Is mental illness ever related to demon possession?

If you've read this blog much you know that I have a heart for mentally ill adults. Since I have a sister who is a paranoid schizophrenic, and I'm a CA licensed nursing home administrator who has ran secured psychiatric facilities serving the chronically mentally ill for the past 9 yrs, I've had lots of experience with mentally ill folks.

I've seen up close how much mentally ill people can suffer.

There are some groups of extreme belief type Christians who think that all mental illness is caused by demon possession. On the other hand you get folks like Michael Spencer over at the Internet Monk who wrote a post entitled Is mental illness demonic that cautions us as to how we should read the gospel accounts where Jesus cast out demons. Spencer states:

"The Bible was written in the narrative world of ancient, prescientific cultures that often interpreted reality and events through a grid quite different from our own way of looking at the same reality. When the Bible speaks to us from its ancient setting, it does not “update” its cultural interpretations of causation for commonly observed phenomenon. Instead, it speaks in the cultural norms of the time. Those cultures tended to see most of what we call mental illness as the result of demonic influence or as a punishment for sin. Now, Christians have been entirely free, in their own settings and cultures, to appropriate, interpret or re-interpret these Biblical explanations. "

I see Spencer's point and agree with the principle. Just as the Bible parables relate to a different culture, so do the accounts. So it may be that some of the people we read about in the Bible who acted in ways we see Schizophrenics behave today, may have been healed of Schizophrenia and it was explained in terms of demons because that was the understanding of the day.

But I do not think it's an either or situation. It's very difficult for me to separate out the physical and spiritual so completely. I think it may be that we have both physical and spiritual phenomena occurring simultaneously. The fact that the voices that many Schizophrenics hear talking to them in their heads (I've met at least 300 individuals on whom I'm basing this statement) are always negative, leads me to seriously question the origins of these voices.

My guess is that in some instances, mental illness is almost exclusively a physiological phenomenon. In these cases the person has a physical anomaly that is causing the mental illness, and the enemy tries to use against the person , as well as his loved ones, just as in any other serious physical illness such as cancer. I would also guess that this is the most frequent case for mental illness.

But I'm also quite certain, from many situations I've observed through the years, that there are cases where what is manifesting as mental illness is almost exclusively spiritual.

But, if I'm being totally candid here, I would never let some religious group come into my facility and start casting out demons.

I really don't have any great insights or answers to this issue, just thoughts and questions.

What do you think, is mental illness ever related to demonic possession?

Political Correctness can only work with Openess

I'll admit it - I've made fun of political correctness.

But I read a thought provoking article today over at CCN entitled Political Correctness and Ft. Hood Killings written by Tom Kenniff that made me take a second look at some of my thoughts. Kenniff is a legal analyst, a criminal attorney, and a veteran of the war in Iraq where he served with JAG. He made the point that political correctness is not the problem, that political correctness has led to good things such as African Americans serving in the armed forces and desegregation in the military.

The problem is that we avoid certain issues and do not openly look at events and ask relevant questions.

There is no recent event where this was dramatized before our very eyes more than the Fort Hood killings. Considering our country's recent history - the horror of 9/11 and the fact that we have since that fateful day suffered suffered multiple attacks at the hands of Islamic extremists, including the Army sergeant who killed two officers and injured 14 others in a premeditated grenade attack in 2003 - it is reasonable that any potential acts of terrorism should be investigated. Investigation does not mean to jump to conclusions, but it does mean to very seriously look into the details.

In this recent Fort Hood situation we knew for a fact that this Army officer had committed violent acts at one of the largest military bases in our country against unarmed soldiers and civilians. There was not a discernible motive aside from death and destruction. Yet almost all of the the media avoided asking the obvious questions about if indeed this event was an act of terrorism and if it was motivated by religious fanaticism - why? How could any thoughtful, honest, look at these events refrain from questions about the motive?

