Have you heard of spiritual darkness?

Reading the Puritans can be difficult. In fact in today's world many of their sermons could be used for exercising the brain. The answer is to read them again and again.

Thomas Manton on Isaiah 50:10

Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.

—Isaiah 50:10 (kjv)

 “Sermon upon Isaiah 50:10” (The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, D.D. [London: James Nisbet, 1874], 18:51–61) gives great comfort to depressed and tried believers. Some editing has taken place, but nothing that would affect doctrine.

Thomas Manton's sermon

First, I will open this helpless and hopeless condition, which is here expressed by “walking in darkness,” and “seeing no light.”Isaiah 50:10

In the words there are three propositions:

   1. God’s people may sometimes be in such a condition as to walk in darkness and see no light.

   2. In the most sinking and dark times their great duty is to trust in the Lord.

   3. They that fear God and obey him are most encouraged to trust in him.

For the first point, that God’s people may sometimes be in such a condition as to walk in darkness and see no light.

First, I will open this helpless and hopeless condition, which is here expressed by “walking in darkness,” and “seeing no light.”

1. In the general, it notes great afflictions and dangers, which light upon the church and people of God; as Lam. 3:2. “He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light;” that is, into a very afflicted condition.

2. It notes the continuance and increase of affliction, when our night still grows darker, and all means of relief are utterly invisible to us: Isa. 59:9, “We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.” It doth not only overtake them, but they had waited long for a change of condition.

3. When we are perplexed and embrangled in our troubles, and miss the true way of support under them. We are said to walk in darkness when we want either the light of direction or consolation.

[1.] The light of direction; and this with respect either to the understanding of our outward and common affairs, or with respect to our duty towards God under such afflictions.

(1.) As to the understanding or right management of our common affairs; being troubled and amazed, we are not able to take any good counsel and advice: Isa. 59:10, “We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noon-day as in the night.” 

So Job 5:14, “They met with darkness in the day-time and grope in the noon-day as in the night.” It is a great judgment of God upon a people when counsel is perished from them, and they have not the judgment of ordinary men. It is threatened as a punishment on the disobedient:

 Deut. 28:29, “Thou shalt grope at noon-day as the blind gropes in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in they ways, and thou shalt only be oppressed and spoiled evermore, and none shall save thee.” Now thus it often befalls the people of God for their disobedience; they know now what course to take for their common safety.

For more of this sermon, please go to Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It.  Appendix C.

Three Different Countries, Christians Homes and Lives Devastated

September 24,2018

What do we pray  for those who  are persecuted?
 First, you are to have them in your memory ,daily
  Second ,you are to feel the chains of torture and suffering hat your brothers and sisters  experience.
Third, you must pray for those, specifically, who are suffering. You can do this by going to  www.persecution.com




Sep. 20, 2018 | Eritrea

Their mistreatment.

Sep. 20, 2018 | India Faithful Families Lose Homes  Hindu activists burned the homes of seven Christian families in May 2018 after they ignored the group’s demands to stop meeting for prayer and worship. About 10 families have been meeting faithfully every week, since converting to Christianity several years ago. Local Hindu groups had warned them repeatedly to stop meeting, but the families ignored the warning. When the families planned a three-day prayer meeting in May, the Hindus again warned them not to meet. Although a few families stayed home, seven families attended the prayer meeting. On May 2 at 6 p.m., each of their homes was set on fire, and the families lost everything.  Police chose not to file a case because of political pressure. Now, some of the families are living under tarps, while a few are staying with relatives. As day laborers, the loss is very challenging for them, but they remain strong in faith. Please pray that these families will continue to grow in faith and remain strong in the Lord. S.Bloem

September 20, 2018 | Mexico

Nearly 30 Christians Forced from Homes and Farmland

Authorities in Chiapas have forced  Nearly 30 Christians out of their homes, and off their farmland, simply because they are Christians. The men and women, who are also losing most of their personal belongings, are being humiliated, beaten and detained for days at a time by local government authorities. A VOM partner is prepared to help with short-term housing and food, but long-term solutions are needed. Please pray that these brothers and sisters will continue to place their trust in Christ as their earthly possessions are taken away. Pray that they will find new housing and sources of income, and that their faith will be a light to those watching their mistreatment.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness MonthMore than 120 people are lost to suicide every day in the U.S. More than 90 percent of those who die from suicide have a  diagnosable mental illness. Peer support groups have been clinically shown to reduce the incidence of suicide, and enhance the quality of life for people ,who live with a range of mental health conditions. The understanding, and connection that comes from peer support is a critical part of many people's wellness, especially when developed in conjunction with medication, therapy, and personal wellness strategies.  DBSA

At Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, we have CAMI  Support Groups.  CAMI stands for Christian's Afflicted with Mental Illness.  CAMI Leader Guides and Student Guides were co-authored by Robyn and Steve Bloem. If you are interested in starting a group and/or getting material, please call us at 561-909-9109

 

Hello, this month is a special month. I am a survivor of suicide, my sister Cyndi, who was two years older than I,,shot herself in her driveway, as her husband and children slept inside.

