Why Churches Need to Equip Every Member to Care and Counsel
For over thirty years I have been writing materials and doing seminars about equipping the saints to DO the work of the ministry. In recent years many pastors have turned their backs on equipping their own members, preferring that hurting people go somewhere else to get care and counsel. As one pastor of a "Seeker Centered" church said, "We do not want all those sick people because they will drive the healthy people away." (I sure would like to find a group consisting only of healthy people.)
But God has a way of waking us from our stupor. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown us that it takes more, much more than professional crisis agencies and government groups to minister to people caught in a national crisis.
After the crisis hits it is too late to train people. We must have plenty of equipped and caring folks in the ranks of the church at all times with ministry and compassion skills.
Get together, get trained and get going!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
American Beliefs
© Gary Sweeten, Ed. D.
Recent TV shows have featured people such as the radical leftist and secularist Barry Lynn who attack committed Christians at every opportunity. Now they are suing to stop government funds from going to Christian rescuers in the Gulf states. Why would Mr. Lynn and the People for the American Way want to prohibit Christians from helping the needy of the south?
What are the deepest beliefs of Americans? According to most polls the majority of us come from a Christian tradition. About 42% of Americans attend religious services weekly. This is far more than those who attend all professional sports in an entire year.
Some 95% of Americans believe in God. In 1985 George Gallup found that 72% stated: "My whole approach to life is based on my religion." We are the most religious western nation by far. This is especially shocking when we realize that the country is divided almost 50/50 in politics. America, for all her weaknesses, is a religious nation. As one wag noted, ”India is the most religious country in the world and Sweden the least. America is a bunch of Indians ruled by Swedes.”
Research shows that 91% of blacks, 93% of Hispanics and 88% of whites report a religious affiliation. Even more startling is the number for regular attendance:
51% of blacks, 48% of Hispanics and 43% of whites attend services weekly or more often.
Sixty four percent (64%) of blacks in the national sample were members of religious communities (churches) with 59% of whites and 43% of Hispanics. Participation in religious activities outside weekend services is also high with 47% blacks, 41% whites and 31% Hispanics saying they are in church during the week as well as on Sunday. (Social Capital http://www.cfsv.org/communitysurvey/results6.html)
In a nation obsessed with racial and cultural diversity the facts about minorities and religious faith have been strangely absent from the dialogue. There is one astounding statistic about African American longevity and church attendance that is rarely if ever mentioned in the debates about faith based organizations and health care. An article by Hummer et al in Demography Journal, 36:273-285 in 1999, Blacks who attend church live much longer than those who do not.
Attendance++++++++++White life +++++Black life expectancy
Never ++++++++++++++++77 Years +++++++67 = A 10 year difference
Less than weekly/weekly+++80 Years +++++++75 = A 5 year difference
Weekly or more +++++++++83 Years +++++++80 = A 3 year difference
Whites who attend services more than weekly gain an average of six years in longevity, and that is a lot. Church is good for us white folks. I finally believe my mother.
African Americans who attend services weekly or more gain a whopping 13 years in life expectancy. Their original difference in longevity is almost eclipsed by church attendance. In fact, attending church more often than weekly raises Blacks life expectancy to that of whites who attend weekly or less. Is there any behavior so inexpensive and so prevalent that does so much good for Black folks?
Is it not racist to fail to encourage religious commitment by Blacks? It is wrong not to encourage both Blacks and Whites to attend religious services. Are Barry Lynn and his People for the American Way not un-American and deeply hostile to Blacks when they promote secularism and sickness by attacking religious freedom? Shame on them for their racism.
Perhaps this makes it clear why those groups fail to set up charitable groups, go to rescue people in disasters and give less to charities. We certainly did not see massive numbers of wealthy atheist/secularists who promote abortion and attack Christianity at every turn setting up tents in Biloxi or New Orleans. The media did not interview a massive number of secularists who were taking in Black refugees to their homes and organizations but churches and synogogues were on every corner with truck loads of food, clothing and TLC helping poor Blacks get the help they needed.
Barry Lynn, however, is too busy suing Christian relief groups to actually offer any practical aid.
© Gary Sweeten, Ed. D.
Recent TV shows have featured people such as the radical leftist and secularist Barry Lynn who attack committed Christians at every opportunity. Now they are suing to stop government funds from going to Christian rescuers in the Gulf states. Why would Mr. Lynn and the People for the American Way want to prohibit Christians from helping the needy of the south?
What are the deepest beliefs of Americans? According to most polls the majority of us come from a Christian tradition. About 42% of Americans attend religious services weekly. This is far more than those who attend all professional sports in an entire year.
Some 95% of Americans believe in God. In 1985 George Gallup found that 72% stated: "My whole approach to life is based on my religion." We are the most religious western nation by far. This is especially shocking when we realize that the country is divided almost 50/50 in politics. America, for all her weaknesses, is a religious nation. As one wag noted, ”India is the most religious country in the world and Sweden the least. America is a bunch of Indians ruled by Swedes.”
Research shows that 91% of blacks, 93% of Hispanics and 88% of whites report a religious affiliation. Even more startling is the number for regular attendance:
51% of blacks, 48% of Hispanics and 43% of whites attend services weekly or more often.
Sixty four percent (64%) of blacks in the national sample were members of religious communities (churches) with 59% of whites and 43% of Hispanics. Participation in religious activities outside weekend services is also high with 47% blacks, 41% whites and 31% Hispanics saying they are in church during the week as well as on Sunday. (Social Capital http://www.cfsv.org/communitysurvey/results6.html)
In a nation obsessed with racial and cultural diversity the facts about minorities and religious faith have been strangely absent from the dialogue. There is one astounding statistic about African American longevity and church attendance that is rarely if ever mentioned in the debates about faith based organizations and health care. An article by Hummer et al in Demography Journal, 36:273-285 in 1999, Blacks who attend church live much longer than those who do not.
Attendance++++++++++White life +++++Black life expectancy
Never ++++++++++++++++77 Years +++++++67 = A 10 year difference
Less than weekly/weekly+++80 Years +++++++75 = A 5 year difference
Weekly or more +++++++++83 Years +++++++80 = A 3 year difference
Whites who attend services more than weekly gain an average of six years in longevity, and that is a lot. Church is good for us white folks. I finally believe my mother.
African Americans who attend services weekly or more gain a whopping 13 years in life expectancy. Their original difference in longevity is almost eclipsed by church attendance. In fact, attending church more often than weekly raises Blacks life expectancy to that of whites who attend weekly or less. Is there any behavior so inexpensive and so prevalent that does so much good for Black folks?
Is it not racist to fail to encourage religious commitment by Blacks? It is wrong not to encourage both Blacks and Whites to attend religious services. Are Barry Lynn and his People for the American Way not un-American and deeply hostile to Blacks when they promote secularism and sickness by attacking religious freedom? Shame on them for their racism.
