Mental Health and God

Prayer for Healthcare Justice

2009-06-27T12:52:00.001-05:00

If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. – Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NRSV)

Please join me in praying that President Obama’s public option plan is included in the final product of healthcare reform. Of course, we want God’s will to be done. Should I be in error, then it is best if this does not pass. However I cannot imagine that the public option health plan would not be in tune with God’s will.

Please pray with me for this to happen. It amazes me when I hear Christians say, “Well, I can only pray”. ONLY PRAY? While we don’t understand the deep mystery that is prayer, we do acknowledge that it is powerful beyond measure. Let us pray with our words, our mental images, our feelings, and our actions. (Contacting our representatives certainly counts as an act of prayer!)

Dear Lord, I pray that you help this nation to embrace and enact a healthcare system that provides for everybody’s needs regardless of ability to pay. I pray that the emergency room stops being the primary care provider for anybody. I pray that all people receive preventative care, comfort care, and that they are treated with dignity. Not my will, but your will be done. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Goals

2009-05-29T10:25:00.002-05:00

Look to God, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. – Psalm 34:5

Goals are important. A noble goal that is clear and precise gives an individual a sense of direction and purpose. It helps to keep one on a healthy track. For a goal to be noble it must be for the good of all involved. The great psychologist Albert Ellis once said, “When we choose to create profound meanings and long-range goals for ourselves and our community we tend to lead more satisfying and less disturbed lives”. A noble goal brings honor to one’s-self and to others.

The other day I was getting a haircut. The lady cutting my hair shared a story about her step-daughter. This step-daughter is fourteen years old and entering high school. Get this. She already has a four year plan. She has a dream of becoming an anesthesiologist. She has already planned her course of action for getting the most out of her high school experience. Frankly I’m impressed. How many middle-aged people have a four year plan? This youngster is an inspiration.

Yes, goals are great. However there is a danger. The danger comes when we use goals to determine our value. This is a miss-use of goals. A goal is best used as a tool to help us live productive and happy lives. A goal must never be used as a tool for the measuring of self-worth. A human being’s worth comes simply by the fact of being human. As a Christian, I believe our worth comes from being made in the image of God.

This is an idea that needs to be taught and embraced by our society. Quoting again from Albert Ellis: “To help people gain unconditional self-acceptance and to believe that they are okay or are good just because they exist had better be taught to all children in the course of their schooling, from early childhood onward”. Simply being human makes one worthy of value and respect. This is why we respect ourselves. This is why we respect everyone we meet.

Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers) said, “If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person”. You are valuable simply because God made you. You are radiant. By all means, have noble goals in your life. Go after them with gusto, but never let your successes or failures determine your self-worth. You are worth more than can be measured.

Too Much Information

2009-05-23T14:28:00.003-05:00

Too Much Information, also known as T.M.I., is what this blog could be accused of. Therefore I will comment. The reason I have this blog is not self-expression, but advocacy for mental health awareness, especially as it intersects with spirituality.

I speak openly and freely about my mental illness issues because I want to normalize the subject. There are many people who take anti-depressants, visit therapists, or deal with mental health issues in some form. I hope that more people will "come out of the closet" about this issue. This will help to normalize the topic, thus reducing the stigma of mental health issues.

I know the topic makes people uncomfortable, but that is the problem. Mental illness is no different from any other illness. Proper diagnosis and treatment empowers people and their loved ones to live abundant lives.

Again - This is not about me. This is about the subject. This is about advocacy.

God bless you.
Brian

Knowing the Signs

2009-05-16T08:38:00.004-05:00

The past few months have been very good for me. My depression and anxiety have been under control with medication and talk therapy. Equally important I have been using a cpap (breathing machine) to control my sleep apnea. It appears that sleep apnea was a major contributor to my depresssion. I've been feeling so good that my therapist and I have begun to meet monthly rather than weekly. Things are good.

Yet, the past couple of weeks I've noticed signs that could be an indicator of increased depression. As of yet I'm not sure if these are the simple ups and downs of normal life, or if they are symptoms to be addressed. Either way, I'm pleased that I know my warning signs. These signs are my friends.

The main sign for me is isolation. Lately I've found myself compelled to cancel plans. This is a big warning sign for me. When in the arms of depression I tend to isolate myself big time. I feel guilty and ashamed when I cancel plans. I want to be a man who keeps his word. Further, this keeps me from getting close to people. It is sabatoging behavior. Still, I'm in the early stages of this sign. As of yet I do not know if I've canceled plans simply due to being tired or if I'm avoiding people. I need to be aware within the next few weeks. Depression can sneak up quickly and quietly.

A secondary sign I've noticed is an increase in feelings of anger. These feelings do not come from outside of me, but rather through my internal dialogue or "tapes" of past events and imaginary conversations. It is an important sign to observe.

What are your signs? Even people without a mental health diagnosis have warning signs about their well-being. It is good to know the signs. Sometimes we need help to learn our signs. Therapy is wonderful for this. I pray you are well and that you know your signs. If you think of it, say a little prayer for me.