In the aftermath of Fort Hood, as more information is discovered, it gets way worse. It would appear that it is not only the American media that has problems with openly dealing with problems. The Fort Hood tragedy occurred on November 5th, on November 12th CNN released this report written by Brian Todd and Ed Lavandera that details numerous claims made by classmates of Hassan that he was a subpar student with militant Islamic views. As I read through this report I kept asking myself if this man should have been allowed to continue in his residency and become a psychiatrist. I wondered if his supervisors were uncomfortable and didn't want to seem anti-Muslim so they chose to not look as closely at him as would have been appropriate - it's hard to say.

But I can say that for life to work we have to be OK with being uncomfortable, we have to ask questions and look honestly at situations.

What are your thoughts about if we're letting our political correctness cause us to avoid asking all the pertinent questions?

His Love is Enough

Today I got to do someting I really enjoy - drive on a long, deserted, road. I like to drive like that because it gives me time to think. As my mind wandred, I started thinking about last week when I visited my mother; as I thought about that visit I realized that I have issues with "never enough". Not in the terms of not having enough; I've learned to look at all the good in my life and be grateful. But in terms of me not being enough. Last week at my mom's it looked like this...

...as I pull my car up to park in front of mom's house I think again how grateful I am to live in southern California. Here it is mid November and I'm enjoying blue skies, expanses of green lawns, and majestic palm trees that surround mom's neighborhood. I appreciate the Spanish style 1940s architecture of her home as I approach the door; holding my dog Jake's leash in one hand, and several bags of groceries in the other.

After ringing the bell, I sit the groceries down beside the front door, leash up Jake on mom's front porch, and go back to the car for some more groceries. I manage to get in one more trip laden down with groceries, and back to the car to grab the large handled box that contains the Del Taco fiesta pack meal that I've brought for lunch, before mom makes it to the door. Apparently my niece's dog is in the house and my sister has to hold him in the hallway because he has an abiding hatred toward all other dogs. Even though he's only a mostly spaniel mix, he can still become really mean toward Jake, a mostly lab mix, who wants desperately to play with everything & everyone in his world. So I make it into the door, and start making several trips to bring in and put away the groceries; all the while listening to a constant flow of words from both my sister and my mom about what's been happening in their lives since my last visit around a week ago.

After I get lunch set up on the table, we sit down and enjoy the meal and visit for awhile. There's way more food here than we can eat, but I figure as I'm putting the leftovers into the 'fridge, that my niece will enjoy them when she gets home from school today.

Even though my mom is 83yrs old, she's incredibly healthy and energetic, so we take Jake for a 2 mile stroll after lunch. During the stroll my mom talks about all the unexpected expenses she's had recently and I tell her that I've got $40 in my purse I can give her; she's obviously upset - never mind the $40 I gave her last week, or the $15 the week before, or the $20 the week before that - there is the pervasive feeling that I should give her more. I finally came to the conclusion about a year ago to never give more than $40 cash directly to anyone in my family, and better yet to, whenever possible, just give food or fill their gas tank for them. Because if I give a member of my family cash today, it will be gone tomorrow. Sometimes it really is gone due to the purchase of necessities, but sometimes it's gone due to buying some stupid, un necessary thing; so better to only give a little money so they will need to use it on necessities.

But none the less, I'm feeling guilty. Second guessing myself about being a good daughter; I mean it is my mom here saying she needs money. I remind myself that I've thought through my actions, that I don't have to please everybody. I can feel my anxiety mounting, and I've got that old familiar feeling of not doing enough, of not being enough, of not being able to fix things in my crazy family and make them right. . . .

Today as I was driving and thinking about some outreach opportunities I'm involved with, I realized that no matter what I do, I have that same not enough feeling - frequently I end up feeling like I should give more, do more, be more.

