tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27372225397784379622024-03-05T20:57:27.696-06:00O My Soul, why so depressed within me?Hope in Christ: for I will yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42.omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-91459688320611021702011-01-07T17:18:00.000-06:002011-01-07T17:18:41.382-06:00Epiphany - Joy for the Gentiles<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SWiBmejHXGg&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SWiBmejHXGg&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>God Bless you! -omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-11993562202854006212010-12-22T17:09:00.000-06:002010-12-22T17:09:54.397-06:00Merry Christmas<object height="240" width="190"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZCFCeJTEzNU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZCFCeJTEzNU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="240" height="190"></embed></object>I'm doing well, just not taking the time to write. I'll save that for next year. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to you and God bless you in Jesus Christ our Savior.<br />
<br />
-oms<br />
<br />
P.S. I got a kick out of this video, hope you do too.omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-45983680854124524762010-11-21T22:10:00.001-06:002010-11-21T22:12:47.452-06:00My Sister-in-Law<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28nXvic3wXSJUcoVmNLf65ptNTIgvWQ84t_j8YMGsRyfr-RHFdUzeFlv9tRtJ-9-6k2PZOsJQa3lBhFWbqP8O4rh3ctosdzHQcnGGHFk8BHy7M3UL1Y6Ix9TmkYl87hktn-AtACT9lucI/s1600/electroshock+therapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28nXvic3wXSJUcoVmNLf65ptNTIgvWQ84t_j8YMGsRyfr-RHFdUzeFlv9tRtJ-9-6k2PZOsJQa3lBhFWbqP8O4rh3ctosdzHQcnGGHFk8BHy7M3UL1Y6Ix9TmkYl87hktn-AtACT9lucI/s320/electroshock+therapy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> O My Soul:<br />
<br />
I knew she was struggling with minor forms of depression. Then I knew it was getting worse and the medications were increased and then she was not responding well to any medication or other help.<br />
<br />
Today I learn she has been on medical leave from work for the last several weeks and in a very special program at the hospital. This large and reputable hospital takes only three cases per month and my sister-in-law was accepted. <br />
<br />
A major part of the treatment is electroshock therapy, plus a lot of other care. She is able to stay at home, but things are very hard for her and her family.<br />
<br />
My brother-in-law is hopeful. He has seen improvements but it will be around Christmas before the doctors can determine to what extent she has benefited from the program.<br />
<br />
I'm experiencing quite a few emotions since I received the news.<br />
<br />
Partly, I feel sad. Such a bright, intelligent, and beautiful person simply racked with tremendous pain.<br />
<br />
Partly, I feel scared. I fear that I may one day be overcome by the same thing. I'm more hopeful than I have been in the last few years. But, my fear is that the darkness will return with greater strength as the years and decades progress. I hope not but...<br />
<br />
And partly I feel angry. I hate this crap. <br />
<br />
I thankful for my psychologist, psychiatrist, pastor, and friends, but I remember where I've come from. I know the difference between a bad day and a disease ridden mind that cannot cope with most situations.<br />
<br />
I'm most especially thankful that I have a Savior who was tempted in every way, even forsaken by His Father, but through it all did not despair. All that He did for me, my sister-in-law, and a great many others.<br />
<br />
Thanks be to God. <br />
<br />
Hope in Christ &<br />
God bless you.<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-69547847889877831112010-11-16T21:27:00.000-06:002010-11-16T21:27:44.589-06:00A Normal Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHibQBDQg_9FoM-TadLY1VLgeimqgGczlou7YOmwItShRpcHIAYKG5r17Ryx10CHrzI3_K6GzkW4OCcfuyht1kayw6LcYo3znKlf3Cpjuo31ValpmjFVHED9k5-Ta-Qg5G8x7YPDEhjLf/s1600/ItineraryLong.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHibQBDQg_9FoM-TadLY1VLgeimqgGczlou7YOmwItShRpcHIAYKG5r17Ryx10CHrzI3_K6GzkW4OCcfuyht1kayw6LcYo3znKlf3Cpjuo31ValpmjFVHED9k5-Ta-Qg5G8x7YPDEhjLf/s320/ItineraryLong.gif" width="249" /></a></div>O My Soul:<br />
<br />
I've been sticking to a fairly stable daily itinerary recently.<br />
<br />
A little work. A little conversation with my wife. A little play with kids. A little progress on a few household projects. A little time to read a few books. A little bit to eat. A little exercise. A little rest.<br />
<br />
I've been expecting to fatigue and need several days downtime. But it hasn't happened.<br />
<br />
I have to say I feel a little better than I did a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
My brain doesn't feel as broken. Nor my body quite as fatigued.<br />
<br />
The only out of the ordinary thing that happened today was that I received a phone call from a friend during the lunch hour. Thanks friend. You know who you are. Let's talk again soon. It made my day.<br />
<br />
Hope in Christ &<br />
God bless you<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-20384130671064005192010-11-08T10:15:00.000-06:002010-11-08T10:15:14.310-06:00The Full Diagnosis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL-tkqKi-dG9WgTYLlkYZF5eb7NZZHZSsPdJ5P_0gqN1CkCKM2hLY4u75jrfoMK1ej6Gj5mUWU2mhJ3kZKb2vjbOvQd92DB-oFR45lxq4qDY87wc4ts25Xqt1mLj3iFKO6vEjRYNtTiqN/s1600/Know+Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL-tkqKi-dG9WgTYLlkYZF5eb7NZZHZSsPdJ5P_0gqN1CkCKM2hLY4u75jrfoMK1ej6Gj5mUWU2mhJ3kZKb2vjbOvQd92DB-oFR45lxq4qDY87wc4ts25Xqt1mLj3iFKO6vEjRYNtTiqN/s320/Know+Hope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adult Male Clinical Depression</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">O My Soul:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's what I knew all along. But somehow when a professional gives a diagnosis after hours of testing over several weeks it is not the news I wanted to hear. There is more to the diagnosis but they are just details to be addressed over time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am use to trying to tell other people I have a problem and getting nowhere. I can still moderately function. I can give a positive impression when I want to or on a good day. But I think it is similar to an alcoholic who can still go to work and pay the bills. It doesn't mean he doesn't have a problem, it just means that he can still go to work and pay the bills.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now the tables are turning for me. My psychologist raised the issue of suicide to a higher awareness. She asked me to be aware of dark thoughts and death thoughts and their frequency. We talked about that a bit. Dark thoughts are common. Death thoughts are not. If anything I am afraid of being pulled into rationalizing away self-harm/death thoughts like happened to me several years ago. I didn't hurt myself but scared myself that I could.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am still trying to line up a psychiatrist. I had a short but wonderful conversation with an intake nurse referred to me. She asked me a few questions but was so positive. I couldn't get to see a doctor until after the new year but gave me several names of good psychiatrists in the area.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"You are going to feel so much better!" She was so positive and encouraging. She gave me hope.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have heard there is such a thing as a cure to depression. It takes effort. It takes time. But it is possible.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I want to know and experience that kind of hope.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Strange emotions have hit me since the diagnosis last Friday. I have a greater hope for healing than I have ever had before and yet that great hope is coupled with a great fear. Fear of the unkown. Fear that I will never feel better. Fear that as I get older this will get worse and worse. Yet like I said before I have never been so hopeful either. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am being cared for by very competent people. I don't have to convince them what I'm going through. They listen and are supportive. They break problems into smaller chunks and provide realistic options for me. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't feel so alone. And that's a good thing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God be with you,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-oms</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-28709041678495268072010-11-02T04:10:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:37:45.738-05:00Rev. Peperkorn's Dark My Road DVD<object height="50" width="100"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qZVIK_i0p9s&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qZVIK_i0p9s&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="320" height="180"></embed></object>O My Soul: <br />
