Monday, February 29, 2016

Breaking the Poverty Cycle





There are many stories about the various ways Christians and other people of compassion are managing to Break Cycles of Poverty.

In the article cited here the author talks about the key to helping people live better economically, emotionally and spiritually. We have seen it around the world as we train Pastors and Missionaries how to show their families ways to prosper in faith, hope and love.

We train people how to live in love as well as live in eternity and live in prosperity. By living in love, hope and wellness are fostered and the entire family prospers.

In Russia we have seen thousands of families get sober, healed and build healthy families. From daily drunkenness to daily sobriety is a miracle. As John Wesley said, "I love to work with the poor because they do not stay poor after coming to Christ. They quit drinking, gambling and abusing their families and they go to work and make money to support the church."

Go to our web to support us and see our resources. Our eBooks are on PDF so they can be bought very cheaply and read on any computer or tablet.

The Post Communism Challenge to Missions

                                Our Model for Missions

We have been active in training Missionaries and Pastors in many nations. The result is a partnership where we support the locals and they have total control over what they accept and what they reject.

We never attempt to tell them what to do. We are not in control. We follow the Model of Jesus and Paul, and we are impacting thousands of people.

That is difficult in nations that have always been under the control of people in authority because they expect we will tell them what to think and what to do.

Our current ministry behind the former Iron Curtain has grown dramatically with hundreds of people finding freedom in Christ from drugs, alcohol, domestic abuse, and chaos at home and work. We see healthy marriages, healthier churches and great leaps forward of Eastern Christians taking the lead.

I spoke with our friends last night for over an hour and a half by Skype. That means my overseas call was FREE! Amazing.
The world, the flesh and the devil are all conspiring to thwart the onward march of Christ's work among the people.

One man is especially on my mind as an example of why we minister as we do. He was a recent convert to Christ who was placed as Pastor by a Western Missionary Organization that tried to control him with California ways of operating a church. He attended our training secretly because had his California benefactors known they would have pulled all financial support from him.

He attended in great fear but he knew he was too broken to Pastor successfully. Over time the Lord touched him and gave him healing and wisdom. He is now a key leader among churches in his region.

Pray for our brothers and sisters. They need our love, equipping and compassion. I cannot give names or places online because it is no safe. However, call me and we can chat personally.

You can support our Missions by going to our web page here.


Gary Sweeten


Friday, February 26, 2016

Sweeten Life Systems Innovates to Solve Difficult Problems




In a former post we laid out the way Jim Donovan and I innovated different ministries in our church. There were differing age groups in our church back in the 80's and each one had different needs.

Today I want to build on that post to share how we are developing ways to solve very difficult problems in society.

One of the greatest challenges of our time is the need to deliver good health care to people without bankrupting the nation. A large part of our challenge lies in the increasing numbers of people who suffer from a chronic problem. Young and old as well as middle aged people are diagnosed with a problem, disease or disability.

Chronic problems are rarely discussed in the press except as a focus of a fund raising event or to promote compassion and empathy. However, these kinds of problems are very expensive and they are growing rapidly. Our Medical solutions are getting better so people live longer with severe medical problems. Additionally, there are serious family relationship problems that accompany the increase in medical concerns.

Government and private agencies are overwhelmed as are the families that utilize them. Sweeten Life Systems, Inc has been studying these concerns and looking at innovative ways to solve them.

Christians of compassion are concerned and wish to help but have little success in getting Ministers and churches to open their doors to these families and their loved ones. Traditional solutions are limited in impact as are the ideas presented by Professionals in the field.

Any meaningful solutions will require great research, deep, thinking, prayer and cooperation. Our research has paid off in revealing ways we can get Professionals to work with the Home to develop better Solutions. In fact, we have developed a brand new organization named PHA.

Professionals + Home Care = An Advantage! (PHA!)

Pray for us as we search for better ways to implement our solutions.

Support us at SweetenLife.com


Thursday, February 25, 2016

Google Spends Millions to Learn What I Teach Every Day!



Google is obsessed with getting statistics on everything and everybody. Unfortunately, they could learn a lot more for no money if they joined a Bible Study!

