I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone that can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.
I’ve learned that you can do some thing in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I’ve learned that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you can’t.
I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned that money is a lousy way to keep score.
I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I’ve learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I’ve learned that no matter good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
“So that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
Astonishing! It was Peter, who denied the Lord—three distinct and definite times. Since we are moving past Good Friday and our celebration of Easter, so we should rest for a moment and consider Peter, and think about this “rascal.” He really isn’t magical, or a “miracle worker,” Peter, quite precisely is a definite loser. The best you can say is that he is a displaced and “has-been” fisherman, who hasn’t really got a good track-record. He tries hard, but he always muddles it up. He falls very short.
Peter’s shadow reveals the power of unconscious influence. His shadow wasn’t magical or possessed a healing virtue. In a deep sense we all influence people around us–for good, or for evil. Our imprint on others is quite significant. Our impact is quite noticable. Watchman Nee in his book, “Release of the Spirit.” Nee compared our influence to the “ring” we leave in the bathtub. Everyone leaves his mark. Looking at that we can understand (to a degree) what that particular person is really like. But the reality is, we all leave behind some scum.
J.R. Miller relates this thought. “There is a legend of a good man for whom was asked some new power. He chose that he might do a great deal of good and might not be aware of it. So it was ordered that when his shadow fell behind him, where he could not see it, it should have healing power, but when it fell before him, so that he could see it, it should have no such effect.”
We need to view this thing closer. How exactly do we influence others? What manner of people are we to acheive such attention? Do we really deserve “the praise of men?” Do we go as far as to exult in our shadows? If we really want to powerfully affect others, we have to be humble, perhaps even dismissive of the good that may follow behind us. (It doesn’t belong to us.”) When we become really conscious of our significance or sway, we are in mortal danger and risk spoiling everything.
The kingdom is not big enough for Jesus, and than us–who takes over the center stage? There is a disturbing assumption that we are most significant. We stack-up our blocks and create a facade of being quite exceptional people. The reality is this–we are all very much like Peter, our lives belie what is truly real. But our authenticity really is found in the “blood of Jesus,” which covers our wickedness. That dear one, is our “claim to fame.” Essentially, due to the proportion of our pride, determines the glory that the Lord receives. We often eliminate him from our consideration. Your pride determines His glory, plain and simple. So step up, who goes next?
“The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.” Eccl. 12:10, NLT
I came across these and wanted very much to share them with anyone interested in some extracurricular reading. I have hand-picked these out of hundreds of possible posts. I know these will be a blessing.
There is somewhat of a mixture here. Some will be links to articles on mental illness, and others on Christian discipleship. And maybe, this might become a regular feature here on BB. (Who knows what lurks in my brain? lol) But what you find below, may be an incredibly rich blessing for you.
I. Lithium, “The Metal Marvel”
Discover Magazine has always been a good source of fascinating insight. Lithium for 50 years has been the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder.
An exceptional site that I use daily. (It’s like a carpenter’s favorite hammer.) Almost 30 translations, search topics or themes. It is fresh and modern. I use it whenever I need to “cut & paste” a passage into a post. I’ve tried many and yet, this remains the best.
Research has indicated that bipolar disorder may be up to four times more common in young people who were straight-A students. A link between high IQ and bipolar disorder has been proposed for many years.
Got Questions? A solid and comprehensive place for anyone to sort things out. It’s easy to navigate. It is a “safe” place to think out loud about hard things. Do you have a question about God, Jesus, the Bible, or theology? Have you ever needed help understanding a Bible verse or passage? Are there any spiritual issues in your life for which you need advice or counsel?
Alltop is essentially a news aggregator— they supply a one page site of continuously updated links, on a topical base. They do a lot of broad subjects (I haven’t used it, except for BP news.) I don’t consult it often, but when I do it is almost always great. ( Alltop has started showing Broken Believer posts, yeah!!)
(TS) as it is frequently called, is a neurologic syndrome. The essential feature of Tourette’s are multiple tics that are sudden, rapid, recurrent, non-rhythmic, stereotypical, purposeless movements or vocalizations.
What are the symptoms of Tourette syndrome?
Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics are present at some time during the illness, although not necessarily simultaneously
Occurrence many times a day nearly every day or intermittently throughout a span of more than one year
Significant impairment or marked distress in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Onset before the age of 18.
Symptoms can disappear for weeks or months at a time and severity waxes and wanes.
What are the first tics that may be characteristic of Tourette’s syndrome?
Usually, the facial tic, such as rapid blinking of the eyes or twitches of the mouth, may be the first indication a parent has that their child may have Tourette’s syndrome. Involuntary sounds, such as throat clearing and sniffing, or tics of the limbs may be an initial sign in other children.
Are any other symptoms associated with Tourette’s syndrome?
Approximately 50 percent of patients meet criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and this may be the more impairing problem. Approximately one-third of patients meet criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or have other forms of anxiety. Learning disabilities are common as well as developmental stuttering. Social discomfort, self-consciousness and depressed mood frequently occur, especially as children reach adolescence.
Yelling and irrational
What causes these symptoms?
Although the cause has not been definitely established, there is considerable evidence that Tourette’s syndrome arises from abnormal metabolism of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Other neurotransmitters may be involved.
Can Tourette’s syndrome be inherited?
Genetic studies indicate that Tourette’s syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene but different family members may have dissimilar symptoms. A parent has a 50 percent chance of passing the gene to one of his or her children. The range of symptomatology varies from multiple severe tics to very minor tics with varying degrees of attention deficit-disorder and OCD.
Are boys or girls more likely to have Tourette’s syndrome?
The sex of the child can influence the expression of the Tourette’s syndrome gene. Girls with the gene have a 70 percent chance of displaying symptoms, boys with the gene have a 99 percent chance of displaying symptoms. Ratios of boys with Tourette’s syndrome to girls with Tourette’s syndrome are 3:1.
How is Tourette’s syndrome diagnosed?
No blood analysis, x-ray or other medical test exists to identify Tourette’s syndrome. Diagnosis is made by observing the signs or symptoms as described above. A doctor may wish to use a CAT scan, EEG, or other tests to rule out other ailments that could be confused with TS. Some medications cause tics, so it is important to inform the professional doing the assessment of any prescribed, over-the-counter, or street drugs to which the patient may have been exposed.
What are the benefits of seeking early treatment of Tourette syndrome symptoms?
When a child’s behavior is viewed as disruptive, frightening, or bizarre by peers, family, teachers, or friends, it provokes ridicule and rejection. Teachers and other children can feel threatened and exclude the child from activities or interpersonal relationships. A child’s socialization difficulties will increase as he reaches adolescence. Therefore, it is very important for the child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being that treatment be sought as early as possible.
What treatments are available for Tourette syndrome?
Not everyone is disabled by his or her symptoms, so medication may not be necessary. When symptoms interfere with functioning, medication can effectively improve attention span, decrease impulsivity, hyperactivity, tics, and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology. Relaxation techniques and behavior therapy may also be useful for tics, ADD symptoms, and OCD symptoms.
How does Tourette syndrome affect the education of a child or adolescent with Tourette syndrome?
Tourette syndrome alone does not affect the IQ of a child. Many children who have Tourette syndrome, however, also have learning disabilities or attention deficits. Frequently, therefore, special education may be needed for a child with Tourette syndrome. Teachers should be given factual information about the disorder and, if learning difficulties appear, the child should be referred to the school system for assessment of other learning problems.
What is the course of Tourettesyndrome?
Some people with Tourette syndrome show a marked improvement in their late teens or early twenties. However, tics as well as ADD and OCD behavior, may wax and wane over the course of the life span.
Broken Believers 