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Depression and the Need for a Light at the End of the Tunnel
Depression and the Need for a Light at the End of the Tunnel

Depression has been called the mental and emotional common cold. Depression is common. However, many people remain unaware. They also remain unaware that depression affects people from the most successful – to the unknown.

Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11 - Cloud of Witnesses
He departed visibly. He shall return visibly. He went to heaven; He will return from heaven. He went away bodily; He shall return bodily.
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11 - Jesus' Ascension
The disciples already had His promise of a SPIRITUAL return to be IN them, but this was different.  The angels speak of another PHYSICAL return of the Lord.
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 6-8 - Pentecostal Power
Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity 
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 6-8 - Missionary Intent
That the residents of Samaria hear the gospel was more important to Jesus than the restoration of the kingdom to Israel would have been beyond the disciples’ imagination. 
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 6-8 - Are You in the Same Business God is in?
A great fallacy of the North American prosperity doctrine is that it presumes God having the same ambitions for us that we may have for ourselves. Such is usually not the case.
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 15-16 - Pray On!
In the days after Jesus ascension and here in deciding on someone to take Judas’ place, they instinctively turned to God in prayer 
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 15-26 - Judas
Somewhere along the way, Satan began to work on Judas, as he had tempted Jesus and desired Peter “that he might sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31b). Judas allowed himself to be enticed away. He “fell.”
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 15-26 - The Church's First Business Meeting
Peter and apparently his peers felt it was important to have twelve ordained workers. This was about staffing the mission.
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 12-14 - People in the Upper Room
The eleven had received direct instruction. They were to “wait and then go.” In obedience they came to this place to “wait.” Their waiting was not sitting quietly and folding their hands. Instead they took spiritual action. They prayed.
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 3-5
Where else does Acts or the gospels speak of the promise of the Father?
Book of Acts
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 1-2 (continued)
Jesus was both a “doer” and a “teacher.”  Teaching without action is philosophy. Those who “do” without having instruction usually end up taking that is unfocused or do things the hardest way possible. As leaders we must “do” and “teach.”
Book of Acts, Chapter 1
Book of Acts, Chapter 1

The four gospels funnel into Acts. Acts is then a too oft ignored bridge from the life of Christ into practiced and practical Christianity.

In each age, the church must be redefined by the Bible and Holy Ghost. If this redefining does not happen, the church gets lost in the wrappings of the contemporary culture. 

Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 1-2 (continued)
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 1-2 (continued)
With Jesus there was action and doctrine. A bird must have two wings in order to fly. The church must also have the two wings of “action” and “instruction.” Seek balance – “to do and teach.”  Both are necessary. To be over-balanced toward one or the other leaves the church weak.
How Does the Flock Look?
How Does the Flock Look?

A tidbit of some of the necessary concepts on providing pastoral care for the 21st century.

Shepherding is not easy. There are many things a pastor must keep in mind, and update constantly in order to be effective.