<br />
The Lutheran Catechetical Society has published Rev. Todd Peperkorn's lecture format of his book entitled <u>I Trust When Dark My Road</u>. <br />
<br />
My copy arrived yesterday and I highly recommend it especially for people who may be unable to concentrate enough to read the book (due to depression).<br />
<br />
Check out the 10 minute preview posted above. The whole lecture is 1 hour and 23 minutes. Order<a href="http://thelcs.org/Lutheran_Catechetical_Society/Past_Sessions.html#widget7"> the DVD here</a>.<br />
<br />
& God be with you,<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-85780289556636695582010-10-25T07:25:00.000-05:002010-10-25T07:25:22.882-05:00Luther on Despair<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl-SE7acGU6-GkHbS5f8stBVqU2hPcwzxop00RuXryKkmguTPAhR_vTHerHg4af84WvAyNlB9F_R4sKKoy4dJByGHAtGrmJ0YqxRQ0fNpjWiusv6EllHoUQ1TotmK28rbiTezBmYFRyHi/s1600/luther_inkstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl-SE7acGU6-GkHbS5f8stBVqU2hPcwzxop00RuXryKkmguTPAhR_vTHerHg4af84WvAyNlB9F_R4sKKoy4dJByGHAtGrmJ0YqxRQ0fNpjWiusv6EllHoUQ1TotmK28rbiTezBmYFRyHi/s320/luther_inkstand.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luther throwing an inkwell at the Devil in his study</td></tr>
</tbody></table>O My Soul:<div><br />
</div><div>Great quote at <a href="http://www.doxology.us/">Doxology</a> from<a href="http://www.doxology.us/Page.aspx?id=12"> Luther on the Spiritual Care of the Despairing</a>.<div><br />
</div><div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div id="ContentPlaceHolder1_div_ucShepherdPage"><div id="ContentPlaceHolder1_ctl01_divShepherdPage"><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luther on the Spiritual Care of the Despairing</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Listen, then, to what we are saying to you in God’s name; Rejoice in Christ, who is your gracious Lord and Redeemer. Let him bear your burdens, for he assuredly cares for you, even if you do not yet have all that you would like. He still li.ves. Look to him for the best. This is the greatest sacrifice in his eyes, for as the Scriptures say, no sacrificing is more pleasing and acceptable than a cheerful heart that rejoices in the Lord.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When you are sad, therefore, and when melancholy threatens to get the upper hand, say: “Arise! I must play a song unto the Lord on my regal (be it the <em>Te Deum laudamus </em>or the <em>Benedictus</em>), for the Scriptures teach us that it pleases him to hear a joyful song and the music of stringed instruments.” Then begin striking the keys and singing in accompaniment as David and Elisha did, until your sad thoughts vanish. If the devil returns and plants worries and sad thoughts in your mind, resist him manfully and say, “Begone, devil! I must now play and sing unto my Lord Christ.”</span></div><div align="right" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ed. Theodore Tappert, </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel </em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Vancouver: Regent College Publishing, 2003), (pp. 96-97)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">God be with you,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">-oms</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-20989215985686014372010-10-24T15:16:00.000-05:002010-10-24T15:16:30.939-05:00Prayer With My Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIyYJAuiwmSdDBLBKYMxk1XSOhXBRWUFFT86gNxcIq1V9QgVPoxxWIBr-SuqWTdS8I_K4XQZ_LkOPDeWQIvIHoD7o7hAnHGj5mvjzv-1S2DxBgdKqFT32vHkust2EORj_3UvEfRBy5OMh/s1600/Prayer_in_Garden_235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIyYJAuiwmSdDBLBKYMxk1XSOhXBRWUFFT86gNxcIq1V9QgVPoxxWIBr-SuqWTdS8I_K4XQZ_LkOPDeWQIvIHoD7o7hAnHGj5mvjzv-1S2DxBgdKqFT32vHkust2EORj_3UvEfRBy5OMh/s1600/Prayer_in_Garden_235.jpg" /></a></div>O My Soul:<br />
<br />
I have never sweat blood during prayer but leading my wife and children in prayer comes close.<br />
<br />
It is something I know I should do but I can not count the ways that delay, interfere, and eventually bring family prayer to an end.<br />
<br />
Here are a few things I have done to make it a routine:<br />
<br />
1. 8:00 a.m. is family prayer time. It helps that the two youngest children are not homeschooled this year and need to be at the elementary school at 8:30. So at 8:00 we all sit in the living room.<br />
<br />
2. I follow a very, very simple order of service:<br />
<br />
Invocation, Psalm, Apostles' Creed, Prayer Requests, Lord's Prayer, Blessing.<br />
<br />
And then we go about the rest of our day.<br />
<br />
<br />
Hope in Christ &<br />
God Bless You,<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-47067624163413253692010-10-18T13:14:00.001-05:002010-10-18T13:15:07.913-05:00Poll Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1Hc9tgNoEmBrsUfXoZ0bspW5qw9Ew4TGFK2l8oMRTSR_DFFVg5ur_yokgWtB6SwE-f-NU2OMOxTZXZ0sXvSB8r5vvZqXhC3QZ85dcj-ne4sq1x29nE1e9jnl4jurh3DoL2gysjOc6JXT/s1600/polling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1Hc9tgNoEmBrsUfXoZ0bspW5qw9Ew4TGFK2l8oMRTSR_DFFVg5ur_yokgWtB6SwE-f-NU2OMOxTZXZ0sXvSB8r5vvZqXhC3QZ85dcj-ne4sq1x29nE1e9jnl4jurh3DoL2gysjOc6JXT/s200/polling.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>O My Soul:<br />
<br />
The question was: Have you ever visited a psychologist? I'm glad that so many of found it helpful. In fact I'm surprised only one found it not helpful and that no one said they would never even try.<br />
<br />
I am in therapy but will wait before I give my own opinion. However, I am more hopeful than I have been in quite some time.<br />
<br />
And yet, I found out this weekend that I have a relative who is unresponsive to any medication for clinical depression. She has been fighting this for over a dozen years but now meets certain requirements to enter of special program which might include shock therapy. The program only accepts three applicants per month. She and her husband are in my prayers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are the results of the poll:<br />
<br />
Yes, and it was helpful.<br />
4 (50%)<br />
<br />
Yes, but it was not helpful.<br />
1 (12%)<br />
<br />
No, but I think it would help me.<br />
3 (37%)<br />
<br />
No, and I never will.<br />
0 (0%)omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-74685415424787335502010-10-15T19:48:00.000-05:002010-10-15T19:48:29.458-05:00Therapist Sarge<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JhlWddAXSRA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JhlWddAXSRA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="240" height="190"></embed></object>...and a chug on over to mamby pamby land and just maybe we can get you some self-confidence you jack wagon!...tissue? cry baby.<br />
<br />
O My Soul:<br />
<br />
Ya gotta love a Geico commercial every once in a while. I laugh out loud every time I see this one.<br />
<br />
This afternoon I drove over to namby pamby land and met with my therapist. She is not a Sarge. Since I'm not in a lot of pain right now (which is not the same as feeling ok) I tend to think this is hopeless theater and if she threw a box of tissue at me I would probably agree with her. <br />
<br />
