Depression in The Military--Really Everywhere--A Plague Upon US

There was a Time report on depression (suicides) in the military that I read earlier this year. It confirmed what I thought is a very real problem in this nation. This amongst men who are physically strong and mentally so we think--but there is a "problem within"that strength in man will never overcome. We may be one of the richest nation on this earth but we have a tendency to be undernourished spiritually because our physical self takes up so much of our time that our spiritual self is perishing.

Everyone is looking for something bigger than themselves--some may never realize that truth until they are taking their last breath.  A very helpful factual book for time of searching is Grant Jeffrey's book-The Signature of God.  It can help you with researching if the Bible is true as it will point you to where you can examine its claims as indeed what they dig up finds that it is trustworthy. The book talks among many proofs of the Bible's historicity--of an inscription on the grave of a wealthy Yemeni woman that talks about Joseph and the great famine.  English explorer Mr. Cruttenden discovered the tomb in 1850 of a Yemenite woman who died during the time of the Egyptian famine recorded in Genesis 41. The tomb contained the body of a noblewoman who was covered in jewels. Seven collars of pearls surrounded her neck; her hands and feet were covered with seven bracelets, armlets, rings, and ankle rings displaying costly jewels. In addition, her tomb contained a coffer filled with treasure.

However, the greatest treasure of all was an engraved stone tablet bearing the woman’s final inscription, which appears to confirm the biblical account of Joseph’s careful management of food reserves during the seven years of famine in Egypt. The original engraving was photographed and appeared in Professor Carsten Niebuhr’s Voyage en Arabie (plate 59). The Yemenite inscription reads as follows:

In thy name O God, the God of Hamyar, I Tajah, the daughter of Dzu Shefar, sent my steward to Joseph, And he delaying to return to me, I sent my hand maid With a measure of silver, to bring me back a measure of flour: And not being able to procure it, I sent her with a measure of gold: And not being able to procure it, I sent her with a measure of pearls: And not being able to procure it, I commanded them to be ground: And finding no profit in them, I am shut up here.

Jeffrey, Grant R. (2010). The Signature of God, Revised Edition: Conclusive Proof That Every Teaching, Every Command, Every Promise in the Bible Is True (pp. 49-50). WaterBrook Press. Kindle Edition.

Many people do not realize the truth of the Bible and the Creator's love for them.  Some can't get over the hurt, the pain the disappointment and forget in that brief all important moment that there is a Savior who can help them. Feelings are so important and many fail to realize--it is fleeting. That that feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, despair, aloneness, failure, rejection--all those can disappear in time--sometimes as quickly as after a good night's sleep.

We have all stared depression in the face--it seems to some a constant battle--but some know who their help comes from--Jesus. I dare you to try him start by simply praying "Lord please help me or us" then go to sleep. That simple one step--before you take your life and end the pain--may make all the difference. Tomorrow will come and tomorrow you can read pages out of the Good Book--The Holy Bible--and read hope in its pages and pray for wisdom and discernment for the next step.  For that is what it is--a "Book of Hope" for all of us. It can give you that silver shaft of sun breaking through stormy sky, the rainbow after the clouds.

In Matthew 1:21-23 Jesus means Savior. Jesus didn't come to help people save themselves--he came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin.  Ask him to take control of your life that is out of control. Only he can do it--you and I can not.

By the way,  read about Oliver North--he thought he was so strong too--then he met the Savior and life changed. God wants you to have the peace that passes all understanding--yes, you can have that as with God all things are possible.  May God bless you and shine his face upon you...

Click and listen to this song and be amazed at where my help comes from.  Here is another version.

College, School Shootings on the Increase--Why? And Help for Depression

Point to ponder-shootings in schools and colleges on the increase--a sign of a society on depression overload.

America has turned the page-  from a nation like a shining city on a hill to one whose light is waning to the point its hope for tomorrow its youth --finds itself in utter chaos--self destructing as if tomorrow holds no more light of hope for them.  Why? 

Look at this nation's beginnings--out of nothing a nation was formed because men had faith not in "themselves" but in their Creator and in his Word --that all men were created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights--life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Their Creator heard their prayers and showered them with blessings such as the world has never seen.  A people imbued with knowledge from above that they led the whole world in literacy, in inventions in a land flowing with milk and honey.

But then just as in the tower of Babel--they forgot their Creator and thought themselves too highly--so highly they no longer believed they were created by God--with explanations that truly takes great faith and imagination to muster. 

The nation's inspiration--God's Word was no longer welcome in the schools that were originally formed so children could have wisdom and discernment based on it to protect their minds, their future, their government.  Instead they were taught at the earliest possible that they evolved and they and they "alone" are in charge of themselves and their future.

So no wonder in today's world the rate of depression is bursting at the seams.  It comes out now and then rearing its ugly head in the lives of people so haunted with lives with no hope, with no one to point them the way--finding out the truth that self  has lost "the way."

See the truth has been hid--too long they have bottled their pain when the solution lay in a Christ who is just a prayer away.  No one may have introduced them, no one may have cared because all of us are busy --too much so --to dare.  But

if you're that one hurting--just remember this--the Ancient of Days, Jehovah is right in your midst.  He'll never turn a deaf ear to one who humbly asks for help from him--the Giver of Life--the Savior--the One and only --that all can trust.  Jesus is his name and I suggest you get to know him--He wrote a book for you and true life , true joy and The Way is what you'll gain!!  Leave the driving in the highways of life to Him.  Abide in His Word and He will direct your path--no longer will it be hopeless--for He will be your refuge, your stronghold, your help in times of trouble. 

Trouble comes for all but it is good to put your faith and trust in God instead of self--as self will fail you--but Christ never will.  These are thoughts to ponder in the Battle of the Mind--because the truth is there is a heaven--there is a hell--something even the likes of Albert Einstein, George Washington, Sir Isaac Newton --some of the greatest minds--knew.

Do we really think we are smarter than them?

God's word is sweet as honey and soothes the weary soul--try it again America and decrease the rate of depression with the true power that can--for God said:

2 Corinthians 3:5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Philippians 4:6-9

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Heed the words of the Giver Of Peace--share it with a hurting world--and let God's light shine like a "city on a hill."  Many have tried it and it has made all the difference.  Try it--the results are out of this world.  It is your choice--choose life abundant--and you don't even have to have the faith of a mountain--a tiny mustard seed will do.

Take Every Thought Captive

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.  For the weapons of our warare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pullingdown of strongholds; Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ  2 Cor. 3-5

The Battle is in the Mind.  Help yourself with reading God's word for it is your greatest weapon so finding a good Bible is a must .

Following are also great books that can help:  Stormie O'Martian  Power of a Praying--Parent; Wife; Husband etc.

Personally for me journaling has been a great stress reliever and after having worked with many people that are hurting for over 22 years--God led me to form the book--City On A Hill Prayer Journal.   It's amazing that the key to depression is right there in front of our eyes--the Holy Bible is like a journal example--and it has blessed the entire world.  My journal has been a blessing to me and others in the field of counseling have used it and found it to be so.  So take a peek and see for yourself--it is not a secret but is meant to be a blessing for you...