You Heard It Here

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 3, 2012  Submitted By Andre Powell MAPC   As social networking explodes across the world, a new study suggests using Facebook may not be a great idea for those with low self-esteem . The finding is remarkable; in theory, Facebook should be great for people with low self-esteem. The site allows unobtrusive sharing of information considered important for solidifying friendships and making new friends. However, researchers discovered people with low self-esteem are apt to flood their friends with negative tidbits about their lives — making themselves less likable. “We had this idea that Facebook could be a really fantastic place for people to strengthen their relationships,” says co-author Amanda Forest. Forest and her Waterloo University advisor, Joanne Wood, are studying how self-esteem affects the kinds of emotions people express. In one study, Forest and Wood asked s...

February 2, 2012 When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. -G. K. Chesterton The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God. -Jim Cymbala Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God… -King David Downcast. Does that describe your world? Are you discouraged? May be even a little depressed? Has life gotten the best of you? Is there seemingly little or no hope? The Hebrew word for downcast – shachach – means to be bowed over… weakened… despairing… brought low. The Psalmist David knew what it meant to feel downcast in his heart and soul. Even after being anointed King, he ran for his life from Saul for many years. He dodged spears and lived in caves. In one of these dark moments he cried out, “My enemies are vigorous and strong; and many are those who hate me wrongfully.” (Psalm 38:19 NAS) At another p...

Why Do Some Churches Prefer Pastors Who DO NOT Have Theological Education? by Pastor Mika Edmondson , Your Black World On more than one occasion, I have heard something like this, “Great sermon today Reverend…I saw the Holy Ghost on you and NOT the seminary!” or “it [ministry] don’t take all that [education]…the Bible is simple.”Have you noticed that some church folks have negative or at best mixed feelings about formal religious training? While we tend to appreciate and celebrate educational attainment in other areas like the hard sciences, theological studies are often viewed with guarded suspicion--a kind of exception to the general rule. Some congregations even prefer pastors with degrees in business over ones with degrees in theology or biblical studies. These kinds of attitudes are certainly understandable. After all, as a community we haven’t always had access to formalized education of any kind, let alone theological education. Therefore, the Black Church ...

Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life . New York: Image Books, 1966. Abstract What does it mean to live a life in the Spirit of Jesus Christ? What a way to start a discourse about finding oneself before attempting to help another. Henri J. M. Nouwen masterfully compiled the blueprint for cultivating ones spiritual life and letting it translate into true discipleship – which means helping others find Jesus Christ. I understand his thesis because many people fail to realize that most Christians – while called upon to help others – find themselves in as much pain and inner chaos as the ones who need help. Nouwen’s aim is to bring the Christian to the understanding that solitude in oneself is necessary, rather than living with the appearance of spiritual stability. This aloneness in the spirit is the seed in which spiritual maturity is born. As a Christian, many believe that accepting Jesus Christ is all that’s needed. The bible does say that “if an...