From The New York Times:

What Google Learned From Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team

New research reveals surprising truths about why some work groups thrive and others falter.

I have taught on small group dynamics in numerous nations around the world. Frankly, dysfunctional groups discourage many people so much that a lot of them quit church altogether. Google needs to learn from me how to lead a great small group.

Gary Sweeten
Get our materials hers and support our ministry with a donation.



Creative Graduates for God



They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.

Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed away
tears. This class would not pray during the commencements ----- not by
choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine......until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. 

All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!!

The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said," GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage.

The audience exploded into applause the graduating class found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.

 GOD BLESS YOU!


We teach people how to creatively engage non-believers and 
anti-believers. Christians must be "As wise as serpents and gentle as doves". I fear many of us are "Mean as a snake and Dumb as a bird!"

Donate to us here so we can equip Christians around the world to defeat evil and replace it with God!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

The Process We Use at Sweeten Life Systems



At Sweeten Life Systems, Inc. we are working on very difficult issues that face us a persons and Christians.  Old ideas about how to solve this problems just do not seem to work. We need new ideas and new solutions. Changes in society require different ways to resolve these issues.

For example, our ageing population is impacting churches dramatically. Churches are largely run by older people so they find it difficult to recruit young people  while holding on to their more mature and better giving members. As a result, churches have a problem with music and services that appeal with only the older group.

A member of our church, Jim Donovan, had over 30 years of experience doing research and designing new products at P&G. During that time, Jim learned how to use advanced methods of innovation to design how new products are  developed. 

Jim brought that innovative approach to me as a Minister of Discipleship in the 80's. I had responsibility for training all ages from the cradle to the grave. The need for an alternative service for young people became apparent. Very few kids attended the "Adult Services" and their parents complained that we needed to do something new.

Jim led a focus group for the young people to discern their ideas and insights and needs. We listened carefully to our "Customers" and they told us what they wanted.

They said:

1. We want a service for our selves. We want to plan it and run every Sunday!
2. We want music and speakers that focus on our age that relate to us.
3. We want a style that suits our preferences.

Jim and I went to the Elders and set up a service designed by the young people, led by them, music by them. The attendance went from 10 kids to 50 or more plus many adults that preferred the service to the "Adult" service.

INNOVATION! CHANGE! GROWTH!

What do you think about that?

See us at www.sweetenlife.com







Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Find a Person of Peace and Offer More Peace



The key to witnessing as a Christian is being a peaceful person. Deciding who God will accept in advance will certainly be a barrier to an effective outreach. Do you know any preachers that are peaceful?

A lot of my friends criticize preachers like Joel Olsteen. They usually say he preaches prosperity and others complain that he preaches cheap grace. These two criticisms contradict each other. If he preaches prosperity then it is all about being righteous and good enough to deserve God's blessings but if he accepts sinners without telling them to change he is promoting unrighteousness.

Here is my two cents. Joel preaches a multi-step approach to God's blessings.

Step I. Come as you are to learn about Christ. You can be in any condition and still be among us and see Christ at work in us.

Step II. We will love you and nurture you into wholeness in Christ. God loves you and  wants an abundant life with you.

I think Joel is very peaceful.

As for cheap Grace, see a later post.

See my books, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty and The Healing Release of the Holy Spirit.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Talking About Evangelizing the People Around Us



I grew up hearing a lot about evangelizing the lost. Almost every church service and Sunday school class was a focus on "Winning the Lost to Christ".



In the first place, every talk, sermon and prayer meeting was an evangelistic meeting. I remember when my parents went to a meeting of Deacons, Teachers and Ministers but there was an altar call that followed and talk on "Ye must be born again".

A lot of the talks told stories about people in the church for decades that were not really saved.  That was followed by an urgent and intense call to examine ourselves to see if we were truly born again.

Despite the talks, Bible studies, sermons and exhortations, few new people came to Christ from outside the church fellowship. Why?

It was all talk and little walk. All we knew how to do was preach at people. We did not know how to chat with friends and family and open the door to discuss the need for Christ.

