The Pew Research Center just completed a survey of the long term unemployed. They found that long-term unemployment takes a much greater toll on a person's emotional state, finances and career prospects as compared to short-term unemployment.
For the study, 2,967 adults were interviewed and of that group, 810 were either currently unemployed, or were jobless for at least some period of time since December of 2007. Those who had been unemployed for at least six months had experienced higher levels of "major change" in their lives as a result of the recession than those who had been unemployed for less than six months.
The study showed several areas of life that are impacted by a long period of joblessness.
Let's start with the obvious. Those who had been unemployed longer (six months or more) saw more of a decline in their family income, with 56 percent seeing a decline compared to 42 percent who had been unemployed for less than three months. Even those who had not had any break in their employment reported a 26 percent drop in their household income in the past 18 months.
But the study found other impacts as well. Strained family relations and loss of contact with close friends were reported at a higher rate by those who had been jobless for six months or more. And in terms of career goals, over 43% of the long-term unemployed said the recession has had a "big impact" on their ability to achieve their long-term career goals. Finally, the study found a significant emotional impact to long term unemployment. Those who had been unemployed for longer periods of time were more likely to report that they were struggling with such issues as loss of self respect, doubt about being in the right career, lowered expectations and feeling pessimistic about the future.
Do you know someone who is unemployed for the long haul? This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to that person with the love of Christ. Are you someone who has been unemployed for the long haul? Don't isolate yourself from family and friends, reach out to your local church for help, and know that you are not alone. God cares for you!
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Haiti Conference as the Pastor's Saw It
The other week I received an email from Frantz Morisset, a Haitian pastor from the US who helped us with translation and coordinating small groups for the pastor's conference earlier this summer. I was greatly encouraged by the comments expressed by these pastor's who are serving in such a needy place, and who have suffered so much. Here are some of their thoughts:
"This conference comforted me... It challenged me to help my community and my country... I am now more committed to comfort not only members of my own church but to go beyond... Thank you Lord, you have sent me what I truly needed."
"I was satisfied with my work and concern for church members before the conference... Now I see the need to love, to love more for a truly biblical ministry... I will assist the members of my church in a better way and be available to answer their questions."
Thanks! Thanks CHC [Churches Helping Churches]! I was so discouraged seeing my future... that of my family... ihave a better understanding of God and natural disaster... Good to see there are people who love me... I need help for my family... they are suffereing and I cannot help much... I was alone but now I see there are people who think of me... Thanks."
"This conference challenges me to have more love, more tolerance, and more compassion for others. As I reflect on theh love of the teachers for us, Haitians, it challenges me to do the same... Thanks."
“New vision for love, hope… More commitment to implant new churches and get involved with my team in tent ministries and assistance to victims.”
“This conference should continue through the country… It offers great opportunity to spread the gospel and help pastors who find it difficult to answer to the needs of the times.”
“I am definitely better equipped to face actual problems… Thanks for the American brothers who came in these difficult times… Thanks.”
“It was a good time of reflection… I have learned new ways to handle problems efficiently… how to listen to those suffering… My faith has been strengthened"
“I have been suffering much… headaches, unjustified fatigue, stress… At least this week I am really strong… The Spirit of the LORD is with me… Please do more of this kind of retreat.”
“Can’t wait to share with my friends… I became a de facto counselor on trauma for my church… Now I am better equipped… need to have more for young people…”
“Very relevant… Timely… Thank you CHC, STEP and others. I did not understand what had happened in Port-au-Prince, being from the South... I learned much about ministry in critical times… in time of natural disasters. Thanks to the American team.”
I have many more pages of comments like these, but you get the picture. May these comments encourage you to pray for the pastors and the people of Haiti. For those of you who supported this outreach with your prayers and gifts, may you be encouraged to see how God used this strategic conference.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
"This conference comforted me... It challenged me to help my community and my country... I am now more committed to comfort not only members of my own church but to go beyond... Thank you Lord, you have sent me what I truly needed."
"I was satisfied with my work and concern for church members before the conference... Now I see the need to love, to love more for a truly biblical ministry... I will assist the members of my church in a better way and be available to answer their questions."
Thanks! Thanks CHC [Churches Helping Churches]! I was so discouraged seeing my future... that of my family... ihave a better understanding of God and natural disaster... Good to see there are people who love me... I need help for my family... they are suffereing and I cannot help much... I was alone but now I see there are people who think of me... Thanks."
"This conference challenges me to have more love, more tolerance, and more compassion for others. As I reflect on theh love of the teachers for us, Haitians, it challenges me to do the same... Thanks."
“New vision for love, hope… More commitment to implant new churches and get involved with my team in tent ministries and assistance to victims.”