Thank you and God bless you.
Brian

Inner & Outer

2009-05-03T08:21:00.004-05:00

There is a dualism within Christianity that I find to be unhealthy. This is the notion that there is an "individual" and a "social". On the surface this is true. Yet, those of us in the mainline traditions tend to ridicule those who have what we call "individualistic" religion. Likewise, evangelicals tend to consider us to be closet socialists! For years I have worked to present the gospel as both. It is both individual and social. In fact, there is no meaningful difference.

I preached about this for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I compared and contrasted him with Billy Graham. People tend to see them as preaching very different gospels. I say this is not true! There is only one gospel (Galations 1:7). Both of these giants of 20th century Christianity preached the gospel of Jesus Christ...the gospel of peace, justice, and reconciliation. Dr. Graham focused on the individual experience. Dr. King focused on the social experience. To claim that these are two different things is a false dualism. You as an individual human being are one with all of creation. Likewise all of creation is one with you. I find that the Buddhists tend to understand this better than do many Christians.

Personally, I have a different understanding of salvation than does Dr. Graham, but I respect him. I saw him interviewed on Larry King. On this show Dr. Graham shared that he and Dr. King met to discuss Dr. Graham's spiritual crisis. Dr. Graham shared that he wanted to do more for the civil rights movement. Dr. King shared that he believed Dr. Graham was honoring his calling preaching in stadiums while Dr. King was honoring his calling preaching on the streets. Again - it is the same gospel.

Dr. Graham insisted that his gatherings be desegregated. In the deep south of Jim Crow I cannot think of another person who could make this happen. Dr. King had a deep personal spirituality along with his calling to work for justice. Social justice and inner transformation are not two competing factions.

All of creation is within Christ. We are all within Christ, individually and collectively. There is no meaningful difference. If one is committed to social justice but does not resolve her/his psychological issues (we all have them), then they are not being faithful. Likewise, if someone focuses exclusively on their inner-growth without working for social justice, then they are not being faithful. To truly grow one must care about the whole. To truly care about the whole one must work on inner-growth. These are not two different things. They are one. We are one. God is one.

Social Gospel

2009-04-24T13:41:00.001-05:00

http://socialgospel-brian.blogspot.com/

Above is the link to my new blog. I will keep this one for discussing mental health issues as it is very dear to me. The other one I call Social Gospel as it deals with politics and religion from a progressive point of view.

National Health Care Decisions Day

2009-04-15T13:16:00.004-05:00

April 16, 2009 is National Health Care Decisions Day. It is a day to encourage people to work on advance directives. What are advance directives? I'm glad you asked. They are legal documents that give you say over what kind of medical treatment you do/don't want if you are unable to speak for yourself.

One for is a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions". This is a document in which you choose who you want to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.

There is also the "Healthcare Treatment Directive". This is a document in which you say what procedures you do/don't want should you be unable to speak for yourself and there is no reasonable hope of living or achieving a quality of life that is acceptable to you.

Probably the best course of action is to have both. The ensures that you are not subjected to treatments that you would not want. Further, it helps your loved ones to make decisions based on your choices. Remember, in the moment of grief and denial, your family may not make the choices you want. If you write them out, it will give them comfort and structure.

I refer you to the following link for more information.

www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org

About This Blog

2009-04-06T09:31:00.002-05:00

When I started this blog the idea was to discuss the interface between religion and mental health. Indeed, I still plan/hope to do this. Yet the past few posts have not dealt specifically with this topic. I encourage you to read earlier posts. In earlier posts you will find discussions that ask questions such as "Is Christianity psychologically healthy?". Such are the topics I planned to discuss. Lately I've had other things on my mind. Perhaps it would be more responsible were I to create different blogs to discuss different thing. But I do not want to do this.

Regarding my own journey with depression, I'm in a great place right now. In fact, I don't "have depression" right now. I feel amazing. I hope you do as well. Peace be with you and have a great Holy Week and Easter.

Sincerely,
Brian

Perhaps the United States Should Try Bush & Cheney for War Crimes

2009-04-06T09:15:00.005-05:00

I was not of the opinion that our country should try Bush and Cheney for war crimes. I thought it would needlessly keep us stuck in the past. Indeed, I wish to move on and begin a new era. But I'm beginning to re-think my position.

I was watching the Rachel Maddow Show. She was discussing two U.S. women reporters in prison in North Korea. When the U.S. questioned the legality of this, the North Korean officials replied that they were doing nothing as bad as what the U.S. had done with Guantanamo Bay. The U.S. asked about the treatment of these prisoners. Again, North Korea said that compared to the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay they were doing nothing wrong. This is all paraphrased, but you get the gist.

The United States has set a dangerous precedent with our "War on Terror". We have held people without trial. We have tortured people. There is an old saying about not becoming like your enemy. Is this not exactly what the United States has done?

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert in constitutional or international law. Therefore I'm not going to say that Bush and Cheney are guilty of breaking any laws. Yet, I have suspicions that they are. The United States needs to show the world that Bush/Cheney are not representative of our nation. We need to show that we will bring corrupt leaders to justice. My goal is not to punish anybody. My goal is justice.

