Merry Christmas From Erunner’s Porch!!

When I was a full time participant on the “From The Ashes” blog the folks there were kind enough to set up a thread titled “Erunner’s Porch.”  It was a thread that was always available and was set up so folks could visit and just post about whatever happened to be on their mind.  Conversations could be serious or they could be relaxed and fun.  They had a picture of a very nice porch depicting this imaginary place.

So you’re wondering what in the world does this have to do with this blog?  Nothing at all!  But it gives me an excuse to post random stuff!  Read at your own risk……

The last year seems to have flown by and now 2010 is staring us down.  A year ago I was not thinking of becoming a Grandfather anytime soon.  That changed!  Next month our first Grandson is due and then in June our first Granddaughter is due!  How quickly things change.

Our three children have a tradition in that they go to a movie Christmas evening together.  Our oldest wants to see Avatar and the two younger ones want to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie.  The two camps don’t desire to see what the other does so it’ll be interesting to see what they settle on.  I offered to make the choice for them and was promptly rejected!  Old men get no respect I tell ya’!

Christmas time seems to bring the worst drivers out of retirement and I’m always stuck behind them.  Why must folks drive 35 in a 45 and do it in the fast lane?  Why must they brake as they approach an intersection with a green light?  Why must they refuse to turn right when the cross walk is empty and there’s not a car in sight?  I always laugh when the local speed merchant is swerving in and out of lanes in their big trucks and then I pull up next to them at the next red light?  Where in the world are all of the police when these amateurs are making my life miserable?

This losing weight thing is getting the best of me.  I used to drop weight quite easily and now it’s a bear to do.  I won’t mention I’ve never kept  weight off for any significant amount of time in the past!  It’s a lifestyle change Allan!  Come let me place my hands around your throat!    Why is it that those of us who love and appreciate food the most must suffer??!!

I’m staring at a nice monitor right now.  Large screen and paid for!  How, you might ask?  Pretty much with money I got for saving cans and plastic bottles and using that money for my payments.  Now it appears I may need a new tower and if I get one I have a bit of money to put down and then will pay it off the same way.  My computer is about six years old and is low on memory and acts up in really odd ways at times.  So I may have to upgrade. It scares me to think of my computer crashing.  Can’t have that.

The best thing I got this past year was a small MP3 player for only $17.  It holds tons of music and I can switch songs in and out at will.  It’s perfect for my walks and when I simply want to relax.  Music is and always has been a huge part of my life.  That’s why I use one night each week for music.  I believe strongly that music can calm our spirits and soothe our souls.  I do hope folks like what’s posted each week.

This blog has become a full time ministry for me.  I always look forward to posting information or articles I pray will bless people that happen by here.  When I hear that has happened I am totally stoked. I still can’t drop some of the jargon from my youth!  I feel like I know so many who have dropped by and have participated here and I so desperately desire to see God move in your lives.

Knowing some of you are struggling is difficult for me to handle at times.  I know a bit of what it is you are experiencing and have been through because of my life experiences.  If I could post the secret formula for healing I’d do it in an instant.  Yet I must trust that God is in control in each of our lives while admitting at times I falter in that belief.  It’s useless to try and fake ones way through a mental illness while at the same time there is freedom in coming to grips with the truth of our plight.

As Christmas is upon us and I look ahead to writing something like this one year from now, Lord willing, my Christmas wish is that all of us would be able to share what God has done for us in 2010.  If you would like to share something God has done or shown you this past year I’d love for you to share.  Merry Christmas to you and may God do more and above what you might wish for or imagine in the days, weeks, and months to come!  Allan

God’s Word- John 15:5

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Part 2 of 2

Romans 5:1  Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Romans 5:2  through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:3  And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;
Romans 5:4  and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:
Romans 5:5  and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

How to get help for anxiety disorders.

If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to an anxiety disorder, another medical condition, or both.

