AUGUST 2011
PA RISH N EW SL E T T E R
From the Vicars Desk
(1) Denial: conscious and subconscious refusal to face truth; (2) Fantasy: escaping the real world; (3) Emotional insulation: withdrawing to avoid rejection; (4) Regression: reverting to less threatening times; (5) Displacement: taking out frustrations on others; (6) Projection: blaming others; and (7) Rationalisation: making excuses for poor behaviour. Defence mechanisms are similar to what Paul calls strongholds (ochuroma). Stronghold means fortress, anything on which one relies, arguments and reasoning by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it again his opponents etc. Paul writes: For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Strongholds are fleshly thought patterns that were programmed into our minds when we learned to live our lives independently of God. So what was learned has to be unlearned. If we have been trained wrong, can we be retrained? If we believed a lie, can we renounce that lie and choose to believe the truth? Can our minds be reprogrammed? That is what repentance is: a change of mind. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is possible because we have the mind of Christ within us through Holy Spirit.
With love and care,
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this issue, lets meditate upon the subject Strongholds of Defence Mechanism In our natural state, we learn to cope up with the life or defend ourselves which were not always mentally and e m o t i o n a l l y h e a l t h y. Psychologists refer to these unhealthy patterns of living as defence mechanisms, and they are certainly not congruent with Christian faith. For instance, many people have learned to lie in order to protect themselves. Other common defence mechanisms include:
Mothy Achen
www.perthmarthoma.org.au
EDITION 8, VOLUME 11
AUGUST 2011
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday School on all Sundays at 9:00AM before the Holy Communion Services. 07 August 2011 Holy Communion Service in Malayalam - 09:00AM Followed by General Body Meeting. (No Sunday School on this day) 14 August 2011 Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM 21 August 2011 Holy Communion Service in Malayalam - 10:00AM 28 August 2011 Holy Communion Service in English - 10:00AM Venue: Murdoch University Worship Centre (near Car Park 5)
www.perthmarthoma.org.au
EDITION 8, VOLUME 11
AUGUST 2011
May the Almighty God continue to bless your family more and more in the coming years. May you be an inspiration and example for others in the days to come. WISHING ALL THE CELEBRANTS HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!
EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE OUTGOING OFFICE BEARERS & PARISH COMMITTEE. MAY GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS ALL THEIR EFFORTS.
Messenger Notes: Please inform the Vicar or Secretary for any corrections or suggestions regarding the Parish Messenger. For any items to be included in the upcoming editions of the Parish Messenger, please contact Secretary.
The Mar Thoma Parish Perth
www.perthmarthoma.org.au