1. Depression ... must reading for pastors, therapists, and parents: In the developed world we have an escalating epidemic of depression. According to
this article,
the rate of depression in Western countries is doubling with every generational cohort. What's going on? The pop-psychology mindset in our society leads us to zero in on individualistic causes for psychological problems (
"... Tell me more about
how your parents treated you when you were a kid"). Often, this approach is very helpful.
But what if the problem is more multifaceted than that? What if it's more about our society, and less about the individual makeup -- or upbringing -- of the person involved? This article makes the point that what is diagnosed as "depression" is often actually "demoralization", and has broader causes than we might at first think.
Read more
2. An update on my book: I'm writing a book about the challenges people face when trying to make a difference in the world. The big challenges cluster around the experience
of being OVERWHELMED. We are overwhelmed by the needs and complexity, and overwhelmed by busyness, and struggles. Right now I'm circulating chapters for feedback from some spiritual leaders who write about similar topics. Please pray that they are able to read my material and give me feedback. In case you're interested, here's a pdf file that gives a
brief overview of the book.
3. Video games are too much fun. This
article from the Washington Post puts a finger on one of the great challenges of our time: there are so many interesting and entertaining ways to waste our time. In the book I'm writing ("Not So Overwhelmed"), I point out that we've got
so many options about things to do with our time that we
get distracted. Video games are a case in point, and this article talks about how they are creating special problems for young men today.
4. Early registration price still available for the Renew Retreat - January 15-20. The Renew Retreat is five days in a luxury condo in glorious Sedona, AZ. We will talk about how to experience ongoing renewal in our lives, so we can make a difference in the world
without making a mess of our personal lives.
Get more information here.
5. Quote of the week: “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