But then I hear that sweet, small voice telling me that I'm loved. That God doesn't want me to live up to expectations, He wants to be in relationship with Him. Out of that relationship, loving actions toward others will naturally flow. I'm reminded of some words I read in Brennan Mannings's "19 Mercies: A Spritual Retreat" yesterday. So when I got home I re-read those powerful words:

"You know, Mary Magdalen would have been buried in history as an unknown hooker, except for thing - her reckless, passionate, uncompromising love for the Person of Jesus.

Is your relationship with Jesus marked by reckless love? Authentic Christianity, according to the Word, is this: It's the thrill, the excitement, of falling in love with the risen, living Jesus Christ. He shows us the way to the Father, He pours out on us the Spirit of Pentecost - not so we can be nicer people with better morals, but brand-new creations, human torches ignited with the flaming Spirit of the living God."

I want to say my relationship with Jesus is marked by reckless love; but too often it's marked by me trying to measure up, to be really good. I'm so grateful that He loves me anyway and keeps working with me so I can change, from the inside out.

What about you, is your relationship with Jesus marked by reckless love?

Wanna hear something cool that happened on a blog?

Not sure if you've ever read the blog "Stuff Christians Like". If not, then do; it's a lot of fun and inspirational as well. The site author, Jonathan Acuff, started this blog as a reaction to the popular blog Stuff White People Like.

Recently Acuff felt led to do more than just write a really funny blog. He said that he was challenged by his 6 yr old daugher who was shocked a year ago to find out that kids were starving in other parts of the world.

Acuff partnered with Samaritan’s Purse and launched a $30,000 donation drive on his blog to build a six-room kindergarten in Hoang Then village in the Phong Tho district, which is located in the northwest section of Vietnam. The school would assist more than 200 children.

It's reported that he raised the $30,000 within 18 hrs.

"Did a blog, that isn’t even based on an original idea, come together and do something much bigger than a blog?" he wrote as he gave glory to God.

Terrific Tuesday with Michelle from ~Psalm 104:24~

Today's Terrific Tuesday guest is Michelle, who writes at ~Psalm 104:24~; a blog that's both entertained and blessed me. Michelle has a humorous, down to earth, writing style that frequently makes me laugh. Michelle describes herself as a wife, mama to 4, sinner, treehuggin', homeschoolin', free spirit, peacemaker, dreamer, tattoo lovin', nature freak, music lovin', child of The King.

With the tough financial situation that many find themselves in, as well as the approaching holidays, I think Michelle's experience in today's blog can be a source of encouragement.
Enjoy this Best of ~Psalm 104:24~ post...


Everybody Stumbles.....
.....and yesterday was a wipeout for me.As much as I know that Christmas is all about the birth of our Savior, it's hard not to be at least concerned about having some presents under the tree for the kids.

My wipeout was about money.....or the lack of right now. You see, the choice to stay home to homeschool and be home with the kids is just that.....our choice (and freedom that I am thankful for). Another choice we had to make was making our life more simple to be able to do so. Over the past years, we have stripped alot of "things" that we didn't really didn't own......they owned us. They owned us in the sense that we seemed to have the desire to just buy things when we wanted them, not needed them, ykwim? We were not living this luxurious life.....but we had some toys, we ate out whenever we felt like it....and browsing/spending was something that I treated myself to whenever I felt the urge. We didn't live beyond our means, but we certainly didn't live on a budget.

So fast forward the past few years.....our income basically got slashed about 40% after the birth of N and deciding that I was going to be staying home. (I used to work late nights, so I was home during the day, but completely hagged out). So think about your monthly income and whack 40% off of it.....yeah, it stings. And it forces you to look around and see what you really could do without. At first it seemed like a choke hold ......but as we started to peel off the excess....it was actually a breath of fresh air. The "stuff" we thought we needed......really was just a want. And being able to be home at night....doing normal "home at night" things was so worth it. No more parenting-on-the-phone during work breaks......no more feeling like I a was hit by a Mack truck while I was making breakfast. Even though we had less.......I felt like I had so much more.