Second, our churches did not really want anyone coming to faith in Christ if they were real sinners. It was like telling kids not to go near the water until they knew how to swim. We had a hidden belief system that said, "Jesus saves people that have already stopped sinning."

Don't go near the water
Til you know how to swim
Don't let a sinner come
Until they look like Him!

Gary Sweeten




Friday, February 19, 2016

St. Paul Says Answers to Drugs are Found Here





Trauma leaves us weak and confused about how to treat our inner pain. As a result we may attempt to treat ourselves with food, sex, drugs, alcohol, anger, ETC. It does not work, of course, and, in fact, it fertilizes the pain, causing the downward cycle to grow and gain speed.

Got a drug epidemic? Then we have a problem with inner loss, trauma and pain. What can we do?

Heal the pain!

How?

Let me point to the Bible passages that puts a lot of things into perspective. They are found in I Corinthians 13 which is in the middle of 12 and 14, two chapters on the importance of spiritual gifts.

St. Paul decided to place the greatest hymn on record right in between two great chapters on power and truth. In another book, Paul mentions that he knows how to act but finds it extremely hard to do at times.

Why not read Chapter 13 for  yourself and ask a couple of thought provoking questions.

1. Write it down word for word.

2. Write what does it say in your own words. Imagine you were told to say the same things without using his terms.

3. What does it say to you?

4. What will you do this week as a result?

Blessings,

Gary Sweeten


Thursday, February 18, 2016

Reversing Autism?



Just by asking this question I may be placed under a careful watch because it may make some people think I have lost it.  My question about reversing the symptoms associated with being on the Autism Scale arises because of an article about research at MIT. 

When hope is offered to the families of people suffering from an incurable, chronic disease, it is big news even is cynics are in full aversion mode.

Let us all pray the researchers at MIT are on to ways to offer relief and changes to this ever growing population.

In the meantime, take a look at the materials we have that keep you in peace as you wait for your answers to prayer.

Gary Sweeten

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Harmony and Unity





Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.

– Henry Ford


As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Eph 4


More Examples of Mis-Communication


Choose the correct term!


George Costanza: You're gonna over-dry your laundry. 
Jerry: You can't over-dry. 
George Costanza: Why not? 
Jerry: Same reason you can't over-wet.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

King Herod, the Baby Jesus and Richard Dawkins the Atheist



Matthew 2 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

Why did King Herod really want to see Jesus?

Love Him?
Worship Him?
Protect Him?
Kill Him?

What would Richard Dawkins recommend to King Herod about this troublesome child? 

NARAL attacked a Super Bowl advertisement that "Humanized a child in the womb". What would be the suggestions of NARAL to King Herod? 

See my books for more. 

Gary Sweeten





What Atheism Produces


Should this Baby have been Aborted? Ask Dawkins.

Dr. Richard Dawkins, an English Professor and famous atheist recently wrote to a lady who wondered how to think about her baby that had been diagnosed in utero with Down Syndrome. 

Dawkins tweeted: "Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice."
In a fuller explanation on his website entitled Abortion & Down Syndrome: Apology for Letting Slip the Dogs of Twitterwar – the author tried to set the record straight.
He wrote: "To conclude, what I was saying simply follows logically from the ordinary pro-choice stance that most of us, I presume, espouse. My phraseology may have been tactlessly vulnerable to misunderstanding, but I can't help feeling that at least half the problem lies in a wanton eagerness to misunderstand."
The backlash for his original comment had included one mother, who has a child with the genetic condition, saying: "I would fight until my last breath for the life of my son." 

Dawkins said accusations of "Nazism, vile, monstrous fascistic callousness" and "fireballs of hatred" had been hurled his way.
He wrote: "If your morality is based, as mine is, on a desire to increase the sum of happiness and reduce suffering, the decision to deliberately give birth to a Down's baby, when you have the choice to abort it early in the pregnancy, might actually be immoral from the point of view of the child's own welfare."
The enormous ego of a person such as Dawkins leads him to conclude rationally that killing children whom you think are of little value is a gift to society and to the dead child. 
What do you think are the implications of such a point of view? How do his ideas agree with or disagree with the political issues today? 

Comments please!