She is continuing to evaluate before laying out the plan. I thought it might be this week but it may now be next week. I like the deliberateness of the whole thing. Besides I'm not going anywhere, I think things are going in a good direction, and this is part of the 10-12 weeks of therapy that we agreed to in the beginning.<br />
<br />
Gotta run. I want to run that video one more time. <br />
<br />
Hope you enjoyed it also &<br />
God be with youomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-26340787718029491132010-10-15T09:30:00.000-05:002010-10-15T09:30:11.620-05:00Families Coping with Mentally Ill Loved Ones<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8nSh5qIylQI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8nSh5qIylQI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="240" height="190"></embed></object>O My Soul:<br />
<br />
This video is from the gives voice to the anguish of family caring for loved ones with various kinds of mental illness. Due to my own struggles and also as a pastor of a congregation, I am more aware of the difficulties faced by family members. <br />
<br />
What struck a nerve with me from this video is when one gentleman said he was asked by several churches to leave because of the distruptions caused by the mentally ill family member. Ouch!<br />
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What can a Christian congregation do to help these families? If there was any intentional support for them what might it look like?<br />
<br />
Besides personal awareness of a few individuals within the congregation, I have not pursued much targeted work toward the care of their souls. But I have done the following:<br />
<br />
1. I pray for them in my private prayers, asking Jesus Christ to have mercy upon them.<br />
<br />
2. I visit occasionally and listen. My hope is that with that individual family I can reduce the stigma. The biggest difficulty for me as a pastor is that if I listen and feel the pain to much my own depression can worsen. They don't know I have depression they just know that I am sensitive and acknowledge that depression and other mental illness exist and that it not simply a lack of faith on their part.<br />
<br />
3. I have made available Rev. Todd Pepperkorn's book <i>I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression</i> (<a href="http://www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief/onlinestore/proddetail.asp?prod=booklets015">get a free download copy here</a>). I've mentioned it in one or two sermons and it flew off the shelf like hotcakes.<br />
<br />
What do you Pastors, congregations, individuals suggest may be helpful if a more intentional support would be given to these families?<br />
<br />
Just askin'<br />
<br />
God bless you. <br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-20328922273207883052010-10-12T19:44:00.000-05:002010-10-12T19:44:59.089-05:00Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRYmYKilOxKgS2FegoPngiZzNXR0rGxM-QHRrdDyJd9Wl6R1PJ0rNsBtGS1E2fIyJF3ebRPlzGxHRSFx_o7m5gIkscbZLtMR-QeekegK3I3zhE0Kih7cv010Ya1KQ9939zaeFRs-M-nUK/s1600/matins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRYmYKilOxKgS2FegoPngiZzNXR0rGxM-QHRrdDyJd9Wl6R1PJ0rNsBtGS1E2fIyJF3ebRPlzGxHRSFx_o7m5gIkscbZLtMR-QeekegK3I3zhE0Kih7cv010Ya1KQ9939zaeFRs-M-nUK/s320/matins.jpg" width="185" /></a>O My Soul:<br />
<br />
I have noticed that I have been praying the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matins_in_Lutheranism">Matin Prayer Service</a> regularly for well over a year. It has become part of my daily schedule along with breakfast and bathroom breaks. I've been praying it Monday through Thursday without many misses. I schedule it on the church calendar, vest, and speak the whole service aloud including lesson from the <a href="http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=873">Daily Lectionary</a>. Aloud, so I can hear the texts and the prayers. Usually a time of silence during the additional collects just to listen, ponder, or add my own requests. It takes up to a half-hour. Sometimes congregation members join. Sometimes not.<br />
<br />
I started at the suggestion of my pastor. <br />
<br />
At first it bored me to tears. It was just hard work. My ears had been closed to the gospel. I didn't get anything out of it. It seemed like a waste of time. But it was on the schedule so I kept at it.<br />
<br />
I still battle depression (obviously) but I am hearing the Gospel.<br />
<br />
I receive benefits from Christ's death more and more and more. <br />
<br />
I reflect on those benefits off and on throughout the day.<br />
<br />
It is a blessing in the midst of the darkness that comes and goes (almost at random).<br />
<br />
But, it is now hard for me to imagine going weeks or even days without listening to my Lord and my God. And it is definitely not a waste of time.<br />
<br />
<i>Open my lips O Lord and my mouth will declare Your praise.</i><br />
<br />
He has and I am.<br />
<br />
<br />
Hope in Christ &<br />
God be with you, too<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-57628334777640502482010-10-11T13:56:00.000-05:002010-10-11T13:56:29.054-05:00Treasure Kept For You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVHruU6iZnulKkctH9QdHp8Mvob2CbgCh6a6RqN2iXBMftiL7NIVcLrJvbBz8kqUy9UE1hUYz8HZcA_axVEhZHeGpnzhkwzbT3x7Weno40VNOdWeR3kx9Opi92IIwq_FuYkUu4kC_03PF/s1600/treasure-chest-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVHruU6iZnulKkctH9QdHp8Mvob2CbgCh6a6RqN2iXBMftiL7NIVcLrJvbBz8kqUy9UE1hUYz8HZcA_axVEhZHeGpnzhkwzbT3x7Weno40VNOdWeR3kx9Opi92IIwq_FuYkUu4kC_03PF/s320/treasure-chest-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>O My Soul:<div><br />
</div><div>I am continuing to meet weekly with my psychologist and pastor.</div><div><br />
</div><div>A detailed plan from the psychologist is not complete. She spent our last session asking me questions about key relationships in my life and the conflicts involved with them. Next week, we will go over all the results and I will most likely be presented with a few psychiatrists to look at my medications. I am hopeful this will lead to improvements for my aching soul but it will take awhile.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I am thankful that I am able to meet with my pastor after meeting with the psychologist. The psychologist is good at focusing on the law and clarifying it for my emotional health, however, the pastor speaks the gospel.</div><div><br />
</div><div>There was a time when I thought suicide may be an option for no other reason than to end the pain. That thought alone scared me and continues to frighten me. How bad can depression be? Death. I think that's kinda bad. I know and am afraid of the thought that I could lose all that I have even at my own hand.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I never acted on that suicidal tendency but I now know it is possible whereas several years ago I would have not thought it even possible.</div><div><br />
</div><div>My pastor said a number of comforting things. (I'm not sure if I heard all of them, but..) One stands out. Jesus is not only the giver of His gifts to sinners, but He is also the protector of His gifts for me. Hearing that meant a lot. I have been afraid of losing much.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It's hard to be cared for. My flesh rejects it. But this depression thing is maybe changing that.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I've been in over my head for a long time. The help is appreciated.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Hope in Christ & </div><div>God bless you.</div><div><br />
