October is Depression Awareness Month - Don't Suffer in Silence

Life is full of joy and pain, happiness and sorrow. It is normal to feel sad when a loved one dies, or when you are sick, going through a divorce, or having financial problems. But for some estimated 19 million Americans the sadness does not go away, or keeps coming back. If your “blues” last more than a few weeks or cause you to struggle with daily life, you may be suffering from clinical depression.

Here a few facts about depression:

Depression is more than life’s ups & downs.

Depression is not a sign of personal weakness.

Depression can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, age, creed or income.

I want to put to rest some of the stigma that one faces in our community about depression, that cause many people to suffer in silence needlessly rather than seeking proper treatment.

Here a few myths about depression:

If you suffer from depression you can simply snap out of it.

If you are depression you are simply not spiritually enough.

If you suffer from depression you are “crazy.”

Here a few warning sign that you might be depression:

▪ A persistent sad, anxious or excessive crying

▪ A change in appetite

▪ Weight loss or weight gain

▪ Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders or chronic pain

▪ Irritability, restlessness

▪ Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down”

▪ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism

▪ Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning waking

▪ Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex

▪ Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

▪ Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Here a few step you can take if you think you might be suffering from depression:

Consult your physician about getting treatment is the strongest & bravest thing you can do

Talk with your spiritual leader, your pastor or minister because spiritual support is an important part of healing.

Don't Discount or Dismiss What God has Placed in Your Heart - It Shall Come To Pass!

And without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. 2 Chronicles 20:12

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27

God calls people to seemingly impossible tasks. It gives Him glory when I can’t do something, but He can. I can do “all things through Christ who strengthen me,” but often what He calls me to do can seem foolish to attempt (at least to others…and sometimes me) at the time. Imagine what the friends of Abraham; Moses, and Noah must have thought when God called them to what appeared to be impossible assignments. God calls people to walk by faith into the unknown.

If you know God has called you to something, don’t be dismayed if others can’t quickly identify with your calling. In my experience, God is often raising up others with the same heartbeat, but you can’t always see them at the time, so there may be periods when you have to stand alone on God’s calling. That may be for a season, but at times it could be for years. (Consider the case of Noah.)

With that in mind…

Here are 7 ways to tell it may be a God thing:

1. Everyone says it can’t be done…

2. You feel you aren’t qualified…

3. There aren’t enough resources available…

4. It makes no rational sense…

5. People call it (or you) stupid…

6. It would give God all the glory…

7. It honors God and is true to His Word…

I’m not saying this post confirms what you are attempting is from God. What I am saying is that you should not dismiss the call you believe God has placed on your life because it doesn’t make sense to others around you…or to yourself at times.

Five Things Every Pastor Wants From Those He Feeds So Faithfully

I have a dear lady that I’m privileged to pastor named Sista Robinson. She came to our church after seeing a billboard as strange as that might sound. I’m not sure what Sista Robinson age is but she is one of the most faithful members I’m blessed to serve. There are several things I’m tickled to death about when I think about her here are just a few: She normally walks to church on sundays; She’s normally the first person here every Sunday; She comes in & prays for our church every Sunday morning even if she’s the only one; She hardly ever misses a worship experience; She has never missed a month of bringing her tithes & pledge for our new campus but what I appreciate most about her is that after every sermon or lesson I teach or preach SHE ALWAYS says, “Pastor, thank you for the Word!”

So this blog is a tribute Sista Robinson! Five Things Every Pastor Wants From Those He Feeds So Faithfully:

To understand appreciate the time, care, thought & energy that he put into crafting each & every sermon & lesson

To bring new people with them as often as they can

To make Sunday & Wednesday worship experiences priority over other activities

To become more like Christ through the preaching & teaching they receive weekly

To stay focused, committed & faithful to God’s vision for the church with their time, talent & treasure

A Salute to my Mentor, Friend & Confidant, Dr. A. Glenn Woodberry

Dr. A. Glenn Woodberry, one of the greatest preachers and Christian leaders of our time, died September 10, 2011. Like Ezra, the great leader of ancient Israel, Dr. Woodberry committed his life to one overarching purpose: the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10).

Dr. Arthur Glenn Woodberry served as the proud Pastor of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from 1984 until the time of his death. I grew up watching the Mount Olive church grow into what has now become known as the “Mount” by preacher from across America.

Please join Janice & I as we intercede with much supplication for his lovely wife Patsy, his three beautiful, vivacious daughters; Crest, Staci and Kelli, his sisters and brothers Pastor L. Mike Woodberry & our own Pastor W. B. Woodberry & their families.

I grieve. I miss reaching out to you by cell, text, email and Facebook. I miss your company & friendship. I miss the fact that you were always happy to hear from me and always willing to share what God had so graciously given you while studying the Word. You so dearly loved to teach & preach. Thank you for never judging me and accepting me as one of you own. You were there for me, prayed for me & shared with me. It was such a blessed privilege to have you in my life.

I miss you my friend!

Terry