I think there’s a difference between radical Christ-following and what passes as a culture Christianity in the average american worshiping community.  I’d really like to get some feedback–what do you think churchianity is and why do you think a lot of people are down on church?

Here is a brief outline of the events for the week

Monday – Preparing care packages and cards for our soldiers overseas.

Tuesday – Bringing cold drinks and snacks to the children and teens at our local Skate Park, just a way for our children to bring a blessing to their friends.

Wednesday – Movie Day!  We’ll be going to see the Veggies Tales: Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, it will be a fun way to tie into the lesson’s we’re learning each morning during our rally time.

Thursday- Church Playground Beautifying day!  We’ll plant flowers, pull weeds, and paint a fence with a personal touch from each child!

Friday – CCN’s Annual Backpack Giveaway, the children will have the opportunity to serve another children from our immediate community in a tangible way by giving them a backpack full of school supplies.  We’ll have a game together as well as a treat of ice cream sundaes.

“It feels like one of those movies where time stands still except that instead of being the only one who can move while the others aren’t  you’re the one frozen in numbness. ”

“It feels like you cannot move like you can’t get your brain to do what you want to do. It was as if my arms and legs weren’t attached…I wished I could be put away on a shelf in the top of a closet where no one would bother me. I was overwhelmed by everything and nothing.”

“It’s like a pressure squeezing reality into an inky pool of despair. Every half-formed thought is an accusation of failure…Any good memories are stripped away or redefined as simply delusions you now know better than to hold on to.”

These testimonies aren’t from spiritually defective people but from solid Christ-followers who have walked through the night.  The great Prophet Elijah seemed familiar with these emotions. Having depression doesn’t means losing your faith. You actually are in the company of many of the greatest Christians who’ve ever lived.  Sermon series continues this Sunday on the topic of depression.

A woman who’d recently lost her job, medical insurance and was afraid received encouragment and hope. A bunch of cab drivers–yeah totally, we had like 8 cabs come through the car wash line–were helped by having someone to share their fears about the lack of fares in a bad economy. Someone else told me, “It’s just really nice to know there are still good people in the world.” And a woman said, “I really felt the presence of the the Lord when I cam here.”

It was a blast, we honored Christ, we got to hang out together and we got to bless others.  One guy pulled out his wallet to get some cash. We told him to put it away, this is a gift from God to him today–”deal with it.”  I’m praying a lot of people are having to deal with the idea that Christians can love without any strings attached.

It was an amazing time. I’m hooked–when can we do it again?

Here’s a ton of material on what to look for when trying to figure out depression…

Signs & Symptoms: Collected

descriptions from NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), Mayo Clinic (WebMD quotes Mayo); DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Health Disorders, IV edition)

NIMH

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

Mayo Clinic

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Depression symptoms include:

• Feelings of sadness or unhappiness
• Irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
• Reduced sex drive
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration
• Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things aren’t going right
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
• Crying spells for no apparent reason
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For some people, depression symptoms are so severe that it’s obvious something isn’t right. Others people feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.

DSM IV

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition), always referred to as DSM-IV, is used for the diagnosis of depression.  It is produced by the American Psychiatric Association and is the product of a number of groups whose aim is to draw on the widest pool of information relating to mental health (p. 17). The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic Criteria for Major Depressive Episode is:

At least five of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week period and represent a change from previous functioning.

Depression can affect anyone, and most people diagnosed with depression are successfully treated.  Major depression can occur from a single psychological trauma, or from many problems or disappointments in a person’s life. Some people will have only one depressive episode, while others will experience many episodes throughout their lives.

“Thinking about Christians and Depression… I have a gut level feeling that Christians tend to view the topic as taboo–maybe even believe that it’s a sin. What’re your thoughts?”

