Here’s this week’s collection of interesting articles from around the web:
1. “Home-Based Drug Treatment Costs Less and Works” by Jack Rodolico
A look at a fascinating new proposal for drug treatment. One of the weaknesses of so many impatient programs is that they help individuals attain sobriety apart from their normal everyday environments. So, once released to return home individuals struggle to maintain their sobriety. This new program works with individuals in their immediate context to help them overcome addictions. The other benefit of this model is cost-reduction. Rehab is expensive, like ridiculously expensive, and now fewer insurance companies are willing to pay for long-term treatment. Which means that many people simply won’t get help. In-home treatment has some real appeal, then. Only the future will prove its legitimacy, but it has potential.
2. “Stanford Researchers Show We’re Sending Many Kids To School Way Too Early” by Jenny Anderson
This is great research that validates many complaints and concerns that other sociologists, psychologists, and parents have. The researchers note that starting school even one year later dramatically affects the overall mental health of children. I doubt that such findings will have a real impact on the way we do education in America (which I think needs an overhaul), but still it is important research.
3. “Who Pastors Pastors? Even Ministers Suffer from Suicidal Thoughts” by Kay Warren
A powerful reminder: Pastors are people first, ordinary men and women who are vulnerable to the same illnesses, life circumstances and woes as the rest of us. Yet they have the added stress of living in glass houses, always under the watchful eyes of church members. Sometimes both faith leaders and the congregation forget that pastors are merely human and expect superhuman feats of endurance, wisdom and knowledge. The unrealistic expectation that pastors and their families walk on water can only lead to deep disappointment and disillusionment, which can be lethal.
4. “Jesus Died to Redeem Our Sleep” by Chad Ashby
An absolutely fascinating and beautiful meditation on how the Cross of Christ changes our sleep. This is so well-written, thought-provoking, and compelling. I commend it to you as a way to challenge your own approach to rest.
Pastor Dave Online 