What do you think?

Washed in the Blood of Jesus

2009-04-04T14:15:00.011-05:00

It is almost Easter. Now we focus on the turning point in human history according to Christianity. This being the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Without it, Christianity would not exist. Yet, let's be real, it is troubling to say the very least.

This post will deal with controversial issues. I'm not doing it to offend or cause anybody pain. Rather, I'm wishing to address something that is troubling for most people. Was the crucifixion necessary? To many Christians this is a silly question. The answer is an easy "yes". For me, it is not so simple. Perhaps it is not so simple for you either.

People who say that Jesus came to earth for the sole purpose of being crucified for our sins believe that this was all planned by God from the very beginning. They say that God requires a blood sacrifice in order to forgive humanity. I ask you. Does that make sense? I say "no". God did not send Jesus to be tortured to death. God does not require blood to be shed in order to forgive human beings.

Psalm 50:13-15 records God speaking these words: "Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

If God does not eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats, one can pretty much rest assured that God does not eat the flesh of people or drink the blood of mortals. Of course, it is easy to find scripture that counters what I'm saying. People can toss scripture at each other all day long and still not resolve the issue. Ultimately this comes down to using our heads and hearts to discern God's nature.

There are many things in life that we cannot choose, but we can choose our beliefs. We can challenge beliefs that were handed to us and find them unsatisfactory. It is important to take our choice of beliefs seriously. Beliefs affect action.

Look throughout the history of Christianity. Like an old apple, it has many bad spots. "Christian nations" were more than happy to go to war with people who had differences of opinion regarding religion. (Of course, they would have found another reason for war had religion not been the issue.) If one believes that God will only forgive humanity by having a person (his son according to Christian story-telling) tortured to death, then they believe humanity is essentially evil. This makes it pretty easy to kill others.

I'm going to state it clearly and boldly. Human beings are not essentially evil. We are created in the image of the Creator!

There is another problem with the crucifixion. When we look to it as a model for behavior we encourage people to roll over and accept being victims of violence. This is toxic in homes where domestic violence is a demonic presence. Frankly, I'm not even for pacifism. Let us not choose violence. Let us not choose to commit acts of violence. Further, let us not choose to be passive victims of violence. There have been too many martyrs throughout history. It is time we said, "No more!".

Don't get me wrong. The crucifixion and resurrection are central to my faith. On the cross Jesus suffered because of humanity's evil toward humanity. In that sense he took our sins upon himself. I don't believe he had to be crucified, but he was. The part that brings tears to my eyes is what is connected to the cross - RESURRECTION. God said NO to death. God said NO to sin. God said YES to life. God said YES to humanity. God still does. Gods says YES to you and to me. Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN.

God in Our Hearts

2009-03-25T09:00:00.003-05:00

Lent 5 2009

Jeremiah 31:31-34

31The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

A reliable constant in life is that change is always taking place. Our bodies are literally always changing. The grass in the meadow is always changing, even when it appears to be dead, there is life happening. Whenever and wherever life happens, change is taking place.

God has created and God is creating. God’s creation is never ending….always transforming into something new. Likewise, God’s relationship with human-kind is always evolving.

When we say that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and tomorrow, we mean that He is always at work. He is always changing our hearts and minds. He is always changing and transforming the world. Jesus Christ never changes in his unconditional love for creation. He is always faithful.

God’s creative and changing work is on bold display in today’s Jeremiah text.

It has been said that in this text, “God’s promise to deal with sin (is) not by destroying it but by creatively transforming it. God’s covenant was given to Noah, amplified in Abraham, codified by Moses, and tested in the wilderness. It is transformed once more in Jeremiah’s vision of a covenant written in faithful people’s hearts. (Paul S. Nancarrow - http://www.processandfaith.org/lectionary/YearB/2008-2009/2009-03-29-Lent5.shtml )

This new covenant will not be imposed on the people from the outside, but will arise spontaneously and effortlessly from within, grounded in an intuitive knowledge of God”.

God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, foretells; “No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the LORD’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD”.

“This new covenant will bring a new degree of intimacy with God: whereas the covenant of Moses was filtered through a metaphor of God as the ‘husband’ of the people (vs 32),
the new covenant will bring direct relationship: ‘I will be their God, and they shall be my people’ (vs 33). – And that’s all there is to it!

The intimate knowledge of God granted in the new covenant will be moral as well as intellectual, a change of the human will as much as a renewal of the understanding, inasmuch as the heart-covenant will originate in God’s gracious forgiveness of iniquity and sin.
The new covenant, therefore, will complete the movement begun with the covenant with Noah: God’s way of dealing with sin will not be destruction, but forgiveness and intimate relationship that will transform sinners from within toward greater satisfaction of God’s aims and ideals for the world”. (ibid)

We can see God’s transforming power at work in nature. National Geographic Magazine (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/12/early-earth/appenzeller-text ) reveals that billions of years ago our planet fit the description of hell.

The lava we see emitted from volcanoes was what covered this earth. Literally, this planet was a lake of fire. But now it is lush and green. It is cool enough for people, animals, and plants to thrive.