“I look at depression as a result of a lack of spirituality in your life.  If you truly know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, how can you be depressed!  I understand that situations can come and go in your life, but with the peace  of mind that you gain from Jesus….  the depression “should” never have a chance…” –RH, MI

“In response to your question about Christians and how they view depression…yes a lot of Christians believe its a sin to struggle with depression.  I do not happen to be one of them as I struggle with depression…and am on medication. However, years ago I was in the hospital for a nervous breakdown and I received a letter from a family member who suggested if I give everything to God I won’t have to deal with depression. Now, I agree with the part about giving everything to God, depression or not, but I don’t believe that means you won’t have depression.  Sometimes it can be as simple as a chemical imbalance which medications can help with. In addition I happen to think quite highly of counseling. I also have wonderful friends who are there to listen when I need to work through life’s hard things…for which I am very grateful to God. Sin can lead to conviction but that’s not the same as depression however you might become depressed if you sin and don’t get right with our Savior.” –JG, CA

First we must differentiate between being sad or being clinically depressed. Clinical depression is typically a result of a hormone imbalance and needs to be treated with a combo of meds and therapy. I do not see how that is result of a lack of spirituality. AB, CA

If I have enough faith??? Respectfully… Not sure I can agree with that. Depression is a Chemical imbalance and truly a medical issue, I had post partum after one of my kids and if not treated I am not sure what kind of mother I would have been. I agree that I now have a hope that I can live my life up with but I am not sure it would have changed my need for medical help. –AM, WI

…now if we are talking about being sad, I still say it is not an indicator of one’s spirituality. It is ok to be sad. It is an emotion that God programmed us with. It is what you do in your sadness that determines the state of your spiritual life. AB, CA

…seeing as though depression is known to be caused by chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters in the brain… i don’t think that we can call depression a sin or even blame it on a lack of faith. that sounds a lot like the old-time beliefs that a person’s sickness or disease was a sure-fire sign of sin in their lives. when someone we know is diagnosed with cancer we don’t immediately assume that they must not truly have faith in their savior, do we? AM2, CA

“What do you see when you read  Psalms???  I think that depression is something very real and something that needs to be treated medically and spiritually.  I have a question…Have you ever thought that God would use medicine to make you well?  I think the faith that God is in control and with the help of medication if that is the direction God leads, that your life will be just as enriched as it would be if God just decided to take it away immediately.  I also think that sometimes God leaves things in our lives as a reminder that we still need him, to allow our faith to grow, to keep us continually leaning on him.” VML–TX

I agree with Vanessa, I think it is often something that should be addressed in both ways.
Remember Job’s friends, who were so sure that the reason he was suffering was sin in his life or lack of faith? I think we’ve all had those friends. AG, MI

A–very much agree
R–could not disagree more
It makes me sad to think people still blame lack of faith or some sin for a person’s illness. –CZ, ID

–”Hmmm…sounds like most people are on the same page.  Depression is much like diabetes, your body doesn’t make the appropriate amount of a chemical on its own which can be corrected by medication.  No one says diabetics aren’t Christians, but depression carries a certain stigma. People can claim to be depressed and use that to excuse un-Christian like behaviors…only they and God know the truth which is, in the end, all that really matters anyway.” EL, CA

I agree that a lot of Christians DO tend to view the topic as taboo…..a sin or result of sin. They often tend to judge or come to their own conclusions prematurely without taking into consideration that which may be behind the depression (i.e. a chemical imbalance or tragedy that may have occurred)…….or any other mental health condition for that matter!  I find it more common with people my parents’ age who were brought up that if you have to seek counseling and/or take medication for a condition there must be a deeper meaning to it.

I don’t know if this gives any insight to your question but I think you can see where there is an “old school” way of thinking that can affect ones perception. –LC, CA

–E – very well put.
RH – I can only hope you were just trolling to spark a discussion, which you did. Like Cheryl said, you’re response makes me sad. JS, ID

“Considering this question: It’s been my experience that depression can come from many different sources. Following an accident with head trauma (concussion), I dealt with depression for a long time as I discovered what the concussion had cost me, especially in my ability to remember things. I had to find ways around, and am still working on that years later. Depression can also come from the inability of others to meet my standards – even to the point of not attempting to meet them!