</div><div>-oms</div>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-37999852141502422642010-10-07T17:55:00.001-05:002010-10-07T17:56:50.601-05:00National Depression Screening Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlLyL68nrtp5JOYNliKIr_6VAyBNCvG-qDMeNaqJPXw5ffe6ZyUp5kR1R2ZT_T6xhgRgLMVmarbQbGm9lOlaeoyGs4RMZrU2PLBFT_Lmb9099uzcGc9y8gI36ZmCQ1xXwvBkY3QjHA0IJ/s1600/calendar_oct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlLyL68nrtp5JOYNliKIr_6VAyBNCvG-qDMeNaqJPXw5ffe6ZyUp5kR1R2ZT_T6xhgRgLMVmarbQbGm9lOlaeoyGs4RMZrU2PLBFT_Lmb9099uzcGc9y8gI36ZmCQ1xXwvBkY3QjHA0IJ/s1600/calendar_oct.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Well the sun is setting and I didn't mention that today is National Depression Screening Day. If you would like to take an </span><a href="http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/Welcome.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">anonymous online screening click here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Not all wounds are physical. Depression, PTSD and related mood disorders can not be seen on an x-ray. Yet mental illness is just as painful. And the stigma associated with the disease often prevents many from seeking help and getting treated. </span><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">National Depression Screening Day (NDSD)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> gives people access to an anonymous validated, screening questionnaire and provides referral information for treatment. Visit </span><a href="http://www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #a3620a; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">www.HelpYourSelfHelpOthers.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">to find a local organization offering depression and anxiety screenings or take a screening online today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-oms</span>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-70589909546005116422010-10-07T17:37:00.000-05:002010-10-07T17:37:44.891-05:00A Poll: Have you ever visited a psychologist?Dear Reader:<br />
<br />
Have you ever visited a psychologist? For depression? For any other problem?<br />
<br />
I've added a poll to the sidebar of the blog and would appreciate it if you cast a vote.<br />
<br />
I'm visiting my psychologist Friday afternoon. I'm hoping a plan is put together by the end of that meeting.<br />
<br />
God bless you!<br />
<br />
-OMSomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-13202611990057287092010-10-06T15:56:00.000-05:002010-10-06T15:56:48.731-05:00Bless the Lord O My Soul<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0WtsGS6kpDU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0WtsGS6kpDU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="240" height="190"></embed></object>Gentle Soul:<br />
<br />
Here is some sacred music with subtitles. <br />
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God be with you,<br />
<br />
-OMSomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-20382035754528577322010-10-06T15:03:00.000-05:002010-10-06T15:03:57.200-05:00Christians, Take Depression Seriously<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWTanhDMfUHh3teC9KusRIsToN5vYdjAeLDzhjyCqpyX9v-Q2d57aJCd5cPt5PHnNRKA5qH41MvcNa5W91svggX1Xmy5G3THwSnMtcUUAYODP2qlrzsO8jjeQae6L69b41J2r8e4mDUf8/s1600/life-serious-business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWTanhDMfUHh3teC9KusRIsToN5vYdjAeLDzhjyCqpyX9v-Q2d57aJCd5cPt5PHnNRKA5qH41MvcNa5W91svggX1Xmy5G3THwSnMtcUUAYODP2qlrzsO8jjeQae6L69b41J2r8e4mDUf8/s320/life-serious-business.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">O My Soul:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I ran across this <a href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm">post</a> and thought I would share it with you here.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It gives a rather balanced view of the sources of depression, but also addresses the need for Christians to take depression seriously.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why do we Christians think we are impervious to depression? Please leave your insights in the comment area to share with me and others.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the meantime, here is the article linked above:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Depression can be a crippling illness. </b>It strikes most of us at one time or another. Most of us suffer from <a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink0" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">situational </span><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">depression</span></span></a>, but some of us experience serious <a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink1" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: blue; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">clinical</span><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: blue; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">depression</span></span><span class="preLoadWrap" id="preLoadWrap1" style="position: relative;"></span></a>. What comfort and help can we get from the Bible?</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Sometimes, depression is a spiritual condition.</b> We humans are made up of a body, a mind and a spirit and depression can attack all three of our essential beings. Gaining relief from depression in our spirit often helps relieve our emotional depression.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
The spirit is much like the body in that it requires food to live. We feed our bodies nutritious things to keep it well and sometimes we feed it junk that can make us sick. It’s like this for the soul, too. We sometimes feed it</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink2" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">good </span><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">food</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">that encourages it and uplifts it. Other times we feed it junk that can lead to depression.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Spiritual causes of depression</b> can include difficult circumstances, mourning, sickness, sorrow, anxiety and fear. Identifying and dealing with possible spiritual causes can be very <a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink3" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">healing</span></span></a> in two ways; we address the underlying issues causing <a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink4" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">depression</span></span></a> and we deepen our relationship with God.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Difficult circumstances can drain our emotional and spiritual strength, causing or aggravating depression. Circumstantial challenges are sometimes tests of faith or the result of sin or disobedience. Other times, things are difficult just because they are difficult. Whatever the reason for the challenges, Christians always have a loving Father willing to help. As difficult as it is while depressed, we must keep our eyes focused on God. He is the answer for all of our challenges. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If disobedience is a factor in your depression, it’s very important to confront it and change your behavior if you wish to get well. <b>Disobedience that is ignored or rationalized will blossom into despair. </b>Disobedience is spiritual <a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink5" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">junk </span><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">food</span></span></a> and must be gotten rid of if the spirit is to <a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink6" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">heal</span></span></a>.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mourning is certainly a cause of depression. Grief can sometimes be overwhelming. The loss of a loved one tosses us from emotion to emotion like a leaf on the wind, keeping us in a state of internal upheaval for some time. Grief seeps into our spirit, numbing it and dulling our communication with the Holy Spirit within us. When this happens, we have a difficult time hearing the promises of God because we are so wrapped up in psychic pain. While mourning, we need God the most. We must, by an act of our will, keep His Word before us. Daily devotions help, even if they are done out of habit, our soul is fed and a slow recovery begins. Readings from Isaiah and the Psalms are particularly helpful for those in grief. “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Physical illness can sap energy from our spirit, too. </b>Illness brings with it all sorts of spiritual challenges, not the least of which is doubt. If the illness is quite serious or prolonged, spiritual depression will probably result. When dealing with depression that is the result of illness, it’s important to keep feeding our spirits with the Word of God focusing on verses that promise His care and constant presence. Sickness can be difficult to cope with emotionally and spiritually but God does care and that information is what we must feed our souls.