Spotlighted Articles

The magnificent and most lovely Name of the God Who was there, Who is there and Who will be there ( 2010-06-12)

What’s in a name?
May I start this article with a question: do you generally have a very close relationship and very personal interactions with people of whom you do not know a name, whom you only address by a rather distant functional title or designation?
Personally, I don’t.   I know the name of each . . .

> Read on

Life Renewal - by a renewal of our mind, or...? ( 2009-09-12)

When negative experiences have left their traces our life, or when we see how much better God has designed life to be, we can feel an intense longing for renewal in our life. I also think of how we can wrestle with specific sins, bad habits or addictions. Often I heard people sigh: "I whish I did that!" or: "I whish that I didn't do this anymore!" Maybe you recognize some of this.
Then, the important question must be asked: How does change in our life come about in . . .

Inner Parent, Adult and Inner Child: ( 2009-08-20)

A brief review of Transactional Analysis in a Biblical Pastoral context

As human beings we are influenced strongly in our speaking and acting by what we experienced in our first years of life. Many scientists have developed theories on the drives behind our actions. The Transactional Analysis by Eric Berne and others uses a metaphor of Inner Parent, Adult and Inner Child, as an instrument to gain more insight into these drives and to make conscious choices.
Below are some . . .

Difficult emotions, social-psychological 'Games' and the Karpman Drama Triangle ( 2010-07-14)

Certain emotions can be difficult or even tough to experience. Powerlessness and fear, for example, are such feelings for most of us. We go to extremes not to feel these emotions. All kinds of addictions are used for example to numb the experience of these emotions. Especially if we have not been guided well as children in experiencing this kind of emotions, we may prefer to avoid them unconsciously.
The fact that many of us have learned early already to avoid their feelings – no longer feeling what they feel – may have painful . . .

Layers and the role of attachment in mental and social-emotional processing
- Part I: A unifying model ,
- Part II: Recovery from painful experiences ,
- Part III: Attachment pain and addictions ( 2009-04-20) and
- Part IV: The quest for a consistent life story ( 2009-11-24)

Part I discusses the architecture of our brain and proposes a simplified model for our emotional and mental processing abilities. This model takes into account that those abilities have a layered structure and are heavily influenced by our connections with God and others, and the connections within ourselves.

In Part II the model of Part I is applied to the processing of traumatic experiences and difficult emotions.

Part III ( 2009-04-20) investigates attachment pain and the addictions and/or controlling that can result from trying to numb it.

Part IV ( 2009-11-24) looks at our unconscious working models, schema's or life stories that guide our behaviour. Often these are highly affected by trauma experiences. Here too, as in the previous parts, the model of Part I helps to get key insights into the dynamics of human behavior as well as keys to recovery. In that recovery, the presence of Jesus can play a vital role.

These observations are of vital relevance for anyone involved in helping people process and/or cope with traumatic experiences, or find freedom from addictions - both the unaccepted and the socially accepted ones.

Abundance of Life and Joy ( 2008-06-13)

on the way out from the valley of pain and depression

In pastoral care I often encounter people who have become aware of some kind of trauma or trouble they experienced in their life. In many cases, this trouble started early and took away a lot of joy and energy from their lives - and often it still continues to steal their joy and energy. I know this also from my own first-hand experience. Trauma and all sorts of trouble - or re-emerging memories about it - can easily rob us of our enthousiasm and energy. As pastoral workers we easily fall into the trap of focussing all attention on . . .

Living as Children of the King

righteousness, peace and joy: keys to pastoral care and healthy living

Living in the Kingdom of God, as His beloved children - what a mighty privilege, and what a great mandate! Such a great thing requires that we explore the Bible to see what God has in view when He speaks of this. I did such a survey and one theme, actually one verse, spoke to me in particular . . .

The Aaronic Priestly Blessing: God's Shining and Proud Face by André H. Roosma Many times I have seen that scientists discover something, and then one recognizes that God has given us a similar advice in the Bible, thousands of years ago. This too, is the case with the deep meaning of a joyful, affirming and proud face of . . . > Read on

Suggestions welcome!

I encourage you wholeheartedly to send me any of your ideas, comments, experiences or other suggestions that might be of interest to Christian counselors. I may then decide to publish these with your consent, or to amend the material that is already here according to your comments.
Questions on pastoral themes are welcome as well. I may devote a subsequent article to a subject about which I see that several questions exist.
More background info, including some on my goals and approach, you will find on the page with backgrounds of the Accede! initiative.

More information

More information is available from the editor of this site, André H. Roosma, reachable via e-mail: andre.roosma@12accede.nl.