“This conference should continue through the country… It offers great opportunity to spread the gospel and help pastors who find it difficult to answer to the needs of the times.”
“I am definitely better equipped to face actual problems… Thanks for the American brothers who came in these difficult times… Thanks.”
“It was a good time of reflection… I have learned new ways to handle problems efficiently… how to listen to those suffering… My faith has been strengthened"
“I have been suffering much… headaches, unjustified fatigue, stress… At least this week I am really strong… The Spirit of the LORD is with me… Please do more of this kind of retreat.”
“Can’t wait to share with my friends… I became a de facto counselor on trauma for my church… Now I am better equipped… need to have more for young people…”
“Very relevant… Timely… Thank you CHC, STEP and others. I did not understand what had happened in Port-au-Prince, being from the South... I learned much about ministry in critical times… in time of natural disasters. Thanks to the American team.”
I have many more pages of comments like these, but you get the picture. May these comments encourage you to pray for the pastors and the people of Haiti. For those of you who supported this outreach with your prayers and gifts, may you be encouraged to see how God used this strategic conference.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Friday, July 16, 2010
Marriage is Good for Your Brain
I bet I got your attention with this title! The British Medical Journal reports that researchers in Finland have come to this very conclusion. They found that people who are widowed or divorced at midlife and remain single have a greater risk of Alheimer's Disease compared to people in that age group how are married. Being single and never married at midlife is also a factor. The researchers suggest that having a spouse provides additional mental and social challenges that stimulate the brain and delay the onset of dementia. I have my own thoughts on this matter. I believe that having kids has the opposite effect, it increases the chances of dementia. My wife and I are convinced that we both lost brain cells with the birth of each of our children, and the effects of this are very prominent during their teen years!
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Too Much Time On-Line?
Recently Gordon College did a study of Christian students regarding the amount of time they spent on social networking sites. They found that 54% confessed to "neglecting some important areas of their lives" due to spending too much time on a social networking site. 13% believe they are addicted to some form of electronic activity. I had to chuckle when I read this because of the reaction of my daughter when we came home from graduating college recently. My wife and I were both sitting in our family room with the TV on, but we were both on our individual lap top computers on Facebook. She, like many college age people, are appalled that old people like my wife and I are on FB. But she was also amazed at how these scene looked with both parents glued to their computers, sitting about a foot away from each other.
Are we eADDICTS? I don't think so, but we probably spend a little too much time on FB. It is healthy, however, to step back and consider just how much time you are spending on your computer, and on social networking sites. Let me encourage you to keep a log of how much time you are spending on the computer verses other activities in your day. You might be surprised at how much time you do spend on it.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Are we eADDICTS? I don't think so, but we probably spend a little too much time on FB. It is healthy, however, to step back and consider just how much time you are spending on your computer, and on social networking sites. Let me encourage you to keep a log of how much time you are spending on the computer verses other activities in your day. You might be surprised at how much time you do spend on it.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Saturday, June 5, 2010
God Works Beyond What We Ask or Think
During our ministry in Haiti, God showed me again how He works in ways that often go beyond what we ask or think. We faced a number of challenges during this trip, one of the biggest being the fact that container shipped by Churches Helping Churches never arrived. That meant a lot of last minute work to accomodate the pastors participating in the conference (buying 200 air mattresses, setting up tents, turning the main teaching room into a dorm, etc.). In spite of these challenges, Dr. Jean Dorlus, President of the Seminary, told us that, "this is the best conference we've ever had." Churches Helping Churches director, Thomas Kim, shares his thoughts on why:
Personal spiritual renewal: It is relatively easy to put together a gathering that results in intellectual enrichment. But this wasn’t our goal. We were praying for God to bring healing to pastors’ afflictions as they opened up. The first evening, one of the pastors shared in tears about the loss of his son and daughter. At one point in the conference, one of the most respected church leaders in the country stood in front of 200 peers and confessed a personal sin committed just the day before. The S.T.E.P. faculty later told me this never happens in Haiti. This kind of vulnerability and brokenness does not get crafted by human hands. God was clearly at work.
Practical equipping: I will never forget this sentence that was repeated before and during the conference: “You already have more than you know to counsel those in need. You have the gospel.” Many pastors came thinking they would receive new skills to put in their toolkit, but instead, they learned how to practically use the one they already had.
Revitalized vision and passion: The final day, we gave an opportunity for pastors to come and share final words. Pastor Ford Estima, a leader of leaders, started off, “For me to say how much this week helped me would diminish its value.” After a few more words, he finished by looking directly at the teaching team from the U.S. who challenged and encouraged the Haitian pastors throughout the week. Estima exclaimed, “What you asked for, you will get it!” The entire room burst into both laughter and agreement.