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Sorrow for things we have done can lead to spiritual depression. </b>We all have regrets about things we’ve done, hurting others, lying, cheating, and not doing our best. The best thing we can do is make up for what we can make up for and turn all of our regrets over to God. All sin leaves a scar on someone. Whether the one scarred is you or someone else, ask God for His forgiveness and healing. Carrying around regrets for things that have been forgiven is counterproductive and can aggravate depression. If you have done what you can to correct the mistake and have asked forgiveness, then you must also accept forgiveness and leave the regret behind.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Sometimes, we think that we are paying penance by carrying the regret with us, but we’re not. Remember, there is nothing that we can do to earn forgiveness, it’s </b>God’s free gift to us. Holding on to regrets starves the spirit of the food of forgiveness.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Anxiety and fear are often big elements of depression. </b>Worry over circumstances, nervousness about the future, and fears of all kinds can eat away at our confidence and sense of security. Spiritually, these things put up barriers between us and God, preventing open and honest communication. Christians accurately define fear as a lack of faith. We need faith food to drive out fear. Reading the Word of God and associating with strong, mature Christians builds faith. If you’re experiencing overwhelming fears and<a class="kLink" href="http://www.essortment.com/all/christiansdepre_rcgc.htm#" id="KonaLink7" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; bottom: 0px; color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; font-family: verdana; font-variant: normal; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; right: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important; text-transform: none !important; top: 0px;" target="undefined"><span style="color: blue !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: blue !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static; width: auto !important;">anxieties</span></span></a> that are depressing you, consult with your pastor or a mature Christian friend for guidance. Remember that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. “ (1 John 4:18a)</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When depressed it is critical to <b>focus on hope.</b> There is all hope with God, He is with us always, concerned with our living, concerned with our feelings and health. He is our hope. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalms 42:11) Even if it takes every ounce of energy, we must feed our souls with hope if we wish to overcome depression. Depression quickly lapses into despair so we have an obligation to ourselves and to God to focus on hope. As long as there is breath in the body, there is hope.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>God is faithful to us. Even in deep depression,</b> He is with us, loving us and working things for our good. This is what we must focus on. We have to keep our eyes off of the world and the things that would try to starve our spirits and stay focused on God’s love for us. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">...and again, why do Christians think depression is not real?</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hope in Christ &</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">God be with you,</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">-oms</div>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-87685644572189935402010-10-03T13:05:00.000-05:002010-10-03T13:05:32.946-05:00Humor and Comfort for a Depressed Pastor<object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mJTGow38rk8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mJTGow38rk8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="440" height="290"></embed></object>O My Soul:<br />
<br />
Part of the problem with depression is the inability to feel pleasure.<br />
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I watched this video twice. Hilarious. It is also true and clear teaching. Thank-you Rev. Fiske. <br />
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-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-41492156774385362812010-10-01T21:48:00.000-05:002010-10-01T21:48:04.032-05:00The Beginning of a Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3O8WqMz6u550HE9BvPxCWXaInIESF1xcfqkxoUcvZuRuycJfBUPoaY2Ys8GCG9qtvxnZgtV0lMzngtt5Z8cMZ9A1NBcG3skHPHAu_DAxrCxCqizhxm8Ss0iq_VgYynzYM49ucJQ2OBb3/s1600/SocialNetworkDiagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3O8WqMz6u550HE9BvPxCWXaInIESF1xcfqkxoUcvZuRuycJfBUPoaY2Ys8GCG9qtvxnZgtV0lMzngtt5Z8cMZ9A1NBcG3skHPHAu_DAxrCxCqizhxm8Ss0iq_VgYynzYM49ucJQ2OBb3/s400/SocialNetworkDiagram.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;">O My Soul:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;">I met with my therapist for the second time. Still answering some intake questions. She answered my <a href="http://oms-omysoul.blogspot.com/2010/09/four-hours-later.html">questions</a> and even brought up the "P" word before I did. </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;">The "plan" may be put together for next week's session.</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;">Although tentative, she is leaning toward Interpersonal Psychotherapy as her tool of choice. Yeah, I never heard of it before either, but that's why I'm the patient.</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;">She explained it to me and I think this could be good. I've posted a few things below that I found on the internet that helps explain it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;">To conclude the afternoon, <a href="http://oms-omysoul.blogspot.com/2009/07/private-confession.html">I met with my pastor for individual absolution. </a></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What Happens in a Course of IPT for </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><b>Treatment of Depression?</b></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-Bold, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Beginning Phase</i></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The therapy has three phases. In the beginning (sessions 1 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">to 3), a psychiatric assessment focuses on interpersonal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">relationships to assess suitability and establish the focus </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">of the therapy. The need for medication is evaluated and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">depression is discussed as a medical illness in a social </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">context, with interpersonal antecedents and sequelae. The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">focal problem areas are derived from research on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">determinants of health and disease. This research has </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">demonstrated the protective function of interpersonal support </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">(15,16), as well as the associations between interpersonal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">adversity and depression (17–21). The focus of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">therapy is determined according to the current interpersonal </span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">problems