Do Xians view the Big “D” as taboo/sinful? Absolutely! During my ‘recovery’ I heard from a number of Xian friends who gave (unasked) their opinion of my state of mind. “Nobody likes to be around someone who’s down.” “If you were where God wanted you to be, & doing what God wanted you to do, you wouldn’t be depressed.” And others as well. I found it ‘easier’ to try to hide the depression around these ‘Xian’ friends; I knew there wouldn’t be any real help there…”  –JH, CA

Praise God there is help from the pit. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalm 40:2. Anyone struggling I recommend a doing a topical search for the word pit. AM, WI

Personally, viewing depression as a sin is… such backward thinking- I don’t see how one relates to the other. That is all. ET, CA

I agree that Christians view depression as taboo. As with all sins, we Christians tend to think we should know better and would never commit a sin on purpose. But atlas, we are human and thank God for His grace and mercy when the humanness comes out. Direction-Not intention-Determines our Destination. KM–CA

“I think many Christians who haven’t experienced depression don’t understand how hard it is. I’ve heard the advice from some Christians to those with depression just to put faith in Him and your worries and depression will be eased. But what they don’t understand is that depression isn’t something one can control. It’s bigger than just a heavy heart. I trust in the Lord and He knows my heart. But depression is all consuming at times and involves the mind. It is hard to escape the darkness when it is within your own consciousness. And depression affects you more than people realize- it’s not just your mood. It creates anxiety, and harms your relationships. It affects how you eat, sleep and live your life.

And unfortunately some Christians seem to give off the impression that the person with depression is to blame somehow, that they are choosing this affliction that God would heal if only they would let Him. Depression is much like migraines or any other medical problem that causes severe pain. Except that depression is a mental and emotional pain and carries a societal stigma. Somehow, physical pain isn’t regarded as a weakness the way depression is.”  JM–CA

Imagine a line of cars down the street and around the corner waiting to be washed. The drivers are drinking ice cold water provided by the volunteers who have come to serve–just to serve. While the car is being washed another (host) volunteer is chatting with the waiting driver. In the course of the conversation it comes up that the car’s owner–an older woman with a noticeable limp–hasn’t been able to mow her lawn.
The host volunteer discreetly makes a couple phone calls and before her car is finished the injured woman learns that a team of volunteers will be at her house later in the day to mow her lawn. With tears in her eyes she asks to make a donation. It is politely refused. “This is something we wanted to do to serve our community. We wanted you to know that Jesus loves you; that you matter to God.”
Driving away in her newly cleaned car she feels something that she thought she’d never feel again. Hope.
At the end of the day the volunteers share a meal and talk about all the lives they’ve touched. There’s is excitement, joy and a profound gratitude that they got to serve like Jesus–washing cars was kinda like washing feet. Selfless love made visible.

For this week.

But then, something else started rattling round in my mind–I think it was the quiet voice of God. What if we prayed @3 for 3 for 3? What if we prayed each day at 3 in the afternoon, for 3 minutes for 3 people we know who don’t yet know Jesus? I wonder what God would do.

What do you think?

Pastor James and a brother or two from our Korean Congregation worked hard to get the office and Building 1000 (Jones) into shape. One of the men from his congregation did some tree trimming and gutter cleaning as well. Pastor Hengkie was in Indonesia but his congregation came through clearing out and cleaning up the gym (Blgd 4000) and Pastor Martin had some brothers painting and patching wherever needed—and landscaping too!

Easter is where it all comes together. Without it we just have a good teacher with an inspiring example–who’s still dead.  But, the Resurrection–Jesus Christ coming back to life in a physical body–changes everything. It is the most important day in Christianity. The day when it seemed like all hope was lost but God broke through with the impossible and conquered sin and its consequence of death. Death is not the last word anymore. Jesus is.