It wasn't until the plane ride home that I realized one of the most important ways God showed up. I met a reporter and photographer from CNN who were on assignment in Haiti. They told me that a major storm front was predicted for Haiti with torrential rains and high winds during the week of our conference. CNN wanted people on the ground to report on the predicted damage, and how people were coping in the tent cities. But, as the reporter told me, it never happened, so we wound up covering other stories. During the conference, the pastors and seminary staff all commented about how great the weather was, and how difficult it can be during the rainy season. This would have been a major problem for our conference as small groups and our food lines all took place outside with the destruction of many of the STEP seminary buildings from the earthquake. We had no idea that Haiti was ground zero for such a destructive storm. Isn't it interesting that the day after the conference, the heavens opened and the rainy season continued after a week break.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Personal spiritual renewal: It is relatively easy to put together a gathering that results in intellectual enrichment. But this wasn’t our goal. We were praying for God to bring healing to pastors’ afflictions as they opened up. The first evening, one of the pastors shared in tears about the loss of his son and daughter. At one point in the conference, one of the most respected church leaders in the country stood in front of 200 peers and confessed a personal sin committed just the day before. The S.T.E.P. faculty later told me this never happens in Haiti. This kind of vulnerability and brokenness does not get crafted by human hands. God was clearly at work.
Practical equipping: I will never forget this sentence that was repeated before and during the conference: “You already have more than you know to counsel those in need. You have the gospel.” Many pastors came thinking they would receive new skills to put in their toolkit, but instead, they learned how to practically use the one they already had.
Revitalized vision and passion: The final day, we gave an opportunity for pastors to come and share final words. Pastor Ford Estima, a leader of leaders, started off, “For me to say how much this week helped me would diminish its value.” After a few more words, he finished by looking directly at the teaching team from the U.S. who challenged and encouraged the Haitian pastors throughout the week. Estima exclaimed, “What you asked for, you will get it!” The entire room burst into both laughter and agreement.
It wasn't until the plane ride home that I realized one of the most important ways God showed up. I met a reporter and photographer from CNN who were on assignment in Haiti. They told me that a major storm front was predicted for Haiti with torrential rains and high winds during the week of our conference. CNN wanted people on the ground to report on the predicted damage, and how people were coping in the tent cities. But, as the reporter told me, it never happened, so we wound up covering other stories. During the conference, the pastors and seminary staff all commented about how great the weather was, and how difficult it can be during the rainy season. This would have been a major problem for our conference as small groups and our food lines all took place outside with the destruction of many of the STEP seminary buildings from the earthquake. We had no idea that Haiti was ground zero for such a destructive storm. Isn't it interesting that the day after the conference, the heavens opened and the rainy season continued after a week break.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Monday, May 31, 2010
Reflections on Haiti
Many of you have been asking me about conditions in Haiti regarding food, water, security, rebuilding efforts, and the spiritual condition of the country. I can't give you a comprehensive understanding of what is happening in all of these areas. But I can tell you why I have hope about this country. My hope rests in the power of the gospel and the men who proclaim and live that gospel, the pastors, some of whom were present at our conference last week. Some of the stories they told us were heart breaking. One pastor who shared his testimony at the conference lost two of his children. One of them was his son who was studying for the ministry and died in the classroom building of the STEP seminary where we gathered. Another pastor lost 27 members of his church who died in the earthquake. Most of the pastors homes were damaged or destroyed. Many who came sacrficed a lot to come, leaving what's left of their homes and families. Two of the pastors I met not only are continuing their church ministries, but also started orphanages for children whose parents died in the earthquake.
What gives me hope for Haiti? Seeing these men, weary, overwhelmed, many suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress, respond to teachings we shared, all rooted in the gospel. This is not evidence of our greatness as teachers, but the greatness of God. If Haiti is to be changed and become a new nation, it will be as hearts are changed by power of God. And this was evident in the lives of these men who left different than when they came. Just the fact that these men haven't given up on ministry is an inspiration to me. Imagine what they have been through, and yet they keep on keeping on. In my first talk, I asked the pastors to give me a show of hands in response to various questions:
How many of you are haivng trouble sleeping at night?
How many of you are afraid to enter various buildings?
How many of you find yourselves crying on a regular basis?
Who are having nightmares?
How many of you have images, sounds, or smells you just can't get out of your mind?
Are you having trouble praying or reading scripture?
How many of you are having trouble concentrating?
Are you more forgetful?
How many of you are depressed, feeling overwhelmed?