Read my book, The Healing Release of the Holy Spirit for a Christian world-view. You can get an easily downloaded PDF eBook on our web page. 

Gary Sweeten


Sunday, February 14, 2016

How to be the Greatest, According to a Psychiatrist



An interesting video by Dr. Bruce Terry can give you hope.

The video describes what trauma does to our brains. Trauma and abuse are evil and since so many are suffering from it we must face the realities of pain in our neighbors and friends. Now what?

As you watch this video it may really strike you that there is a crisis in our nation and world. What does it inspire you to do?

1. Get help for my own trauma?

2. Find out more about how to help other?

Blessings,

Gary Sweeten

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Christians Have More and Better Romance? Yep!



Want more romance at Valentine's Day? Go to church and worship together as a couple!

One of the most successful lies ever launched into the ancient world is still prevalent in the  modern world. It is common to hear that "Christians hate sex" but that is a bold faced lie.

The corollary to that lie is "Christians do not have much sex because it is not enjoyable". The truth is that Christians have more and more enjoyable sex than just about any other group ever studied.

Many years ago I came across a study by the researchers at Redbook Magazine, a contemporary attempt to promote sex and hedonistic pleasures liked by secularists. They did a very large research study about the sexual habits and likes of their female readers. As an afterthought they included a question about faith.

Much to their surprise and shock they found that Christians always came out with the best scores. Not only that but the most committed and most faithful at prayer, Bible study and worship were far more satisfied than others.

The Redbook editors were stunned but, to their credit, they published the results. However, in later studies they left the faith questions off the questionnaires.

Why would secularists want to distort the truth about the beauty and pleasure of Christian relationships? Maybe they know that "Truth in advertising" would lead people to reject secular humanism and consider Christianity.


We are all about promoting great relationships, especially in couples and families. Here are some eBooks and videos on ways to improve your life.



Thursday, February 11, 2016

Can Women and Children Traumatized by Evil Recover?



The simple answer is "YES"!

The deeper answer is, "Yes but it will take time, patience and prayers"!

There is no Shock, Trauma or Abuse that cannot be redeemed and healed. It takes some well trained, sensitive, loving and mature men and women to do it.

We have trained thousands of people around the world in the desperately need work in Inner Healing". The term Inner Healing simply means that the emphasis is on the wounds of the inner person rather than the diseases and wounds of the physical body.

For centuries Bible believers have been involved in Seelsorge or Soul Care. Read the books of Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes to see examples from the Old Testament. They were the Pastoral Care Manuals of their time. The image above shows anointing vessels from hundreds of years ago. They show that people called for the Elder Leaders to come and attend the sick back then just as we do today.

Read the following books by myself and our team. They are on PDF and can be downloaded to learn how to minister Soul Care.

The Healing Release of the Holy Spirit
Power Christian Thinking
Breaking Free from the Past

Gary Sweeten

Donate here.


Soul Care in the homes of Mongolian believers The man on the right is our good friend and colleague from Norway, Kjell Aanensen who has taught care and counseling all over the world.



Divorce Prevention




There are many questions and much confusion about the causes, consequences, cures and statistics about divorce. I am committed to act in ways to discover the causes of divorces and help couples prevent them by taking anti divorce action early in marriage.

My personal and literature research convinces me that the CONSEQUENCES on the individuals, the families, and the children from DIVORCE are many and long lasting.  However, I am also convinced that it is possible for churches and families to take simple steps to help couples stay together in a peaceful and productive relationship.

I am stunned that so few churches and other religious groups do little to support marriages and families. My Mentor said something to me several years ago that can be applied in this situation.

Gary: Why do we need to teach these people how to behave? Won't the naturally live like the Bible says?

Bob: Gary, the only things that happen naturally are bad and sinful. Everything else requires work.

We will show you the kind of work that makes fun and joy an everyday reality.

Click here to see videos and books to help your marriage and family life and to donate to keep us going.


Gary Sweeten
Sweeten Life Systems

Please support us!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

What Did they Tell Us they Need?



For over five years we have been interviewing parents and families about their greatest needs. It has been a fascinating journey and one that reveals a lot of surprises.