If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the next step is usually seeing a mental health professional. The practitioners who are most helpful with anxiety disorders are those who have training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or behavioral therapy, and who are open to using medication if it is needed.

You should feel comfortable talking with the mental health professional you choose. If you do not, you should seek help elsewhere. Once you find a mental health professional with whom you are comfortable, the two of you should work as a team and make a plan to treat your anxiety disorder together.

Remember that once you start on medication, it is important not to stop taking it abruptly. Certain drugs must be tapered off under the supervision of a doctor or bad reactions can occur. Make sure you talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you stop taking it. If you are having trouble with side effects, it’s possible that they can be eliminated by adjusting how much medication you take and when you take it.

Most insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), will cover treatment for anxiety disorders. Check with your insurance company and find out. If you don’t have insurance, the Health and Human Services division of your county government may offer mental health care at a public mental health center that charges people according to how much they are able to pay. If you are on public assistance, you may be able to get care through your state Medicaid plan.

Ways to Make Treatment More Effective

Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from joining a self-help or support group and sharing their problems and achievements with others. Internet chat rooms can also be useful in this regard, but any advice received over the Internet should be used with caution, as Internet acquaintances have usually never seen each other and false identities are common. Talking with a trusted friend or member of the clergy can also provide support, but it is not a substitute for care from a mental health professional.

Stress management techniques and meditation can help people with anxiety disorders calm themselves and may enhance the effects of therapy. There is preliminary evidence that aerobic exercise may have a calming effect. Since caffeine, certain illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety disorders, they should be avoided. Check with your physician or pharmacist before taking any additional medications.

The family is very important in the recovery of a person with an anxiety disorder. Ideally, the family should be supportive but not help perpetuate their loved one’s symptoms. Family members should not trivialize the disorder or demand improvement without treatment. If your family is doing either of these things, you may want to show them this booklet so they can become educated allies and help you succeed in therapy.

Role Of Research In Improving The Understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders.

NIMH supports research into the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. Scientists are looking at what role genes play in the development of these disorders and are also investigating the effects of environmental factors such as pollution, physical and psychological stress, and diet. In addition, studies are being conducted on the “natural history” (what course the illness takes without treatment) of a variety of individual anxiety disorders, combinations of anxiety disorders, and anxiety disorders that are accompanied by other mental illnesses such as depression.

Scientists currently think that, like heart disease and type 1 diabetes, mental illnesses are complex and probably result from a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental factors. For instance, although NIMH-sponsored studies of twins and families suggest that genetics play a role in the development of some anxiety disorders, problems such as PTSD are triggered by trauma. Genetic studies may help explain why some people exposed to trauma develop PTSD and others do not.

Several parts of the brain are key actors in the production of fear and anxiety. ¹⁵ Using brain imaging technology and neurochemical techniques, scientists have discovered that the amygdala and the hippocampus play significant roles in most anxiety disorders.

The amygdala is an almond-shaped structure deep in the brain that is believed to be a communications hub between the parts of the brain that process incoming sensory signals and the parts that interpret these signals. It can alert the rest of the brain that a threat is present and trigger a fear or anxiety response. It appears that emotional memories are stored in the central part of the amygdala and may play a role in anxiety disorders involving very distinct fears, such as fears of dogs, spiders, or flying.

The hippocampus is the part of the brain that encodes threatening events into memories. Studies have shown that the hippocampus appears to be smaller in some people who were victims of child abuse or who served in military combat.¹⁶, ¹⁷ Research will determine what causes this reduction in size and what role it plays in the flashbacks, deficits in explicit memory, and fragmented memories of the traumatic event that are common in PTSD.

By learning more about how the brain creates fear and anxiety, scientists may be able to devise better treatments for anxiety disorders. For example, if specific neurotransmitters are found to play an important role in fear, drugs may be developed that will block them and decrease fear responses; if enough is learned about how the brain generates new cells throughout the lifecycle, it may be possible to stimulate the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus in people with PTSD.¹⁸

Current research at NIMH on anxiety disorders includes studies that address how well medication and behavioral therapies work in the treatment of OCD, and the safety and effectiveness of medications for children and adolescents who have a combination of anxiety disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

For citations please click  HERE.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)- Part 1 Of 2

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.  People with generalized anxiety disorder can’t seem to shake their concerns. Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, and hot flashes.

