On Suffering

In my many studies (Both Academically and experientially), and in my personal interviews with people, (And my own personal experiences as a sufferer of the things I am now sharing) AND, as a Presently Anointed, Licensed and Degreed, “Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor” and “Temperament Therapist”; And a previously non-Religious Counselor), concerning, and (Particularly concerning) the Military Soldier’s that I am a member of and as my “Band of Brother” (I don’t excuse it but, Yes, it does sound overused). Also, I must acknowledge and include many others who also suffer these symptoms who were not Military Soldiers. I am not ignorant of them and do include them). After those respectful and legal statements, now I shall begin to expound my professional (And Personal) opinion on the topics of Suffering, PTSD, TBI, etc., as a fact and condition existing, but treatable with a new and different approach. I have discovered a few truths that may explain and help us. I would like to share my own research findings to all who are still looking for a way to deal with the terrible after-effects of war or traumatic injury. I do not have all the answers yet, but I do have some. And, unlike many professional therapist’s, I do not ask for anything in return. What God has given me (Although I have the right to charge for it) I will not charge. That was taught to me by my Mentor Paul. He lived the same way and so do I. First, if any of you reading my Blog are really trying to fight with some Secular Therapist’s and their tools exclusive of Spiritual tools, then you probably have found that their tools are lacking when it comes to relief (As I did). However, I do respect Secular Psychologist’s tools somewhat (Because I too have a Degree in Psychology) and also the Philosopher’s (And I have a Degree in that too). But, the missing element that even Religious Theologian’s claim to have (And, I also have a Degree in Theology) is escaping the unique and individual person who suffers from these painful symptoms. Here is where I can help fill the gap. In my opinion, the “Thing” that can really help has mostly been overlooked by the modern medical sciences and their methods. As a suffer myself, I discovered the real “Cure” quite by accident (Or, I should say, quite by the Grace of God). For example, once I went to a respected military psychologist/Psychiatrist and asked him in my first meeting why I was so depressed all the time. His reply was that, in his professional opinion, that my depression was my own fault, that I was angry at myself, and that it was a “Bad” thing. But, when I replied him that I had found depression a useful tool to bring me closer to my God he just scoffed and told me that he could not help me and to not return to him! Now, I ask you my friends, is that the way of mercy, kindness and compassion? Does that show an open mind? Is that scientific? I think not. Listen, depression (Acute or Chronic), PTSD (Now called PTSI, “I” being “Injury), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), etc. are WAR Injuries (Or, from any traumatic event) and must be accepted as a NEW part of the person who is experiencing the as “Normal” for them considering what has happened to them. The solution lies in the age old principle’s taught by Jesus Christ. Namely, Love, acceptance, comfort, encouragement, shared grieving and without telling the suffering person what they did wrong or what they should do to fix themselves (Why would they come to therapy if they could fix themselves?). In my best moments as a sufferer and counselor I have discovered the best treatment to be along the lines of: Give them a listening ear, hugs, and encouragement that their suffering has meaning. Meaning to people and meaning to God. I just let them know that I am available to help them (And do for them) whatever I can. I’ve noticed that in that simple way they seem to feel better! Well, of course! They now know that someone really cares that they suffer and that I too suffer like them. “There is no stronger bond between humans than a common bond” (That is my Credo). Jesus told us as believer’s we would suffer in THIS world. We believer’s suffer just as non-believer’s do, except we have one thing they do not have, HOPE. And, MEANING also in our suffering, they do not. The trick is to be able to turn our suffering Outward toward other’s who suffer as much or more than ourselves. In THAT is the “Cure” for our depression, etc. When we go to Christ we get His Holy Spirit and the Power of God to make our world a better place for ourselves and other’s. Your suffering is NOT your fault! Your suffering is NOT God’s fault! Your suffering came because you were trying to DO the RIGHT thing for the RIGHT reason! And you got hurt for it. That makes you a hero! Not a crippled or disabled or whatever label put on you by the Society. You are now just DIFFERENT and can choose to do things differently as God desires. Now is the time to introspect yourselves, check your motives, and discard the critics and MOVE AHEAD WITH CHRIST! Believe me, you will find more happiness in life if you do (And, eternal happiness later). I hope you will give Christ a “Try”. And, regardless of what you’ve been taught, “TRY” is NOT a four letter word. The Bible is full of those victorious and faulty and damaged people who just “Tried” and God made them successful. Would you like to be one too? OK, I will add more ideas later. But, please join and comment on our Blog. Blessings, Pastor Smitty

