CSchellenbach

CSchellenbach

22p

20 comments posted · 2 followers · following 0

14 years ago @ I Trust When Dark My Road - On Confessing Your Ill... · 0 replies · +1 points

SjB- I am thinking that there is a healthy mix of both in this thread. There is the realization that pastors are sinners, too, and that sometimes in trying to help us deal with our sin in regards to our disorders, they can actually make things worse. One pastor I knew asked me why I worry so much when Matthew 6 obviously tells me not to worry at all and that God is in control. I told him that I knew that, but that my anxieties weren't fixed right away because of it. He didn't understand. He said that it was like faith- God gives faith and that faith is free from anxiety because part of that faith is knowing that God is in control.

That helped out plenty. I spent way too much time obsessing and worrying over whether or not I had faith. I know he was well meaning, but he definitely caused more harm than good.

However, this is not to say that I should become complacent about my worries, since worry is against the First Commandment. This is where it is important to get treatment and work through the means that God has put in place for such disorders not just for my physical and emotional well being, but my spiritual as well The more I work to cut down my own worry the more it stops attacking my faith. A good pastor will, as they get to know you, learn how to help you in your mental illness journey and how to put the proper amount of Law and Gospel into your conversations, or Confession and Absolution. He may not be good at it at first, and it may be a learning process for both of you, but it can (and has!) happen.

14 years ago @ I Trust When Dark My Road - On Confessing Your Ill... · 0 replies · +1 points

This is almost like a "Which came first: The chicken or the egg?" question.

On the one side, we all know the theological answer. The sins associated with the illness are exactly that: they are sin. An offense against God, no matter what their root cause. A reflection of the world infested by the overarching disease: original sin. It is clear that we are guilty and should confess those sins against God without any excuse, be it a mental disorder/illness or a slight case of the common cold. In that respect it makes perfect sense to confess the sins stemming from illness and all other sins that we are guilty of that we are aware of and then include the fact that we know there are sins we aren't aware of and that it leaves us in a pitiful state begging for mercy from the Almighty God pleading for Him to make it right because we cannot.

But then we complicate the matter further. Like St. Paul we look at the fact that the sins we do not want to commit we do and the good that we want to do we find ourselves unable to accomplish. Then the despair of thinking about the fact that we didn't have a chance from the get-go. "What did my parents or I do? What sin did we commit that I should be stricken with such an illness that my very being is offensive to God no matter my good intentions and in spite the fact that I am baptized?"

So the answer lies in not what you do to separate the disease from the sin nor does it lie in showing penance but in the very act of repentance itself. Confess and receive absolution *and* work with doctors and medicines to work on both facets of the disease.

14 years ago @ Learning How to Climb - A Break from Blogging,... · 0 replies · +2 points

I am glad things are going much better for the fid! It's hard to watch them suffer and not really be able to do anything about it! Accidents like that are bound to happen with the little creatures, there isn't much we can do about that! As the bird ages, however, I promise they will get wiser to the things they are allowed to get into and the stuff they aren't. As a baby, they are curious about everything!

14 years ago @ Learning How to Climb - A Break from Blogging,... · 0 replies · +2 points

I know all about curious cockatiels! I have five! They are always into anything and everything that looks a might interesting. Especially if the bird is very tame and attached to you, it is possible she just wanted to taste what the flock leader was having! Because of her age, I would suggest that you take her to a certified avian vet to get her checked out. Even if there is nothing you can do, you might be able to get her oral antibiotics (my vet often uses cefa drops) or some pain medicine (my vet uses metacam). Right now we are also dealing with a 'tiel who had his back toe bit off and that's what the doc recommended for his convalescing.

Otherwise you are right, a lot of love, care, and attention go a long way. Daffy, my oldest cockatiel, loves pastas, peas, corn, and whole wheat bread. These do have to be given in moderation as they are a lot of starches, but she also loves cantaloupe, grapes, and even the occasional green bean. "Table scraps" are generally very good for the bird and might give some nutrition she wouldn't normally get. (Always avoid chocolate, tomatoes, and avocados!)

I hope your little one makes a full recovery. Even when all we can do is give lots of love, like I did for Peanut, it makes a difference. You are in my prayers! :)

CS

14 years ago @ Esgetology - The Office of School-T... · 1 reply · +2 points

I don't mean to sound the "alarmist" button, but it has gone deeper than just a way to give special favors through IRS claims. This is something that many of our Concordias have embraced as a mission statement, subtly or otherwise. DCEs are taught that they are equals to the pastor and that their authority also stems from God. They are taught that it is even okay to lead the DS and, for some, that means pronouncing the absolution in the general Confession and Absolution, preaching, and yes, the Holy Supper itself. They lead it by example, as well. Although I never saw my DCE profs being the celebrant, they did "preach" in chapel on many occasions, giving their testimony or finding some way to show how to "reach the youth".

The same is true, although not as obvious, with the teacher education programs. Often the Lutheran teacher's classroom is referred to as a "ministry" to the children and their parents, citing that often the only contact that some of these families have with religion of any sort is through said teacher. There is a push to get the LTD so that the teachers can feel "validated" in their chosen vocation and prove that they have a "call" from God to teach, thus showing that God has a specific, mapped out plan for their lives that they dare not stray from. Those who do stray from said call are seen as weak in the faith and suspect as non-believers in general.

I know of what I speak. I am a graduate of *both* programs from one of our Concordias. I have been a victim of those who discriminate against me because I demand a solemn appointment. I will not take a "call" as I believe that is an affront to the OHM. It might have started for IRS reasons, but it has taken on a life of its own.

14 years ago @ Learning How to Climb - Give Us This Day Our D... · 0 replies · +1 points

I am sure He will, too! It's hard to be saint and sinner at the same time, because I know He will provide yet I find myself scared and doubting. Such is the life of a Christian!

14 years ago @ I Trust When Dark My Road - Why the Church Drives ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Any health care official worth being seen will state that there is a spiritual component to dealing with mental illness. Even if they are not Christian themselves and reference a vague spiritual presence that people should tap to help them with their illness, they mention it. That psychologist should have been happy you took such a direct approach.

14 years ago @ I Trust When Dark My Road - Why the Church Drives ... · 1 reply · +1 points

I think fear and misunderstanding play a role here, too. We would like to help others out with their problems. Generally speaking, people are quick to help give advice for those who are hurting or ailing in some way. Unfortunately, many people don't realise that it is better to remain silent when you don't know what advice to give, and they feel that they have to offer it. Usually it will be delivered in such a way that sounds very professionally based. A book, a TV interview or show, or even a friend who has the same problem becomes the template solution for all the ailments of the mentally ill. Unfortunately, these are often inaccurate and down right wrong. However, when a long time member says that to someone, it can be seen as the church's view. Those with mental illness then think, "I don't want to go there!"

There is also fear on the other side of that, where people who are mentally ill know when others fear them and when others understand them. They are not going to want to go to a place where they can't connect with others because everyone is too afraid to talk to them or have a conversation with them.

14 years ago @ Learning How to Climb - Awesome Book Headed to... · 0 replies · +2 points

I already think it has, Pastor! Just the fact that it has been done from a Lutheran perspective will open many eyes. I hope the pastors who believe enough faith, enough prayer, and enough positive thinking will allow those of us to "get over it" will read and learn and know that there is so much more going on.

14 years ago @ I Trust When Dark My Road - How many books would y... · 0 replies · +1 points

I would say it would be good for a Bible study, but then you'd also want them to keep it and have more if needed, so I would say about a hundred copies or so! :)