Perhaps this makes it clear why those groups fail to set up charitable groups, go to rescue people in disasters and give less to charities. We certainly did not see massive numbers of wealthy atheist/secularists who promote abortion and attack Christianity at every turn setting up tents in Biloxi or New Orleans. The media did not interview a massive number of secularists who were taking in Black refugees to their homes and organizations but churches and synogogues were on every corner with truck loads of food, clothing and TLC helping poor Blacks get the help they needed.
Barry Lynn, however, is too busy suing Christian relief groups to actually offer any practical aid.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Ukrainian Ministry Grows
From the very beginning of my Healing and Counseling ministry at College Hill Presbyterian Church the plan was to take our classes and training programs around the world. I finished my doctoral work in 1975 on integration of counseling and Christianity and developed a simple plan for equipping the church to care and counsel people in need.
God gave us a simple way to go about equipping the saints in various countries. He told us to set up training centers wherever we went. Instead of simply preaching and teaching ABOUT personal healing we were to freely give our time and materials to Christian leaders and train them how to pass it on to others. This has proved to be a powerful and successful plan that has spread the Teleios Model all over the world.
One of the places we went was YWAM's University of the Nations in Hawaii. We taught there several times and through the graduates were invited to train in their counseling schools around the world. Larry and Ellen Chrouch became the YWAM point teachers in South Africa, Holland, Switzerland and Ukraine. (Perhaps more nations. I cannot remember.)
Ukraine was separated from the USSR during glasnost so most of the people speak Russian. The YWAM school there, as in Russia, has many challenges but God is moving on several fronts. Larry and Ellen have taught in the school a number of times and now several leading counselors have learned how to do the training themselves and not be dependent upon Americans. Praise the Lord! For the past two weeks Natasha and Vicky have been in Cincinnati with Larry and Ellen studying ways to improve their teaching abilities. I was thrilled to meet them Friday and share my materials and Ukrainian contacts with them.
God's plan for changing the world has always been the same from Mt 28 to the present. "Go, preach and teach every ethnic group in the world to do everything I did." Every organization we have ever set up is given that charge and, although it takes years to accomplish, it works.
From the very beginning of my Healing and Counseling ministry at College Hill Presbyterian Church the plan was to take our classes and training programs around the world. I finished my doctoral work in 1975 on integration of counseling and Christianity and developed a simple plan for equipping the church to care and counsel people in need.
God gave us a simple way to go about equipping the saints in various countries. He told us to set up training centers wherever we went. Instead of simply preaching and teaching ABOUT personal healing we were to freely give our time and materials to Christian leaders and train them how to pass it on to others. This has proved to be a powerful and successful plan that has spread the Teleios Model all over the world.
One of the places we went was YWAM's University of the Nations in Hawaii. We taught there several times and through the graduates were invited to train in their counseling schools around the world. Larry and Ellen Chrouch became the YWAM point teachers in South Africa, Holland, Switzerland and Ukraine. (Perhaps more nations. I cannot remember.)
Ukraine was separated from the USSR during glasnost so most of the people speak Russian. The YWAM school there, as in Russia, has many challenges but God is moving on several fronts. Larry and Ellen have taught in the school a number of times and now several leading counselors have learned how to do the training themselves and not be dependent upon Americans. Praise the Lord! For the past two weeks Natasha and Vicky have been in Cincinnati with Larry and Ellen studying ways to improve their teaching abilities. I was thrilled to meet them Friday and share my materials and Ukrainian contacts with them.
God's plan for changing the world has always been the same from Mt 28 to the present. "Go, preach and teach every ethnic group in the world to do everything I did." Every organization we have ever set up is given that charge and, although it takes years to accomplish, it works.
Some Journalists Discover that the USA has Poor People
I am consistently amazed at how often the facts reported by journalists is wrong and I cannot understand if it stems from ignorance or it is intentionally wrong. The headlines and cover stories in many papers and weekly magazines screamed that Katrina reignited the debate about how poverty is growing in America. As usual, the facts are very different from the headlines and the comments.
In a recent article in the Washington Post, an economics writer tries to straighten out truth from myth. (Robert J. Samuelson: Wednesday, September 21, 2005; Page A23) He says, (in red)
It's unclear whether most Americans are as oblivious to the problems of poverty, class and race as these journalistic pronouncements presume. But what is clear is that the leap from Katrina to broad generalizations about poverty involves considerable simplification.
One myth is that we haven't made any progress. Superficially, this seems believable. The government's poverty rate, released just as Katrina struck, was 12.7 percent in 2004. That's the proportion of people living beneath the official poverty line, about $19,300 for a family of four.
The current poverty rate is up from its recent low (11.3 percent in 2000) and similar to many earlier years (13 percent in 1980 and 12.6 percent in 1970). But the overall poverty rate is misleading. Since the late 1970s, it's generally fluctuated between 8 percent and 9 percent, for non-Hispanic Whites, depending on the economy.
But poverty among blacks -- though still appallingly high -- has declined sharply. In 2004 it was 24.7 percent, down from 33.1 percent in 1993, though up from 22.5 percent in 2000. As recently as 1983, it was 35.7 percent.
(We need to celebrate the progress of African Americans. This group has improved as much or more than any ethnic group in American history! Unfortunately, the media is still offering us a picture of crime laden poverty dwelling welfare recipients.)
Given these trends, the overall poverty rate should be drifting down. It isn't. The main reason, as I've written before, is immigration. We have uncontrolled entry of poor, unskilled workers across our southern border. Although many succeed, many don't, and many poor Latino immigrants have children, who are also poor. In 2004, 25 percent of the poverty population was Hispanic, up from 12 percent in 1980. Over this period, Hispanics represented almost three-quarters of the increase in the poverty population.
Many of the anti-poverty programs are working but we keep bringing in more and more poor immigrants. That is a good thing for the USA to do. In one generation most of them will leave poverty and claim the American dream of being able to work hard and enjoy the financial benefits of freedom and financial security.
I am consistently amazed at how often the facts reported by journalists is wrong and I cannot understand if it stems from ignorance or it is intentionally wrong. The headlines and cover stories in many papers and weekly magazines screamed that Katrina reignited the debate about how poverty is growing in America. As usual, the facts are very different from the headlines and the comments.
In a recent article in the Washington Post, an economics writer tries to straighten out truth from myth. (Robert J. Samuelson: Wednesday, September 21, 2005; Page A23) He says, (in red)
It's unclear whether most Americans are as oblivious to the problems of poverty, class and race as these journalistic pronouncements presume. But what is clear is that the leap from Katrina to broad generalizations about poverty involves considerable simplification.
One myth is that we haven't made any progress. Superficially, this seems believable. The government's poverty rate, released just as Katrina struck, was 12.7 percent in 2004. That's the proportion of people living beneath the official poverty line, about $19,300 for a family of four.