This article is reproduced with permission from the National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH)

People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.

GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months.¹³ People with GAD can’t seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They can’t relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes.

When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don’t avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.

GAD affects about 6.8 million American adults,¹ including twice as many women as men.² The disorder develops gradually and can begin at any point in the life cycle, although the years of highest risk are between childhood and middle age.² There is evidence that genes play a modest role in GAD.¹³

Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse^2,4 often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone. GAD is commonly treated with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy, but co-occurring conditions must also be treated using the appropriate therapies.

Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders

In general, anxiety disorders are treated with medication, specific types of psychotherapy, or both.¹⁴ Treatment choices depend on the problem and the person’s preference. Before treatment begins, a doctor must conduct a careful diagnostic evaluation to determine whether a person’s symptoms are caused by an anxiety disorder or a physical problem. If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the type of disorder or the combination of disorders that are present must be identified, as well as any coexisting conditions, such as depression or substance abuse. Sometimes alcoholism, depression, or other coexisting conditions have such a strong effect on the individual that treating the anxiety disorder must wait until the coexisting conditions are brought under control.

People with anxiety disorders who have already received treatment should tell their current doctor about that treatment in detail. If they received medication, they should tell their doctor what medication was used, what the dosage was at the beginning of treatment, whether the dosage was increased or decreased while they were under treatment, what side effects occurred, and whether the treatment helped them become less anxious. If they received psychotherapy, they should describe the type of therapy, how often they attended sessions, and whether the therapy was useful.

Often people believe that they have “failed” at treatment or that the treatment didn’t work for them when, in fact, it was not given for an adequate length of time or was administered incorrectly. Sometimes people must try several different treatments or combinations of treatment before they find the one that works for them.

Medication

Medication will not cure anxiety disorders, but it can keep them under control while the person receives psychotherapy. Medication must be prescribed by physicians, usually psychiatrists, who can either offer psychotherapy themselves or work as a team with psychologists, social workers, or counselors who provide psychotherapy. The principal medications used for anxiety disorders are antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and beta-blockers to control some of the physical symptoms. With proper treatment, many people with anxiety disorders can lead normal, fulfilling lives.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants were developed to treat depression but are also effective for anxiety disorders. Although these medications begin to alter brain chemistry after the very first dose, their full effect requires a series of changes to occur; it is usually about 4 to 6 weeks before symptoms start to fade. It is important to continue taking these medications long enough to let them work.

SSRIs

Some of the newest antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs alter the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which, like other neurotransmitters, helps brain cells communicate with one another.

Fluoxetine (Prozac®), sertraline (Zoloft®), escitalopram (Lexapro®), paroxetine (Paxil®), and citalopram (Celexa®) are some of the SSRIs commonly prescribed for panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, and social phobia. SSRIs are also used to treat panic disorder when it occurs in combination with OCD, social phobia, or depression. Venlafaxine (Effexor®), a drug closely related to the SSRIs, is used to treat GAD. These medications are started at low doses and gradually increased until they have a beneficial effect.

SSRIs have fewer side effects than older antidepressants, but they sometimes produce slight nausea or jitters when people first start to take them. These symptoms fade with time. Some people also experience sexual dysfunction with SSRIs, which may be helped by adjusting the dosage or switching to another SSRI.

Tricyclics

Tricyclics are older than SSRIs and work as well as SSRIs for anxiety disorders other than OCD. They are also started at low doses that are gradually increased. They sometimes cause dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain, which can usually be corrected by changing the dosage or switching to another tricyclic medication.