One, few of the families that care for a child or adult do not complain much, so we we first started our research it was hard to get them to say what they wanted. They only wanted to share their concerns about the kid with the disability.  We finally got them to talk about themselves and the rest of the family.

Second, the needs are surprisingly easy to remedy. Any church, friend, neighbor or cousin can rather easily fulfill their deepest desires.

Third, few people respond because they don't know the exact needs of a mom with a disabled child and are afraid to ask. And, we may assume, as many church leaders said, they conclude that the needs require a specialist with  Medical training.

NOT SO! They want a friend that will spend time with them and listen to them. They want a friend that will talk about adult ideas not just the sickness of the child. They want normal things. Can you just be a normal friend to a parent with a disabled kid without thinking you must have a Nursing Degree? 

Yes! Yes! We build lifetimes of beautiful relationships in families, businesses and churches.

Gary Sweeten



Services for Families with Special Needs



The increase in the numbers and percentages of families in America dealing with the pain, stress and responsibility of caring for a member with a special need is straining all available systems. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, our school systems, churches and individual families are overwhelmed with the challenges it presents.

I spent all day on Tuesday at a conference in Columbus listening to people from OOD attempt to develop better ways to connect family members with the state agencies and professional providers. Every person I met showed an enormous compassion for the individuals and family members but face numerous challenges in helping each family and special person access the services they need.

Challenges:
1. Finding Providers who are available, capable and able.
2. The lack of money to pay for services.
3. The tangle of laws, regulations, agencies, people, offices and experts who can give people the correct information in a straightforward manner. Everyone WANTS better and quicker communication but that is very difficult to accomplish.
4. Provider turnover because of low pay and lack of support.

Mr. Martin and his staff patiently listened and attempted to help but the difficulties in coordinating Washing and Columbus and each county are many. A non-profit called The Red Tree House has a great web site for interested parties. 

Pray for them and par for us. We are developing better ways to connect agencies and families. Go to the new web page to learn more. 



The Power of Positive



When we had an In-Patient program I often visited with the residents and opened their minds by asking a trick question:

Me: "Good morning Joe. How is God treating you today?"
Joe: "Oh, Great! God is good!"
Me: "Joe, are you treating yourself as good as God treats you?
Joe: Stutteringly replies, "Well, no! That would be selfish."

Most of us are trained to say, "God is good! All the time". But we are also trained to think and say, "If I offer myself blessings, grace and mercy I am being selfish".

That is a classic Double Bind that causes a deep crises of faith. As a result many of us wind up with STINKING THINKING! or thinking that fills our Self-Talk with self condemnation and 
defeat. 

I suggest that we will only believe and receive God's
goodness when we agree with Him about offering mercy and grace and truth to ourselves.

To learn more read my PDF book Power Christian Thinking.



Monday, February 8, 2016

Pessimistic People



Why are so many people, especially Christians, dismayingly pessimistic? Why do I read so many sermons, books and articles pointing out the crises, sins, falls and failures of ordinary and leading Christians?

As I write this I think I may have a partial answer. Because the Pastors and Preachers have such negative ideas about God. When I was still actively leading a Christian Counseling Clinic and In-Patient Program, I regularly had classes with our Clients. Without exception, they had encountered a problem in life, and failed to rise to the occasion with high Christian ideals and failed to live like a perfect Christ follower.

The result was a spiritual, emotional and behavioral disaster of depression and rebellion. That failure led, of course, to more Guilt and Shame and eventually to depression and Compulsive Behavior such as pornography, overeating or
alcohol.

The believer attends church or skkes Christian Counsel and more than likely receives the same advice that Job got from his friends: "You have sinned so repent and die!"

My Clients told such stories over and over again. They saw God a big Judge ready to beat them with the Law and the Christians they knew exaggerated their fears with more condemnation. The entire clan was immersed with Pessimism and Punishment.

The leaders do not communicate that God is filled with love and mercy.  They believe God has no grace except for those who deserve it and work hard to get it.

If I had a God like that I would also be depressed and drunk!

Go to my web page for the Good News of God's Grace!