The current poverty rate is up from its recent low (11.3 percent in 2000) and similar to many earlier years (13 percent in 1980 and 12.6 percent in 1970). But the overall poverty rate is misleading. Since the late 1970s, it's generally fluctuated between 8 percent and 9 percent, for non-Hispanic Whites, depending on the economy.
But poverty among blacks -- though still appallingly high -- has declined sharply. In 2004 it was 24.7 percent, down from 33.1 percent in 1993, though up from 22.5 percent in 2000. As recently as 1983, it was 35.7 percent.
(We need to celebrate the progress of African Americans. This group has improved as much or more than any ethnic group in American history! Unfortunately, the media is still offering us a picture of crime laden poverty dwelling welfare recipients.)
Given these trends, the overall poverty rate should be drifting down. It isn't. The main reason, as I've written before, is immigration. We have uncontrolled entry of poor, unskilled workers across our southern border. Although many succeed, many don't, and many poor Latino immigrants have children, who are also poor. In 2004, 25 percent of the poverty population was Hispanic, up from 12 percent in 1980. Over this period, Hispanics represented almost three-quarters of the increase in the poverty population.
Many of the anti-poverty programs are working but we keep bringing in more and more poor immigrants. That is a good thing for the USA to do. In one generation most of them will leave poverty and claim the American dream of being able to work hard and enjoy the financial benefits of freedom and financial security.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Shock and Trauma
I have been writing about the need to minister to those suffering from the shock and trauma of disaster. Dr. Galina Chentsova, a psychiatrist and psychologist in Moscow, Russia called tonight to work on her plans for visiting us in November.
As part of her visit she and I will present a seminar about the ways to help Victims of terror, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.
I a previous post I mentioned that some Victims will respond with anger, and frustration at the very people trying to help them. This is normal but regrettable. Like a drowning man who grabs the Rescuer so hard that they both go under Victims of trauma are quite often in danger of losing control of their emotions to the point that they attack the Rescuer.
Russia suffered greatly under the Communists. Now they are suffering again from the bombs of terrorists and the kidnapping of school children. There are ways to prepare ourselves to help such persons, but it requires some self awareness on our part. In fact, many First Responders suffer from greater Post traumatic Stresses than the Victims.
Look for more information on how you can support Galina and attend our seminar.
www.lifeways.ru
I have been writing about the need to minister to those suffering from the shock and trauma of disaster. Dr. Galina Chentsova, a psychiatrist and psychologist in Moscow, Russia called tonight to work on her plans for visiting us in November.
As part of her visit she and I will present a seminar about the ways to help Victims of terror, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.
I a previous post I mentioned that some Victims will respond with anger, and frustration at the very people trying to help them. This is normal but regrettable. Like a drowning man who grabs the Rescuer so hard that they both go under Victims of trauma are quite often in danger of losing control of their emotions to the point that they attack the Rescuer.
Russia suffered greatly under the Communists. Now they are suffering again from the bombs of terrorists and the kidnapping of school children. There are ways to prepare ourselves to help such persons, but it requires some self awareness on our part. In fact, many First Responders suffer from greater Post traumatic Stresses than the Victims.
Look for more information on how you can support Galina and attend our seminar.
www.lifeways.ru
Emotional Baloney
Two blogs ago I wrote about the overwhelming movement in America, following Europe, to emotionalize every relationship, and to make victims of everyone in sight. This is psychological baloney. Now we can see the dreadful end of such immature and inappropriate psychologizing.
The following article shows how far down the ladder of evolution our political leaders have fallen. It comes from a great blog, OpinionJournal put out by the Wall Street Journal free online. OpinionJournal@wsj.com
Wisconsin Democrats Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold joined Vermont's Pat Leahy and all 10 Judiciary Committee Republicans in voting for Judge John Roberts's confirmation as chief justice, sending Roberts's nomination to the Senate floor on a 13-5 vote.
Sens. Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin voted "no," mostly, it seems, because Roberts didn't talk enough about his feelings. Here's Feinstein from the transcript:
I attempted to get a sense of his temperament and values. And I asked him about the end-of-life decisions: clearly, decisions that are gut-wrenching, difficult and extremely personal. Rather than talking to me as a son, a husband, a father--which I specifically requested he do--he gave a very detached response.
Does this show the inanity and ignorance of just one Senator or is it just one more example of how emotionally unstable our leaders are? A Supreme Court Justice is not supposed to share his opinions while wallowing in the unfulfilled emotions of the past. A Justice must weigh the law impartially and intellectually. Those who interpret laws by emotion rather than cognition are said by therapist such as myself as engaging in "PROJECTION: The unconscious imposition of inner feelings and ideas onto other people or situations."
No wonder San Francisco and much of California are in such a mess. They are electing emotionally unstable people to the United States Senate. And, no wonder we have Justices who think they should make laws according to European and Asian values.
Two blogs ago I wrote about the overwhelming movement in America, following Europe, to emotionalize every relationship, and to make victims of everyone in sight. This is psychological baloney. Now we can see the dreadful end of such immature and inappropriate psychologizing.
The following article shows how far down the ladder of evolution our political leaders have fallen. It comes from a great blog, OpinionJournal put out by the Wall Street Journal free online. OpinionJournal@wsj.com
Wisconsin Democrats Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold joined Vermont's Pat Leahy and all 10 Judiciary Committee Republicans in voting for Judge John Roberts's confirmation as chief justice, sending Roberts's nomination to the Senate floor on a 13-5 vote.
Sens. Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin voted "no," mostly, it seems, because Roberts didn't talk enough about his feelings. Here's Feinstein from the transcript:
I attempted to get a sense of his temperament and values. And I asked him about the end-of-life decisions: clearly, decisions that are gut-wrenching, difficult and extremely personal. Rather than talking to me as a son, a husband, a father--which I specifically requested he do--he gave a very detached response.
Does this show the inanity and ignorance of just one Senator or is it just one more example of how emotionally unstable our leaders are? A Supreme Court Justice is not supposed to share his opinions while wallowing in the unfulfilled emotions of the past. A Justice must weigh the law impartially and intellectually. Those who interpret laws by emotion rather than cognition are said by therapist such as myself as engaging in "PROJECTION: The unconscious imposition of inner feelings and ideas onto other people or situations."
No wonder San Francisco and much of California are in such a mess. They are electing emotionally unstable people to the United States Senate. And, no wonder we have Justices who think they should make laws according to European and Asian values.
God's Hand is Upon the USA
Each day I receive a newsletter with some great stories and thought-provoking ideas. Today, this is what came in my mailbox.
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE by George Washington
ParacleteLetter@yahoogroups.com
Chuck Clark chuck@stationedhere.com
Wednesday - September 21, 2005
“And Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” - 2 Kings 6:17
During the American Revolution, Anthony Sherman was one of the soldiers who wintered with General George Washington in 1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He recounted that Washington was a man of prayer and would often go to a quiet place and pray alone. One day, Washington returned from such a time alone looking quite pale and told of a vision he had:
“Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes. By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue itself had become paralyzed.”
