Trauma and the Twelve Steps: A Complete Guide To Enhancing Recovery ... Book Review

Book Reviewer . 12 step recovery . traumatic stress . trauma survivors . Bosnia - Hercegovina . Sponsors . Storytelling . Writing . Dancing . Relationships . Coping Skills . Prayer . Therapy

This book shares on pros and cons on 12 Steps Programs. A real eye opener.
This is not a Christian book for it shares on a copy of non Christian values as far as I am concerned, but it could be studied and looked at by strong Christian communities.
It is also a book worth looking at for families to see what your loves ones might be exposed too.

No two cases will be the same.

This book does not intend to be diagnostic in any way and is not a substitute for a thorough clinical assessment. If you are at medical risk of withdrawal or in a serious mental state of mind that could harm yourself or others (e.g., suicidal or homicidal intentions), you are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately.

The purpose of this book is to show professionals, sponsors, and recovering individuals how to continue using traditional twelve-step recovery philosophies in a manner that honors what the psychotherapeutic professions have learned about traumatic stress. This book also explains how rigid application of twelve-step principles can do more harm than good for a traumatized person and how learning some simple accomodations based on the latest knowledge of traumatic stress can enhance the twelve-step recovery experience for trauma survivors.

My suggestion and request that I would like to see the professional community look at two books below: I am getting this resource from a January 3, 1957 Book "The Life and Times of Jesus" and this book was studied at a HBUC in 1957.

1. Is the hospital/therapy a continuation of Jesus' ministry?

2. A Religion in Illness and in Health: New York: Harper & Bros., 1942. Wise, Carroll A.

3. The Art of Ministering to the Sick. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1934.




You may have one twelve-step recovery group that is sensitive to its members talking about addictions or conditions, such as mental health concerns and trauma (van der Kolk, McFarlane, & Weisaeth, 2007).

Jamie's hope is that, her voice as a recovering individual will come through most strongly, even though she used her professional knowledge to justify the ideas in this book. There is an old, Chinese proverb to describe trauma and its effects: "Once you've been bitten by a snake, you're afraid even of a piece of coiled rope."

Her bachelors's degrees are in American studies. Her first major job following graduation was for a Catholic parish in postwar Bosnia-Hercegovina, primarily as an English teacher and language editor. While serving in this area, she became aware of trauma's impact on human development. Her pupils were primarily children and young adults who lived at a parish-run childrens' home. The region was transitioning from decades experiencing the aftermath of a major civil war. This experience during the two and a half years she spent in the country impacted her so much that she left her English teaching days behind, returned to the states, and began a master's degree program in counseling.

As many traumatized addicts have discovered, alcohol use, drug use, food, sex, or other reinforcing activities are particularly effective at killing the pain.

All you have to do is go on the Internet to find a host of people who have blogged about, video-taped, or posted about negative experiences in Alcoholic Anonymous, other twelve-step fellowships, and even alternative programs. People who have had negative experiences in recovery programs are often quick to label them "cultish."

Not everyone who walks through the doors of recovery group has a positive experience. In her practice, clients have shared with her experiences such as, from going to a first meeting and feeling preached at or belittled, to experiences as horrible as being raped in the parking lot following a meeting by a member of a recovery fellowship. Some stories shared with her from some of her clients range from negative experiences with sponsorship, ranging from militaristic sponsors who use belittling tactics, to unethical sponsors who ended up cheating with the wives of sponsees. Such experiences have costed some people to write off recovery programs completely.

Most newcomers who come to recovery fellowship with unresolved trauma more often experience harm than help, especially in the long run, by such an approach.

Even though it is unrealistic to expect a perfect sense of safety at every twelve-step recovery meetings, some simple things that might promote it often go unnoticed. She have absolutely no place for the public shaming that often goes on in many recovery meetings, be they twelve-step or alternative meetings.

Solid sponsorship can make all the difference between whether or not a person, especially a traumatized person, sticks around and gives a recovery program a chance to work. Another major area of offense that happens a lot in twelve-step recovery fellowships, an offense that clearly violates the notion of safety, is when sponsors attempt to work too far outside their scope of experience. More dangerously, they will advise a person with mental health concerns to go off of his or her psychotropic medications because all they need is to work the twelve steps. She has seen this cause more harm than good to countless people who have taken this advice literally.