God has transformed this planet into a paradise of abundance. When people suffer famine and drought, it is not due to inadequate food and water. It is because of sin. There is more than enough to share.

But humankind has an ugly tendency to choose darkness over light….hording over sharing. Indeed, private property does not even exist. For everything belongs to God.

Fortunately, God still changes hearts and minds. One of the hardest questions that people ask is “Why would God allow so much suffering and evil?”.
That question is always appropriate and always hard. But let’s turn that question upside down for a minute. Imagine the suffering and evil that would take place if God did not work within the hearts of human beings!

God does not simply sit back and watch. God is always at work. God is always reaching out and influencing people to choose light over darkness….good over evil.

Fortunately we have a promise. We have a promise that God will ultimately say yes to humanity’s no. God will give life even when we choose death.
Look at the resurrection. People saw holiness incarnated … and they killed it. They chose death. But God revealed his plan for all of creation. He chose life. He revealed it through the risen Lord.

This revelation continues to this day thanks to people in all times and places pointing to Jesus of Nazareth.

The Psalmist writes: (Psalm 51)
6You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Rejoice and hear the Good News: God is in control! All will be well!
We will go through difficulties and suffering in this life. We will hurt from time to time. But it will not last forever. There is a promise of comfort. There is a promise of goodness and beauty.

Just as God transformed this planet from a lake of fire into a paradise, He will transform your personal hells into a personal paradise. In fact, don’t be surprised if He transforms the Hell of the Bible into Heaven.

God is bigger and better than any doctrine, scripture, or opinion.

He is the master artist, the ultimate parent, our loving and all-powerful Creator. Thanks be to God.

The Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life (2 Cor. 3:6)

2009-03-09T08:21:00.003-05:00

Please Read Luke 10:25-37.

A lawyer is trying to outwit Jesus. In their discussion they both agree that eternal life is all about loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind,; and loving your neighbor as yourself. Being a good lawyer he asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?". It is at this point that Jesus shares the story of the Good Samaritan.

A man was going walking from Jerusalem to Jericho and was assaulted by
robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and left him "half dead".
Along comes a priest. Upon seeing the man the priest passes him on the
other side of the road. Next comes a Levite. The Levites
function in a similar fashion as do priests. He also passes on the
other side. Next comes a Samaritan. The Samaritans and Jews
hate each other. They avoid one another as much as possible.
From early childhood they are taught that the other is evil and dangerous.

However this Samaritan is moved with pity for the victim. He touches
him, bandaging his wounds and giving him medicine. Then he places the
victim on his own animal, forcing him to walk, and takes him to a
caretaker. He pays out of his own pocket for in-patient care for this man.
Jesus asks the lawyer, "Which of these three, do you think was a
neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The lawyer
said, "The one who showed him mercy". Jesus said to him, "Go and do
likewise". do likewise."

This is a famous story, yet the aspect that most interests me is one that I rarely hear mentioned. The two men who pass the victim by are simply obeying scripture! That is right. They are clergy. They are heading into town, most likely to perform some duties. They see this man who was left for "half dead". They would have no way of knowing if he were dead or not. Why does this matter? Because according to the book of Numbers 19:13 "All who touch a corpse ....and do not purify themselves defile the tabernacle of the LORD; such persons shall be cut off from Israel". Throughout the centuries these two men have been portrayed as villains, when all they were doing was obeying scripture.

Jesus, however, teaches that showing kindness and mercy to the victim is what God wants, not obedience to scripture. These scriptures are not bad. Purity laws helped to keep ancient communities from spreading disease. However times and circumstances change. Jesus points to the Spirit of the law rather than the letter. Do you ever find yourself facing a choice between goodness and scripture? In my opinion the rights of homosexuals to marry is one of these examples. Of course, you have to decide for yourself. When faced with a conflict between the letter of scripture and the law of love, do what Jesus teaches. Choose kindness. As he says to the lawyer, "Go and do likewise".

2009-03-08T18:41:00.002-05:00

Winning Spirit

2009-02-13T14:15:00.000-06:00

Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing.
-- William Shakespeare

I have a seven year old nephew who plays basketball for the YMCA. Unlike when I was a kid, the score is not kept in these games. Yet, after a game my nephew is certain that his team won. The worst case scenario was one time when he declared that the game was a tie. Again, there is no score kept in these games. I’m positive that my nephew is not diligently keeping score in his head. When he’s not playing he’s busy laughing with his team-mates on the bench. Still, he is a winner each and every time.

As an adult my first reaction to this is to think it is cute. He is enjoying the innocence of childhood. However, upon deeper reflection I begin to think that my seven year old nephew has something to teach us adults.

Why do adults feel that in order to win somebody else must lose? My nephew is filled with joy and excitement when he plays basketball. He is with friends. He is playing a game that is fun. Winning is in the playing of the game. Winning is being with friends on a Saturday afternoon. Winning is the knowledge that Dad is going to take him out for ice-cream after the game. Nowhere in this equation is there the need for somebody to lose.

As adults, the games give way to career. Playing gives way to “working out”. Winning means that somebody else must lose. I think I like my nephew’s way better.

