CCSF Newsletter July 2021

As time allows, we will be posting current and past newsletters to this site. Every month we focus on a particular topic as well as highlight other groups and resources.

Historically these have only been sent to subscribers, but we recognize an increasing need to share information and network given the crises our fellow humans are facing. We want to help.

Please enjoy the July 2021 CCSF newsletter.

“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

― Peter Marshall

Dear Friends,

With hopes that your July 4th holiday was extra special this year as we celebrated the many ways we are free. Last month was PTSD Awareness Month so this month we are featuring an article on PTSD. PTSD can be caused by many things, a car accident, watching the difficult lingering death of a loved one, being assaulted, living in an abusive relationship, and the list goes on. It is important to seek treatment, and learn tools for dealing with PTSD. Next month we will feature an article on Lifespan Integration, a highly successful treatment option.

This month’s e-newsletter includes:

StrongHearts Native Helpline

Old Friend’s Club

PTSD is a Neurological Response

Grace and Forgiveness versus Amends-Making

Our next meeting is in September. No meeting in August, but we will send an e-news letter, as usual.

I think our dog days of summer started in June this year! Enjoy them as they linger!

Kindest regards.

Stop the Abuse, Heal the Family, Change the Future

Email: ccsf.hope@gmail.com

Website: https://www.ccsfhope.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristianCoalitionforSafeFamilies

Christian Coalition for Safe Families July 2021

“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

― Peter Marshall

StrongHearts Native Helpline

American Indian and Alaska Native women suffer some of the highest rates of violence and murder in the United States, a crisis that has diminished the honored status of women and safety in tribal communities. StrongHearts Native Helpline is a culturally-appropriate, anonymous, confidential service dedicated to serving Native American survivors of domestic violence and concerned family members and friends. By dialing 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483), nationwide 24/7, callers can connect at no cost one-on-one with knowledgeable StrongHearts advocates who can provide lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable survivors to find safety and live lives free of abuse.

Do you know about Old Friend’s Club?

Old Friends Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit promoting social engagement for people living with Alzheimer’s, stroke or other cognitive challenges, and a healthy break for family caregivers. The programs improve quality of life for both the person with a diagnosis and their family caregivers. The Club makes it possible for people living with Alzheimer’s, stroke, Parkinson’s or other dementia to be active socially, cognitively and physically. Each program is led by two experienced staff members, together with trained volunteers, who create an environment of trust, respect, joy, and friendship.

OFC staff plan and facilitate activities to promote conversation, artistic expression, friendly competition, physical activity, and uniting laughter. Caregivers find time to rest and care for themselves while their loved one is with people they trust. With ongoing support, education and resources, OFC helps caregivers navigate challenges and plan for changing needs so they can be resilient and thrive throughout their caregiving journey. OFC has respite programs in Carnation, Kirkland and Sammamish, and soon in Bellevue.

For more information, see https://www.oldfriendsclub.org or 425-681-9776.

Did you know that mothers experiencing homelessness have three times the rate of PTSD than mothers in homes? Statistic from www.domesticshelters.com.

PTSD is a Neurological Response

Trauma worsens with time and the lack of treatment because the brain automatically reacts in similar traumatized ways. Each time it does the same thing, it hard-wires the reaction making the traumatic reaction the predominant reaction to a trigger. Without tools and intervention, years and decades can roll off the calendar with your symptoms becoming more ingrained.

Because PTSD is now seen as a neuro-injury similar to a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), it is approached with techniques to help the brain correct the wrong reaction. People with TBIs go to rehab for their brain injury. People with PTSD need similar neuro interventions—tools and techniques for intervention at the time your brain is trying to have a traumatic reactionary meltdown.

Since your brain affects your moods and emotions which eventually effect your behavior, sometimes within seconds, tools for calming, cooling and intervening on escalating reactions are necessary.

Trauma recovery is not something a therapist does to you. It is something you must learn the techniques for and apply when your brain is trying to do the wrong thing.

It is unreasonable to assume that trauma will just get better on its own without your own personalized toolbox with a variety of techniques to calm a swatch of different symptoms.

Read about this challenge resulting from any number of toxic relational interactions, accidents, war, and so forth.

Excerpt from Pathological (Toxic) Love Relationships: Creating a Toolbox, 2016, Sandra L. Brown. See many helpful tools at https://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com.

Does Grace and Forgiveness Erase Negative Consequence or Amends-Making after Serious Sin?

By Leslie Vernick

When a wounded spouse eventually starts implementing boundaries and consequences, she is often accused of being unforgiving and lacking grace by some Christians. But is it possible that boundaries and consequences are evidence of godly love? When a wife refuses to pretend, to placate, or continue the same destructive dance, she is not only doing that for her welfare, but also for his. This is biblical love at it’s best. It’s risky, sacrificial, and acts in the best interests of both.

When the abuser pours on the charm, attempting to persuade us that God is doing a great work in his/her heart, is it necessarily true? Are the tears saying I’m sorry (that I’m caught in my own game – my words, not the author’s), poor me? Genuine repentance acknowledges that serious and repetitive sin does have negative consequences on relationships. Is he willing to do what it takes to change and make amends? If there is no evidence of these things, then the sadness is sorrow for themselves, not godly sorrow. Words won’t show you these things, only actions over time will show you.

To read the entire article by Leslie Vernick, from April 13, 2016, see https://leslievernick.com/grace- forgiveness-erase-negative-consequences-amends-making-serious-sin/.

Note that there are 187 comments following the article. There are definitely people on both sides of this fence!