Tricyclics include imipramine (Tofranil®), which is prescribed for panic disorder and GAD, and clomipramine (Anafranil®), which is the only tricyclic antidepressant useful for treating OCD.

MAOIs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the oldest class of antidepressant medications. The MAOIs most commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders are phenelzine (Nardil®), followed by tranylcypromine (Parnate®), and isocarboxazid (Marplan®), which are useful in treating panic disorder and social phobia. People who take MAOIs cannot eat a variety of foods and beverages (including cheese and red wine) that contain tyramine or take certain medications, including some types of birth control pills, pain relievers (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or Tylenol®), cold and allergy medications, and herbal supplements; these substances can interact with MAOIs to cause dangerous increases in blood pressure. The development of a new MAOI skin patch may help lessen these risks. MAOIs can also react with SSRIs to produce a serious condition called “serotonin syndrome,” which can cause confusion, hallucinations, increased sweating, muscle stiffness, seizures, changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm, and other potentially life-threatening conditions.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

High-potency benzodiazepines combat anxiety and have few side effects other than drowsiness. Because people can get used to them and may need higher and higher doses to get the same effect, benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for short periods of time, especially for people who have abused drugs or alcohol and who become dependent on medication easily. One exception to this rule is people with panic disorder, who can take benzodiazepines for up to a year without harm.

Clonazepam (Klonopin®) is used for social phobia and GAD, lorazepam (Ativan®) is helpful for panic disorder, and alprazolam (Xanax®) is useful for both panic disorder and GAD.

Some people experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking benzodiazepines abruptly instead of tapering off, and anxiety can return once the medication is stopped. These potential problems have led some physicians to shy away from using these drugs or to use them in inadequate doses.

Buspirone (Buspar®), an azapirone, is a newer anti-anxiety medication used to treat GAD. Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Unlike benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken consistently for at least 2 weeks to achieve an anti-anxiety effect.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal®), which is used to treat heart conditions, can prevent the physical symptoms that accompany certain anxiety disorders, particularly social phobia. When a feared situation can be predicted (such as giving a speech), a doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker to keep physical symptoms of anxiety under control.

Taking Medications

Before taking medication for an anxiety disorder:

• Ask your doctor to tell you about the effects and side effects of the drug.
• Tell your doctor about any alternative therapies or over-the-counter medications you are using.
• Ask your doctor when and how the medication should be stopped. Some drugs can’t be stopped abruptly but must be tapered off slowly under a doctor’s supervision.
• Work with your doctor to determine which medication is right for you and what dosage is best.
• Be aware that some medications are effective only if they are taken regularly and that symptoms may recur if the medication is stopped.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor, to discover what caused an anxiety disorder and how to deal with its symptoms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is very useful in treating anxiety disorders. The cognitive part helps people change the thinking patterns that support their fears, and the behavioral part helps people change the way they react to anxiety-provoking situations.

For example, CBT can help people with panic disorder learn that their panic attacks are not really heart attacks and help people with social phobia learn how to overcome the belief that others are always watching and judging them. When people are ready to confront their fears, they are shown how to use exposure techniques to desensitize themselves to situations that trigger their anxieties.

People with OCD who fear dirt and germs are encouraged to get their hands dirty and wait increasing amounts of time before washing them. The therapist helps the person cope with the anxiety that waiting produces; after the exercise has been repeated a number of times, the anxiety diminishes. People with social phobia may be encouraged to spend time in feared social situations without giving in to the temptation to flee and to make small social blunders and observe how people respond to them. Since the response is usually far less harsh than the person fears, these anxieties are lessened. People with PTSD may be supported through recalling their traumatic event in a safe situation, which helps reduce the fear it produces. CBT therapists also teach deep breathing and other types of exercises to relieve anxiety and encourage relaxation.

Exposure-based behavioral therapy has been used for many years to treat specific phobias. The person gradually encounters the object or situation that is feared, perhaps at first only through pictures or tapes, then later face-to-face. Often the therapist will accompany the person to a feared situation to provide support and guidance.