From now on I’m going to try to remember his way of winning: Having fun, being with friends, and trusting that after the “game” my Father will fill me with good things. My nephew is a pretty smart little boy.

Prayers for Bobby

2009-01-28T12:59:00.005-06:00

Last weekend I saw a great movie. The name is Prayers for Bobby. It is a made-for-TV movie from the Lifetime Network. (Hold on. It is good. Seriously.)

It is based on a true story about a mother and her son. He was gay. She was a passionate Christian who had been taught that she had to "cure" her son.

At the end of the movie the mother, Mary, said that we need to be careful about what we "amen" to in our homes and houses of worship because there are hurting children listening. This does not only apply to what we say about homosexuality, but other issues as well.

EXAMPLES

* Homosexuality is an abomination.
* Don't be self-absorbed. (This is a hurtful thing to say to those who are suffering.)
* Always obey authorities. (What if they are unsafe?)
* Don't get a divorce unless infidelity is involved. (Again, what if it is unsafe?)
* People who vote for/against XYZ are not faithful to Jesus. (non-sense)

I'm ending this post with the words of Mary Griffith. At the end of the post is the link where I copied her words.

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"Because of my own lack of knowledge, I became dependent upon people in the Clergy. When the Clergy condemns a homosexual person to Hell and eternal damnation, we, the congregation, echo 'Amen'.

"I deeply regret my lack of knowledge concerning gay and lesbian people. Had I allowed myself to investigate what I now see as Bible bigotry and diabolical dehumanizing slander against our fellow human beings, I would not be looking back with regret for having relinquished my ability to think and reason with other people...people I trusted for truth and guideance in my life and in the life of our gay son.

"God did not heal or cure Bobby as he, our family and Clergy believed He should. It is obvious to us now why He did not. God has never been encumbered by His child's genetically-determined sexual orientation. God is pleased that Bobby has a kind and loving heart. In God's eyes, kindness and love are what life is about.

I did not know that each time I echoed 'Amen' to the eternal damnation, referring to Bobby as sick, perverted and a danger to our children, that his spirit was broken until he could no longer rise above the injustice of it all. Bobby ended his life at age twenty.

"It was not God's will that Bobby jump over the side of a freeway overpass into the path of an eighteen-wheel truck, killing him instantly. Bobby's death was the direct result of his parent's ignorance and fear of the word gay.

An injustice has been done not only to Bobby but to his family as well. God knows it isn't right that Bobby is not here with loved ones. Correct education about homosexuality would have prevented this tragedy. There are no words to express the pain and emptiness remaining in the hearts of Bobby's family members, relatives, and friends. We miss Bobby's kind and gentle ways, his fun-loving spirit, his laughter. Bobby's hopes and dreams should not have been taken from him, but they were.

"We can't have Bobby back; if we could we would say to him, as I say to all gay and lesbian people around the world, these benevolent words of Leo Buscaglia: 'Love yourself -- accept yourself -- forgive yourself -- and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things.'

There are children like Bobby sitting in our congregations. Unknown to you, they will be listening to your 'Amens' as they silently cry out to God in their hearts. Their cries will go unnoticed for they cannot be heard above your 'Amens'. Your fear and ignorance of the word gay will soon silence their cries. Before you echo 'Amen' in your home or place of worship, think and remember...a child is listening." -- Mary A. Griffith, the real-life mother of Bobby Griffith.

http://rallianceblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/child-is-listening.html

Sleep Apnea

2009-01-25T10:18:00.003-06:00

I'm sorry that I have not written much recently. I've been struggling with sleep apnea. I've had a sleep study and will be receiving the proper machine (cpap) very soon. Until then, I'm not running on all cylinders.

My doctor informed me that sleep apnea creates an accumulative effect of oxygen deprivation. This has an impact on all elements of life. My brain is not at its best. I find myself falling asleep at inappropriate times. For instance, the other day I was visiting a patient in the hospital. She was sharing her fears about life circumstances. Normally, I'd be focused in to ensure she is getting the benefit of being truly heard. That day, the best I could do was try not to fall asleep while listening to her. Thank God I will have the machine soon.

What is there to take away from this writing? There are multiple variables involved in a person's well-being. I suspect my life will radically improve with proper sleep. I may even reduce anti-depressant medications. This insight encourages me to be extra sensitive to others. I do not know what is going on in their lives. It is certain that there are variables at play in their lives that I cannot be aware of. Fortunately, I don't need to know the details to extend compassion. Join me in the quest to live compassionately. This involves social justice and day to day interaction with colleagues, family, and friends.

News Muse

2009-01-25T10:08:00.003-06:00

In the upper left corner you will find a new feature: "News Muse". This is a blog from Disciples World Magazine. Disciples World is a great Christian magazine. It comes from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but it is unofficial. This means that it is not simply a "mouthpiece" for my denomination. I'm proud of my denomination. When you visit this blog, you will find a long blog roll featuring blogs from other Disciples writers. If you enjoy Christian thought from a progressive point of view, I feel confident that you will enjoy your time visiting these blogs.

