MetCPA

Supporting officers and staff to be the best that they can be

Karen Newbould

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Book Review: The Little Book of Mindfulness

A book review by Karen Newbould

“The Little Book of Mindfulness.”
By Dr Patrizia Collard (2014) Octopus: London

Click here to download a PDF version of this review

“The Little Book of Mindfulness” is a secular book written by Dr Patrizia Collard who is an educator and author.

The book is intended to be a helpful tool for those wishing to practise mindfulness as an alternative form of therapy.  Not only is mindfulness now recommended by the Department of Health it is also noted in the guidelines set down by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence).  The practice of mindfulness is believed to not only reduce the stress experienced in life, but that it can prevent break downs or becoming ill if practised regularly.  The book is a mix of explanation and a plethora of 5 and 10 minute exercises.

The book commences with an introduction to mindfulness, its benefits and how it all began.  Mindfulness is all about focusing your mind on the here and now and using your senses to really experience whatever you are doing mindfully. There has been over 10 thousand research papers published on the subject and it is used in a number of different areas from parenting, mental health, schools and well-being therapies.  “It is even used in treating the immune system, with some positive outcomes for patients with HIV, ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) and MS.

Before the book goes on to provide descriptions of the mindfulness exercises, it provides a few general tips for carrying them out.  From getting one’s mind clear before starting to ensuring one’s posture is correct when engaging in the exercise, noting that you should never do anything that causes pain.  You could always envisage the exercise in your mind instead of actually doing it!

The book is quite small making it easy to carry, it is compact and easy to read with lots of good snippets of advice, with twelve 5 minute exercises and twelve 10 minute exercises.  Each chapter focuses on a different area one can exercise mindfulness in.  Although this is not a Christian book, there are some parts of the book that a Christian may find helpful, for example, being thankful for nature, for life’s experiences and for our food.  The advice is obviously not given for us to connect to God, but as Christians, being thankful to God for our provisions would be something we would expect to be.

The chapters are short with a mixture of helpful advice and exercises.  Chapter 1 starts with “Being in the Now”, which is a good way to start the book as it is really what mindfulness is all about.   Chapter 2 is about “Accept and Respond” helping us to recognise our feelings including anger which is dealt with through a mindfulness exercise.  Chapter 3 is about “Making your mind up” and Chapter 4 is about “Simply Be.”  Chapter 5 is about “Mindful eating” the exercise encourages us to really take our time seeing, touching, feeling, sensing the food and being mindful about every aspect of the process of eating and how it feels.  It also encourages us to be thankful for the food we are eating and even suggests having a regular time to drink tea which could be dedicated to mindfulness.  Chapter 6 is about thankfulness and it suggests writing all the things we are thankful for down.  This simple task is believed to “lead to better health, less stress and a more optimistic outlook on life.”  The book also suggests finding a peaceful spot where you can sit and write your list and meditate on all the things you are thankful for.  Again, as a Christian, you may want to take this opportunity to thank God for everything on your list and this would then become a prayer, bringing us closer to God.  Finally Chapter 7 is about “Everyday Mindfulness” stating that mindfulness is an attitude rather than a skill.

Like the previous book I reviewed (D is for Depression…), this book is extremely easy to read, and is also written in a style which is conversational.  It is very brief and to the point and has a way of communicating empathy to the reader.  The exercises are easy to find and can be done by the reader or can be explained simply to a friend in need or someone you are trying to help.

As the book is small the exercises are also easy to find again, although they are that simple, that if you find an exercise that you enjoy or that you feel benefits you, then I am certain you would only need to do it once or twice and then you would remember it for future use.

This book is a great non-Christian self-help book for those who are suffering with stress or anxiety as well as other conditions.  That said, I believe Christians may also find it helpful in the sense that mindfulness is proven to work, and that I have no doubt it would bring Christians closer to God through many of the exercises.

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Book Review: D is for Depression

A book review by Karen Newbould

“D is for Depression. Spiritual, psychological and medical resources for healing depression.”
By Michael Lawson (2008) Christian Focus: Scotland

 Click here to download a PDF version of this review

 

“D is for Depression” is a Christian resource written by Michael Lawson who is an experienced counsellor, lecturer, author and Archdeacon of Hampstead in the Diocese of London.

The book is intended to be a helpful tool for those suffering from depression and for those who desire to help those suffering from depression, as well as an insight for friends and family of those suffering from depression.  It is a well balanced, down to earth book combining practical help with spiritual encouragement.

The book commences with an explanation of depression; how it manifests itself and why people get depressed.  It then goes on to cover how our painful past can affect us if we have not been able to deal with it effectively and how to leave those painful memories behind.  Next the book examines how the present can be painful when we try to break from the past and how to face the suffering that can cause.  It moves on to discuss how our spirit is troubled by feelings of depression and burnout and how to cope with discouragement, before highlighting the need to discover our identity.  Finally, the book talks about the healing process, when help is needed, to help oneself and others, and how this enables freedom.