CBT is undertaken when people decide they are ready for it and with their permission and cooperation. To be effective, the therapy must be directed at the person’s specific anxieties and must be tailored to his or her needs. There are no side effects other than the discomfort of temporarily increased anxiety.

CBT or behavioral therapy often lasts about 12 weeks. It may be conducted individually or with a group of people who have similar problems. Group therapy is particularly effective for social phobia. Often “homework” is assigned for participants to complete between sessions. There is some evidence that the benefits of CBT last longer than those of medication for people with panic disorder, and the same may be true for OCD, PTSD, and social phobia. If a disorder recurs at a later date, the same therapy can be used to treat it successfully a second time.

Medication can be combined with psychotherapy for specific anxiety disorders, and this is the best treatment approach for many people.

God Treasure Blog: In What Is Your Hope?

One of the best friends to this blog is a woman named Dorci.  She shares from her heart whenever she posts here and it so happens she has an awesome blog of her own.  I’m giving myself permission to steal one of her articles.  It is a reminder that we all need as we do this thing called life.  I encourage you to bookmark Dorci’s blog.  You can find it by clicking   HERE.  Allan

As much as the holidays are meant to be a time of rejoicing, there are many who find themselves feeling hopeless at this time of year. When we think of Christmas, we think of getting together with family and buying lots of presents. But many are instead grieving the loss of a family member, or maybe there’s no family at all with which to celebrate. Many are struggling to find a job again and don’t know where they’re going to find the money to buy gifts.

Instead of being a time of rejoicing, Christmastime can actually magnify those problems. It can be easy to focus on what we don’t have and let ourselves feel empty. But if you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are not empty.

Your portion is the Lord.

“‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:24

From all the things you could have in the world, you have the choicest allotment. Your portion is not paltry, it is not less than, it is not weak.

When our portion is the Lord, and when we delight in our portion, we are most blessed.

He is a perfect Father and a loving friend Who never leaves us.  He has removed our transgressions and has prepared a home for us with Him.  He has indwelt us with His Holy Spirit to lead us, to minister to us, to counsel us and to mature us in Him.  He is a God Who cares about every detail of our lives and hears us when we pray.  So pray boldly!

And the hope that we have in Him is not an empty hope, it is an expectant and patient waiting, knowing that our Lord has the power to do as He wills in our lives and knowing that He loves us with an everlasting love.

No matter what’s going on today, put your hope in God. Not in that next interview, not in that next paycheck, not in your family or friends. Those things can disappoint us.

But set your eyes on your portion – Jesus Christ. His power and His love are limitless and in Him, so is our hope. Bring all your worries and cares and concerns to Him and wait, with hope, in His sovereign will.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

Always On My Mind??

This last several weeks we have had what I would call an interesting drama taking place centered around my car.  We own two cars and the car I drive is a 1995 Toyota Camry.  It has over 227,000 miles on it to date.  We bought it very inexpensively and had it towed here.  Our neighbor was able to fix the car when it seemed it would need a new engine and I’ve driven it since.

Maybe five weeks ago my car failed a smog test.  I was told it was the ignition timing and that it would be a simple fix.  No problem.  My neighbor could fix it.  Then things became interesting.  Before we could arrange having it fixed I received a curious letter in the mail that peaked my interest.  The letter indicated the state was looking for a limited number of cars to do some smog emission testing and repairs on.  It seemed a bit shady but I filled out the form and mailed it back.  I then spoke with a person from the organization about the chance of them using my car.  It turned out that they couldn’t use it as they already had a 1995 Camry.  The young man thanked me for my interest and said maybe in a year or two I might hear from them.

No biggie.  The weekend passed and lo and behold I get a call from the same person.  He stated to me that they now needed another 1995 Toyota and they’d like to use mine.  I jumped all over that.

