No really, it does…at least at my house. Tomorrow we leave for points north and so instead of lugging presents we will have our family Christmas this afternoon when the kids come home from school. Not only does it mean we get to have our own little Christmas celebration but it also means the kids [...]
Entries from December 2007
December 19, 2007
Should you listen to your clients?
In chapter one of Workmen of God, Oswald Chambers has this to say about the work of curing souls (bold emphases mine):
Keep these three things in mind—reliance on the Holy Spirit of God, keeping in contact with people, and above all, keeping in contact with the revelation facts in God’s Book; live amongst them, and [...]
December 18, 2007
“To boldly go…” into a split infinitive?
I’m attempting to finish several writing projects this week before I break for Christmas. I have numerous edits to a scripture and counseling article that I expect will be published sometime next year. I’ve got a couple of shorter essays as well. As I edit my work I am confronted, repeatedly, with the sad fact that [...]
December 17, 2007
Year-end charitable donations
This morning on the way to work I heard a story about Andy Petitte (NY Yankee 2007 accused of taking HGH to speed his healing from an injury). Apparently, he is a believer and has given some apology for his using this now banned substance. Reporters talked to members of his bible study where they [...]
December 14, 2007
The Christmas letter
To write or not to write? That is the question. As a couple, we’ve done letters most years but not for the last 3. My lovely wife decided to wrest the writing responsibilities from me and do one without me. “We have to let them know we are still alive.” So, this week I was [...]
December 13, 2007
Miracle cure for addiction?
60 minutes ran a piece last Sunday about a new drug treatment for certain addictions. Three drugs have been combined and called, Prometa, and are being touted for their efficacy with alcoholism, cocaine and meth.
Always be suspicious of folks hawking treatments that just can’t wait until the research is done because their treatment is so [...]
December 12, 2007
How long should you keep clinical records?
The APA has updated and republished their “Record Keeping Guidelines” (2007 American Psychologist, 62:9, 993-1004). In this they discuss 13 separate guides (e.g., content of records, responsibility for records, confidentiality of records, retention of records, disposition of records, etc.).
How long should psychologists keep their records? This guideline suggests the full record is kept for a [...]
December 11, 2007
Reading about the English language for fun?
Its end of the semester time so I’m back to reading fun things instead of grading papers. Actually, I already finished my grading–I’m just avoiding other important work like prepping for next semester and administrative tasks. On my nightstand is this book by Bill Bryson: The Mother Tongue: English and how it got that way [...]
December 10, 2007
Copycat killings, why do they happen?
Notice that certain suicides and homicides lead to copycat suicides and homicides? Sadly, we seem to be witnessing this with the new shootings in Colorado right after the Omaha mall shooting. Locally, in the past year officials stopped two different individuals seeking to replicate the Columbine massacres. Why does this happen? Is it a desire to be [...]
December 7, 2007
Check out these thoughts on christian hero worship
Check out this good read on our propensity to put certain Christian leaders on a pedestal. Cavman has some insights into this problem and a reminder to read widely.
http://cavman.wordpress.com/2007/12/07/considering-christian-hero-worship/
