major public health relevance, considering the high prevalence of ADHD in the population and the increased risk of accidents associated with this disorder," write the investigators.
The simulated surprise events included encounters with a concealed vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, a vehicle unexpectedly backing up, and a cyber dog (twice).
There was no significant association found between improvement in ADHD symptoms and improvement in driving performance.
"In other words, you cannot extrapolate improving in the clinic to how they're going to drive," said Dr. Biederman. "Also, we only measured behaviors when the medication was active. So driving outside the window of medication may mean you're vulnerable to all the things we saw in the placebo patients," he added.

Documented Improvement
"We already know about this topic, but I'm glad it's down in writing," Helena Walleus, a psychiatrist from Uppsala, Sweden, told Medscape Medical News.
Dr. Walleus, who was not involved with this research, also said that this would be a good thing to teach the Swedish authorities who control who can get a driver's license.
"If we can keep our driver's license — that's been a big question for people with ADHD. These authorities were concerned that ADHD drugs would impair driving," she said.
During a discussion with Dr. Walleus after his presentation, Dr. Biederman noted that in the United States, many of these medications "have that ridiculous sticker saying to not use while operating heavy equipment."
"So it's interesting that we are documenting improvement in driving, where you're obviously handling heavy equipment. The problem is just if you drive outside the window of efficacy for the drug."
Please visit our web site.  If you click on CAMI Seminar, you can see our latest which is going to be in Grand Rapids, MI or you can contact us to do one in your area.
http://www.heartfeltmin.org/#!events/c15sx

For our book, please go to http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

Water helps stress and lose weight

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/photos/5-best-reasons-drink-water#0

Water, why drink it.’

It may surprise you but I believe that two of the most important things that I have done since I was twenty nine years are doing anaerobic exercise and drinking water. I am on four major medications for bipolar 2 disorder.  Each medication has an important part in keeping me healthy. 

In 1985, I was prescribed by psychiatrists drugs that were classified as Tricylic medications.  These were effective for depression but the side effects were terrible, especially dry mouth, urinary tract pain and an overall feeling of being dried out.  These side effects compelled me to drink large volumes of water. Drinking water, at least eight cups a day has also helped me have chronic kidney stones.  I am still drink water and lots of it.  If I don't my I actually began to have very dry lips, indigestion, etc. I will have urinary tract pain also if I don't drink enough water.

It makes sense doesn't it? God created water and lots of it. It is not a drug and it is necessary to living.  So here is an article that I recently read.Of all the food and beverage choices you face every day, what's calorie-free, virtually cost-free, and, oh yes, essential to keeping you alive? Plain ol' water. But those aren't the only reasons to drink it.

1."Water drives basic body performance," says Beth Reardon, director of nutrition for Duke Integrative Medicine, part of the Duke University Health System. "All of the systems in the body require water for proper functioning, and so do 90 percent of all chemical reactions in the body."

2. It will help you de-stress

Why: Being sure to sip water throughout a stressful day can soothe stress-induced symptoms as diverse as headaches, tense muscles, fuzzy thinking, a pounding heart, and low energy. That's because stress taxes all your basic body systems -- and when you're dehydrated, the effects are magnified.  Given that more than half your body weight is water, Reardon says, "just a 2-percent reduction in hydration has a dramatic impact on energy levels and cognitive function." And dehydration further raises levels of cortisol -- the "stress hormone." Water won't wash your stressors away. But it can provide you with more energy, ease tension, slow breathing, and reduce the strain on your heart.

Water-drinking tip: "Eight by eight -- eight 8-ounce glasses a day -- is a good general rule of thumb," Reardon says, "but it's a myth that's the magic amount for everyone, because there are so many variables." The "right" amount for you depends on factors including your age, your activity level, your health level, medications you're taking, and the weather. So how do you know if you're drinking enough? Follow your thirst, and know that you're on the right track if you have straw-colored urine, Reardon says.