Why was I so eager to participate?  This was how the deal worked.  They would keep my car for about three weeks and then return it to me.  The car would be tested for all sorts of emission studies.  They would return it to me washed inside and out and a full tank of gas.  They would also give me a check for $500 for participating.  During the three weeks they provided me with a 2009 Nissan Altima.  I would not have to pay for any of the gas during the time I had the car.

So for a little over three weeks I tooled around town in a new car while my beast of burden was being pampered!  Sure enough after a little over three weeks they drop my car at home and pick up the loaner.  The man handed me a check for $500.  My neighbors were asking how they could get the same chance I did.  Who wouldn’t?

The folks who tested my car test about 250 cars a year.  They randomly mail out the offer to people throughout the state.  I happened to be one of them.  When my car was initially picked up I was told by the person picking it up he had never witnessed a situation like mine before.  They had the car they needed but for some odd reason he didn’t explain they needed another which led to them calling me back.  Most folks were skeptical at first figuring I was being taken advantage of.  That changed when they saw the loaner car in our driveway!

Of course I was thanking God for what I saw as a miracle in my life.  The timing and the $500 were both too much for me to comprehend.  I was pretty excited to say the least.

Once my car was returned I had the small matter of taking it back to be re-tested for smog.  Since the emission folks  had it and repaired it I was very confident things would go smoothly as I took my car back for re-testing.  You guessed it.  It failed again!  Since this was the second time it failed the test guy said I would have to pay the $61 dollar fee again when I brought my car back.  My $500 was now shrinking.  I decided now to take it to the local mechanic as now we had to figure out what was wrong and fix it.  Now the fun began.

The mechanic found the issue but it turned out the pinging I was hearing was actually my timing belt ready to give up the ghost.  Now I needed a timing belt, a water pump, and various seals and a few other parts.  Now I’m looking at $700 in total.

I came home from seeing the mechanic (who is as honest and fair as they come) and I was very upset.  The $5oo was gone and we had to come up with another $200 to boot.  The second time my car failed the smog test was for another issue that was just fine the first time.  Now I was feeling taken advantage of on top of losing the $500.  I was really down.  I come home and my wife doesn’t have a care in the world.  She reminded me we had $500 dropped in our lap and that would pretty much pay for everything and my car would be running great and not leaking oil any more.

The thing is that I realized all of this but chose to be a baby and be ungrateful for something that God had done for us.  I chose to see myself as a victim when I wasn’t a victim at all.  Three days ago I chose to go see another smog person and guess what?  My car passed with flying colors.  Yesterday I dropped my car for repairs and they fixed everything.  And I had $40 left out of the $500 to boot.

As this year is coming to a close I have been keenly aware of some grueling trials some of you and many that myself and various family members are going through or have gone through this year.  I haven’t experienced a year like this that has been so difficult for so many I love and care for.

Maybe I’ve been too comfortable lately.  I don’t really know.  I do know that when this car drama arrived I did not respond well at all.  In fact I’m ashamed of how quickly I forgot of all that God has done for me.  I also realized that a huge reason this blog exists is that I want to encourage and offer hope to those who drop by.  “Do as I say and not as I do” would describe my heart perfectly.

I can’t separate all of the angst that can come with mental illness from a bit of drama concerning my car.  God doesn’t operate that way.  In fact He works quite the opposite.  These verses that I have memorized state things quite well.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Philippians 4:6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

At the same time I can ask God to forgive me and I can go forward knowing He has done just that.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I also don’t need to walk around beating myself up for mistakes I have made.  Why?  Because God says this.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

In closing I’d like to share that these truths don’t apply to stuff like what I just shared.  God’s promises are for all of us no matter what the situation.  He loves us perfectly.  May He bless you abundantly.

Waiting And Working: Streams In The Desert, December 20th

“And the hand of the Lord was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth unto the plain, and I will there talk with thee” Ezekiel 3:22

Did you ever hear of any one being much used for Christ who did not have some special waiting time, some complete upset of all his or her plans first; from St. Paul’s being sent off into the desert of Arabia for three years, when he must have been boiling over with the glad tidings, down to the present day?