that appear to be most related to the onset </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and perpetuation of the individual’s current depressive </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">episode. The goals are then explained to the patient: to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">remit depression and to help resolve the selected interpersonal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">problem area(s), thereby instilling positive </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">expectations. With more complex patients or patients with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">severe and chronic depression, combined treatment with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">medication is often recommended (1,4,22). </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Middle Phase and the Focal Problem Areas</i></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">IPT focal areas guide therapeutic interventions through </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">the middle phase of therapy, linking symptoms and affect </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">to interpersonal events, losses, changes or isolation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">Klerman, Weissman, and others (1,4) offer direct content </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">guidelines to frame life experiences into four main focal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">areas: inter- personal disputes, role transitions, bereavement </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and interpersonal deficits. In addition to focusing on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">specific goals, throughout its course the therapy highlights </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">interpersonal patterns linked with dysphoric mood. Relationship </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">expectations and communication are examined to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">develop social supports and a more effective interpersonal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">behavioural repertoire, in which empathic responsiveness </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and clearer expression of emotions and needs are encouraged </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">(Figure 3).</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><i>Interpersonal Disputes. </i></span>These are defined as </span></span>“<span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">nonreciprocal role expectations” with significant others </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">(for example, a marital dispute) and are often accompanied </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">by poor communication or misaligned interpersonal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">expectations. During the course of therapy, behaviour patterns </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">are often revealed in which the patient interacts with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">significant others in such a way as to inadvertently exacerbate </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">conflicts through acts of commission or omission. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">Different ways of understanding and communicating </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">within relationships are explored to facilitate more satisfactory </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">interpersonal relatedness. In some instances,</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">patients will decide to end relationships, and the focus of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">the therapy then shifts to role transition.</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><i>Role Transitions. </i></span>These involve life events that lead to significant </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">interpersonal changes. Examples might include </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">becoming a new parent, moving, changing jobs, ending a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">relationship or adjusting to a loss of functioning. The tasks </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">of the therapy involve systematically exploring both positive </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and negative aspects of the old role in addition to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">examining the challenges and opportunities of the new role.</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><i>Bereavement. </i></span>This focus is chosen in IPT when the onset of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">major depressive disorder coincides with the death, or an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">anniversary event related to the death, of a significant other. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">Ambivalence is typical in these relationships, yet the lost </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">other is sometimes idealized. Therapy facilitates grieving </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and examination of the relationship’s positive and negative </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">aspects to achieve a more realistic view of the lost loved </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">one. In the latter stages of the treatment, patients are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">encouraged to replace aspects of what was lost in the relationship </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and begin to move forward in their lives.</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Interpersonal Deficits.</i></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This final focal area is </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">chosen when specific life </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">events coinciding with the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">onset of the depression are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">absent, particularly for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">individuals who have difficulty </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">forming or sustaining </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">relationships. These </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">patients are often interpersonally </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">hypersensitive (5,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">p. 209,18). Since they </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">have few relationships in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">their social network, the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">therapeutic relationship </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">can be used to build social </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">skills through role plays.</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman-NormalItalic, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ending Therapy</i></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In the concluding, or termination, phase of IPT, therapeutic </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">gains are reviewed and consolidated along with contingency </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">planning in the event of a recurrence of depression. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">Normative sadness is differentiated from clinical depression, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">and the feelings associated with the ending of therapy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">are openly discussed. In the spirit of not leaving </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">things unsaid as the therapy comes to an end, this is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">opportunity for a “good goodbye” and for exchange of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">honest feedback. If the therapy has failed to achieve the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">goals of remitting the depression, one might contract to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">extend the course of treatment or re-evaluate it and suggest </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">sequencing with a different form of treatment. In </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">research protocols for acute major depression, the course</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">of treatment is usually 12 to 16 once-weekly sessions; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">however, some authors suggest a tapering schedule and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">maintenance monthly sessions, especially for individuals </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">with chronic or recurrent depression (4,5,23).</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif; font-size: small;">-oms</span></div>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-46754196278001773182010-09-30T07:03:00.000-05:002010-09-30T07:03:31.794-05:00Study Group - Holy Scripture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZEILG7Fxdkyd3OpCQRA456R11-_cc_gd2oQwFYhPCMJN0qFPMuI0g6NoSGHEwJ6q8HgruIDlqzyjUAX5cSAzR61rcPtRNL4ZvHgvlA00zaLuzfMj3YD94kygrI0lag2JldtYGhWEB5-z/s1600/CranachWeimarAltar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZEILG7Fxdkyd3OpCQRA456R11-_cc_gd2oQwFYhPCMJN0qFPMuI0g6NoSGHEwJ6q8HgruIDlqzyjUAX5cSAzR61rcPtRNL4ZvHgvlA00zaLuzfMj3YD94kygrI0lag2JldtYGhWEB5-z/s320/CranachWeimarAltar2.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I attended a wonderful study group the other day . </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Several pastors and parishoners gathered together to study Holy Scripture. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We looked at the Examination of the Council of Trent and discussed what we mean by traditions in the church. What are good traditions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We also looked at the article of Justification in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession. This is a great teaching to hear again and again and again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a blessing to attend. Thanks</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope in Christ &</div><div style="text-align: left;">God be with you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">-oms</div>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-7467897037042200882010-09-28T19:58:00.000-05:002010-09-28T19:58:19.919-05:00Four Hours Later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ACpv98vEmFW1OfC62PTrWsLHASRh_kqLbKWPhmrA5-bd0te2AQ5IhydSR3ejbkU01grnR59o9ByZLj116BFltaF5oGijpgR4VvfAMRdYWRkUqBLh2qGayLMmAW4xXv33scUixoOktV7p/s1600/Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ACpv98vEmFW1OfC62PTrWsLHASRh_kqLbKWPhmrA5-bd0te2AQ5IhydSR3ejbkU01grnR59o9ByZLj116BFltaF5oGijpgR4VvfAMRdYWRkUqBLh2qGayLMmAW4xXv33scUixoOktV7p/s320/Dawn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I met with my counselor for an hour last week. It was a general intake. I filled out forms. She asked me a few questions and suddenly the hour was up. <br />
<br />
I returned on Monday to answer some 1,000 questions. They were all agree/disagree questions and not hard to answer but, it took me the full three hours to complete.<br />
<br />
So, I'm four hours into this new little journey. So far so good.<br />
<br />
I return this Friday to complete the general intake and review the analysis to all the question.<br />
<br />
My counselor's psychology background is very strong but I still need a few questions answered before I can go too much farther in counseling. I should have asked the questions last week but time ran out. The questions I have are the following:<br />
<br />
1. What is her religion? Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, etc.<br />
<br />
2. Does she practice her faith? <br />
<br />
3. Does that faith influence her practice? Explain what you mean?<br />
<br />
4. Is she willing let my faith have a part in my healing? I am a pastor after all.<br />
<br />
5. If I meet with her for 5 or 10 times, what might I expect as a result?<br />
<br />
6. What is the plan? I need a plan, even if I don't meet the goal in a certain time period. I need to know what I'm working toward.<br />
<br />
7. One practical area that I would find beneficial is to learn more about shame and the cycle of shame. What is it? Do I have a pattern of it? How can the cycle be broken?<br />
<br />
If there is anything else you think I should ask please comment.<br />
<br />
Our next one hour session is this Friday. Afterwards, I meet with my Father-Confessor. I'll let you know how all that turns out.<br />
<br />
Until then,<br />
<br />
Hope in Christ &<br />
God bless you.<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-48398718628982317072010-09-23T07:37:00.000-05:002010-09-23T07:37:33.313-05:00Thanks...Tomorrow is My First Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK9a8DsjsT-ERoLrwgXHmOerMbJoGKBuX3SIv7OaLnEPk87XiMaorZ0j7yzCTE3HPUkZJOanrHuTkOth9oamNVE7IRlKhGsJYCOhmzd6BiNoJUzrS8Eyz4OevPmXUxrS5Knh-ptfOQiAl/s1600/first+day+of+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK9a8DsjsT-ERoLrwgXHmOerMbJoGKBuX3SIv7OaLnEPk87XiMaorZ0j7yzCTE3HPUkZJOanrHuTkOth9oamNVE7IRlKhGsJYCOhmzd6BiNoJUzrS8Eyz4OevPmXUxrS5Knh-ptfOQiAl/s320/first+day+of+school.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks for all the comments, emails, and prayers generated from my last post.<br />
<br />
I will go to my appointment scheduled for tomorrow. <br />
<br />
I feel like I understand my son's stress on his first day of kindergarten a few weeks ago. He sat under the table for the first part of the day. (Normally, we homeschool our children. But with a new baby on the way in November and with this depression, part of destressing our marriage has been to send the kids to public school this year. We'll see about next year.)<br />
<br />
So, thank you for the encouragement and I'll let you know how things turn out.<br />
<br />
God bless you,<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-87694908028911465552010-09-21T13:33:00.000-05:002010-09-21T13:33:07.752-05:00What if I don't want help?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfNymWTT89c2jfohpf992dtCvMNzS3xVMCARDb5htQKHDbVhlBGm_nQPvpq5vdoGMaNPOnvh8HrztFDljPdj7tDAMLO6EI6pvAM-KWj_OxgZFE8JyPTc-Ynu9sb22sjqQ1pSxFKiCT6jO/s1600/Lucy+the+psychiatrist.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfNymWTT89c2jfohpf992dtCvMNzS3xVMCARDb5htQKHDbVhlBGm_nQPvpq5vdoGMaNPOnvh8HrztFDljPdj7tDAMLO6EI6pvAM-KWj_OxgZFE8JyPTc-Ynu9sb22sjqQ1pSxFKiCT6jO/s320/Lucy+the+psychiatrist.gif" /></a></div>This Friday I have a first appointment with a psychologist. <br />
<br />
As the day gets closer...I don't want to go.<br />
<br />
I haven't had a good experience with a counselor of any kind yet. Well, one good experience, but that opportunity has closed.<br />
<br />
If you read this blog and have any encouragement for me I'd appreciate hearing from you. While your thinking about that, here are my reasons for NOT going to my Friday appointment:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Psychologists listen</b>...but so do my friends and they lack helpful advice just like the psychologist.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Emergency Medical Leave</b>...is were my psychiatrist went and hasn't seen patients since. I think some of the professionals have more problems than the patients.<br />
<br />
<b>3. 5 Cents per Session...</b>is not longer the going rate. If your not depressed before the appointment you will be by the time the bill is paid (including all the difficult phone calls with insurance companies, etc).<br />
<br />
<b>4. A New Relationship.</b>..it takes time to establish trust. And that just means hard work without a promise that the relationship will bear fruit. I'm tired of broken relationships and broken trust.<br />
<br />