On Being a Soldier and Memorial Day

It’s astonishing to me how “Family” member’s can be so ignorant and careless about member’s of their Family who have selflessly sacrificed their own comforts and lives to defend and protect the Family and the American way of life against Evil. In my own case, (And I know of many thousands of other Military Veteran’s who have experienced this) that my own Nuclear( Immediate) Family has been and continues to be a source of perpetual suffering and sadness to me. Because they were never in Military Service (And war’s as I have been) they remain ignorant and even worse, do not care to learn about us Vets and the problems that we have, which directly affects, not only us, but our ability to love them and their inability to love us as we now are. For us Veteran’s, we get very sad and even angry at them (And ourselves if we care for them) because they have never risked their own life in any way as we Vets have for anything (Except to just get for themselves) other than themselves. I personally find it impossible to even try (And I have) to persuade or teach them to even TRY to to learn or understand us Vets. As for my own relatives, none of them really even made an effort to learn about my disabilities stemming from my active (Or current) combat horrors of war(s). Since it is (In my opinion) impossible for them (Unless they may honestly want to learn about us Vets, which mine do not) They then continue to treat me (Us) Veterans as if WE are at fault for having disabilities or in some way we are responsible for our own disabilities (Which we are not). And, that, we are responsible to make these disabilities go away on our own (Impossible) or conform to their ideas of what normalcy is within a Family (Or Nation). This is the Great Lie and the Great trouble we as Vets face daily. I cannot tell you of them many Vets (And other non Vets) who have come to me for counseling who have afterwards committed suicide in spite of my attempts to avert it! They never accepted their uniqueness as wounded and never could not accept that other’s could not or would not accept their wounded souls. What a tragedy! Yet, it has even happened to me. However, I believe that only GOD has the right to end me. They did not apparently. This is the great trouble we Veterans face. It IS possible for them (Our Families and Nation) to learn and accept us as we are now in spite of our disabilities (Not our fault) of war(s). But, for THEM it means that THEY must make an effort to begin to accept and love our different ideas, thoughts, feelings and strange behaviors for what they are, a result of violent experiences not our fault. For many relatives who never sacrificed as we Vets have it seems impossible (As with my own Family, except my Wife now) to adjust to. Bit, hopefully it can happen IF, and ONLY IF, they are more willing to make an honest effort to learn about what our disabilities are and how they came about and the adjust themselves and their own attitudes to include our symptoms and sometimes radical reactions to the “Norm” as they see it of a non-combatant society which they have always been a part of that remain ignorant to and of our brave Veteran’s (And dead hero’s) experiences. And what those mean to us. If they (our Families and Nation) do learn then we will all be able to respect and love and help one another in participation with them in a more peaceful and loving way. But, if they deny that they are ignorant it will only make for continued disfunction and disruption within our Families and our Nation. It appears then that it is up to US Veterans to keep trying to educate them. However, it is NOT our fault if they refuse to be taught. This has given me a great relief (And Calling) just knowing that it is THEM and NOT ME who refuse to learn and change. I can now go on with my damaged life and seek out other’s who do share and understand or are at least willing to understand and change themselves to accept me and my peculiar “Disfunctions” or “Disabilities” (I do not like these terms actually) as the thing for which it is. Namely, a direct consequence of living and fighting enemies of all families and America and it is just the affects of war(s) that have made us Vets seem distant or unusual to others. Hopefully, in the future they will make that seemingly impossible change. But, unfortunately for now not many have or will do the very hard work required to make it come to pass. So, what can I or we Vets do now? I suggest that we focus on our Comrades in arms, both on active duty and the Vets and ultimately focus on Christ and how HE did love and acceptance. It will be in these two areas of life that we hurting Veterans may be able to have any kind of peace and love in our own personal life and our relations. Even more, I hate Evil in all forms, and I hate Terrorism like ISIS (ISIL) and I would do anything I can to stop and end them either inside or outside the Family, America or World as a whole. That being said, may GOD help you in doing it! And, if you want, I am willing to listen to you. So, join and participate in our Blog! Blessings, Pastor Smitty

Who Am I?