When she first sought out recovery, she had no problem admitting that she was an addict, but she couldn't quite accept that she was an alcoholic. In the Bosnia town where she lived at that time, there were only AA meetings.


Solid sponsorship can make all the difference between whether or not a person, especially a traumatized person, sticks around and gives a recovery program a chance to work. Another major area of offense that happens a lot in twelve-step recovery fellowships, an offense that clearly violates the notion of safety, is when sponsors attempt to work too far outside their scope of experience. More dangerously, they will advise a person with mental health concerns to go off his or her psychotropic medications because all they need is to work the twelve steps. She has seen this cause more harm that good to countless people who have taken this advice literally.

When she first sought out recovery, she had no problem admitting that she was an addict, but she couldn't quite accept that she was an alcoholic. In the Bosnia town where she lived at that time, they were only AA meetings. Her sponsor, Janet told her to come to the meetings and if she heard the word alcohol, just replace it with drugs ... "it's all gonna, be fatal anyway if you continue." By Janet not preaching to Dr. Marich from the onset, she was able to go to meetings with an open mind, and it eventually clicked in her stubborn brain that she was both a drug addict and alcoholic.

Another powerful way that Janet helped to meet her where she was at on the road to recovery was by demonstrating a clear understanding of her past and how it affected her. The sensitive combination of acceptance and challenge helped her work through her issue of both addiction recovery and unresolved trauma in those early days when hearing one wrong thing could have turned her off to recovery forever.

Janet didn't spoon-feed her recovery; she let her hit some road bumps along the way and reminded her that she was there for her when she was ready to take suggestions.

Janet was knowledgeable about what the fields of psychology, science, and medicine have learned about addiction. This meant she understood the realities of traumatic stress and how it can get in the way of learning new ways of living and embracing recovery. Her knowledge about addiction as a brain disease and the phenomena of cravings also informed her that it's futile to get hung up on one specific drug as a prerequiste to attend and to benefit from meetings.

You do not have to be a social worker or drug and alcohol counselor to be an exemplary twelve-step sponsor or mentor/leader in another type of recovery program. To be a trauma-sensitive professional or sponsor, recovery program leader, you need to honor certain principles: safety and flexibility. Meeting people where they are at is a principle so many professionals and sponsors like Janet already practice. However, the logic of it still needs to be more widely practiced in modern recovery so that traumatized people are not alienated as a result of being retraumatized by rigid professionals, sponsors, or community members.

One of the classic recovery tools is using the phone.

It is a fantastic, ultimate goal for people in recovery from both trauma and addiction to begin operating more with their rational minds and less with their emotional minds.

The physical steps required to pick up a telephone and reach out are classic examples of action-based steps that can aid in recovery.

Going to meetings. The act of committing to sit for an hour is practicing, or putting into action, the skills of patience and self-care, to Dr. Marich.

Reach out to others. If you are working with newcomers, emphasize the importance of small steps. Going around and shaking people's hands at meetings, even if they aren't making meaningful connections, is an action step.

Prayer and other spiritual exercises. Now by me being a Christian, I will share a few Scriptures on prayer: Genesis 15:15; Psalm/Tehillim 34:12-14,20; Luke 8:2 and Mark 7:24-30. And I realize that no two conditions are the same, and at times some might have to be on medication if not in an institution for various reasons.

Dr. Marich shares that even if there are no experiences of spiritual connection, talking action can serve as powerful coping mechanisms to get through difficult moments, or, when performed over time, can serve a function in helping them to develop new, more positive habits.

Dr. Marich shares about the "God box" as a spiritual technique. I would recommend this for Christians to look at seriously.

And at times from what I have studied in Sunday School forgiveness must take place.

Recovery people simply get an old shoebox, jar, or other container and put it in a special place, designating it as their "God box." Whenever a problem or issue cannot stop swirling around in their heads, they get out a piece of paper and write down what's bothering them. For many, the act of writing it down and "getting it out" is a key part of the healing; again, an action-oriented step.

I have said in Sunday School when making a comment "You can't treat God like a part-time lover" and keep expecting results.