The book is extremely easy to read, written in a style which is conversational.  It uses real life examples to which it is easy to relate and uses appropriate Scripture when offering spiritual guidance.  I found this particularly helpful, whether to use for helping others, or if I want to use it as a reminder for myself.  It is good to have Bible verses that are applicable for a particular mood or crisis where it will help lift one’s spirit.  The book also assists with suggested questions to help investigate how a person is feeling, and contains exercises to do that either enable understanding as to why a person is feeling a particular way, and finally it contains an action plan to help make positive steps in the healing process.

The way the chapters are laid out means the book could easily be used as a reference tool.  For example, if someone is having trouble with a traumatic event that happened in the past, they could turn to Part Two and pick either “Understanding Your Past” or “Resolving Painful Memories” and use the content there to help.  Or if someone is struggling with discouragement, they could turn to Part Four “Coping With Discouragement” and use that content to help.

The advice given in Part Five, “The Healing Process”, is both practical in suggesting routes to obtain help e.g. going to the GP, police, Samaritans, and the church, and the kind of assistance that is available.  This might be medicinal, therapeutic (counselling or alternative therapies), and/or spiritual, in that it emphasises our need for God in our lives and the importance of drawing on God’s strength and His promises to take care of us.  It also gives good advice on looking after ourselves by way of healthy eating, exercise, prayer and worship.

This book is a great self-help book for those who are suffering with depression as it helps us to understand why we get depressed and how we can work on ourselves in moving out of depression, whether that is by way of prayer and a change in our thinking, or by way of seeking professional help that may require medication and/or counselling.  In the same vein, it is a great book for those who desire to help others, as they can learn more about depression and understand how to help.  It shows that Christians suffer from depression too, even though some people feel that it is ungodly to suffer from depression.

I feel that the book is written with love and empathy for those suffering from depression and I would definitely recommend it.  I will use it in numerous ways: (i), for my own benefit as a preventative measure in times of difficulty; (ii), to recommend to those I feel would benefit from reading it themselves, (whether it is because they are depressed or if a friend or loved one is); and (iii), as a guide I can use to help and counsel others.

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How does the Holy Spirit guide and assist us to help others?

How does the Holy Spirit assist and guide us to help others?
A guide by Karen Newbould

 Click here to download a PDF version of this guide

This guide will first look at God and the Holy Trinity.  Then it will explain how the Holy Spirit resides in us, before going on to describe how he assists and guides us to help others.

God

The actual existence of God is a question that has been asked since time began and it is possibly the most debated subject known to man.  People of faith believe in a god, and there are many different faiths with many different gods: Hinduism, Islam, Budism, Judaism and Christianity to name just a few.  Within Christianity there are many different denominations; some would argue that the differences in worship or teaching are extremely important, while others would say that as long as we believe in the Holy Trinity and accept that Christ died for us then that is all that is required to be saved.  The writer personally recognises the different denominations but does not feel that they are so important.  If you are a Christian, then that’s what counts!

According to the Bible, and Bible believing Christians, God is creator of the universe: “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  Gensis 1:1-2.

According to Wikipedia the concept of God as described by theologians commonly includes the attributes of omniscience (infinite knowledge), omnipotence (unlimited power), omnipresence (present everywhere), omnibenevolence (perfect goodness), divine simplicity, and eternal and necessary existence.  (Wikipedia:God)

The Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity is described as God in three persons but “how can God be three persons, yet one God?” is a question which has a whole chapter devoted to it in Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: an introduction to Biblical Doctrine.  Here Grudem describes God’s attributes and states that they belong to all three: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  His description of attributes include: eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely loving and omniscient.  Grudem goes on to “define the doctrine of the Trinity as follows: God eternally exist as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and each person is fully God, and there is one God.” p 226 Grudem:IVP (2007)

Holy Spirit Residing In Us

When a person becomes a Christian they would normally pray (whether out loud or silently within our hearts) for God to forgive the past wrong doings and invite Him in to reside in us.  An example of this prayer is “Father, I recognise my need for your power to live this new life.  Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  By faith, I receive Him right now” Evangelism Intervarsity (2015).

As Christians (followers of Christ) we should be striving to be more and more Christ-like each day and the purpose of God sending us His Holy Spirit is to enable us, with His help, to be like Him.

Holy Spirit’s Guidance

There are many references in the bible which describe how God helps us by way of His Spirit.  Paul states “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)  John goes on to say “But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  He will not speak on his own: he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)  In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he reminds us that “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13 and when we are weak and do not know what to pray, Roman’s 8:26 tells us that the Spirit knows and intercedes on our behalf.  This is great news.  The Holy Spirit knows us well and is able to give us power, truth, and strength, amongst other great qualities and gifts of the spirit which enable us to live our lives as we ought as committed followers of Christ.