Some of you have asked me what makes me qualified to be a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor. How did I get chosen to do the work of Christ? And, what makes me special in doing it? And, just what have I suffered for Christ? Well, now I will tell you (Though I am bragging as a man) I have been in Wars. I have seen what nobody should see. Men’s guts spewed out on the ground. And, worse! I have seen the Devil at his worst! I have been imprisoned for my Faith in Jesus many times trying to proclaim His Gospel. I have been persecuted, defamed, tortured and denied because I am a follower of Christ. I have suffered internal attacks of temptation from the evil ones. Sometimes I have failed. Sometimes I have overcome. Oh, yes! I have paid the price of admission to the Kingdom of God. I have been beaten and tortured, suffered homelessness and poverty all for my Lord Jesus. Who dares condemn me? It is only Christ who defends and saves me! So, I do have the right and commission to request from you to spread the Gospel of Jesus. If I ask for money, then what is that to you but you obligations? If I ask for support of any kind then who are you to deny Christ? OK, that is what I am about and where I am coming from. I’ve paid my dues, have you? So, when I call to the Church for assistance, then I expect it in His Name. If you want to dent me then you deny Christ also, for I am His Commissioned Minister. I have a specific calling to the poor. Take it or leave it, but you will answer Him on Judgment Day. Come to me all you who are weary and need rest and I will comfort you. Those were His words. But, what I see is suspicion among you! Where is your Faith? GIVE!

More about Homeless Project

I recently met a man named ISACC down at the Oceanside Pier. He is a true Christian and delivers his way of the Gospel by means of his 12 string guitar. He not only plays wonderful tunes, but he is always willing to stop and talk with anyone he meets there. I even saw him once stop playing a tune to prevent a child from getting too close to the Pier railing and possibly falling. Now that to me is a real man of God. Basically, why I am writing this is that Isaac confided in me that he need more support to reach the homeless in Oceanside. He knows where many homeless “bed down” around the area but he cannot help (Other than his music). So, I assured him that the Christian Community would reach out to anyone desiring help. He was elated. So, to make this short, I am asking for you Christians out there to make a sacrifice that pleases God by donating some cash for our “Homeless Outreach Project”. Just send it to me and I will assure you it will be well used. By the way, if you want to see and hear one of Isaac’s songs just go to UTUBE at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdNVAgeLLWw This guy is rated one of the 12 best 12 String guitar players in America! And, he is doing it all for Jesus! Please understand that I get noting from this ministry except to please Jesus. He called me to do it. And, I MUST obey. And, like Paul the Apostle I am asking you to show some love and support for the miserable souls her. We as a Church together end homelessness in our community with Spiritual Doctrine and Physical help within this year. Jesus assured me that IF His church gets together it will be done. So, I stand on His Promise! Now, all you have to do is join in the opportunity!

DO YOU NEED AN ANSWER? Matthew 19:26 (NAS)

I have found one of the great secrets to a successful life, and I want to share it with you. It never fails me whenever I speak it out loud. And, it answers all my problems and questions (And others’ I’m concerned for) ALWAYS! I found it from an author in one of my daily readings with my Bible Study. So, use it wisely! Jesus can’t lie. He has to do it if we believe. When or how He does it is not our business or choice. He WILL do it according to God’s good will and pleasure to give good things to His Children. I Pray that you will believe it! And, witness (Watch and see) Him fight for you in action. So, here it is: “I have learned that with Jesus I can succeed. He not only has the answers, but He IS the answer. He makes a way, but He’s also THE way. In my weak attempts to love and serve Him, He gives me both strength and motivation. Living for Jesus requires more than positive affirmations and good intentions. Jesus puts the initial “WANT TO” in my heart. Only when I rest in His power, His strength, and His character do I find the way to accomplish anything. With Him, all things really are possible.” (Rebecca Barlow Jordan “Mornings with Jesus” Jan 29, 2017, Vol. 3 NO 1) Oh! How I agree with her! The Supernatural Power Jesus flows out to people, places and things needed, IF you will just speak out this Truth always and often! Because of this Truth my own life (And those around me) has been blessed in large and small miracles! Try it and know!

