Brueggemann articulates rightly of American Christianity that “serious religious use of the lament psalms has been minimal because we have believed that faith does not mean to acknowledge or embrace negativity [1].” This, as Lutherans, we know all too well; that a de-emphasis on reality and over-emphasis on happiness, praise, and blessings sometimes skews [...]
Tagged depression, Psalms of Lament, scriptureThe following article is something our Relocation Coordinator, Marsha Zimmerman, just wrote for the Sem Wives newsletter. It’s addressing them as the time approaches when many of them will be heading out with their husbands either for their calls or vicarage placements. But she offers some terrific practical counsel that would also apply [...]
Tagged CTS, moving, relocation, Seminary, StressThis is an article from our Pilgrimage admission newsletter from several years ago, but the counsel is as fresh as today.
As Relocation Coordinator, I work with many new seminary couples, assisting them with information on housing, schools for their children, and job possibilities. During these times, and when we have guest visitations, I hear apprehension [...]
Over the last couple of years I’ve read a number of books on or about depression in different ways. When I could concentrate enough to read. Two books I read early on I’ve mean to write about for some time:Speaking of Sadness
By David A. Karp
Karp is a sociology professor at Boston College. He is not [...]
Rev. Stiegemeyer asked me to come in as a guest writer and write a bit about depression, mental illness and the pastoral office. Welcome to my world.
Clinical depression is one of the fastest growing and most common illnesses in our country. It affects over 19 million Americans, and yet often goes undiagnosed and untreated, [...]
But What about Me? Help and Hope for Women Whose Husbands are Considering the Pastoral Ministry
by Julie Stiegemeyer
“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. …So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went [...]
One of the hottest professions of 2008 is being a praise consultant for companies. You are paid anywhere from $100 - $1,000+ per hour to assure employees how great they are, how creative their ideas are, how valuable even their lackluster work is to the company, etc. — whatever it takes to restore the [...]
Tagged consultant, Efficiency, parenting, Praise, productivity, work forceIt was my pleasure to introduce a devotion to the deaconess students last night at a fireside chat regarding “The Winter Doldrums,” or more prevalently called [I'm beating a dead blog post here] “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” However, I’ve found many a good resources that discussed the biological causes, risk factors and treatments (mine might [...]
Tagged depression, Martin Luther, Mental Illness, S.A.D.
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