Gary Chester- Helping men to win

When the World's Turbulence Strikes Fear in Me

garychester.org  10/30/08

 

If I allow it, the world's turbulence that surrounds me, can strike fear in me.  The terrorists, the financial meltdown, drug/alcohol addictions and ruptured marriages of family members and friends, churches that have grown cold, and always the threat of the return of my cancer (now in remission).  Whew!

 

But when the green-eyed monster of fear raises its ugly head, I know how to return to tranquility again.  I still and quiet my soul (Psalms 131:2) and deeply breathe in God's assurances:

 

"I am God, and there is no other; I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.  What I have said, that will I bring about.  What I have planned, that will I do.  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you."

(Isaiah 46:9-11; 41:13)

 

Then after soaking in the truth of his sovereignty and of his care, I must remind myself that I am pretty clueless about how He works in human affairs.  I just have to trust.

 

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever."

Romans 12:33-36

 

And another thing.  I listen to less news and political talk.  I personally over-see a News-Talk radio station and its’ news department with multiple reporters.  But, I still limit my exposure.  I value my peace of mind and heart too much.   (Read my 10/30/08 newsletter, How Much Longer Does the USA Have?)

 

How much do you value yours?  Talk to me about how you maintain your own peace of mind and heart in times of turbulence.  gary@wkyx.com

ARE HALF OF ALL WOMEN ON MOOD DRUGS?

garychester.org  10/23/08

 

Is it my imagination, but are about half of all women -- Christian women -- on mood changing drugs these bizarre days?

 

I can't quote specific data, but in my own personal circle of friends and family (from all levels of social status), I'm amazed at how many women I know who are on mood pills.  It seems like just about every other one.  And they are all ages, going from the 20’s to the 80’s.  What's going on here?

 

I can't speculate on the over-all ramification of so many medicated women. But it has to be huge - from their thoughts on how to raise kids, how to care for elderly parents, how and when to make love, etc.  After all, how we think determines how we feel, and how we feel determines how we act.

 

By the way, I'm not referring to a temporary use of mood pills, i.e. during various kinds of personal crises when "a little help from my friends" (per the Beatles' song) might possibly be in order.  But a year in, year out addiction?  Doesn't that have to be extremely damaging in every way - mentally, physically, psychologically, and sexually?  (Read my 10/23/08 newsletter, Sex That's Gone Flat).

 

I know that the few times I personally indulged in the drug culture many moons ago, the effects on my thoughts and behavior prompted me to do things that I now regret and wouldn't have done if I had been straight at the time.  I guess that's the reason God's auto-biography says He wants to fill and control me -- and you -- with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  That's when our mood is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2).

 

Am I right or wrong about half of all Christian women being permanently on mood drugs?  Let me know your thoughts.  As usual, I'll keep your responses confidential.  gary@menwhowin.com.

Half of All Women on Mood Drugs?

garychester.org  10/23/08

 

Is it my imagination, but are about half of all women -- Christian women -- on mood-changing drugs these bizarre days?

 

I can't quote specific data, but in my own personal circle of friends and family (from all levels of social status), I'm amazed how many women I know who're on mood pills.  It seems like about every other one.  And they're all ages, from 20s to 80s.  What's going on here?

 

I can't speculate on the over-all ramification of so many medicated women, but it has to be huge - from their thoughts on how to raise kids, how to care for elderly parents, how and when to make love, etc.  After all, how we think determines how we feel, and how we feel determines how we act.

 

By the way, I'm not referring to a temporary use of mood pills, i.e. during various kinds of personal crises when "a little help from my friends" (per the Beatles' song) might possibly be in order.  But a year-in, a year-out addiction?  Doesn't that have to be damaging in every way - mentally, physically, psychologically, and sexually? (Read my 10/23/08 newsletter Sex That's Gone Flat).

 

I know that with the few times I personally indulged in the drug culture many moons ago, the effects on my thoughts and behavior prompted me to do things that I now regret and wouldn't have if I had been straight at the time.  I guess that's the reason God's auto-biography says He wants to fill and control me -- and you -- with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  That's when our mood is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2).

 

Am I right or wrong about half of all Christian women being permanently on mood drugs?  Let me know your thoughts.  As usual, I'll keep your responses confidential.  gary@menwhowin.com.

 

Read about how Charla Muller gave her husband a birthday gift of sex every day for a year.

 

Listen to my eight minute radio shows about better marriages and good sex.  Choose from more than 50 topics.