Gary Sweeten

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Football Fun and Quotes at Super Bowl



After being massacred in the Championship Game by the Chicago Bears 71-0 when asked "What was the Turning Point of the game?"
Said Sammy Baugh..........


"The Opening Kickoff"

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble the
football"   
John Heisman 

"I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game."
Bear Bryant / Alabama

 
"It isn't necessary to see a good tackle, you can hear it!"
Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

 
"At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat.  That costs money, and we don't have any."
Erk Russell / Georgia Southern

"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be.  the one who dropped it."
Lou Holtz / Arkansas - Norte Dame

  
"When you win, nothing hurts."
Joe Namath / Alabama

  
"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall."    
Frank Leahy / Notre Dame

 
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out
of you."   
Woody Hayes / Ohio State

 
"I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation.  I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation."
Bob Devaney / Nebraska

"In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn't believe in Bear Bryant."
Wally Butts / Georgia

  
"I never graduated from Iowa...  but I was only there for two terms -
Truman's and Eisenhower's."
Alex Karras / Iowa

  
"My advice to defensive players is to take the shortest route to the ball.. and arrive in a bad humor."
Bowden Wyatt / Tennessee

  
"I could have been a Rhodes Scholar except for my grades."
Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State

  
"Always remember that Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David."
Shug Jordan / Auburn

  
"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn't recruit me. 
"He said, "Well, Walt, we took a look at you, and you weren't any good."
Walt Garrison / Oklahoma State

  
"Son, you've got a good engine, but your hands aren't on the steering
wheel."   
Bobby Bowden / Florida State

"Football is NOT a contact sport, it is a collision sport...  Dancing IS a
contact sport."   
Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State

 
USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his post-game message to his team was.  "All those who need showers, take them."
John McKay / USC  

  
"If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education."
Murray Warmath / Minnesota

  
"The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb.  To be a
back, you only have to be dumb."
Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

  
"We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches."
Darrell Royal / Texas

  
"We didn't tackle well today, but we made up for it by not blocking."
John McKay / USC  

  
"I've found that prayers work best when you have big players."
Knute Rockne / Notre Dame

Friday, February 5, 2016

The Importance of Parenting Babies




These three remain, faith, hope and love; but the greatest is love. I Corinthians 13

It is not always easy to love a little baby. They may cry and squirm and want to eat any time. They poop in the diaper at very inopportune times.

Babies wake us up and care little if the parents get any sleep, even after a hard day at work. We can understand why we get irritated even when we love them so much.

We have known intuitively  for a long time that loving and nurturing children during early life was important. However, research now proves just how important nurture and caring are for the long term health of every child.

Little kids that are not nurtured, nuzzled and chatted with are intellectually, emotionally and relationally delayed. Talking and interacting with babies from earliest childhood is  especially important.

I have taught on the importance of dialogue with older kids and adults fir ages but never before about adults and babies. Read about it here. 

Baby and family dialogues is the ticket. It is that simple act that is so important to the development of brain. It widens the vocabulary of the child and stimulates the brain to add millions of new roots. I remember when I first read about why nursing a baby on mother's breast is key to its development.

A woman's breast is the exact distance from the baby which allows it to look into his momma's eyes and receive her love. Yep, the non-verbal warmth of the mother is as important as the milk!

And, if we neglect to love and nurture the baby we can forever hinder its intellectual ability.


Support us at this web site. 



Healing Life's Hurts



There is a lot of emphasis on Trauma in schools, child care and counseling. There are seminars, books, conferences and discussion about the lifelong impact of Trauma.

In addition, among my professions of Ministry, Education, and Counseling there are many discussions and controversies about the best ways to help people who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress. Here is my two sense from years of study and years of practice.

What really works to heal, change or repair the damages from Trauma?

Caring Relationships?
Education?
Cognitive Therapy?
Behavioral Therapy?
Freudian Therapy?
Biological Medicine?
Music Therapy?
Art Therapy?
Dance Therapy?
Prayer Therapy?
Preaching?
Worshipping?

What say you?

What does the Bible say?

Go to our web site for some suggestions. Our free video tapes are very good.

More later.

Gary Sweeten