Washington stated that the woman showed him a future vision of America: “I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them.”
Washington remembered the last words of his visitor: “Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union. With these words the vision vanished, and I startled from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.”
“Christians should never fail to sense the operation of angelic glory. It forever eclipses the world of demonic powers, as the sun does a candle's light.” - Billy Graham
God’s Word: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” - Psalm 34:7
Let us pray that believers will continually seek God's forgiveness of and blessings for America.
Each day I receive a newsletter with some great stories and thought-provoking ideas. Today, this is what came in my mailbox.
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE by George Washington
ParacleteLetter@yahoogroups.com
Chuck Clark chuck@stationedhere.com
Wednesday - September 21, 2005
“And Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” - 2 Kings 6:17
During the American Revolution, Anthony Sherman was one of the soldiers who wintered with General George Washington in 1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He recounted that Washington was a man of prayer and would often go to a quiet place and pray alone. One day, Washington returned from such a time alone looking quite pale and told of a vision he had:
“Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes. By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue itself had become paralyzed.”
Washington stated that the woman showed him a future vision of America: “I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them.”
Washington remembered the last words of his visitor: “Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union. With these words the vision vanished, and I startled from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.”
“Christians should never fail to sense the operation of angelic glory. It forever eclipses the world of demonic powers, as the sun does a candle's light.” - Billy Graham
God’s Word: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” - Psalm 34:7
Let us pray that believers will continually seek God's forgiveness of and blessings for America.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Change and Thinking
There are many things that bother me about the current fervor to rid America of God. It attacks our civic history and it shows the deep ignorance of many of our lawyers and judges. But as a therapist I am also concerned because the suit to ban the Pledge of allegiance from schools is based on junk science about the ways people think and feel.
The mere fact that children stand and recite "One Nation, Under God..." Is supposed to "make disbelieving children feel badly". This statement is based on a complete fallacy about how feelings are formed. Proponents of this suit would have us believe that kids are a bundle of uncontrollable feelings that are damaged by the hearing of any word about God.
Secondly, that children are so sensitive that any misspoken word can set them up for a life of pain and suffering and that it is in the interest of the state to protect them from such brutality.
let me say at the outset that I strongly promote gentle and caring speech with any person, child or adult. However, reciting a statement about God cannot disturb a child or an adult unless that person has decided to be offended. Do you remember the old saying, Sticks and stone can break my bones but words can never hurt me? Like many wise proverbs it is true.
Unless I give you power over my feelings I cannot be wounded by such a Pledge. Now, should a parent, an ACLU lawyer or a counselor convince you that the Pledge is harmful you can choose to be harmed. In fact, facing and overcoming Adversity is good for children. Learning to accept and affirm diversity is good for kids. Knowing we are different from others is healthy.
Rather than harming kids such things can actually develop an ability to be more resilient.
The Winds Of Fate
One ship drives east, the other drives west
With the self same winds that blow.'
Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
Which tells us the way to go.
Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As we voyage along through life.
'Tis the set of a soul
That decides it's goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)
Pray that the courts will not make laws based on junk psychology.
There are many things that bother me about the current fervor to rid America of God. It attacks our civic history and it shows the deep ignorance of many of our lawyers and judges. But as a therapist I am also concerned because the suit to ban the Pledge of allegiance from schools is based on junk science about the ways people think and feel.
The mere fact that children stand and recite "One Nation, Under God..." Is supposed to "make disbelieving children feel badly". This statement is based on a complete fallacy about how feelings are formed. Proponents of this suit would have us believe that kids are a bundle of uncontrollable feelings that are damaged by the hearing of any word about God.
Secondly, that children are so sensitive that any misspoken word can set them up for a life of pain and suffering and that it is in the interest of the state to protect them from such brutality.
let me say at the outset that I strongly promote gentle and caring speech with any person, child or adult. However, reciting a statement about God cannot disturb a child or an adult unless that person has decided to be offended. Do you remember the old saying, Sticks and stone can break my bones but words can never hurt me? Like many wise proverbs it is true.
Unless I give you power over my feelings I cannot be wounded by such a Pledge. Now, should a parent, an ACLU lawyer or a counselor convince you that the Pledge is harmful you can choose to be harmed. In fact, facing and overcoming Adversity is good for children. Learning to accept and affirm diversity is good for kids. Knowing we are different from others is healthy.
Rather than harming kids such things can actually develop an ability to be more resilient.
The Winds Of Fate
One ship drives east, the other drives west
With the self same winds that blow.'
Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
Which tells us the way to go.
Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As we voyage along through life.
'Tis the set of a soul
That decides it's goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)
Pray that the courts will not make laws based on junk psychology.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Change: Is It All Over Now?
My last post about the seven stages of change covered number 4, CHANGE. This is what we have been seeking. The diet has begun, the cigarettes are thrown away, I am meeting every morning with God in private devotions, etc. Is that all?
NOPE! Now is the time we need support to Continue the Change Process and avoid Relapse. +
Any change worth its weight requires a long term plan. I must have stopped smoking 100 times before I stopped and did not relapse.
What happens if I do relapse? The world does not end if we relapse. It simply means we need to get back on the wagon and make sure we do not get so discouraged that we fall all the way back to Stage #I. Do not lose heart. You can start over again. In fact most people relapse several times but finally stick with the new behavior.
Stage 5. Continuing the Change Process. Keep up the good work by finding prayer partners, and people who love you enough to offer support.
My last post about the seven stages of change covered number 4, CHANGE. This is what we have been seeking. The diet has begun, the cigarettes are thrown away, I am meeting every morning with God in private devotions, etc. Is that all?
NOPE! Now is the time we need support to Continue the Change Process and avoid Relapse. +
Any change worth its weight requires a long term plan. I must have stopped smoking 100 times before I stopped and did not relapse.
What happens if I do relapse? The world does not end if we relapse. It simply means we need to get back on the wagon and make sure we do not get so discouraged that we fall all the way back to Stage #I. Do not lose heart. You can start over again. In fact most people relapse several times but finally stick with the new behavior.
Stage 5. Continuing the Change Process. Keep up the good work by finding prayer partners, and people who love you enough to offer support.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Christians in Ministry
So what if some people do not thank us or change after we minister in the Name above all Names? That is not the reason we share, give or reach out.
Here is a note from Dave Auterson who heads Convoy of Hope.
Dear Friends,
It’s late, I’m tired – but I must take the opportunity to communicate with you before the end of the day.
I have covered hundreds of miles in the car over the past few days going from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to as far east as Gautier (go-shay) Mississippi. I have been in all of our distributions sites at least once; gone through the cities and back roads, and have spoken with dozens of people - victims, first responders, chaplains and volunteers.
That said, here is what is becoming clearer:
1. Without the presence of the church/faith-based agencies, many more people would have died and would still be dying. I have been told this repeatedly by everyone – including government agents.
We have done it better, cheaper and with the love of God, in my view.