about Christmas

All Do you think that Christmas is all about giving to those you love in your immediate Family? Well, I am here to tell you that you are mistaken! Christmas is NOT about giving or receiving from those who love or like you. It is about sacrificing what you think and want for the hopeless people in our world. And, I know that you agree, but you do not DO what our LORD wants you to do. You think, yes, I want to help the poor, bit you continue to help your own family so that they will like and maybe even love you. What a mistake! Jesus never taught that you should give to your family more than to Him. You all are just trying to FEEL good about yourselves because you are giving presents to you family. But, in fact, you are just trying to make yourself feel good about yourself. Do you not see that you are so self centered and selfish and absorbed with yourself that you could never be like Christ! Jesus Christ never took or received anything from people. He always gave the Truth that this worlds’ way of doing things was absolutely WRONG! Throw away your ideas, and throw away you Christmas Trees and gifts! The ONLY thing you need to GIVE is LOVE! And, what is Jesus’s Love? It is simply to forgive anyone that you have an offense toward. It is to go beyond your selfish human nature and tell those that you have hurt that you are sorry. It is to accept that you are a totally wrong and failure of a person. Then, you might find that Jesus will appear or talk to you. Without your admission of total failure, you will never find God and His Mercy!

On Christmas

I have written every Christmas for several years about what it truly means, where the custom originated, and how I view it as a Christian and Pastor. I won’t go into the history of that pagan Saturnalia origin or about that great Catholic Saint Nicholas of Rome 300a.d.again this year. What I will say, is that Christ has set us free to choose by our own will what we will to do. If, you want to Honor God, and then know that whenever or in whatever season, Jesus was born is really not the issue. What IS important is to know that God left a part of Himself in the form of Jesus from His Oneness and for our Salvation from evil. God manifested Himself as a man, like us, as the One called Jesus (Or, Emmanuel, God with us,Savior and Prince of Peace) to reconcile us back to Him. He left His High Holy Heaven to offer Himself in the form of a human being (And as God Himself) in a human body as a humble servant and sacrifice for ALL mankind (How incomprehensible to understand by us humans!). Nevertheless, it was done. Bow, all that remains is to see the baby Jesus (And His adult life ministry) as the ONLY way to really Worship God and His amazing Love for all creation by Him. Why would God do that? Basically, because WE can’t! And it was always God’s plan to finish what He started, in spite of our human selves, way back in the beginning of creation of the world. There has never in all human history or stated by any prophet or teacher of any other religion this Truth except by Jesus. The Truth that Jesus is the Son of Man, the Son of God and has been manifested by God to save us. Only the Bible gives record of that. So, go ahead and Worship the Only Son of God and God as God. His death and resurrection is more important than His birth because that is the True Believer’s Hope and Future eternally. As you sit around Family and friends this holiday season try to remember the Great cost and the Love God paid for you! God did not have to do it, He CHOSE to do it, but because He can never be wrong or fail, He did it to show us how much He loves and how much He wants us and how much we need Him. If you do not accept or believe this news, then what hope do you have in this insane and terminal life? All you have is your own way of living out a pointless life going nowhere except the grave. I suggest a better way. Just say a simple and honest cry for help to your Maker God. You will be pleasantly surprised by His Mysterious, but Loving help. He may answer you quickly or slowly, but, He will respect and answer your plea. And, will reveal to you what you must do. Yes, some of you go to a Church Congregation on Christmas Eve. But, do not go IF you are only trying to be right with God. Go because in your HEART you really WANT Him and to Worship Him and not just to be seen by other people there. Take the “Eucharist” (The Bread and Drink”) of Christ Jesus. But, do not take it if you have any resentment toward any other person. Go and ask forgiveness for YOUR wrong attitude and feeling, then you can do anything; even a religious activity with a clean and holy heart and not be sacrilegious. We Christians are called to rise above our own human desires. We all are called to Worship God and to Love one another and all people. Even against our human nature that fights against us. We must love all people regardless of their beliefs or misconceptions in love. We must show them in ACTION, by giving help if they really need help and want help Physically and Spiritually. And, we must always rely on Christ to do the right thing for His right reasons. And not just what we think is morally correct alone. Today is the day to seek and follow Christ. Not on just any customary holiday the world believes in, but EVERY day! All things are allowed if you do them for Christ. Remember, that Christmas day (Or any other day) is not about what YOU can give or get. It is always about what God gave, gives, and lets you receive. so you may learn to Love Him First and love others also. P.S. I suggest that if you have doubts then read in the Bible the Gospel of John (New Testament). Then, read the Psalms of King David in the Old Testament. That will be a very good beginning. In His NAME.