So that is good.......and it works on our day-to-day living. We have some weeks where we still barely squeak by. As I have mentioned before........God is the ultimate accountant and finds a way to crunch the numbers. Even when we shouldn't make it with the numbers on paper.......we do. For example, yesterday I cashed my check from the subbing job I did a couple of weeks ago at the preschool.......it was a whopping $23.55......went to Target to pick up a few things for the kids' lunches.......total was $22.45. no kidding.

But with Christmas rapidly approaching.....and Josh not getting a Christmas bonus.......we are facing the ultimate test in being a witness for God to "WALK THE WALK, NOT TALK THE TALK".......and yes, I failed yesterday. You see.....Josh has gotten a bonus every year that we used (and relied on) for our Christmas shopping. Being creatures of habit, of course we depend on that little extra reward for his hard work all year. I don't know if we took it for granted as we always felt blessed by it, but looking back.....I guess expecting (relying on) it each year is sort of taking it for granted. So this year, when we really really could use it (as I am sure the majority of our country)....we are faced with the fact that there isn't one to use.

So yeah....we have the resources for a little bit of money with 0% interest for three months.....and we are going to have to make it really stretch. I hate the fact that we have to use a credit card but what are we supposed to do? The kids already know that it is going to be a lean Christmas and say they understand......but who doesn't want to disappoint their kids?

I guess the "human" side of me caved into the stress/disappointment and got really down yesterday. I started beating myself up for not pursuing a more substantial paying job scenario (working one night at the salon and subbing once in awhile at the preschool is far from a steady, sufficient income.....you read how much my check was for).....I started looking back (instead of looking UP) at everything I should have/could have done and got sucked into a very negative mindset. I was snappy at the kids......Josh and I got into a spat where distance did not make the heart grow fonder.....it was just a total drag. Even our Jesse Tree nightly devotional wasn't so spiritually uplifting as I hoped.

One thing that stuck in my mind.......was one of Josh's more positive comments about the finances.....he said that the pressure we are feeling about buying gifts at this time of year.....is what many people feel about paying their mortgage, electric bill, heat and food.....all year long. I think God was speaking through him for that particular moment, with a "GET OVER IT, Michelle" kinda tone. At the time, I was still angry at Josh so I didn't even agree with him......I actually was hanging on to my own pity party. Even as he was talking to me, my ugly spirit felt some satisfaction that I didn't tell him he had something stuck in his tooth all afternoon (and secretly hoped others saw it too)

So the day went on......we spoke only when necessary. He went out to get the tree with E (who I may add, picked the perfect size this year!) and things started to calm down a bit.....I made sure that I apologized, kissed and hugged him before bed because I was taught to never go to bed angry. I told him that we'd figure it out.....we always do.

Before I fell asleep, I was thinking about what our pastor said last weekend in regards to the greediness that Christmas shopping can bring. He was talking about the tragedy of that poor Walmart worker who was trampled to death opening the doors on Black Friday. How people just wanted their "stuff" and didn't care about anything (even someone's life!) in order to get what they wanted.....so sad. :( He also referenced on how in Africa, the way to catch a monkey is to dig a small hole in the ground and put peanuts in it. The monkey will put his hand in to get the peanuts, but when he has them in his grip, his fist will not allow him to pull his hand out. He will not let go of the peanuts and struggles to get his hand free. He does not realize that it is because he wants something so badly......that he is putting himself in danger. So it is easy to catch him as his stubbornness fails him. I do not want to be gripping on the "peanuts" in life and miss out on enjoying this Season.(*I must have fallen asleep thinking about that monkey, as I had a very weird dream about a monkey biting me......the pepper jack cheese I ate before bed also might have played a factor in the weirdness)

So yes......I stumbled.....but I am thankful that God granted me a new day to pick myself up and try again. I may not be able to change my circumstances.....but I can change my mindset. I will focus on looking UP and not down.Blessings

~Michelle

A sneak peek at Christmas

I love Christmas - everything about it at our house.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving I'll be having lots of posts about Christmas, but I need to post this one now. God's blessed me with lots of opportunities to teach my sons about Himself, and Christmas celebrations have been one of those ways.