OVERCOMING MY FEAR OF ACCOUNTABILITY

garychester.org 10/16/08

 

I took a large risk years ago that has paid mega dividends.  I called a guy I didn't know well and asked him if he'd like to get together regularly to pray and hold each other accountability in our Christian walk.

 

Here's the reason I mustered up courage to phone him:  I had hit a dry, barren period in my faith.  God seemed distant and uninterested in me.  Some sin issues were dogging me, too.  Shame and guilt visited me regularly.

 

The Lord started putting James 5:16 across my mind:

Confess your sins to one another, pray for one another, and be healed.

 

I liked the part in the verse about healing but not the part about confessing.  That seemed intimidating and embarrassing.  Giving someone else some control over my life.  Not a welcoming idea at the time.  Plus, I didn't know whom to call since I then had only acquaintances - not any real friends.

 

But Jim appeared in my mind one day.  I believe God put him there.  But it was for me to take the risk of a possibility of rejection from Jim if he initially were cool to my idea, or later if it turned out we didn't jibe.

 

As it panned out, Jim and I clicked, and we've now been praying, encouraging, and holding each other accountable for more than a dozen years.  Since then, God has added a few other tight buds to my life for accountability, wisdom, and encouragement, and vice versa.

 

The upshot is an emboldened active faith life along with much more inner tranquility.  My wife and kids definitely like the difference in me.  I'm easier to live with than previously.  A good thing for the fam.

 

How about you, my reader?  Willing to take a risk yourself?  Having a close brother or two takes a major investment of time, but the rewards are well worth it (Proverbs 18:24 & Ecc 4:9-12)

 

Listen to Accountability Friendships Explained for a step-by-step guide on how to form your own band of brothers. 

Less of Rush, Sean and Glen

 

LESS OF RUSH, SEAN AND GLEN

 

garychester.org 10/09/08

 

I pray that my ultimate dream comes true.  Perhaps you also would pray for it to come true.

 

I,Too, Have a Dream.  Until my dream comes true, I've committed to a strategy to help ease my fears and anxieties about our national financial crisis and the frightening terrorist war against America.

 

I'm listening less to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, and Bill O'Reilly, as well as to the news in general. 

 

No, my head is not stuck in the sand.  I keep up with current events, as everyone should.  I've just discovered a little bit of these yak meisters on cable and radio will suffice. "A little dab'll do ya," as an old Brillecream ad once said. 

As a former newsman myself, and a Northwestern University grad with a Master's degree in journalism, I know that so much of the news is at best mere rehashes and speculation.  And at worst, plain untrue.  It makes me worry too much.  And even with the talk show hosts who may have some wisdom to impart, why unduly fill my mind with that which promotes worry, anger and frustration?

 

It is like drinking a half dozen cups of espresso when a cup of coffee is all I need.  Too much caffeine makes my heart race, my anxiety to spike, and my sleep to be restless.  But just a cup or two of coffee helps me to be a little brighter and awake - a right balance.

 

Rather than the chatter of our media sensationalists, I'm pondering more on what the great God beyond the universe (Romans 11:33-36) says to think about --- things that are true, right, admirable, pure, praiseworthy, lovely, and excellent (Philippians 4:8). 

 

The more I dwell on such things, the more my heart becomes unafraid, knowing God can be trusted to take care of me (Psalm 112:7).

 

Listen to my eight minute radio show Radical Differences between Claims of Mohammed and Jesus.

Read my 10/9/08 menwhowin.com newsletter  I, Too, Have a Dream.

401Ks - Today's Golden Idol

garychester.org  10/02/08

My own 401Ks have dropped 25% in value in recent times.  It initially took my breath away until I reminded myself I cannot depend on the Golden Idol of the 21st century. (Read my Men Who Win 10/02/08 newsletter, Bank Busts and Government Bail-Outs.)

My long-time buddy, Phil, put it this way:

"We tend to believe our real estate and 401K can secure our future and assure us all will be well.  These past few weeks have shown me how quickly faith in any monetary system can evaporate overnight.  It, of course, is a good thing to set aside some excess income to provide buying power for the future, but the problem arises when I begin to actually believe accumulated wealth will provide certain security for the future.

Real security is found only in a life-changing connection with the One  from whom all blessings - material and otherwise -  flow."

Well said, Phil.  

 

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They're plans not to harm you but to bring about the future you hope for.  You will call to me.  You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you.  You will seek me with all your heart, and you will find me.  Jeremiah 29:11-12