I trust that everyone had a great weekend. I will endeavor to issue
2-3 e-mails per week. Because no one has really responded to various
requests for ideas I will do my best to make it interesting. Feel
free to comment on what I place.

I wish everyone to remember Acts 17:11 when I place something in the
e-mail, because I will sooner or later place something that someone
will think is controversial.

Acts 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (KJV)

Acts 17.11 Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than
those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and
welcomed the message [aconcerning the attainment through Christ of
eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and
eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if
these things were so. (AMP)

I wish to encourage you to search the scriptures your self - Never
take my word for it - Look to the source, the Word of God.

Malachi 3.6 For I am the LORD, I change not;...

I kept this to post - let me know of your thoughts.


Roger Gauthier


Chronicle


May 21, 2007, 12:45PM
Survey: Houstonians turn to faith before doctors
Scientists dispute validity of the survey

By TODD ACKERMAN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Houston may have one of the world's great medical centers, but its
residents are more apt to turn to religion for matters of health and
well-being, according to a survey being released today.

Forty-three percent of Houstonians surveyed cited religious
organizations and leaders as their No. 1 source of help. Only 21
percent cited doctors. It was the largest gap of any of the nine
major cities surveyed.

"Medical information has become so hard to interpret you almost do
need divine guidance," said Dr. Clifford Dacso, an internist at The
Methodist Hospital and director of its Abramson Center for the Future
of Health. "Plus, at least you know where your pastor is once a week."

In all seriousness, Dacso said he didn't find the survey results all
that surprising, given all the confusing medical information out
there. People look for advice from someone they trust, he said, and
religion tends to simplify things.

The question was just one of many posed in the survey on American
attitudes about health. Sponsored by Cigna HealthCare, it found a
disconnect between reality and people's perception of their health —
more than half said they're in excellent or very good health, but
most aren't exercising or dieting, despite admitting they need to
lose weight.

Houston was the least in denial. Only 54 percent of its respondents
reported such good health, the lowest of the nine cities in the
survey. The highest, 70 percent, was reported in Washington, D.C.

Houston respondents also acknowledged they didn't react well to
stress. Nearly half said they become irritable or lose their temper.
Stressed people in Dallas, meanwhile, said they become silent more
than people in other cities.

The survey was roundly criticized by many experts. They questioned
whether the 150 people sampled per city was enough to draw
statistically valid conclusions. And they noted that some questions
were not finely drawn, such as the mixing of health and personal well-
being, two different concepts, in the one question about where people
turn for help.

Still, Houston religious and medical authorities said the survey
illuminates certain themes. They noted that even in other Bible Belt
cities such as Atlanta and Dallas, survey respondents didn't say they
turn to religion over doctors by the 2-1 ratio found in Houston. In
Los Angeles, 37 percent of respondents cited doctors and only 17
percent cited religious organizations or leaders.

"I think a number of factors are contributing to that," said Michael
Emerson, a Rice University sociologist of religion and director of
its Center on Race, Religion and Urban Life. "Clearly, the Bible Belt
is a factor. Also, the immigration process tends to make immigrants
identify more with their religion. And, lastly, health information
increasingly is part of some churches' outreaches."

Health outreaches have become common in black churches, now
frequently the site of health fairs, medical screenings and nutrition
counseling. One Sunday last summer, for instance, 20 black churches
in Houston presented heart-healthy "mini-sermons" focused on
eliminating stroke, heart disease and premature death.

The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United
Methodist Church, which has held such events, said he was delighted
to hear the survey finding, even as he questioned the sample size and
the likelihood that many of the people polled had experienced God's
healing power.

Health outreaches have not extended to churches such as Lakewood
Church, though a spokesman for the Rev. Joel Osteen said there's been
talk about the possibility recently.

"What we provide is prayer," said Donald Iloff, the spokesman. "Rev.
Osteen likes to say, 'Do everything you can do and rely on God to do
what you can't.' "



Power of prayer tested

What prayer can provide is a matter of controversy — at least 10
studies of the effects of prayer have been carried out in the past
six years, with mixed results. The largest, reported by Harvard
researchers in 2006, found having people pray for heart bypass
surgery patients had no effect on their recovery, whether or not they
knew they were being prayed for.

Iloff said the church would never advocate prayer in lieu of medical
treatment. But he said prayers for health concerns are a common
practice at Lakewood services, whether as a last resort or a starting
point.

Houston was the only city in the survey where religious organizations
and leaders were respondents' No. 1 resource for health and well-
being. In every other city except Los Angeles, a family member was
who people said they turned to first.

The report of Houstonians' stress-induced irritability and temper —
21 percent more people admitted such a reaction than those in New
York — comes less than a week after Houston fell out of the top 10 of
a ranking of cities' road rage. A psychologist at Houston's Menninger
Clinic said it's no surprise.

"Irritability and temper are relatively healthy ways to respond to
stress," said Patricia Daza. "It's a lot better than a panic attack
or using alcohol or drugs."

Four percent of Houston respondents said stress causes a sense of
panic. Alcohol or drugs were not included among the possible responses.

todd.ackerman@...





Lessons in Relational Leadership
Quality Relationships
by Mac Hammond

When you're a skilled relational leader, the people who follow you do
so because they want to, not because they have to. A leader who must
control and coerce won't be leading very long. As General Dwight
Eisenhower once said, "You do not lead by hitting people over the
head. That's assault, not leadership."

Jesus said much the same thing when He said, "He who would be the
greatest among you must be the servant of all." The more skillful you
are at building strong relationships, the less coercive power you'll
need.

My question of the day for you is, "What does your leadership style
say about the quality of your relationships?"

Copyright © 2004 Mac Hammond Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

MAC HAMMOND MINISTRIES, 9201 75th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
Website: www.winnersminute.org

Copyright 2007. Mac Hammond Ministries, All rights reserved.



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