Is Christianity a Psychologically Healthy Religion?

2009-01-04T12:59:00.006-06:00

The title expresses the underlying theme of this entire blog. Let me state my bias up front. I choose to be a faithful Christian. Part of this faithfulness is to engage in critical thinking. We live in a world that understands psychology and mental illness better than any period before us. (This is my opinion.) I believe that God is Love. I believe that Jesus Christ redeems us and makes us whole. I also believe that Christianity can be unhealthy for many people. This is not a reason to abandon Christianity. It is simply an honest assessment of our faith tradition(s). (Truthfully, Christianity is a variety of traditions.) What follows are some thoughts on this theme.

Imagine that you are an anthropologist. You discover a land that is new to you. This land is full of people with a rich and vibrant culture. You decide to study their religion. In your research you find the following.

The protagonist of the religion was tortured to death, apparently willingly.
The faithful celebrate those who willingly let others kill them, without putting up a fight. (martyrdom)
The protagonist taught, "Woe to you who are rich. Woe to you who laugh. Woe to you who are well-fed. Woe to you who are respected by your peers". (Luke 6:24-26)

This is enough for one post. Take your feelings out of this. Are the above statements indicative of a healthy religion? Would a loving parent, let alone God, want this for her children?

A religion that celebrates people choosing to be tortured to death, rather than fighting for life, opens the door to encouraging victimhood. Feminist theologians have been the first to point this out (to my knowledge).

Religion is important. Those of us who choose to follow a religion deeply implant its values into our core being. How many victims of domestic violence have been "comforted" by these values? Instead of being "comforted", they should have been getting themselves, and their children, out of there! Further, their clergy should have been leading the way. Perhaps Christianity's celebration of pacifism and martyrdom is unhealthy, at least for many people.

Let us think about the words from Luke's gospel.

Jesus said, "Woe to you who are rich". Is not this creating dependent victims rather than fulfilled lives? After all, it was largely rich women who supported Jesus and the early church. Talk about putting limits on one's-self. Of course, this is nothing compared to what comes next.
Jesus said, "Woe to you who laugh". You've got to be kidding me. How is this healthy? How is this helping somebody suffering from clinical depression. It sounds like an abusive father who beats his children if they show any signs of joy. This is unhealthy. That is all there is to it.
Jesus said, "Woe to you who are well fed". Once again, this is celebrating victimhood. Are we to intentionally choose ill-health through malnourishment? This is not love.
Jesus said, "Woe to you who are respected by your peers". Oh goodness, don't let people think highly of you. You may get too big for your britches! After all, we want a religion that encourages people to become social outcasts, psychologically unhealthy, and hopefully, victims of violence.

Let me state right here and now that I recognize there is much more to these statements than I have lifted up. For one thing, there is nuance. Mostly, however, there is context. As with all of scripture, these verses need to be studied in the context of where they fall within the narrative. Further, they need to be studied in the context of the socio-political environment in which the original audience experienced these texts. Yet, how many times do Christians hear these words used recklessly?

A note to teachers, preachers, and other Christian creatures: Please use your head when teaching the Gospel. You can count on the fact that there are people listening to you who suffer from domestic violence and mental illness. Handle with care.

Peace be with you.

Brian

New Year's Resolutions

2008-12-30T16:13:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! The holiday season has come to an end. Am I the only one whose pants are a little snugger than they were before Thanksgiving? I doubt it.

It is traditional this time of year to reflect on one’s life. Is it on track? Are my priorities in order? What do I want to change? These are common questions. They are good questions. However it is a slippery slope from “What do I want to change?” to “What don’t I like about me?”. The difference is subtle, but crucial.

What if this year we try something different? Let’s say that we resolve to love ourselves just the way we are. This does not mean that we can’t work on changing things to make us healthier and happier. This does not mean that we become complacent narcissists. No, this means that, in spite of things that we would like to change, we are OK just the way that we are.

This is an uncomfortable notion for many of us. We live in an achievement-oriented world. We are judged by accomplishments. The saying is often heard, “What have you done for me lately?”. Let’s pull the brakes on this hyper-achievement ride that we have been on for so long. Let us return to the basics. There is nothing more basic than this: The Creator of the universe created you. There is nobody like you. There never has been and there never will be another you. The world doesn’t need another Nelson Mandela, Picasso, or Billy Graham. The world needs you!

Happy New Year!
Rev. Brian

Suicide and Hell

2008-12-18T11:24:00.004-06:00

As a hospital chaplain I have come to expect certain questions. Probably the saddest question of all is a common one on the mental health unit. It goes something like this. "Hey Chaplain. Do people who commit suicide go to hell?"

My preference is to put the question back on the questioner therefore encouraging the patient to articulate their own understandings of God. However, this is one question that I feel compelled to answer. The answer makes me nervous.

I will answer with something along the lines of "I do not believe so, but a lot, perhaps the majority, of Christianity does believe so". I will stress that it is simply my opinion. I will stress that they should discuss suicidal feelings with doctors, social workers, and/or me. There are two reasons that I am nervous about answering that question.