 3.  You'll lose weight

  Why? In a 2010 study of adults aged 55 to 75, drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water before meals was associated with almost four pounds more weight loss in 12 weeks than in a control group who ate a similar diet but didn't have the pre-meal H20. Participants drank an average of 1.5 cups of water a day before the study. In part, the Virginia Tech researchers say, water is filling, so you feel fuller and eat less. An earlier study found those who drink water before meals consume an average of 75 fewer calories per meal. (Make that twice a day over a year, and that could add up to 14 pounds!) The Virginia Tech scientists also believe the water drinkers began swapping this zero-calorie beverage for sodas and other caloric beverages.What's more, when you're well hydrated, your body is working closer to maximum efficiency -- enhancing aspects of weight loss, like digestion and muscle function, when you exercise.

Water-drinking tip: For variety's sake, try flavoring your water. Drop some fruit into a pitcher and let it sit a few minutes -- lemons, oranges, watermelon, and berries all work well. Or let an herbal or flavored green tea bag steep in unheated water to accent the taste

4. You'll be less apt to get sick

Why: Hydration keeps your mucus membranes in top working order -- they're gatekeepers to the natural defense system that helps keep out germs such as cold and flu viruses. When these tissues dry out, germs can more easily penetrate to the nasopharynx, where the nasal passages and mouth meet. And if you catch a bug anyway, the severity of your illness is more likely to be lower if you've been drinking a lot of water. Water is an especially smart health move when you're traveling. Most commercial planes fly at elevations between 30,000 and 35,000 feet, where humidity is 10 percent or lower. That means you're breathing dry air in a tight space filled with germs from dozens of people. Water keeps your mucus membranes moist -- and your defenses high -- even in that challenging situation.

Water-drinking tip: Bring an empty water bottle with you to the airport that you can fill for free once you're past security. Or buy the biggest bottle you can right before you board, and aim to finish it by flight's end. Don't hesitate to ask the flight attendant for refills while you're in the air.

 5. You'll be more comfortable

Why: It doesn't matter if the water you sip is hot or ice-cold. The act of drinking it will keep you warmer on a cold day -- and cool you off on a hot one.  "Your internal thermostat works better when you're well hydrated," Duke Nutritionist Beth Reardon says. "Water helps regulate body temperature." The body's temperature-regulating system, governed by the hypothalamus in the brain, is constantly picking up information that allows it to make adjustments to maintain a fairly steady core temperature. Hot sun? You'll sweat to cool down. Hatless in snow? The hypothalamus will know you're losing heat through your head and work to produce extra energy, such as shivering.

But these mechanisms work less well if you're dehydrated – and dehydration is a common risk for people of all ages, in winter as well as summer. In cold weather, for example, you lose water vapor through your breath. And many people tend to drink less water in cold weather because they don't think they need it as much as on hot, sunny days.

Water-drinking tip: Start by swapping out one soda, cup of coffee, or high-calorie hot chocolate a day with an equal amount of water. Carry a bottle of water with you all day long as a visual reminder to pause and sip. Sip more when you're physically active, whether in water, snow, or any weather condition.

6. It will help regulate your blood pressure

Why: In 2010, the American Red Cross discovered that when blood donors were given 16 ounces of water to drink before giving blood, there was a 20 percent drop in fainting after the procedure. That was an important finding for them, given that many of those who faint then chalk blood donation up as a bad experience and never return to give again.

It's not entirely clear what mechanism is at work. But the Red Cross was inspired to conduct a study after researchers at Vanderbilt University noticed that drinking water activated the parasympathetic nervous system -- related to the "fight or flight" system that makes you more alert, elevates blood pressure momentarily, and boosts energy. Fainting after donating blood is often connected to a drop in blood pressure, and they theorized that the water would counter that effect.

(Not drinking enough water on a regular basis can also raise blood pressure. That's because dehydration causes blood vessels to constrict as the body strives to conserve water that it loses through perspiration, urination, and breathing. When blood vessels constrict, however, the heart pumps harder, bringing blood pressure up.)