Whether it's jotting down a simple statement and placing it in a God box or something out their soul into an entire novel, writing provides a means of emotional release for many people in recovery.

Dr. Marich tell her clients that after they write a journal entry, they have every right to rip it up ... this can be a process of working out the stress. This writing can include obsessions, emotional angst, resentments, past memories, or simply a list of stressors that may just need to come out visibly on paper.

Some even leave unsent letters at a cemetery. The options are endless, it is the physical processes involved with these activities that powerfully activate the brain to help with the overall sense of release.

Dr. Marich made a geographical move to receive her cure at that time, to the hills in Bosnia-Hercegovina humanitarian aid trailer that would become her treatment center. She learned that relationship heals. She told Janet that she believed she had a problem with chemicals. It was in that trailer that she explained to her the disease of addiction and the implications for treating it, and it was in that trailer that they met on an almost biweekly basis, engaging in the healing process that would become the basis of her own recovery.

There is a misconception that to begin healing from the wounds of addiction and trauma, a person needs sophiscated treatment.

A simple smile that we give to the person we're working with as they share something with us may strike us a insignificant, but it might be powerfully healing to the client.

Forging a strong therapeutic alliance does not mean that you have to be your client's best friend. Dr. Marich's view of a solid working alliance is that the person you are working with trusts you, can relate to you, believes that you relate to her, and trusts that the work you are doing together is helping her get well.

In the spirit of growth and development as empathetic counselors, it is also important to remember that, as helpers, they are not solely responsible for helping a client get sober and well.

The term support system often describes the people surrounding a person who literally support recovery of a person and have their best interest at heart.

Recovery capital is the "quality and quantity of internal and external resources that one can bring to bear on the initiation and maintenance of recovery" (Grandfield & Cloud, 199; White & Kutrz, 2006, p. 9). Recovery capital can include a support group, twelve-step meetings, a sponsor, a Church group, a job, hobbies, supportive family, motivation, and a place to live - essentially, whatever the person has going for him or her.

Depending on resources available in the community or certain benefits allowed with state-appropriated services (e.g., Medicaid) many clients can access separate case management services in addition to accessing traditional therapy.

Wise folks throughout the centuries were helping people process trauma long before professional psychotherapy even existed. Though Dr. Marich is not advocating that lay people, or even therapists, engage in any special interventions that she have listed without proper training. Proceed with caution.

In certain African cultures, speaking about the exact details of a trauma is taboo, yet using allegory-specifically animals as characters-is more than acceptable manner of telling the story for the purpose of catharsis.

Songwriting and other performance elements, like dance and the visual arts, are other outstanding ways to tell the story for the purposes of resolution.

Even King David danced.

One of Dr. Marich's dearest support figures in recovery, a wise woman name Denise, often tells her, "Jamie, addiction is one disease where, in recovery, we choose how well we want to get."

One time, early in Dr. Marich recovery, she was sharing her healing ventures with her brother Paul: going to meetings, going to therapy, going to Church, going for massage, writing music, and performing it with her partner. He jokingly said, "It takes a village to help my sister." It is a true observation-one that she feels has helped her to thrive.

I believe it was Cornersburg Media that sent me a copy of this book for review. I review books for publishing companies, marketing departments, authors, publicists, ministries and businesses.

Dr. Jamie Marich travels the country training and helping professionals on a variety of topics related to trauma and addiction while still maintaining a trauma-focused private practice at PsyCare, Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio. Jamie began her career in social services while working in humanitarian aid after the Bosnia war. Jamie is a contributing faculty member with several universities, and she is also involved in the performing and healing arts as a recording singer-songwriter and conscious dance facilitator. She is an award-winning researcher and contributor to peer reviewed publications.

Celebrating What Is Meaningful ... 6/30/2013 Sunday School Lesson

Ezra . Sheshbazzar . Zerubbabel . Cyrus . Darius . Jesus . Jerusalem . Judgment . Babylonians . God . Worship . Feast of Tabernacles . Lebanon . Sunday School Lesson

The Sunday School Lesson for June 30, 2013 is shared from Ezra 3:1-7 (Devotional Reading Matthew 23:29-39). Unit II. Worshipping in Jerusalem Again (Ezra).


