J. Douglas Edwards, LCSW

05/25/2023

A friend of mine recently challenged me, asking me " What will you do for Jesus when you go to Atlanta Georgia?"

I took this challenge to heart, and began to look for activities that I could take part in while in the city.

I decided to pray about it... I began to think "what does Jesus Need for me to do?" The answer was not complex.

All that I ever need to do for Jesus is to love people. Which ones?

Black people, white people, rich people, poor people, gay people, tr*******al people... even Democrats! All of them.

The biggest challenge is to figure out what that means, and how to do it.

Even beyond that, the question is "what is my motivation to love these people?"

It can't be to gain God's favor.

We already have that in an immeasurable amount as evidence by all that Jesus did.

Figure it out. One day at a time. With God's help.

Good challenge?

03/29/2023

Thanks to Marti Jordan for sharing this today.

"I heard a wonderful saying last week… you can’t pour from an empty cup.. take care of yourself: rest, eat healthy, find a support system, do mindfulness exercises, establish a work life balance, and get some hobbies ❤️. The speaker challenged us to doing mindfulness breathing 3 times a day for 2 weeks and see if we felt better."

09/13/2022

September is National Recovery Month and Su***de Prevention Month. I am a recovering alcoholic and a su***de survivor. It hasn't been easy, and I still battle my demons. I have not been alone; many wonderful people have helped me and continue to help me. If you struggle with mental illness, substance use disorder or thoughts of self-harm please reach out for help. You may feel alone but you are not alone.

02/15/2022

Self Righteous Bill
I met a man names Bill several years ago when I was working in a drug rehab program. He had stopped drinking several years earlier through a powerful spiritual experience through which he became a Christian, and over the course of time, after suffering the loss of his parents to cancer and struggling with the rebellious behavior of his teenage sons, had started drinking again. Ashamed of himself that his faith had not been enough to keep him from drinking, Bill bowed his head and wept bitterly.

His family came for a therapy session, and his sons tearfully confronted their father with how they had grown to hate him for forcing them to sit on the couch for hours while he would read to them from the Bible... and for how he would literally preach sermons to them, but had no time for them... and how he had no apparent interest in who they were as people. Ashamed of himself for finding himself addicted to religion, and having forgotten about the love of God for his sons, Bill literally fell on the floor sobbing at their feet, begging them for forgiveness.

Through the process of reaching what he considered to be the lowest point of his life, Bill was given an opportunity to see himself clearly and painfully as the extremely religious, self-righteous, and unloving failure of a father that he had managed to become in his self-prescribed efforts to become "Godly". His intentions were good, but through the course of his life he had isolated himself from others, and could not see who and what he had become. Bill left rehab, knowing that he was weak and flawed as a man, but reminded of God's great love for all. He began to learn of his need for true authentic relationships with others. He began to develop and nurture positive relationships with his sons, and with others who could help him on the road to recovery.

Through his failures, Bill was blessed by God to be given an opportunity to learn that:

1) true spirituality is not about being "right", but is about having a healthy relationship with God, with himself, and with others;

2) having fervent religious beliefs and convictions in the absence of a healthy sense of humility and compassion for others puts a person in the same category as the religious leaders who were the enemies of Jesus; and,

3. people don't care what (or Who) you know unless they know that you care about and respect them.

02/14/2022

11/19/2021

Thanks Christine Caine

11/04/2021

Nine steps to more effective parenting:

1. Nurture your child's self-esteem- be respectful to them
2. Catch kids being good and reward them
3. Set limits and be consistent with your discipline
4. Make time for your kids
5. Be a good role model
6. Make communication a priority
7. Be flexible & willing to adjust your parenting style- kids
change and so do their needs
8. Show that your love is unconditional
9. Be aware of your own needs and limitations as a parent- ie.
Take care of yourself, and ask for help when you become
overwhelmed.

07/27/2021

Selfishness Destroys Relationships. Selflessness Builds Them.

07/12/2021

"The secret to your success is determined by your daily routine." John Maxwell

04/17/2021

These are some of the most profound words that I have ever heard, and it's not just about alcoholism... it's about things that we can't change, and about where we apply our energy.

"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation - some fact of my life - unacceptable to me. I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake.

Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes."

Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), 4th Edition, P. 417

03/04/2021

My Dad used to say "(Boy)... If you hang out with dogs, you are going to get fleas." Bible says "Bad company corrupts good morals." AA says "Stick with the winners."
If we are going to rise above where we are (ie. make progress toward healthy goals), sometimes we have to make hard choices. We can't bring anyone with us on our journey. Inspired by our example, some may decide to come along.