Water-drinking tip: Start your day with a glass of water for a simple energy boost that remedies any dehydration that may have occurred overnight. Keep a filled glass or bottle on your nightstand or an empty one next to the bathroom sink.

For our book, Broken Minds, Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It

 http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

For our seminar, please go to http://www.heartfeltmin.org/#!events/c15sx

The End

 

Elijah a man of depression and victory

Key verse - James 5:17

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.(NASB).




Elijah suffered from depression, yet he was held in high esteem by the LORD God. The above Scripture in James 5:17 makes it clear that Elijah was able to move the hand of Jehovah by prayer alone (I Kings 18:36-38).  He is commended for fervent, effectual prayer.  In other words, his prayers acquired results.  It rained after a drought of three and one half years.

Elijah’s Faith

The key to Elijah’s power was not  found in his human nature.  It was faith in the LORD God of Israel.  James tells us that Elijah was just like you and me. Elijah’s make up and his personality were just like any other human being.

Have you ever felt like God has a bad list and you’re on it?

James is a person who gets right to the point.  He does not want his suffering hearers to think that they are on God’s bad list.  He does not want them to think that Elijah's mercurial temperament put him on the super hero list of Old Testament prophets.  No way!  He is a man like they are.  He has the same emotional experiences as any man or woman that has ever been on the face of the earth.

God’s prophet -- running from a queen!

 James’ readers knew the Old Testament. They were familiar with the story that did not hide any of Elijah’s weaknesses.  James’ readers recognized that Elijah had been depressed enough to ask the LORD that he would die.  They were familiar with the Old Testament narrative when Elijah ran from Jezebel out of fear for his own life.  The man who had conquered and killed Baal’s prophets was now terrified of a queen. 

 God’s Prophet was teachable

However, they would also know that Elijah was a teachable prophet.  He was a man of God, warts and all. God had taught Elijah that the LORD often chooses not to reveal Himself through dramatic revivals; and that Elijah should not despise the day of small things.  James’ readers knew that God had led him to Sinai, the Mount of God, to show Elijah that the LORD, the mighty God of Israel was not in the fire, or the earthquake or the wind but revealed Himself to Elijah by a still small voice.

God will rescue you!

You may be in a deep pit of depression; you may be out of touch with reality. 

Nevertheless, God knows where you are and knows how to rescue you.  He may prolong the trial but His Omniscient timing is always right (See Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

Sometimes the symptoms of mental illness will render you from actually praying or perhaps you can only pray short desperation prayers.  T

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8: 26, 27:

You should think about how the once depressed Elijah had the honor of being one of the two men who God actually snatched from the wicked earth without dying and took to heaven.

The Sentence of Death

I have often experienced what the apostle called, "the sentence of death."  He talks
about it in  2 Corinthians 1:8-11:For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively , beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.  

Paul was at the end of his rope.  The Corinthians Scripture can be translated, we were on death row.   If God did not intervene Elijah would die. He despaired of life.  He saw no way out of his extremely stressful predicament.  He was shut up to being delivered from his heavy burden by his God and no one else.
It is like the hymn writer Don Moen wrote.

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way

To learn more about our seminar which talks about Mind Mood and Faith please visit our website

 http://www.heartfeltmin.org/#!events/c15sx
For more information on our book, please visit,
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

Lindsay, we wil see you by the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To our Precious Lindsay,

You lived your life to the fullest while on earth.  On the horrible tragedy of 9/11/01, the last thing you did was to pray to a God that you knew and then after that act of worship, you were ushered into Heaven along with your baby Emily Hope.

The angels stood with folded wings waiting to whisk your spirit and Emily's to heaven itself.

We miss you terribly and we miss Emily Hope.  Your testimony continues to bear fruit and we are left behind to share with others what we have learned in the school of suffering. We will see you in a little while.  We will then have eternity to worship and play on the new Heavens and new Earth, where there will be nor curse and where the Lamb of God and His throne will be.

 

Revelation 22:1 -3 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,  in the middle of its street.  On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruit, yielding its fruit every * month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse ; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; Love, Mom Dad,