For Babylonians history read the week of June 23, 2013 at my blog "Biblical History of Assyria/Assyrians."


Ezra 1-6 describes the 1st return of the Jews under Sheshbazzar or Zerubbabel & Joshua, the high priest, in the 1st year of Cyrus (536 B.C.), & the rebuilding of the temple, completed in the 6th year of Darius ()516 B.C.).

Ezra 3:1-7 ... The altar is setup. Offerings frequented. Workmen prepared.

Sheshbazzar: Persian name of Zerubbabel (fire worshipper) Ezra 1:8

Zerubbabel (scattered in Babylon) (Zorobabel) prince of Judah (Ezra 2:2) ... restores the worship of God (Ezra 3:1); Nehemiah 12:47; Haggai 1:1,14; 2:1; Zechariah 4:6).

Cyrus: King of Persia, his proclamation for rebuilding the temple (II Chronicles 36:22,23; Ezra 1) ... Chronological Tables Of The Old Testament: The Jews ... Babylonia & Persia; 537 B.C.; Edict of Cyrus for restoration of Jews 536 B.C. 538; Cyrus. (Table information used/taken from KJV Precious Promise Bible).

Darius (presever), Hystaspes, his decree concerning the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 6).


Lebanon (white mountain) its cedar (Psalm/Tehillim 92:12; Song of Solomon 3:9; II Chronicles 2:8) ... very narrow & rugged range of mountains on the north of Canaan (I Kings 5:14; Isaiah 40:16)


Jerusalem (the habitation of peace). Captives return & Cyrus begins to rebuild the temple, Ezra 1:2,3, continued by Artaxerxes, Nehemiah 2 ... Temple built at (I Kings 5-8; I Chronicles 2-7). Laments over it (Matthew 23:37).

Feast of Tabernacles/Festival (Hebrews). Three great feasts or festivals in the Jewish year. Tabernacles came in the fall. Day of Atonement, held a week before the feast of Tabernacles ... Held in commemoration of the 40 years' outdoor life in the wilderness, after the Israelite came out of Egypt, when they lived in tents & "booths." This began on the 15th day of the 7th month, Tishri, & continued for one week. (Leviticus 23:25; 23:33-43; Exodus 23:16).


Ezra 3:1-3 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(then)/Holy Land(now); The Altar Built & the Old Order of Festivals & Services Restored

(II Chronicles 36:15-21; Ezra 2:2; 3:8: Nehemiah 12:18; Deuteronomy 12:5-6 ... Reference Scriptures from Sunday School Book)


Ezra 4:5 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(then)/Holy Land(now); The Altar Built,& the Old Order of Festivals & Services Restored

(Numbers 29:12-34; Genesis 10; Deuteronomy 29:2-3,5,7,8; Deuteronomy 29:4; Numbers 28:2-8)


Ezra 3:6-7

Verse 6 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(then)/Holy Land(now); The Altar Built, & the Old Order of Festivals & Services Restored

Verse 7 ... The Hebrews; The Hebrews Again In Palestine(then)/Holy Land(now); Materials Provided for the Temple.

(Ezra 1:2-4; 1:6; 2:68; 1:7-11; 6:3-5)







Monday - June 24, 2013 - Jesus/Yeshua Laments Over Jerusalem - Matthew 23:29-39

Of the scribes & Pharisees ... good doctrine, but evil examples for life. Matthew/Levi wrote for Jewish Christians. Matthew 23 (discourses of Jesus Christ).


Tuesday - June 25, 2013 - The Coming Judgment - Jeremiah 7:30-8:3

Jeremiah 1-45 prophecies relating to Judah & the kingdom of God. Personal history of the prophet, & events that happened during his ministry.


Wednesday - June 26, 2013 - Jerusalem Falls to the Babylonians - II Kings 24:1-12

Jehoiakim procures his own ruin. Books of Kings: history of the northern kingdom after the separation from Judah.


Thursday - June 27, 2013 - The Destruction of Jerusalem - II Chronicles 36:15-21

Authors object written from a Levitical & religious standpoint... II Chronicles 10-36, history of the southern kingdom down to the Babylonian captivity.