God loved us so much that He gave Himself, His son, Jesus. He left His rightful place in glory to come to earth and take on human limitations, to go to the cross and suffer and die in our place. He shows us a lifestyle of giving.

So one of the things we've always done at Christmas is giving.

I want to share about two of our favorite ways to give for Christmas; Operation Christmas Child through Samaritans Purse, and purchasing a special Christmas gift through World Vision. Both of these are opportunities to give that basically need to happen in November, so that the recipients can enjoy the gifts for Christmas.

This short video does a great job at explaining all about Operation Christmas Child. Basically you just fill a shoebox with all manner of wonderful things to send to a child in a developing country for Christmas. Since I have 3 sons we've always packed a box for a boy. Some years we've done 1 box, and other years we've done 3. We've had lots of fun packing toys, hard candies, and helpful items such as shoes and grooming items into the box. I'd wanted to find this one video to post here that I saw this year where a woman is remembering when she was a child and received a box; how she didn't have decent shoes and was embarrassed to go to school, how she was so blessed when she received her box that had shoes in it-I cried when I saw that video (much to the amusement of my 6'3", 230lb, 16-yr old son).

As I've mentioned before, I really appreciate World Vision. I think it's cool how they set up the Christmas gifts. You get to buy practical things for people; you check out this site to see what I'm talking about. I remember one year we gave a music program since my sons were into music, another year we figured it would be fun to give a goat and some chickens. It's really neat because WV sets it up so you can see how whatever you pick will be useful for the people to whom it's given.

What about you, what are some experiences you've had with Operation Shoe Box, World Vision, or some other giving opportunity at Christmas?

Can we hate sin and love the sinner?

I hear the phrase "I hate sin but love the sinner" frequently uttered by Christians. Do you think we can really do this?

I think one of the big issues facing America today that really pushes this question is homosexuality.

Recently the ECLA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) took loving to the point where a controversial vote was held in August by the denomination's chief legislative body to approve a resolution allowing noncelibate gays and lesbians to be ordained. I understand that those who voted yes in August felt that gays and lesbians need to be included in church life and that only allowing them the opportunity to be pastors, the same as everyone else, really does that. It was looked at as a civil rights issue.

This has resulted in lots of Lutheran churches withdrawing their membership. The entire Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) now has a strained relationship with the ECLA. When the LCMS leaders met in September, they agreed that despite differences over human sexuality, the churches should continue working together as much as possible when it can be done without compromise. The work the LCMS was referring to was Lutheran Services in America, which provides a variety of human services through social ministry organizations, and Lutheran World Relief, and an international relief and development agency. [The LCMS is the eighth largest Protestant religion in the US, and the second largest Lutheran group, second only to the ECLA; it represents around 2.4 million members.]

I'm not Lutheran, but I've always seen Lutherans as the great opportunity for Protestants who want to enjoy the liturgical aspects of faith. So I've closely watched this whole scene play out before my eyes. I've struggled, agonized, with the issues as if it were my own church. Because, when it's all said and done, it is-we're all part of the same body, the same Christ. We all want to be true to God's word, and be loving. How that looks can sometimes become confusing. This whole issue that Lutherans are struggling with underscores the pivotal question of what actions demonstrate love.

I recently watched this profound short video, over at Tangle.com:

I'll give you that it's rather obvious that name calling and mimicking someone is clearly not loving. But are we name calling if we say the lifestyle they are choosing is sin and so we can not ordain them as pastors? That we would not ordain anyone involved in lifestyle sin (as opposed to someone who sometimes just messes up and repents and moves forward) that they are saying is not sin, to be a minister?

What do you think? What actions do you think demonstrate love toward someone who is involved in sin? How can you separate loving the person from hating the sin?