You were looking forward to telling about trusting Jesus in Syria; now He says, “I want you to show what it is to trust Me, without waiting for Syria.”

My own case is far less severe, but the same in principle, that when I thought the door was flung open for me to go with a bound into literary work, it is opposed, and doctor steps in and says, simply, “Never! She must choose between writing and living; she can’t do both.”

That was in 1860. Then I came out of the shell with “Ministry of Song” in 1869, and saw the evident wisdom of being kept waiting nine years in the shade. God’s love being unchangeable, He is just as loving when we do not see or feet His love. Also His love and His sovereignty are co-equal and universal; so He withholds the enjoyment and conscious progress because He knows best what will really ripen and further His work in us.  –Memorials of Frances Ridley Havergal

I laid it down in silence,
This work of mine,
And took what had been sent me–
A resting time.
The Master’s voice had called me
To rest apart;
“Apart with Jesus only,”
Echoed my heart.

I took the rest and stillness
From His own Hand,
And felt this present illness
Was what He planned.
How often we choose labor,
When He says “Rest”–
Our ways are blind and crooked;
His way is best.

The work Himself has given,
He will complete.
There may be other errands
For tired feet;
There may be other duties
For tired hands,
The present, is obedience
To His commands.

There is a blessed resting
In lying still,
In letting His hand mould us,
Just as He will.
His work must be completed.
His lesson set;
He is the higher Workman:
Do not forget!

It is not only “working.”
We must be trained;
And Jesus “learnt” obedience,
Through suffering gained.
For us, His yoke is easy,
His burden light.
His discipline most needful,
And all is right.

We are but under-workmen;
They never choose
If this tool or if that one
Their hands shall use.
In working or in waiting
May we fulfill
Not ours at all, but only
The Master’s will!
–Selected

God provides resting places as well as working places. Rest, then, and be thankful when He brings you, wearied to a wayside well.

Beautiful Christian Music- Merry Christmas

My heartfelt thanks to Owen for all of his help in contributing music these last six months.  He went to great effort to find and then forward to me his songs and one of them he created for youtube!  God bless you Owen!!!

Song List

1.  O Come,  O Come,  Emmanuel-  Margaret Becker

2.  Little Drummer Boy- White Heart

3.  Anthem For Christmas-  Michael W. Smith

4.  Born In Bethlehem-  Third Day

5.  What Child Is This-  James Galway

6. Peace On Earth-  Chris Rice

7. Hallelujah (Light Has Come)-  Barlow Girl

8.  We Wish You A Merry Christmas-  Enya

9.  Go Tell It On The Mountain-  Mahalia Jackson

10. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear-  Sara Groves & Jars Of Clay

11.  Joy To The World, Joy Unspeakable Joy-  Chris Tomlin

God’s Word: John 3:16

Prayer Requests & Praise Reports- December 18th

Lord, There is beauty in exhaustion, when surrender is an only option, and Your arms stand ready to receive. And so I fall into Your love and find my rest. I can bear the prospect of the next set of trials and endless duties knowing that Your eyes watch over me. I can breathe again knowing I am stepping in Your footprints leading me to gentleness, grace, and uninterrupted companionship. You are my finality.

I pray Lord that the most keen desires arise from our hearts to bless You this Christmas. That as You watch us through the activity, You find us searching for Your Emanuel. May we be the light that reflects Your goodness to prove You are still in the world controlling its existence. We lift our eyes to the possibility that You might return today. Be our steady expectation.

To those yearning for meaning this Christmas, let us be the ambassador who portrays the hope we have in You. Let flow from our mouths, words of Living Substance that divides us from the emptiness of vain living to give freedom for those lost in the fallen condition. Here we are Lord, send us.

To those who need Your touch, wrap them in conclusive evidence.

For the love You give and light You shed, we give thanks.
You are our God. There is no other.

A kiss for the Savior.