2. The need is enormous. Mississippi has far more damage than Louisiana, and cities, towns, and villages will never be the same. While New Orleans gathers all the press with its problems and drive to re-open, there are still major areas along the gulf coast with NO services. No power, water, sewage and a very limited (if at all) presence of government personnel.
People are starting to ask “where do we begin” and “how will we ever come back from this”. I have to admit that I too have thought those things. Until tonight when driving back to Baton Rouge; it struck me that the church has ALWAYS faced huge need and daunting tasks. And, because of that, we already know where and how we will do our work,
One person at a time!
We minister help to those coming to our sites one at a time.
We pray with people one at a time.
We will impact each community one at a time!
Please remember our Convoy management team in prayer on Monday. There is finally enough time in the schedule for them to meet to strategize and plan our response over the course of the next 12 months +. We need wisdom and resources like never before to meet the need. We know that God is able!
Tomorrow part of our warehouse team rotates out and we welcome some new faces. Some of you have asked about bringing teams to help and we would love to help you do that. Please send me details about your availability and schedule and I will work with you individually on the details.
Have a great Lord’s Day tomorrow.
Great Things are Happening!
David Auterson
Convoy of Hope
So what if some people do not thank us or change after we minister in the Name above all Names? That is not the reason we share, give or reach out.
Here is a note from Dave Auterson who heads Convoy of Hope.
Dear Friends,
It’s late, I’m tired – but I must take the opportunity to communicate with you before the end of the day.
I have covered hundreds of miles in the car over the past few days going from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to as far east as Gautier (go-shay) Mississippi. I have been in all of our distributions sites at least once; gone through the cities and back roads, and have spoken with dozens of people - victims, first responders, chaplains and volunteers.
That said, here is what is becoming clearer:
1. Without the presence of the church/faith-based agencies, many more people would have died and would still be dying. I have been told this repeatedly by everyone – including government agents.
We have done it better, cheaper and with the love of God, in my view.
2. The need is enormous. Mississippi has far more damage than Louisiana, and cities, towns, and villages will never be the same. While New Orleans gathers all the press with its problems and drive to re-open, there are still major areas along the gulf coast with NO services. No power, water, sewage and a very limited (if at all) presence of government personnel.
People are starting to ask “where do we begin” and “how will we ever come back from this”. I have to admit that I too have thought those things. Until tonight when driving back to Baton Rouge; it struck me that the church has ALWAYS faced huge need and daunting tasks. And, because of that, we already know where and how we will do our work,
One person at a time!
We minister help to those coming to our sites one at a time.
We pray with people one at a time.
We will impact each community one at a time!
Please remember our Convoy management team in prayer on Monday. There is finally enough time in the schedule for them to meet to strategize and plan our response over the course of the next 12 months +. We need wisdom and resources like never before to meet the need. We know that God is able!
Tomorrow part of our warehouse team rotates out and we welcome some new faces. Some of you have asked about bringing teams to help and we would love to help you do that. Please send me details about your availability and schedule and I will work with you individually on the details.
Have a great Lord’s Day tomorrow.
Great Things are Happening!
David Auterson
Convoy of Hope
Change and Rescue Operations
Two blogs ago I began to share my thoughts about the change process. If you wish to learn how to really influence others without getting caught in the Rescuer Triangle, read my book, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty.(Call 769-4600 to order)
Stage I. Pre-Conviction, Stage II. Conviction and Stage III. Considering Change are discussed in a past posting.
Stage IV: Changing my Behavior-This is when we stop smoking, quit drinking, begin the diet or actually Change my actions. Everything else that happens before this is important but here is the jackpot. Unfortunately, many of us expect others to get to Stage IV. Immediately and we are very disappointed when there are delays.
Think about the Rescuer Triangles and how many Rescuers are upset when the Victims they Rescued from the Persecuting Floods did not immediately change into model citizens and then blame them for being the Problem. Just think for a moment about the reasonableness of that expectation. How can we expect a person to understand the notion of private property and work for pay if they never, ever worked or owned anything before in their entire lives?
Over 30% of all New Orleans residents were below the poverty line and, as a result, were on welfare. They rented their apartments. Have you ever rented? If so, were you as concerned about the property as the owner? Of course not.
Most people in poverty have children without benefit of marriage and most are uneducated. These are the two single greatest causes of poverty in America.
Why would any person who has spent a lifetime on government assistance thank us for Rescuing them from a flood? They are chronically Rescued. They have an attitude of entitlement, and the government has fostered it and rewarded it.
Ministry in Russia is difficult because the government ran everything and planned everything and told everyone what to do. The citizens made no decisions and had no influence on the food available, cars that were made or the way leaders acted. Now, many want the old system back because making decisions is tough. Responsibility is difficult. Dependency is demeaning and disrespectful but it is easy to do.
Do the people who lived on welfare in New Orleans see a need for Change? Are they Convicted that they have a Problem? (Stage II. Conviction) I cannot imagine that they think they need to change. It is almost impossible for them to jump all the way to Stage IV. Change and decide to stop welfare and get a job, buy a house and take care of their property.
My hope and prayer is simple: "Lord, help the people dependent upon welfare and government assistance see the light that future generations will benefit from marriage, an education, hard work and a vigorous investment in private property ownership."
I have a second prayer: "Lord, may this nation see the light and turn from the Socialist agenda that killed Russia."
I also have a plea for my friends: "Stop expecting Rescues to Change behavior developed over generations."
Two blogs ago I began to share my thoughts about the change process. If you wish to learn how to really influence others without getting caught in the Rescuer Triangle, read my book, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty.(Call 769-4600 to order)
Stage I. Pre-Conviction, Stage II. Conviction and Stage III. Considering Change are discussed in a past posting.
Stage IV: Changing my Behavior-This is when we stop smoking, quit drinking, begin the diet or actually Change my actions. Everything else that happens before this is important but here is the jackpot. Unfortunately, many of us expect others to get to Stage IV. Immediately and we are very disappointed when there are delays.
Think about the Rescuer Triangles and how many Rescuers are upset when the Victims they Rescued from the Persecuting Floods did not immediately change into model citizens and then blame them for being the Problem. Just think for a moment about the reasonableness of that expectation. How can we expect a person to understand the notion of private property and work for pay if they never, ever worked or owned anything before in their entire lives?
Over 30% of all New Orleans residents were below the poverty line and, as a result, were on welfare. They rented their apartments. Have you ever rented? If so, were you as concerned about the property as the owner? Of course not.
Most people in poverty have children without benefit of marriage and most are uneducated. These are the two single greatest causes of poverty in America.
Why would any person who has spent a lifetime on government assistance thank us for Rescuing them from a flood? They are chronically Rescued. They have an attitude of entitlement, and the government has fostered it and rewarded it.
Ministry in Russia is difficult because the government ran everything and planned everything and told everyone what to do. The citizens made no decisions and had no influence on the food available, cars that were made or the way leaders acted. Now, many want the old system back because making decisions is tough. Responsibility is difficult. Dependency is demeaning and disrespectful but it is easy to do.