Friday - June 28, 2013 - Rebuild a House for God - Ezra 1:1-8

The proclamation of Cyrus for the building of the temple. Cyrus restoreth the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar.


Saturday - June 29, 2013 - The People Respond - Ezra 2:64-70


Return of the Jewish Exile Under Sheshbazzar (Ezra 12:1-2:70) ... 13 short of 50,000 returned ... Many Jews, remained in Babylonian, comfortable, & ran thriving businesses which they had to abandon.


Sunday - June 30, 2013 - Restoring the Worship of God - Ezra 3:1-7


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible, & Zondervan Commentary

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Biblical Teaching: Biz & Affairs ... Decisions & Plans

Godly Worldview . Ideas . Ventures. Business . Proverbs/Mishle/Mashal . Solomon . Poor/Poverty . Temple . Tabernacle . Festival/Feast of Tabernacle . Abraham . Lydia

Through this article there are about seven excerpts from some books that I shared on June 6, 2013 with a small Church.


Proverbs 16:3; 17:8,23; 18:16; 19:21: 28:8

Proverbs 16:3 ... The Upright Are Blessed & Prospered (Prosperity means different things to different individuals) ... Man Redeemed; Faith; The Duty of Believing

Proverbs 18:16 ... Civil & Social Life; Manners & Customs; Gifts, Their Use


Proverbs 17:8,23

Verse 8 ... Civil & Social Life; Manners & Customs; Gifts, Their Use

Verse 23 ... Civil & Social Life; Manners & Customs; Gifts, Their Abuse


Proverbs 19:21 ... Works Of God; God's Providence In Man's Temporal Affairs; God Overrules Human Designs


Proverbs 28:8 ... Prosperity in Business .... Industrial Employments & Products; Trade & Commerce; Usury Forbidden (usury: act or practice of lending money at interest, esp., at an exorbitant rate).

Book of Proverbs 'Hebrew' title is 'Mishle,' the singular of which is 'mashal,' usually translated "proverb."


John 12:8 ... (Deuteronomy 15:11; Matthew 26:11) ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Ministry; His Ascension

Poor/Poverty ... Kindness to (Psalm/Tehillim 82:3-4; Proverbs/Mishle 22:22) ... By the apostle Paul (Romans 15:25) ... Churches at Macedonia & Achaia (Acts 11:29-30) ... The good Samaritan (Luke 10:33,35) ... Christian Church at Jerusalem ( Acts 6:1).


Abraham (Abram) (father of a multitude) called by God, & sent to Canaan (Genesis 12:1-5) ... blessed by Melchizedek, king of Salem (Genesis 14:19; Hebrews 7:1).

Sowing & Reaping ... Hebrews 7:1-2; Malachi 3:10-12; Galatians 6:7-10; Luke 6:38






Leaders Read, They are Managers, Speakers, Stewards in Service, Writers & they use Digital (Internet) Avenues. And yes there are pros and cons. Leadership is about Character. If you don't enjoy writing you will not be good at blogging. (25 Principles For Leadership That Matters by Dr. R. Albert Jr., President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary).



Millionaire Mindset not based on Hollywood ... 29% stumbled across a great opportunity, 27% discovered after trial & error, 12% disliked or lost previous job, 2% discovered at Franchise Fair. 52% Attend religious services, 47% pray & 22% Bible/Devotional reading. Their spouses: down to earth, traditional values, patient & understanding. (The Millionaire Mind by Dr. Thomas J. Stanley, author, lecturer, & researcher who studied the affluent since 1973).


Chapter 11: Empowerment & Enfranchised ... (SHAPE) Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality & Experiences were given to us before we were born. Leutrell 'Mike" Osborne Sr. in the last 25 years, have increased his core competency talents. He developed a third core competency leading the (SBA) Small Business Administration. In 1984, he quit the C.I.A. after 26 years to become an entrepreneur working as an international food broker. (And yes, I have a autographed copy of his books .... Black Man In The C.I.A. by Leutrell M. Osborne Sr.)