1) Maybe my answer will give the extra push they need to successfully commit suicide next time.

2) I may be wrong. In my heart I believe God will ultimately save all people. That said, I'm not sure of this. It is simply the educated opinion that I have settled upon. If there is a hell, I would hate to minimize it.

Here are a few thoughts on suicide and hell. I believe that the Bible simply does not condemn suicide. When King Saul kills himself there is no mention of condemnation. When Judas kills himself there is no mention of condemnation. When Samson does it he is a hero giving his life in an ancient supernatural version of a suicide bombing. The Bible simply does not condemn suicide.

Where does the idea that suicide is a terrible sin come from? If memory serves me well, it is none other than Saint Augustine who wrote that suicide is a sin because it is murder of the self. Further, it is an awful sin because one cannot confess it after the act.

I don't know what to think. People who kill themselves are at the end of their rope. Those who kill themselves due to mental illness are experiencing such tremendous pain that they can no longer take it. Don't take my word for it. Befriend someone with major mental illness. They will share this with you. Would God condemn someone for seeking mercy and release from pain? Would God condemn someone for actions committed when "not in their right minds"? I cannot believe that God would condemn someone to hell for suicide. Perhaps a life-review. Maybe even a good old-fashioned "talking to", but not eternal hell. They already lived their hell.

In certain cultures suicide is an honorable act. Would God condemn someone to hell for doing what they believed to be honorable? Certainly not. Frankly, if I were captured in battle, I suspect I'd choose suicide over being a prisoner of war. Thank God I have never had to find out.

Readers, please do not see this post as "permission" to commit suicide. Rather, I encourage you to see a God who's compassion and mercy exceeds human understanding. If you are considering suicide, please tell somebody. Get help.

God bless you.
Brian

Health Care for Everybody

2008-12-07T08:06:00.005-06:00

I often hear people say that health care is not a right, but a privilege. I say this misses the point. Health care for all may not be a right, but it is the right thing to do. The United States of America can make this happen and can do it in a way that works well for everybody.

I support a little known house resolution that congress is considering. It is H. R. 676. This would take an existing program and make it more effective. It would expand Medicare coverage for all in the United States. This is called a single-payer system.

This is not socialized medicine. In socialized medicine the hospital employees are government employees. In socialized medicine, the industry is owned by the government. Such is not the case with a single-payer system. The doctors, hospitals, and clinics are private institutions. The difference is that they are paid by the federal government. This eliminates much wasteful paperwork. It actually reduces bureaucracy.

This would be good for business because health insurance is a major cost for employers. This will allow small businesses to flourish.

Mental health care will taken seriously. We won't have to wonder and worry about an insurance company deciding whether or not we are "really sick".

I encourage you to learn about H. R. 676. If you agree with me, please contact your representatives.

God bless you.

Brian

Staying Sober During Christmas/Advent

2008-11-29T18:44:00.000-06:00

Many of us who live with mental illness also wrestle with substance abuse. Fortunately, I've been straight for a good while now. I won't share how long as there have been times of relapse. Let's just say it has been a good long while and I feel good about that.

I love the holiday season. I'll call it the Christmas season even though technically it is Advent. Ever since childhood I've loved the colorful lights, cheerful and sappy music, and decadent cookies. In fact, my favorite cookies are Christmas cookies! Most Christmas seasons in my adult life were "seasoned" with drugs. I find that I miss the drugs during this season. It is not due to sadness or loneliness. Rather, it is because my associations with Christmas are filtered through drugs. It is important during this time for me to be vigilant in keeping weekly appointments with my counselor. It is important to be good to myself.

What do you have planned to help you stay sober this Christmas season? Make a plan. Don't do it alone. Mostly, remember that God loves you. Jesus Christ is with you whether you feel his presence or not. He may not take your cravings away, but he will stay by your side. Nobody loves you like Jesus. He doesn't reject you when you relapse. He is there when you are weak and when you are strong.

Celebration of Martyrdom

2008-11-24T15:31:00.000-06:00

The emphasis of martyrdom in Christianity may well be the most dangerous aspect of the faith for people who live with mental illness. Jesus was martyred. Most of the original apostles were martyred. The scriptures praise martyrdom. Early Christians declared it an honor to suffer as Christ suffered.

Martyrdom can be noble. Indeed, many of the early church mothers and fathers were heroes. To give one's life for a cause bigger than one's self is a heroic act. Martin Luther King, Jr comes to mind as an example. However, if one is already having a hard time loving one's self, martyrdom can become sinister. When one is struggling with suicidal desires, martyrdom can be deadly.

The spiritual essence of martyrdom is to give one's life fully to Jesus Christ. For somebody wrestling with suicidal desires, intentionally staying alive would be a spiritual act of martyrdom.

There have been times when I've wrestled with suicidal desires. The wrestling was intense. The illness of depression made me feel as if the most loving thing I could do for everybody would be to kill myself. Fortunately, I was healthy enough to recognize that this was the disease talking and that it was not the truth. I've never been hospitalized for depression, but I have come close. During that period I was placed on some strong meds to see me through. I ballooned in weight. I still carry that weight, but it is a badge of honor. Why is it a badge of honor? Because I am still alive!

