Tag: Christianity

  • The debate never ends.

    You know the questions: Hasn't psychiatry replaced religion? How can the Bible, written so long ago, be relevant for today?

    After years of medical practice an American psychiatrist named J. T. Fisher offered his opinion.

    "If you were to take the sum total of all authoritative articles ever written by the most qualified of psychologists and psychiatrists on the subject of mental hygiene, ifBlog. Jesus. sermon on the mount. 7.10 you were to combine them and refine them and cleave out the excess verbiage, if you were to take the whole of the meat and none of the parsley, and if you were to have these unadulterated bits of pure scientific knowledge concisely expressed by the most capable of living poets, you would have an awkward and an incomplete summary of the Sermon on the Mount. And it would suffer immeasurably through comparison.

    "For nearly two thousand years the Christian world has been holding in its hands the complete answer to its restless and fruitless yearning. Here rests the blueprint for successful human life, with optimum mental health and contentment."

    — A Few Buttons Missing: The Case Book of a Psychiatrist, by J.T. Fisher, M. D., and L.S. Hawley

    Obviously, Dr. Fisher liked long sentences.

    True, but he didn't waffle and spoke in definite terms. (Kind of refreshing, don't you think?)

    He referred to Jesus' words in Matthew 5:1 to 7:29, commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Exactly where Jesus spoke these words remains uncertain. Many scholars think the crowds listening to him sat on the gently sloping hillside at the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee.

    Read through these verses and you'll find much that's familiar like the Lord's Prayer. Phrases often used by believers and non-believers are here, too, like "salt of the earth" and "let your light shine."

    Suppose we could consult Dr. Fisher 

    We might ask for a prescription to stay sane in the midst of the craziness all around us.

    Based on his writings it's likely he might answer:

    • "Read a few verses from the Sermon on the Mount every day.
    • "Spend some time thinking about what you just read, then live it out.
    • "Do this every day and your mental and emotional health will improve greatly."

    Any of us can fill this prescription and take this medicine–with or without medical insurance. You see, there is no co-pay. It' has been paid in full, in advance, for every human being, for all time.

    Let the debate rage on–and it will

    Let it swirl around you, but don't let it color your outlook on life. Counter it with verses like these:

    "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? … Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? … Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."           Matthew 6:25, 27, 34

    I know from experience that if we focus our minds on Bible truth it's an effective way to stay calm.

    What matters most of all is that we know Jesus, the One who spoke those words and offers us peace-in-the-midst.

    Or as Dr. Fisher put it, the One who holds out the answer to all our restless and fruitless yearning: Himself.

    He knew an old truth that's still true now, even with all the advances in knowledge and technology: It matters what we allow into our minds. 

    In a time when our choices are dizzying, here's to filling our minds with the Good Stuff!

    Still learning,

    Lenore

     

     

    Psychiatry or the Gospel, which one brings mental health?

  • The other day I heard a story that touched my heart and it's too good to keep to myself.

    There are a couple of versions, but they all trace back to fact. Take yourself back to 1920s, when people paid and often traveled great distances to hear dramatic speakers recite poems and speeches.

    Here's the story. Step into this scene and enjoy. Dreamstime_xs_29212837

    Friends of one much-acclaimed actor and orator threw a lavish party in his honor. More than a hundred guests attended, all dressed in their best finery.

    Each guest felt privileged to be present since the famous guest traveled extensively and drew large (paying) crowds wherever he went. One of the guests asked, "Would you kindly favor us with your rendering of the Twenty-third Psalm?"

    At once the great man in his designer tuxedo and multiple gold rings launched into a dramatic rendition, complete with well-practiced flourishes and gestures. At the end the audience gave the speaker a prolonged standing ovation.

    Then from the back of the great room an older man dressed in a well-worn suit stood and asked, "Might I also speak this Psalm?"

    With permission given, the gray-haired man slowly, carefully made his way to the front of the room. Surprised guests sat politely, prepared to be unimpressed. 

    Then the old man began to speak and a hush fell over the room. Listeners sat with tears streaming down their cheeks and many began weeping loudly. Once he finished the roomful of listeners sat without moving for several minutes. 

    Later someone asked the great orator why the audience showed such different responses to hearing the same Psalm. He answered, "I know that old man, so I know the reason.

    "You see, I know the words. But that man, he knows the Shepherd."  

    Right about now seems the perfect time to revisit Psalm 23

    Back then the older man would have quoted the King James Version, so that's what you'll read here. Yes, we now have other translations and paraphrases, but let's remember that for many years the KJV served as an English textbook in many of our schools.

    So take time to drink in these beautiful words. They are true for you and for me, as much now as from the beginning–and forever. As Jesus said in Mark 13:30: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

    Psalm 23

     1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

     2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

     3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

     4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

     5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

     6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

    Just the words themselves are comforting, aren't they?

    I find speaking them aloud soothes my spirit, especially when I'm feeling troubled. If you haven't already made this practice your own, I hope you'll try it.  

    And may you, too, know the Lord as your Good Shepherd. Let Him lead you through and restore your tired heart.

    I promise you He will.

    Lovingly,

    Lenore 

     

     

    Real faith always shines through–and communicates

  • Peel away the tinsel and take a fresh look at Christmas