So, if you have any advice or encouragement, I would appreciate it. Comment lines are open.<br />
<br />
God bless you,<br />
<br />
-oms<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-9994899871618265162010-09-20T16:00:00.000-05:002010-09-20T16:00:36.677-05:00Bibliotherapy Update #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vv4ceMquUOZSrTvDR0RsnTbQHuXuEgO8lwgeaht_YpgbeaiPzlf3sRhADKcc5XvVGukDhq5T6i1fizZFdSgHKnBq22ngCh5hujDus85EUwkq2PVSO_FuUkALrNqo5-0fGOpDOFmxaxdQ/s1600/books_rounded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vv4ceMquUOZSrTvDR0RsnTbQHuXuEgO8lwgeaht_YpgbeaiPzlf3sRhADKcc5XvVGukDhq5T6i1fizZFdSgHKnBq22ngCh5hujDus85EUwkq2PVSO_FuUkALrNqo5-0fGOpDOFmxaxdQ/s320/books_rounded.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span>Dear OMS:<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>A few weeks ago I mentioned I was restarting an effort at Bibliotherapy. It's not easy completing homework I gave myself but I have learned a few things about my depression. Here are a few:</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Five by Five Sensory Exercise.</div><div><br />
</div><div>When depression hits, I think obsessively to the exclusion of my other senses. I have very little awareness of my surroundings. The 5x5 Sensory Excercise has helped me exit or prevent depression events. The five senses are Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, and Sound. The challenge is to experience each sense five times per day. I has helped me slow down an overactive, gloomy state of mind and become a little more aware of my surroundings.</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. Daily Gratitude.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I memorized Luther's Small Catechism a long time a go and teach it every year. However, it is a little psychology book that encouraged me to again give thanks for all the good things I have been given. The Catechism's explanation to the Third Commandment is to ...pray, praise, and GIVE THANKS. This is so foreign to me when I'm depressed.</div><div><br />
</div><div>3. Reduce Stress.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Stress is toxic. It's hard to reduce stress when I'm an adrenaline junkie. I like to work long hours at hard projects. I like to dream and accomplish big dreams. I like sports and pushing myself hard. ...but that is slowly changing. </div><div>a. Last year, I accepted a call to a new city. I heard it's four times harder to recovery from depression by staying in the same work environment that by changing to a new one. For the first time in my life I did what could be called the easy route. Except for missing one friend and his family I'm content with the move.</div><div>b. I take off two days per week which is nearly anathama for a parish pastor to even desire let alone do. Saturday is listed on the church calendar as my family day and Friday remains unscheduled. </div><div>c. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we found a good home for our beagle.</div><div><br />
</div><div>4. Medication</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm down to 20oz. per day of a Medium Roast Coffee which is about three cups per day. My doctor increased my thyroid medication. Two years ago I was taking nothing now I'm at a rather high dosage. I take cholesterol medication and for the first time in my life my cholesterol is in the middle of all the acceptable ranges. I continue to take an SSRI.</div><div><br />
</div><div>5. Prayer<br />
<br />
Started reading a wonderful little book by an old Norwegian pietist by the name Ole Hallesby. I read it about 15 years ago and didn't think much of it. My opinion has changed. The main thing I pulled out of it so far is that Helplessness (which is a form of depression) + Faith = Prayer. More later when I'm finished.<br />
<br />
</div><div><div><br />
This Friday I will meet with a real psychologist. It's hard to start a new relationship, especially of this kind, but I hope it works out. And then the first Friday in October I meet again with my Father Confessor.<br />
<br />
God bless you,<br />
<br />
-oms</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>omshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2737222539778437962.post-22535127590698336422010-09-10T17:03:00.000-05:002010-09-10T17:03:24.040-05:00A Beagle's New Home...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4hoMCniYOyo1guPnhEItkE-DyUUP-kuR89F5u6GRlYFxlGDHGhrbSfUkab_jFfZ2ZFd1FRpJWCNJ2ItYeh0q-PuB4orQaIe0Yz-VH9NinMfxIih0BrIRIYh7XPHqdbBtU8JtmZhsAlLn/s1600/beagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4hoMCniYOyo1guPnhEItkE-DyUUP-kuR89F5u6GRlYFxlGDHGhrbSfUkab_jFfZ2ZFd1FRpJWCNJ2ItYeh0q-PuB4orQaIe0Yz-VH9NinMfxIih0BrIRIYh7XPHqdbBtU8JtmZhsAlLn/s320/beagle.jpg" /></a></div>...is no longer our home.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, Blossom is a great dog! She is good with our three children. She never bites, she tells us when she needs to go outside, she sleeps in her kennel, she prefers her kennel at night, she doesn't eat that much, she doesn't shed much, and she is playful in a friendly way. All good stuff. Yes, Blossom is a good dog.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Blossom is also a responsibility that my wife and I decided is too stressful. She barks at the neighbors, a lot. She runs away when the youngest child leaves the door open, again and again and again. She pulls on walks. She needs walks at least twice a day or her energy level gets to high. She sleeps on furniture during the day. She wakes up several times per night. She raids garbage cans in the kitchen and bathroom. She makes a lot of pooh and has the gaul (in front of my wife nonetheless) to eat her own pooh.<br />
<br />
The children love Blossom, I like Blossom, Mrs. OMS would be indifferent if only someone would walk Blossom and clean up the pooh on a regular basis, but I have too many other things on my mind. I said I would be willing to do it but I won't during the winter. That sealed the pups fate. Like it or not, as soon as a loving family could be found, Blossom was going to move out.<br />
<br />
Blossom moved out this morning. <br />
<br />
Mrs. OMS shed tears for her family (but is personally overjoyed that we did it).<br />
<br />
My five year old son is barely aware what is happening. However, he is expressing some anger at me and said he likes mom better.<br />
<br />
My seven year old daughter said she loves mom and me equally. However, she doesn't like either one of us very much right now.<br />
<br />
My ten year old sobbed. He has dealt with a number of losses in the last few years. He said good-bye to two dear friends last year when we moved. And now he has to say good-bye to Blossom.<br />
<br />
Mrs. OMS and I have had many good talks about this. We anticipated the emotions but have been talking to the kids the last two weeks about what would be happening today. I am surprised how well the whole family is handling this. We are actually talking and grieving together. We are thinking and feeling together and this is wonderfully positive. I think we will get through this without building resentment.<br />
<br />
How am I doing? Well, I feel sad. Two years of dog care and the little beast did grow on me. I enjoyed her sleeping at my feet while reading a book. I enjoyed playing with her from time to time. I enjoyed all those tender moments she provided to our family but not enough to keep shoveling all that pooh and walking the two a day walks with her in the city.<br />
<br />
I am content. I won't miss the unneeded stress and anxiety.<br />
<br />
Mrs. OMS is surprised how helpful I have been to her and the children through this whole thing. She is especially thankful for the help I gave her today. We're not through this one yet but we are well on our way. I was thankful for the kind words and the peck on my cheek.<br />
<br />
Our fourth child will be born in November. I'll miss Blossom from time to time for years to come, but all of us are slowly anticipating the arrival of a baby boy. Will that be stressful? Yes. Am I a little anxious? Yes. But, what a blessing!<br />
<br />
-omsomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935751473333579050noreply@blogger.com2