Christian truth, fruit and power. A mixture of research, Bible, stories,testimonies and fun.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Famous Facts about Valentine's Day
Facts Of Love
- For every 100 single women in their 20′s, there are 120 single men
- The first diamond ring was given by the Archduke of Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477
- About 189 Million roses are sold on Valentine’s day in the US
- It would take 30 years of Valentine’s Day spending to amount to one day of Christmas spending
- In Uganda, a mix of herbs and a grey crowned crane egg is considered a love potion. It is supposed to increase monogamy and affection
- The seed of the silphium plant has been suggested as the source of the heart symbol
- In 2010, the average cost of an engagement ring was $2100
- About 1000M valentines are sent each year (including in-school valentine exchanges)
- Americans eat about 46lbs of candy per year, per person.
- 8 billion candy hearts will be produced this year
- In ancient Greece, carrots were perceived to be an aphrodisiac.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Helping People in Pain 3
Some people's pain is deeper than others. When I started teaching Pastors and Counselors in Asia it became apparent that my students had a tendency to lump everybody into the same diagnostic bucket. They had been overly influenced by Western Psychotherapy and called everyone with a mental, emotional and relational problem "Mentally Ill". Maybe I need to add another term to this designation: "Hopelessly Mentally Ill". I needed to innovate so I came up with new chartts.
My Asian friends already had a system of differentiating people by how far away or antagonistic they were to the church. I adopted and modified their system. In my system, people are differentiated like this.
Levels of Problems and Pain
Type A Persons: No life-interrupting problems
Level I Very mature and healthy individuals
- Able to lead if equipped
- Strong in relationships and self control
- Stable and deal with life’s problems
- Full range of emotional life
- Not blown about by every new thing--Need: Leadership training
Level II Can vary in healthy lifestyles from weak to developing
- Some are fragile but dealing with life
- Symptoms of weaknesses can be identified
- Need to be discipled and equipped for ministry--Need: Challenge to grow and be trained
Type B Persons: Differing types
and intensity of problems
Level III Ongoing issues and problems that cause disruptions
- Worried or anxious, sad, angry, conflicts and dissatisfied with life
- Misses appointments, sleeplessness, low performance, relational problems
- Is strong enough to work and learn from counsel
- No harmful thoughts about self or others Need: Lay care, counsel, support-friends and family
Level IV Ongoing problems and pain
- Issues getting worse
- Cannot meet personal, work, family or school responsibilities and cannot change
- Misses appointments due to depression, anxiety, stress, drinking, etc
- Cannot concentrate, does very poor work, scattered thoughts
- Compulsive behaviors with food, gambling, anger, drugs
- Unresolved conflicts--Need: Refer to Professional Counseling
Level V Acute Pain
- Lay and Professional counseling have failed to help so pain increases
- Cannot manage school or work
- Ideas are distorted, cannot manage life or relationships
- Dangerous use of alcohol, food, drugs
- Thoughts of harming self or others
Need: Intensive care in a safe place
Interested in learning more??? Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
It seems as though everybody is trying to get me to be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise!
Not long ago I went down to the offices of Dr. Kereiakes where they were having a Blood Pressure Lab. Two young women were there along with several old geezers like my wife and me. Th young women looked as through they were primed and ready to run the Boston Marathon but we looked like we wanted to sit on the couch and eat salty chips. We got a real, honest to goodness, finger pointing lecture about eating cardboard and drinking low cal, filtered water.
Take a good look at the infographic connected to this link. From about 1990 when the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed until the Affordable Care Act it influenced was passed, the emphasis has been changing from Fixing the Problem/Sickness to Preventing the disease or problem. The movement legally has been from relying on an expert to relaying on ourselves.
There are several problems found in this change. First and foremost is, "We all hate the idea. That which is hated is resisted."
King George discovered that principle but it seems that the medical, educational and ministerial worlds are especially hard headed about insisting people should do what they are told.
Look this Infographic over and see what you think. At our house we have discovered some ways to get people to actually get more involved in wellness and prevention. See my Humpty Dumpty book for ideas about motivating others to change.
Why Do I NOT Judge Drug Users, and Others?
There is a lot of talk now about churches and ordinary people intervening in the lives of people who suffer from depression, anxiety and addictions. A famous actor, Philip Seymour Hofman, died a couple of weeks ago and the media was filled with articles that blamed his friends or the community for a failing to save him.
The son of the famous preacher Rick Warren took his own life last year. The tragedy was followed by a predictable series of attacks on Rev Warren and his wife as well as attacks on the churches for failing to help people like the young Mr. Warren.Many of the critics were religious folks.
Allow me to be clear: "I have no advice and certainly no criticism for the Warren's or anybody else when these things happen. They are tragic and can happen to any family and any church. To my knowledge, the rate of drug addiction, depression and suicide are about the same for Christians and non Christians. But we can do something.
Why are BS (Blame and Shame) unwarranted?
When I was at UC we faced a huge problem with students doing drugs. One day a student asked if he could talk with me. I said "Sure" and we went to my office where he told me he was hooked on Marijuana and needed my help to get off. After some discussion he said, "I wanted to talk with you earlier but I was afraid you would judge me. When you grew a beard I decided you were OK and could understand my problems and not judge me."
Small things mean a lot. My church friends hated my beard. They judged me harshly for being a Hippie and a Liberal. But it was simple. I wanted to be more like my students and it worked. I was able to support him as he worked to get sober.
If you want to learn how better to condemn do not read my materials. You will just be disappointed and end up condemning me as well. I follow a man that said "I did not come into the world to judge it but to save it". Me too! See my books if you want to be a lover.
Helping People in Pain
Why I relax and trust God as a Change Agent.
1. All change is self-change so we cannot change our kids our church members or our friends.
2. The people who died were surrounded by love, counselors, self-help groups, prayers and intense support. People did about everything they could possibly do.
3.Ordinary people can be helpful but we cannot save anyone against their wills.
4. People can learn to help more effectively, but we are not perfect. See Humpty Dumpty
5. An interesting chart of famous people who were killed by drugs.
6. Start a Recovery Group in your church for addicts and families and friends so .
7. People in pain need friends and fellowship more than anything else. See Healing Souls Touching Hearts. Be there for people but recognize we all make our own decisions.
Jesus said, Do not judge lest you be judged likewise."
Mercy trumps justice!
Grace trumps Karma!
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