Solomon (peaceful), King of Israel (II Samuel 12:24; I Chronicles 28:9,29) asks of God wisdom (I Kings 3:5; 4:29: II Chronicles 1:7) ... build the temple (II Chronicles 3-5) ... visited by the queen of Sheba (II Chronicles 9; Matthew 6:29; Mathew 12:42)

Temple ... built about B.C. 970, standing until B.C. 587, destroyed by the Babylonians (II Kings 25:8,9) ... Zerubbabel's Temple (Ezra 3:8) ... decrees of Cyrus & Darius for rebuilding (Ezra 6:3,13) ... Christ drives out buyers & sellers (Matthew 21:12; Luke 19:45) ... symbolical of the body of Christ (John 2:19-21) ... of God & Holy Ghost, Christians are (II Corinthians 6:16)

Tabernacle/Mischan ... its construction (Exodus 25-27; 36-38; 40) ... typical (Hebrews 8:2; 9:2) ... The First Tabernacle was doubtless the dwelling or headquarters of Moses, & the place where the public business of the nation was transacted.

Festival/Feast of Tabernacles (Hebrew) great feasts or festivals in the Jewish Year. Tabernacles was in the fall. There were also three lesser feasts. Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:25; John 7:37,38; John 8:12)


Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:14,40) ... a country of Asia (Ezekiel 30:5) ... She was a seller of purple (costliness) Purple between crimson & violet (Exodus 25:4; 26:36; Judges 8:26; II Chronicles 2:14)

Lydians ... A country of people in the N. Africa or Asia Minor (Isaiah 66:19; Jeremiah 46:9)

Purple, Red, Crimson, & Scarlet: Of conquest, Types & shadows of the Atonement, of iniquity, of prosperity (Isaiah 63:2; Revelation 12:3; Hebrew 9:19-23; Isaiah 63:1-3; Isaiah 1:18; Revelation 17:3-4; Proverbs/Mishle 31:21; II Samuel 1:24)


Day 289: Most people want instant success. God promotes with precision & judges your heart. When God promotes; He will sustain. God has to establish your roots so you/I can be strong when the storm comes. Being a servant first allows your roots to be established so you will know what to do once appointed a king! (Getting To The Root of Your Problem by Dr. Rico D. Short, Endodontist or Root Canal Specialist to the Stars, Celebrities, Actors, Producers, Writers, Comedians, TV Anchors, Sports Athletes, & Music Artists).


America's Family Financial Expert on Debt: When Ellie Kay & her husband married they were in $40,000 consumer debt & within 2 1/2 years they were debt free & haven't looked back since. This is my goal. (The Debt Diet: An Easy - To - Follow Plan to Shed Debt & Trim Spending by Ellie Kay, America's Family Financial Expert).


How To Protect Financial Data (Chapter 9) ... Various options you can use to protect your Financial Information data & files. Bonus CD-Rom included. (Financial Statements.xls: A Step by Step Guide to creating Financial Statements using Microsoft Excel by Joseph Rubin, CPA).


Free & A Word of Caution ... Some of the Internet's best promotional opportunities are FREE. Good ideas have been stolen from naive, cash-starved individuals by those possessing a lack or scruples & the where-withal to capitalize upon them. This is book is for anyone (for he states the only color that anyone should be interested in is 'green') but especially for Blacks/African Americans for he knows their struggles. (The Complete Startup Guide for the Black Entrepreneur by Bill Boudreaux, MBA, CPA).


Scripture Reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible, The New Devotional & Practical Family Bible (copyright 1879 by J.R. Jones), & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

Are You Living Your Best Life On Purpose? ... Book Review

Book Review . Sailor. U. S. Navy . Military & Personal Training . Coaching & Mentoring . Prostate Cancer . Sunday School Teacher . Veteran . Europe . Middle East . Israel . Trainer . Life Coach . Engineer . Biz Consultant . Motivational Speaker . Psychology . Ph D Student

This book is Inspiring and Motivation.

I am highly elated that Jon G. Hartman sent me an autographed copy of his book for review. My prayers are with him, all cancer patients, veterans and our troops around the world.

He was diagnosed with stage-two prostate cancer at the age of 48 (just six months prior to completing his book).

No good deed or success goes unnoticed without celebration and giving thanks. Be grateful in advance to God, and all whom took part in your journey thus far.

Celebrate and Reward Yourself.

Get Your Happy Dance On!

King David Danced!