Do the people who lived on welfare in New Orleans see a need for Change? Are they Convicted that they have a Problem? (Stage II. Conviction) I cannot imagine that they think they need to change. It is almost impossible for them to jump all the way to Stage IV. Change and decide to stop welfare and get a job, buy a house and take care of their property.
My hope and prayer is simple: "Lord, help the people dependent upon welfare and government assistance see the light that future generations will benefit from marriage, an education, hard work and a vigorous investment in private property ownership."
I have a second prayer: "Lord, may this nation see the light and turn from the Socialist agenda that killed Russia."
I also have a plea for my friends: "Stop expecting Rescues to Change behavior developed over generations."
Responses From Old Friends
The Triangles blog certainly stirred up a lot of interest. I really like it when people tell me their thoughts and I am going to share one or two of them. Mark O'Hara, a friend from the Jesus Movement, wrote this. (Edited for length.)
Hi Gary,
As usual God has blessed you with great insight. I'm so glad that you take time to share.
I've read some stories in the local news that back up your remarks. During the past couple of weeks a man with a history of drug addiction somehow made his way onto a Greyhound bus that was providing a free service to get people out of the Katrina affected area to the Cincinnati area. This fellow was given a debit card with $700 to pay for food and housing (Rescuers). When he tried to use his card at a local business, it would not work. (The Problem.)
Instead of investigating the cause of why his card was not functioning, he escalated, became out of control and proceeded to rob the business. Police later found him living on the street and arrested him. (The Victim) His attorney is accusing everyone except this victim. Recently when my wife's debit card wouldn't work she called the toll free number and reset her password.
A New Orleans grandmother was arrested for stealing some sausage at a food store. As someone who owned a food store for years I've had many people down on their luck ask if they could pay later. I may be a sucker, but I have never turned anyone down. I'm sure if the grandma would have mentioned that she was displaced by Katrina and she had no money, she would have gotten more than a pound of free sausage. Now the relatives are accusing the Cincinnati police of racial inequity.
Two Rescuers in our area that opened their homes to displaced folks. The Rescuers say that they feel victimized because the people are doing nothing at all to help themselves. They will not clean up after themselves nor looking for work. The Rescuers say that they are eating them out of house and home.
All my best to you and Miss Karen,
Marc O'Hara
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am blessed that so many are learning to recognize Triangles.
The Triangles blog certainly stirred up a lot of interest. I really like it when people tell me their thoughts and I am going to share one or two of them. Mark O'Hara, a friend from the Jesus Movement, wrote this. (Edited for length.)
Hi Gary,
As usual God has blessed you with great insight. I'm so glad that you take time to share.
I've read some stories in the local news that back up your remarks. During the past couple of weeks a man with a history of drug addiction somehow made his way onto a Greyhound bus that was providing a free service to get people out of the Katrina affected area to the Cincinnati area. This fellow was given a debit card with $700 to pay for food and housing (Rescuers). When he tried to use his card at a local business, it would not work. (The Problem.)
Instead of investigating the cause of why his card was not functioning, he escalated, became out of control and proceeded to rob the business. Police later found him living on the street and arrested him. (The Victim) His attorney is accusing everyone except this victim. Recently when my wife's debit card wouldn't work she called the toll free number and reset her password.
A New Orleans grandmother was arrested for stealing some sausage at a food store. As someone who owned a food store for years I've had many people down on their luck ask if they could pay later. I may be a sucker, but I have never turned anyone down. I'm sure if the grandma would have mentioned that she was displaced by Katrina and she had no money, she would have gotten more than a pound of free sausage. Now the relatives are accusing the Cincinnati police of racial inequity.
Two Rescuers in our area that opened their homes to displaced folks. The Rescuers say that they feel victimized because the people are doing nothing at all to help themselves. They will not clean up after themselves nor looking for work. The Rescuers say that they are eating them out of house and home.
All my best to you and Miss Karen,
Marc O'Hara
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am blessed that so many are learning to recognize Triangles.
Friday, September 16, 2005
How People Change
Most of you know that I have been training pastors and lay leaders for many years and have written several books about the skills of Influence. About the most common question I get at seminars is this: "How do I motivate the un-motivated to be motivated?"
Before getting to the answer, allow me to tell you about the seven stages of change that every person goes through whenever they change a behavior or mindset.
Stage I: Pre-Conviction: I am not convinced or convicted that I have a problem that needs my attention. You may think I have a problem and everyone in town may agree with you but I do not see that I need to change. (Motivate with prayer and listening love. Lectures about my need to change will usually backfire and make it harder to motivate me.)
Stage II: Conviction: I am thinking I may have a problem and will think about it some day when I have more time or energy. (Motivational prayer is working. Keep it up.)
Stage III: Considering Change: This is a key stage because I am counting the cost of making a change. I am in serious dialogue with myself. (Motivate by asking the right questions and prayer. It is working.)
Change can take a long time and test our patience. Do not grow weary in doing good things like prayer.
Most of you know that I have been training pastors and lay leaders for many years and have written several books about the skills of Influence. About the most common question I get at seminars is this: "How do I motivate the un-motivated to be motivated?"
Before getting to the answer, allow me to tell you about the seven stages of change that every person goes through whenever they change a behavior or mindset.
Stage I: Pre-Conviction: I am not convinced or convicted that I have a problem that needs my attention. You may think I have a problem and everyone in town may agree with you but I do not see that I need to change. (Motivate with prayer and listening love. Lectures about my need to change will usually backfire and make it harder to motivate me.)
Stage II: Conviction: I am thinking I may have a problem and will think about it some day when I have more time or energy. (Motivational prayer is working. Keep it up.)
Stage III: Considering Change: This is a key stage because I am counting the cost of making a change. I am in serious dialogue with myself. (Motivate by asking the right questions and prayer. It is working.)
Change can take a long time and test our patience. Do not grow weary in doing good things like prayer.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Anger and Helping Others
Several people are responding to my blogs on TRIANGLES. The primary feeling from many of them is ANGER. The think that many of the Victims have taken advantage of the good hearts of Americans and not only feel like they deserve the help they get but have the right to attack the Rescuers without mercy. This is the height of biting the hand that feeds you.
Many of you know that I spend a lot of time training pastors and Christian leaders how to more effectively minister to those in need. If we do for others what they should do for themselves we will actually cause more dependency and damage the long term ability of the Victim to get stronger.
Another reaction is racial accusations. Several of my readers have gotten so angry they are tempted to focus on poorAfrican Americans for the "Blame Game". I think that perception is not only wrong but it is also does violence to our Christian values.
I urge the believers who read my blog to stay calm and cool and collected. The Rescue Triangle is not, NOT in any way restricted to African Americans nor to the poor. In my teaching around the world I find it to be an accurate "Law" for Anglos. Chinese, Russians, etc.
Becoming a racist is not healthy for us emotionally or spiritually. It is sinful.