Heartfelt Counseling is a non profit agency with the IRS. I am trained in the detection of suicide.We have written sound support group material and it is not only being used in our church, but by many others, If you would like to start a group in your area, please call Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, 561.909.9109. Cyndi had read the book, Broken Minds and gave it to more than fifteen friends. The largest chapter in Broken Minds, Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing  It is about suicide, and why you should not kill yourself!

Broken MInds, http://heartfeltmin.org/join-us.html

Steve Bloem

"This is a candid and spirit affirming story of a family's personal struggle, not only with mental illness, but also in finding where they fit into the body of Christ and His ministry. Considering that 10% of the world's adult population suffer from some form of mental illness, this book could well be required reading for pastors, elders, and Christian counselors or for anyone who is called to minister with understanding and unbiased care. The book is solidly based on a scriptural foundation with ample clinical information to appeal to the lay person or anyone in a counseling capacity. Informative, honest and helpful, this work shatters the old stigmas and perceptions of mental illness and depression. It is well written with enough heart and hope to balance the seriousness of the subject. Interesting reading." (Sandra Thayer Author's Choice Reviews 2005-12-01)

Another book that I recently has published (Jude 2018)  is The Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness: A Guide for Training and Reference. I hope you will by it, This book also has an an important piece on suicide. Please go to http://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-pastoral-handbook-of-mental-illness.html

You can see our website, heartfeltmin.org.

Dialetical Behavior Therapy, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, and the Chrisitian.

Stream

Four years ago

Hi Steve: I am a believer, or am I?? I I feel that those who are close to me and are also believers continue to tell me to "Give it to God, let it go, have Faith" that God will take this from you, this disorder is not of God, etc.
.......

. if my heart was completely with God, then why do I still suffer from the debilitating systoms of BPD, Anxiety/Panic Disorder? I have attended DBT classes for two years and although I have gotten understanding of my emotional dysregulation, which helps, I feel strongly that I haven't gotten nor understand the prolonged Exosure Therapy that might help to heal from the anxiety/panic that enprisons me today and has for the last 40 plus years. Please reply. Anonn.The aswer is below.

Steve Bloem

Today

Hello Anon, I am sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I have been praying for you..  First of all, you seem to be shaken regarding your assurance of salvation, because of other Christians, who are discouraging you.,and they are urging you to give over your disorder, to  "let go and let God."

There are times that a Christian does take this advice. The  Lord told ."Moses; "Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord.

"Scripture tells us in Ephesians 6;" Finally, be strong in the Lord  and strength of His mighty ." Apostle Paul, uses the imagery of the battle armor, and putting it on themselves. It reminds me when i was a chaplain at a Home for the veterans in Grand Rapids MI. I was there when the World War 2 veterans were at the age of passing away. I remember being in a unit, where a man was decked out in full Scottish costume. I knew that he was a marine, and.  and  asked  him, "Did you see action at Iwo Jima? He said, with a tip of his hat: " I  dld not see action, I took action".

The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6" put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Each piece of the armor must be put on by us. Trusting in God does not magically take things away from us. DBT has its limitations.
Exposure Therapy does not always work..In fact  DBT Exposure Therapy should not be done until one year of skills training and individual counseling has been done.

 But I am wondering in regards to your anxiety and panic, are you on an antidepressant? Many times people with Borderline Personality Disorder have what we call a co-morbid disease, and the general treatment by psychiatrists for panic is to put you on an
SS RIS such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa. Thee also use other type of medicines.

Remember, I John 2 tells us; “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Our aim not to sin but we also have a Savior, who pleads our case before the Father Here is a link to another one of my blogs. http://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2011/06/christ-our-advocate-intercessor-and.html 

Have you read our book, Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It? 

For the original copy of my first blog can be found, by clicking  on http://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2011/03/mtraining-with-marsha-linehan.html?showComment=1 99921135349#c8070355043501657357. 

Our new book isThe Pastoral HandbookMentalIllnesGuide for Training and Reference.

This book was not meant, only to be read by pastors. If you are a person, who is any kind of mental health professional you should get this book. 

Here is a blog about both of our books:. http://sbloemreflections.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-should-every-church-have-copy-of.html   

Steve is a Certified DBt therapy and was trained in Seattle Washington for a period of wo years. 
He also is an excellent counsleor and therapist when it comes to mental illness.  He and Robyn started a non-profit agency and the fees aredetermined by a sliding scale of your income.  
Rev. Steve Bloem, B.A. M.M., clinical emphasis, I ama certified DBT Therpist.