All of the men responded in various numbers to each of these questions. But they were willing to come to learn how to minister more effectively to their people. To be honest, I don't know if I could do it. The grace of God was evident even in these men attending. And so I have hope, even in the midst of the most intense suffering I have ever seen.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
What gives me hope for Haiti? Seeing these men, weary, overwhelmed, many suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress, respond to teachings we shared, all rooted in the gospel. This is not evidence of our greatness as teachers, but the greatness of God. If Haiti is to be changed and become a new nation, it will be as hearts are changed by power of God. And this was evident in the lives of these men who left different than when they came. Just the fact that these men haven't given up on ministry is an inspiration to me. Imagine what they have been through, and yet they keep on keeping on. In my first talk, I asked the pastors to give me a show of hands in response to various questions:
How many of you are haivng trouble sleeping at night?
How many of you are afraid to enter various buildings?
How many of you find yourselves crying on a regular basis?
Who are having nightmares?
How many of you have images, sounds, or smells you just can't get out of your mind?
Are you having trouble praying or reading scripture?
How many of you are having trouble concentrating?
Are you more forgetful?
How many of you are depressed, feeling overwhelmed?
All of the men responded in various numbers to each of these questions. But they were willing to come to learn how to minister more effectively to their people. To be honest, I don't know if I could do it. The grace of God was evident even in these men attending. And so I have hope, even in the midst of the most intense suffering I have ever seen.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Friday, May 28, 2010
Haiti Day 5
This morning was the beginning of a bittersweet day. It is my 6th day of this trip, and the last day of my part of the conference. The night before we had a very special time of sharing and prayer. We reflected on what God has been doing, and how our experience in Haiti has touched each of our hearts. We also began to debrief on the strengths and weaknesses of our conference. After another night where the power goes out, and then trying to sleep in 90 degree heat and 100% humidity, I wake up realizing that this is my day to come home (sweet), and saying goodbye to our team and the pastors who have been such an inspiration to meet (bitter).
Day starts at 6 with my last cold shower, followed by the dry cereal and breakfast bars to eat. Our team assembles as the morning meeting is about to being. David Shin from Churches Helping Churches is busy working with the STEP seminary staff printing out certificates of participation (very important to pastors in this culture). Lots of goodbyes, pictures, thank you's and sharing of email addresses.
My heart is filled with emotion as we leave for Port Au Prince airport. It is normally a 20 minute drive but with conjested traffic, poor road conditions, and streets blocked by police due to protesters, we take a round about route throught the chaos of the city. Pastor Jaques does a great job navigating the streets and it takes just under an hour to arrive. Thankfully it is 2 hours before departure and it takes almost the entire time to get through the security checks etc. It is a strange feeling to be in a third world airport when you can't speak the language and you are the only one there since other team members have different departure times (I chose to take a direct flight to JFK, most other team members fly to Miami and then flights to various parts of the USA). Sure enough there is a problem with my check-in with Delta, but after a round or two wiht the supervisor, it is through to the second of three security checks and then on to the plane. The flight attendants were very gracious and inquisitive about my experience so we spent a half hour talking about the ministry and showing them pictures. I was tired, but it was a way to pass the time and gave me another opportunity to share Christ.
A very intense week of ministry and experiencing some of the poorest of the poor anywhere in the world. I will be sharing additional thoughts about this trip and pictures soon, but for now, all I can do is thank God for His protection, watching over my family, truly there is no place like home!
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
Day starts at 6 with my last cold shower, followed by the dry cereal and breakfast bars to eat. Our team assembles as the morning meeting is about to being. David Shin from Churches Helping Churches is busy working with the STEP seminary staff printing out certificates of participation (very important to pastors in this culture). Lots of goodbyes, pictures, thank you's and sharing of email addresses.
My heart is filled with emotion as we leave for Port Au Prince airport. It is normally a 20 minute drive but with conjested traffic, poor road conditions, and streets blocked by police due to protesters, we take a round about route throught the chaos of the city. Pastor Jaques does a great job navigating the streets and it takes just under an hour to arrive. Thankfully it is 2 hours before departure and it takes almost the entire time to get through the security checks etc. It is a strange feeling to be in a third world airport when you can't speak the language and you are the only one there since other team members have different departure times (I chose to take a direct flight to JFK, most other team members fly to Miami and then flights to various parts of the USA). Sure enough there is a problem with my check-in with Delta, but after a round or two wiht the supervisor, it is through to the second of three security checks and then on to the plane. The flight attendants were very gracious and inquisitive about my experience so we spent a half hour talking about the ministry and showing them pictures. I was tired, but it was a way to pass the time and gave me another opportunity to share Christ.
A very intense week of ministry and experiencing some of the poorest of the poor anywhere in the world. I will be sharing additional thoughts about this trip and pictures soon, but for now, all I can do is thank God for His protection, watching over my family, truly there is no place like home!
Blessings,
Dr. Paul
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