In the Eternal that awaits,
Amen   ~clean hands pure heart~

New Praise Report

Allan- Our daughter shared with us that her friend’s father has been declared cancer free. He had throat cancer and a subsequent surgery that included the removal of his voice box. The family has been through a difficult time as things did not seem to be going well.

Please pray that God would see fit to allow Kurt many more healthy and peaceful years and most of all that he would come to know Christ if he has yet to receive Him as Savior.

New Prayer Requests

Set Free- erunner – we still have no building for our church it’s not easy to share with another ministry since we are limited to having any special services. Please continue to pray that God will answer soon. And when he does I’ll be sure to let you know. I will continue to lift these other prayers you have here in your website I know they are more serious then what I am requesting. God’s Richest Blessings.

Angela-  Keep Angela in prayer as she continues on her road of recovery from Anorexia.

Past Prayer Requests

Allan-  Our nephew’s wife has an aggressive form of MS. There is a remarkable procedure that has been going on in Italy that is virtually healing those with MS. The family has submitted Tiffany’s name to be one of those selected for the procedure. Please pray that could happen as she has been through much as described below by our nephew’s mother.

“Tiff has had virtually no relief for the past 2 1/2 years and is not doing well. Her MS is progressing rapidly. She was recently started on a new treatment plan, IV Immunoglobulin therapy and Avonex injections every 10 days. She has failed all other treatments. She started out on the Avonex initially, but it didn’t do much for her. They are hoping the combination of that and the immunoglobulin will help.

I want to give you my sincere thanks for all of your prayers for them. You will never know how much it means to me.”

Linda Lynch-  Please pray for me and my family, For happiness and peace, And pray for my oldest sister that had a stroke that she will walk again and be able to use her right side again. Please pray for my son and his family that they will find God and get there family back together.

Margaret Mace-  I need prayer for myself and my brother ken hudson, that the will open up new doors for us,I need a job so I can get a place to live, I am living with someone right now but they want me to leave, so i need a job to do that, I can not live with my brother because he is living with some one else also, there no room.I went to Ft. Rucker Al for job and need the lord to open up that door so I can work there.Also we need financail blessing from the lord , also please prayer for peggy newman that lord will give her financail blessing also she is going through alot right now, also I would like the lord to speak to me and show me that he is working everything out for us.If he can send me a sign were I need to be living and working to take care of myself.I am disability and I took care of my parent’s until they die one year ago, they help all the time but my parent’s didn’t have any money to leave us, so we are trying the best we can, also my son is with the lord too,so I have been through many thing’s in my life for 55 yrs old, i keep hope thing’s will look better, becuase I am trust the lord will fix thing’s for me.God Bless You

Okie Preacher-  Battling unknown physical problems and depression.  “I have a physical problem that the doctors have not been able to identify. It has been characterized by severe muscle pain and weakness, joint pain, fatigue, shortage of breath, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, and coughing fits that almost cause me to pass out.”

Allan-  Pastor John Duncan is hospitalized as the result of a motorcycle accident. His leg was severely damaged. Please pray that John’s leg would heal completely. Update:  John is now home and recovering.  Still needs much prayer as he is dealing with severe pain.

Long Term Prayer Requests

Allan-  Oden’s six month old son had a liver transplant.  Pray that his body doesn’t reject it and that he recovers swiftly and completely.

White Horses- Prayer for anxious thoughts and worrying.

Allan-  My mother is going to need bypass surgery on both legs.  She has Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Shaun Sells-  Keep Shaun in prayer for wisdom as he seeks to continue his ministry to those with mental illness in his church.

Dusty- Continued prayer for deep depression.

Rachel-  Continued prayer as she struggles with bi-polar disorder.

Natalie Tan-   Keep Natalie in prayer as she continues on the road of recovery from Anorexia.

Allan-  Our nephew’s wife has M.S.

Dorci- I would love it if people could pray that our son Eric would fall in love with Jesus and would follow Him with all his heart. Thank you.