The writer believes that the way in which the Holy Spirit communicates with us is through the mind; He nudges our conscience when indicating an act of good will towards others.  Listening to God is like listening to anyone – before you can hear Him, you must be ready to listen.  “Listening to God requires a right attitude in our hearts.  In order to listen to God and receive His instruction, we must want to do His will, much as Habakkuk did.”  Cawley (2011).  This desire is mentioned in Psalm 40 verse 8 “I desire to do you will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”  Having this attitude will certain assist us in acting on what God is asking us to do.  It is one thing to hear God, but another entirely to actually act on it.  The writer acknowledges times when she feels that God or His Spirit has prompted her to do a good deed and maybe due to time pressure, for example, on route to work, she has not acted on the prompting.  Often, if we do not do what we feel God asks us to, we may feel slightly guilty for effectively “disobeying” God.  There have been other times when the writer has acted on a prompting to do something nice for others and on completion of the act, she has noticed that she felt blessed for blessing the other person.

So God will prompt us to do good works through faith in Him, and through His Spirit He will empower us to carry them out, as He did David when he was anointed King “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).   As James points out, “faith without works is dead” James 2:14-26.

Christians are encouraged to read their Bibles daily in order to hear from God as it is His living word, and the Holy Spirit assists in interpreting the passage being read on that day.  Quite often we can read the same passage over and over again, and it may speak to us differently depending on what’s going on in our lives at that time.  We all tend to have our own favourite verses too which give us comfort during difficult or trying times, and those same verses are available to us to share with others to help and encourage them.

Conclusion

This guide has looked at God, His personality in respect of the Holy Trinity and how He communicates with us through the Holy Spirit.

 

We have seen how the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us and God promises never to leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).  He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us (Acts) and to help us, it is entirely our choice as to whether we a) trust Him, and b) obey Him.

Finally we have seen how God communicates with us through the Bible and His Holy Spirit prompting us to do good works.  He does not just leave it there: He provides us the power, wisdom and skills to be able to carry the good works out, according to His will.  When we act on God’s prompting not only do we bless others, we are blessed too!

Bibliography

En.wikipedia.org (accessed 21/01/2016)

http://evangelism.intervarsity.org/how/discipleship/6-prayers-help-new-believer-receive-spirit (access 04/12/2015)

How to listen like Jesus for meaningful spiritual conversations: Luke Cawley (2011)

Systematic Theology: an introduction to Biblical Doctrine: Wayne Grudem (2007)

Life Application Study Bible, New International Version: Zondervan (1984)

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PC Karen Mills on Easter

When Chris asked me to write a few words about Easter I thought, oh gosh, why me??!  Then I thought about it and I said to myself “what an Honor!” I should be happy and excited about sharing what Easter means to me.

Does Easter mean Chocolates? No.
Does Easter mean presents? No.
Does Easter mean bunnies? No.

Easter is a time to remember the huge sacrifice Jesus made in order to re-unite us with our Heavenly Father… Amazing that through our faith in Him, we are forgiven our sins of yesterday, today and tomorrow- as long as we repent and ask for forgiveness- the price has been paid by Jesus’ blood.  I used to watch the film “The Passion of Christ” every year to remind myself how much Christ suffered for me and you!  I cry every time I watch it…. Last year I couldn’t watch it anymore… Not because I’m tired of watching it, but because I can’t bear to see the suffering one more time… It brings it to life.. The price He paid.

It is such a blessing to have a constant friend whom I can turn to daily… Not just to ask for help or strength to get through the day, but whom I can say thanks to for all the amazing blessings God showers upon me all the time… Someone who can share my happy heart with… Someone who knows my every thought and every feeling…

Last year I did 40acts… Instead of giving anything up, it was a challenge to do something for others every day.. I sent one lady a text with scripture every day; I bought a number of Costa gift vouchers that I gave away… To random strangers, friends, and colleagues whom I struggled to get along with; I bought gifts for my pastor, my doctor, the youth group at church; I sent words of encouragement in cards to people I knew were struggling; I sent an anonymous card to the community run library to say thank you… And lots more… It was a real blessing.  This year I have given up chocolate, and I am doing 40acts again… Although I have to admit it is harder this year! (Not that one doesn’t feel blessed doing things for others, just that some challenges are not possible or impractical, because of my job!)

Sadly this year my job means I am working Easter weekend, although God willing I will be at a 3hr meditation service on Good Friday, and hopefully I will get to church before work on Easter Sunday.

Please take a moment to reflect on how good God is to you and thank Him for the amazing gift of eternal life!

…”it is true! The Lord has risen indeed” Luke 24:34