If you are considering suicide, I pray that you get help. Please choose to stay alive and face the pain. This will be your martyrdom. This is your cross. I am not saying that you will go to hell if you commit suicide. That decision belongs to God, and to God alone. I am saying that this world needs you. You may not feel like it, but you have value. You are needed. By choosing life when suicide feels like your only friend, you honor God.

Loyal to Christianity

2008-11-24T15:21:00.000-06:00

Hi readers. I have come to realize that somebody reading this blog without knowing me may come to believe that I have a chip on my shoulder against Christianity. I assure you that this is certainly not true!

Loyalty and criticism must go hand in hand. Without loyalty, criticism becomes mere carping. Without criticism, loyalty can become idolatry. (I paraphrased those last two sentences from Luke Timothy Johnson.)

I love Christianity. I believe it is beautiful. The reason I write these posts is to provide a voice for the mental health community. As wonderful as Christianity is, it can sometimes be harmful to those living with a mental illness. It is my prayer and my goal that these posts help to shed light on the shadow side of Christianity regarding mental illness. Every good thing has its shadow side. One needn't be a history buff to realize that Christianity has revealed an ugly and enormous shadow side throughout its history. I propose that the enormity of its shadow side is due to the vastness of its beauty.

A Note on Grammer

2008-11-18T15:10:00.000-06:00

I know that the grammer and syntax in these posts are not perfect. Right now I'm focusing on laying out some ideas. I do plan on cleaning them up in the future. I hope you understand. Thanks.

Guilt

2008-11-18T14:51:00.000-06:00

We've been discussing ways in which the religion of Christianity can sometimes hinder wellness for people suffering from mental illness. Today we will touch on guilt.

The theme of guilt is a thread throughout Christianity. The very notion that people need a savior to take away their sins implies guilt. Christianity should reduce people's feelings of guilt. It is no surprise, however, that such is often not the case. This is true in both conservative and liberal traditions.

Conservative traditions will tend to focus on "original sin". We are born guilty and there is nothing we can do about it. Further, conservative traditions will tend to focusing on issues such as sex, gambling, abortion, etc. Some even make people feel guilty for dancing or going to a movie!

My tradition is liberal, or mainline. We also focus on guilt, but it will tend to be more social. We are made to feel guilty for living in the suburbs, for being white, for not doing enough to stand up against injustice. What is enough? You see, this is not helpful. To work for justice does not require manipulating people's feelings.

Both conservative and liberal traditions make people feel that there is something wrong with them. People with mental illness already know that something is wrong with them. We need to hear that something is right about us. We need to hear that we are God's beloved children. This does not take away the need to work for justice, have appropriate sexual relations, and avoid harmful behavior. It starts with the goodness of who we are. We are made in the image of Almighty God.

Chances are we will discuss guilt some more down the road. This will suffice for today. God is always good. Jesus Christ is always truth and light. Religion, however, is sometimes harmful. God bless you until next time.
Brian

Blaming the Victim

2008-11-13T07:21:00.000-06:00

One way in which Christianity can become a hurt rather than a help is when the victim is blamed for her/his illness. (From this point on I'll use the pronoun 'her' for this post.)

It is not uncommon for well-meaning Christians to say hurtful things. One time I actually heard a preacher (Charles Stanley) proclaim this from the pulpit, "A Christian has no reason to be depressed". This shows a lack of understanding of mental illness. More important than that, however, is that it shows a lack of grace.

Sometimes people tell the victim that she just needs to "give it over to God". There is nothing wrong with this on the surface, but one can give it over to God while also seeking professional help. Only a radical would suggest that a believer "give it over to God" but not seek treatment for heart disease or cancer. The same standards applay to mental illness.

Sometimes the victim is blamed for not having enough faith. Maybe she just needs to "snap out of it". As somebody with depression I wish that I could just "snap out of it" when I'm in its grasp. This is not an option if you have major/clinical depression.

There are other ways that Christianity can be used in ways that are counter-productive in dealing with mental illness. We will explore these later. Let me finish this post by stating firmly that God is always good and trustworthy. Jesus Christ is never wrong or hurtful. Sometimes, however, religion can be.

God Bless you!

Brian

Introduction

2008-11-09T19:04:00.000-06:00

Hello. My name is Brian. I'm an ordained minister through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I am fortunate to serve as a hospital chaplain. In this capacity I serve a diverse population. This includes in-patient mental health patients. This is near and dear to me. One reason is because people with mental illness are misunderstood and ignored by mainstream society. Another reason is because it amazes me to think about how difficult life would be with, say paranoid schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder. The most personal reason is that I too live with mental illness. I have major depression with a little anxiety thrown in for good measure. I've never been hospitalized, but I do take medication and visit a counselor once a week.

The combination of religion/spirituality and mental health is naturally of interest to me. I have come to believe that Christianity often hinders rather than helps one in living a life of good mental health. Please note, I did not say that God hinders. Rather I said that Christianity hinders. I will explore this further in the days and weeks ahead. God bless you.

Brian