Several people are responding to my blogs on TRIANGLES. The primary feeling from many of them is ANGER. The think that many of the Victims have taken advantage of the good hearts of Americans and not only feel like they deserve the help they get but have the right to attack the Rescuers without mercy. This is the height of biting the hand that feeds you.
Many of you know that I spend a lot of time training pastors and Christian leaders how to more effectively minister to those in need. If we do for others what they should do for themselves we will actually cause more dependency and damage the long term ability of the Victim to get stronger.
Another reaction is racial accusations. Several of my readers have gotten so angry they are tempted to focus on poorAfrican Americans for the "Blame Game". I think that perception is not only wrong but it is also does violence to our Christian values.
I urge the believers who read my blog to stay calm and cool and collected. The Rescue Triangle is not, NOT in any way restricted to African Americans nor to the poor. In my teaching around the world I find it to be an accurate "Law" for Anglos. Chinese, Russians, etc.
Becoming a racist is not healthy for us emotionally or spiritually. It is sinful.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
How Do We Know When to Minister and When to Say, "No"?
I have received a good bit of feedback about my articles on "Responsibility Triangles or Rescue Triangles". Many of my readers know this problem for they face it daily. Ministry leaders, pastors and servants of Christ are especially vulnerable. In this blog I will share how to know when ministry is legitimate and when it is wrong.
There are three rules that can guide us. The Golden Rule, The Lead Rule and The Stone Rule. We all know the first, The Golden Rule. "Do for others that which you want them to do for you." Ministers and servant leaders often violate this rule by doing MORE for others than they would want done for themselves. Most ministers do not like to RECEIVE but they love to GIVE. they do not want to be treated like a child but they often treat others like children.
When we want others to treat us with dignity and assist us as we help ourselves we are following the Golden Rule.
The Lead Rule is as heavy as Gold but relatively worthless. Heavy weighty and worthless things happen when we: "Do for others what they should be doing for themselves."
The Stone Rule is similar but worse, much worse. It is, "Trying to do for others the things that only God can do." When we attempt to save, heal, deliver or change others we are guilty of the Stone Rule.
The people in New Orleans were not able to help themselves so we must treat them with dignity and offer basic necessities whether they bless us or not. That is how I want to be treated so I shall treat them thusly.
However, I will not attempt to do for them that which only they can do for that is disrespectful and demeaning to them and harmful to me. (It is sinful.)
I will not try to do for them that which only God can do for that is idolatry. Building gods of stones is the worst thing I can do. (It is sinful.)
(C) Gary Sweeten from Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty
I have received a good bit of feedback about my articles on "Responsibility Triangles or Rescue Triangles". Many of my readers know this problem for they face it daily. Ministry leaders, pastors and servants of Christ are especially vulnerable. In this blog I will share how to know when ministry is legitimate and when it is wrong.
There are three rules that can guide us. The Golden Rule, The Lead Rule and The Stone Rule. We all know the first, The Golden Rule. "Do for others that which you want them to do for you." Ministers and servant leaders often violate this rule by doing MORE for others than they would want done for themselves. Most ministers do not like to RECEIVE but they love to GIVE. they do not want to be treated like a child but they often treat others like children.
When we want others to treat us with dignity and assist us as we help ourselves we are following the Golden Rule.
The Lead Rule is as heavy as Gold but relatively worthless. Heavy weighty and worthless things happen when we: "Do for others what they should be doing for themselves."
The Stone Rule is similar but worse, much worse. It is, "Trying to do for others the things that only God can do." When we attempt to save, heal, deliver or change others we are guilty of the Stone Rule.
The people in New Orleans were not able to help themselves so we must treat them with dignity and offer basic necessities whether they bless us or not. That is how I want to be treated so I shall treat them thusly.
However, I will not attempt to do for them that which only they can do for that is disrespectful and demeaning to them and harmful to me. (It is sinful.)
I will not try to do for them that which only God can do for that is idolatry. Building gods of stones is the worst thing I can do. (It is sinful.)
(C) Gary Sweeten from Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty
Why Do We Help People?
A few postings ago I wrote about the "Law of the Responsibility Triangle" that states:
When we try to Rescue a Victim from a Persecutor/Problem we can end up accused of being the Persecutor/Problem and that leaves us feeling like the Victim.
I was listening to talk radio yesterday and our local mouth, Billy Cunningham, was saying things like, "Why should we rich white Republicans continue to send money, clothes, food and love to the people in the Gulf States when we will simply be accused of Racism Hatred, Callous behavior, etc?" This is a good question.
I just returned from Russia where I have ministered since 1991 to the Victims of Communism. The government does not appreciate my work and would not permit it if I was ministering openly. They have no programs to help the poor and sick or addicted and will punish any western or Christian effort to help people in need.
Why should I spend my time, energy, money and resources to assist a nation and people who are suffering from the INTENTIONAL neglect of the atheist leaders?
It is simple. I am a Christian and the love of God compels me to love my neighbor. He loved me and sent His Son to Rescue me so I am living out a compassionate lifestyle for others. I will admit that I wish they people would appreciate me and thank me. The sincere believers do appreciate my work because they are motivated by the same Holy Spirit as I. However, if I were in this business to get a lot of human applause I would have stopped long ago.
I am very proud that so many churches and para-church groups are helping with Katrina relief efforts. I was extremely happy to see this nation give to the tsunami victims out of Christian values. But we were criticized by many nations who are scared of us BECAUSE we are Christians. They would prefer that their people would starve rather than see them take aid from a Christian nation.
Jesus said that we should give a cup of cold water in His Name. At Ground Zero I heard some people curse that Name when they received hot coffee or cold water, but that does not matter for we were serving the King of the Universe as we served hot chocolate to humans.
What ever we do may it be to His glory not our praise.
Ps. The looney left will not rest until they have removed the name of God from every building and school book in the world. What they do not realize is that the Name is foundational to all compassion, caring, love and concern. This is why Russia and Europe are so callous. This is why America is so compassionate. But, blinded people hate God and everything that reminds them of His glory. This is all the more reason we who know Him must give Him praise.
A few postings ago I wrote about the "Law of the Responsibility Triangle" that states:
When we try to Rescue a Victim from a Persecutor/Problem we can end up accused of being the Persecutor/Problem and that leaves us feeling like the Victim.
I was listening to talk radio yesterday and our local mouth, Billy Cunningham, was saying things like, "Why should we rich white Republicans continue to send money, clothes, food and love to the people in the Gulf States when we will simply be accused of Racism Hatred, Callous behavior, etc?" This is a good question.
I just returned from Russia where I have ministered since 1991 to the Victims of Communism. The government does not appreciate my work and would not permit it if I was ministering openly. They have no programs to help the poor and sick or addicted and will punish any western or Christian effort to help people in need.
Why should I spend my time, energy, money and resources to assist a nation and people who are suffering from the INTENTIONAL neglect of the atheist leaders?
