• Spirituality, “The Biology of Belief,” and Stress Management by Dr. Josiah Rich Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Stress-Management
    Some time ago I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Fritjof Capra the author of the profoundly engaging book 'the Tao of Physics.'  Dr.Capra received a PhD in Particle Physics from the Sorbonne. In his ground breaking book Dr. Capra elucidated the interrelationship of all beings or life.  Dr. Capra's work rocked the subject-object epistemology (theory of knowledge) of Western Scie...
  • The Intrinsic Power of Spirituality for Stress Management By Dr. Josiah Rich Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Stress-Management
    One of the most powerful assessment instruments used by medical professionals and clinical chaplains is the HOPE Questionnaire.  It is a practical tool that was developed to help patients who stated that spirituality plays an important role in their lives, and "that there is a positive correlation between a patient's spirituality or religious commitment and health outcomes." The HOP...
  • A Clinical Theology of Anger and Stress Management By Dr. Josiah Rich Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Stress-Management
    Over the years as a pastoral counselor I've had to help persons understand that anger and self care are not compatible.  In fact they are opposite and the impact of anger upon one's life is very destructive. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian community the following: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, . . . , be put away from you . . ....
  • Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and Stress Management By Dr. Josiah Rich Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Stress-Management
    The mechanistic worldview of Rene' Descartes (1596-1650) who reduced the empirical world to subject-object dualism is being supplanted by an intergrative worldview. The new integrative worldview not only sees the observable world differently - human beings are seen in a different manner too.  No longer are persons viewed as a mere "Ghost in a Machine" (Gilbert Ryle 1900-1976 and Auth...
  • More Good Samaritans are needed in 2012 Dr. James Key         posted in: Motivation and Inspiration
    One of my favorite biblical stories is of the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells of a man who was beaten, robbed and left for dead on the side of a road. A priest and then a Levite came upon the man, but both avoided the stranger by passing on the other side. But soon a Samaritan stopped, bandaged the man and took him to an inn, safe from harm and danger. I was reminded of this story when I read about...
  • No Reason Janet Pfeiffer         posted in: Conflict Management
    No Reason Ten years ago, my Uncle John passed away. Although in his eighty’s, it was hard on his son, Johnny. Three months later, Johnny’s only child, his beautiful fourteen year old daughter, was in a car that plunged into an icy Ohio River where she tragically drowned. Her mother, Johnny’s wife of more than twenty years, died from grief a mere eighteen months later. An overwhe...
  • Find Something Good To Think About! By Dr. Josiah Rich Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Stress-Management
    Not long ago the heart was believed to be merely a muscle that received deoxygenated blood and pumped out oxygenated blood (liquid tissue) through the body. As a pastoral counselor I have many opportunities to talk about the 'heart' in a spiritual capacity.  In fact, the Greek word for 'heart' is kardia.  This word refers to the soul of an individual which is comprised of t...
  • Childhood Sexual Abuse: “It Wasn’t Your Fault!” Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Sexual Harassment
    The physician-theologian Luke recorded a very extraordinary narrative in chapter 13:10-13 of his Gospel document.  The narrative report begins by stating that Jesus had been teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath day.  It was both his custom, and practice to teach on the Sabbath day. Luke records that while Jesus was teaching, a woman appeared in the synagogue who had a very interesti...
  • Stress Management: The Gift of Release Dr. Josiah Rich         posted in: Stress-Management
    The evening sunsets on the Aegean Sea were always wonderful experiences.  They always took on a greater importance after John and I had long discussions about what he should write to the adelphoi (brothers and sisters) in Asia Minor who were being challenged by certain teachings. Our discussions of grammer, syntax, theology and precise written expression at times left me mentally and...
  • The Signs of the Times Al Spinks         posted in: Motivation and Inspiration
    In preparation for my May 15 seminar titled “Straight Talk about Success and Spiritual Growth”, I sent potential attendees to this seminar a list of four questions.  These questions asked about their goals/plans for happiness for the upcoming year as well as their current frustrations (from both a personal and business point of view).  The response was tremendous and I ...