Christmas Grief

14. December, 2011ArticlesNo comments

The holidays can be hard enough but when you have lost a loved one it can make things a lot harder.

I lost my husband to cancer 16 years ago and the holidays just have not been the same since. We have four children who were 16, 14, 6 & 3 yrs old when he passed. The first Christmas was hardest for our youngest. She missed her dad, knew he was with Jesus but wanted him home for Christmas. We all missed him, but she was the vocal one. The older kids didn’t say much but I could see the sadness in their faces. Those first few years I coped by giving them the “material wants”, thinking that would make them happy and not miss dad as much. That wasn’t the answer.

Just being together was what we all needed. I feel that people who know God have it a little easier-they know where their loved one is. It’s still a difficult time, but He will get you through it. People would ask if I was mad at God for taking him. My answer was always no, I’m not mad just wonder why now. There is no timeline for grief. Some years are better than others, but you will always feel the void they have left behind. Keeping the old traditions and adding new ones do help. We continue to have much to celebrate! Scripture tells us “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:3-5.

-Written By Pat Dorning

Copyright Tern Christian Counseling 2011

The Brains Response To Marijuana

9. November, 2011Adolescents, Articles, IndividualNo comments

Marijuana is often called pot, weed, grass, ganja, or skunk. Its chemical name is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. When some use this drug, the chemicals travel quickly through the blood stream and attach themselves to special places on the brains nerve cells, these cells are called receptors. They are called that because they receive information from other nerve cells and chemicals. When these receptors receive information it causes changes in the nerve cell.

In the case of marijuana, scientists have discovered that it can cause same people to lose focus of their surroundings and make others more aware of their physical sensations. Scientists have also discovered that marijuana’s effects can cause uncontrollable laughter one minute and paranoia.

One of the receptors it affects is the part of our brain that controls our emotions, the limbic system. This also contains the hippocampus, the part that processes memory. When marijuana attaches to the receptors in this area, it can affect our long and short term memory. Along with that, it can also affect the ability to process new information.

So although in some instances scientists are finding useful ways to use marijuana in the medical field, we do not want to take lightly using something that has also shown to have long lasting harmful effects on both young and old minds alike.

Our heavenly Father has blessed us with a very special gift in that our brains are capable of doing many great things. Out of love and respect for this gift we would never want to put something in our bodies that could cause potential damage to this gift.

Resource:
Www.drugabuse.gov

History/Mission Statement

9. November, 2010SexualityNo comments

Tern Christian Counseling is a subsidiary of Tern Ministries which was established in January 1987 by Dr’s Dennis & Glenna Frederick. For over 33 years, Dr. Dennis Frederick’s vision has been to keep Tern alive and thriving.

Our purpose is to provide genuine, caring, client-centered, directive, professional, Christian mental health counseling, which includes psychological assessment, training, and consultation to individuals, couples, families, and groups at a fair market value, in a manner that is glorifying to God.

Tern Christian Counseling continues to be a viable for profit ministry meeting the psychological and educational needs for the entire state of Washington.

Please feel free to contact us today to speak with a therapist or counselor.

Specialties

5. November, 2010SexualityNo comments

Korea Outreach

14. December, 2009SexualityNo comments

Tern  Christian Counseling and Cascade Christian Schools are heavily involved in the Korean exchange student program. We have students come from Korea and attend school over here as well as Dr. Glenna and Dennis Frederick have gone to Korea to teach at their schools and churches.

Dr. Denny’s book Conquering Pornography; Overcoming the Addiction  has also been translated into Korean and published. It is now being sold in Korea.

It is an amazing and growing connection.