It is simple. I am a Christian and the love of God compels me to love my neighbor. He loved me and sent His Son to Rescue me so I am living out a compassionate lifestyle for others. I will admit that I wish they people would appreciate me and thank me. The sincere believers do appreciate my work because they are motivated by the same Holy Spirit as I. However, if I were in this business to get a lot of human applause I would have stopped long ago.
I am very proud that so many churches and para-church groups are helping with Katrina relief efforts. I was extremely happy to see this nation give to the tsunami victims out of Christian values. But we were criticized by many nations who are scared of us BECAUSE we are Christians. They would prefer that their people would starve rather than see them take aid from a Christian nation.
Jesus said that we should give a cup of cold water in His Name. At Ground Zero I heard some people curse that Name when they received hot coffee or cold water, but that does not matter for we were serving the King of the Universe as we served hot chocolate to humans.
What ever we do may it be to His glory not our praise.
Ps. The looney left will not rest until they have removed the name of God from every building and school book in the world. What they do not realize is that the Name is foundational to all compassion, caring, love and concern. This is why Russia and Europe are so callous. This is why America is so compassionate. But, blinded people hate God and everything that reminds them of His glory. This is all the more reason we who know Him must give Him praise.
Monday, September 12, 2005
How to Help Traumatized People
Be available and listen with the expectation that they WILL recover after some time.
washingtonpost.com
Two Studies Raise Doubts on Trauma Counseling's Value Analyses: Debriefings Don't Help, And May Harm, Mental Health
By Shankar VedantamWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, September 6, 2002; Page A12
Counseling sessions frequently given to survivors immediately after disasters, such as the debriefings given to people traumatized by the Sept. 11 attacks, do nothing to prevent psychiatric disorders and may even be harmful, according to two comprehensive analyses released yesterday.
Though debriefing has been embraced by officials and a range of practitioners, there is little evidence that recipients' long-term mental health is better than people who get no counseling, or those who just talk to friends and family, according to a Dutch study of debriefing in multiple situations. Debriefing "may even put some survivors at heightened risk for later developing mental health problems," said experts at the National Institute of Mental Health who independently evaluated the technique after Sept 11.
"If this was a drug, we would take it off the market," said Richard Gist, a psychologist at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
The controversy over debriefing has grown as tens of thousands of people have received sessions after the Sept. 11 attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing and the Columbine school shootings. Researchers struggling to figure out how and whether to help bystanders and witnesses after national catastrophes have been left dumbfounded as a host of practitioners -- often armed with what Gist called "proprietary workshops, trade magazines and paperback books" -- have raced far ahead of the science.
Gist, who wrote an editorial in The Lancet medical journal accompanying the Dutch study, said that "more than 9,000 purveyors of debriefing" and similar interventions raced to New York, "advocating intervention for any person even remotely connected to the tragedy."
The debriefers were well-intentioned, but NIMH experts said the blanket intervention was inappropriate because most people who received counseling would have recovered on their own. Shock and grief were widespread after Sept 11, but those were considered normal reactions to tragedy and the experts said the "sensible" policy was "to expect normal recovery."
Debriefing consists of individual or group sessions lasting one to three hours where survivors describe what they have been through and talk about their feelings. Offered within hours or days of a tragedy, the technique seems superficially similar to established therapies that encourage people to relive traumatic memories and thereby gradually grow less sensitive to them. But debriefing usually offers no follow-ups and may simply cause people to become more distressed, researchers said.
A much better approach would be to wait a few weeks to separate the majority of resilient people who are recovering on their own from those who are not getting better. Special attention could be paid to survivors, families of victims and first responders such as firefighters, who are at higher risk for long-term problems. At that point, administering intensive treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy to specific individuals has a much better chance of reducing the risk of long-term trauma, the researchers said.
No one knows how long clinicians should wait after a traumatic event to evaluate individuals to see whether they are getting better on their own. One school of thought is to keep help available whenever people seek it. The bottom line, the experts agreed, is to avoid one-size-fits-all interventions and to encourage individuals to talk only when they are ready to do so.
Talking to friends and family, and regular exercise can also help hasten recovery.
Be available and listen with the expectation that they WILL recover after some time.
washingtonpost.com
Two Studies Raise Doubts on Trauma Counseling's Value Analyses: Debriefings Don't Help, And May Harm, Mental Health
By Shankar VedantamWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, September 6, 2002; Page A12
Counseling sessions frequently given to survivors immediately after disasters, such as the debriefings given to people traumatized by the Sept. 11 attacks, do nothing to prevent psychiatric disorders and may even be harmful, according to two comprehensive analyses released yesterday.
Though debriefing has been embraced by officials and a range of practitioners, there is little evidence that recipients' long-term mental health is better than people who get no counseling, or those who just talk to friends and family, according to a Dutch study of debriefing in multiple situations. Debriefing "may even put some survivors at heightened risk for later developing mental health problems," said experts at the National Institute of Mental Health who independently evaluated the technique after Sept 11.
"If this was a drug, we would take it off the market," said Richard Gist, a psychologist at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
The controversy over debriefing has grown as tens of thousands of people have received sessions after the Sept. 11 attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing and the Columbine school shootings. Researchers struggling to figure out how and whether to help bystanders and witnesses after national catastrophes have been left dumbfounded as a host of practitioners -- often armed with what Gist called "proprietary workshops, trade magazines and paperback books" -- have raced far ahead of the science.
Gist, who wrote an editorial in The Lancet medical journal accompanying the Dutch study, said that "more than 9,000 purveyors of debriefing" and similar interventions raced to New York, "advocating intervention for any person even remotely connected to the tragedy."
The debriefers were well-intentioned, but NIMH experts said the blanket intervention was inappropriate because most people who received counseling would have recovered on their own. Shock and grief were widespread after Sept 11, but those were considered normal reactions to tragedy and the experts said the "sensible" policy was "to expect normal recovery."
Debriefing consists of individual or group sessions lasting one to three hours where survivors describe what they have been through and talk about their feelings. Offered within hours or days of a tragedy, the technique seems superficially similar to established therapies that encourage people to relive traumatic memories and thereby gradually grow less sensitive to them. But debriefing usually offers no follow-ups and may simply cause people to become more distressed, researchers said.
A much better approach would be to wait a few weeks to separate the majority of resilient people who are recovering on their own from those who are not getting better. Special attention could be paid to survivors, families of victims and first responders such as firefighters, who are at higher risk for long-term problems. At that point, administering intensive treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy to specific individuals has a much better chance of reducing the risk of long-term trauma, the researchers said.
No one knows how long clinicians should wait after a traumatic event to evaluate individuals to see whether they are getting better on their own. One school of thought is to keep help available whenever people seek it. The bottom line, the experts agreed, is to avoid one-size-fits-all interventions and to encourage individuals to talk only when they are ready to do so.
Talking to friends and family, and regular exercise can also help hasten recovery.
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