Corporate America has played a big part in persuading our governments and the people into creating and becoming slaves to an economic god, the economy.

Only God knows the amount of time He has graciously gifted to you.


11 Key Areas for Your S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Balanced Life

1. Spiritually

2. Purpose

3. Passion

4. Wellness

5. Health

6. Personal Growth

7. Career

8. Financial

9. Relationship

10. Family

11. Social

Your S. M.A.R.T.E.R. Balanced Life

S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals are very: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, Engaging, & Righteous.

GPS = God + Purpose + Significance

God has so graciously gifted you with your Life, talents, tools, and time.

Make Good Use of Down Time.

Walking, Driving, Showering, and daydreaming are good times to plan, reflect, and pray.




Regardless of your religious Belief system, your journey through this book will guide you to seek, realize, and live out your true Purpose in Life. You will learn and come to realize hopefully, that time is a gift from God.

This book is considered second to the Bible as a Life handbook to possibly help when parents, the church, and the community may have fallen short in being effective and efficient in raising and educating past and present generations.

A handbook to remind you and encourage you to always love and respect your family, your neighbor, your environment, and you. To show you how to lead by example and utilize your mind, body, and spirit's full potential.

I understand this quite well: Jon G. Hartman, MBA, BSME, CPC shares "Though he is a follower of Jesus Christ, out of sincere love and respect, he must acknowledge many of those who have been part of the journey for what he learned (A Scripture from the Bible be ye wise as serpents & harmless as doves), even if he didn't agree with their personal Emotional Intelligence reasoning that they may believe and/or teach."

He believes his Purpose is to serve God, and then serve you by being a significant human being.

Much of the sharings in his book has been shared by authors (past and present), Biblical apostles, and Jesus.

He encourages the reader to learn more about Jesus, and to truly seek a personal relationship with God.

What do words like "joy" and "happiness" mean to you? What does success mean to you? How do you define what your Purpose is? Yes, our lives are shaped by the results of all experiences that involved Significant Emotional Pain & Significant Emotional Pleasures.

Before you can truly fulfill a Life of Purpose, you must first define exactly what these types of words describing pain and pleasure truly mean to You. At the end of the day, other people's definitions, opinions, and beliefs don't matter.

Your Belief System has been impacted by the family and culture you were born into, and whom you have surrounded yourself by throughout your Life that have either encouraged you to seek self-actualization.

Your Life exists because of God's grace and mercy. What you choose to do with your Life and how you choose to live it, is your gift in return to God.

None of this is possible without you rolling up your sleeves and preparing to take action by utilizing ALL of your mind, body, and spirit in order to seek and live your best Life On Purpose.

To have a Purpose is to have a plan, to have a plan is to have goals, to have goals is a sign of true passion, and passion is the driving force to get you to set and achieve Life goals that matter.

Your Purpose must contain Life goals.

This is where Life separates people who are just content, and those who hunger to learn more, live more, and love more. Truth be known, if you cannot love and respect yourself 100%, you will always hold back from giving 100% to others ... including God.

You joyfully use your gifted talents, wisdom, and love to serve God and mankind.

Don't get caught in the peer pressure trap of lowering your standards because of other people having a lesser expectation of themselves, or their limited Belief System.

Sure, you can't pick your family, but you don't have to surround yourself with them to the extent that you give up your personal power.

Train and workout with people that are more physically fit than you are, or better at any of the sports or activities you are training for.

Study with the people that seem to be subject-matter-experts, or at least very knowledgeable in the subject area that you are learning.

Surround yourself by couples that live a loving and healthy marriage by example, if you are seeking to better your existing relationship.

Surround yourself by as many strong Christian & Spiritual like-minded people as possible and learn from them all.

Ego and God cannot occupy the same place at the same time in your heart.

Things in your Life will happen and you will not be in control, and as a result, you are going to experience fear (fear = pain).

God created you for His Purpose, His love, & His joy. Your career, education, and personal successes are not needed beyond this world. However, they are needed today as part of your wonderful journey that allows you to live and express your Belief System.

Surprisingly, and even worse sometimes you win when you don't follow the rules or laws.

Rick Warren boldy wrote, "Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which your basic decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.

In the Book of Habakkuk it says "Write the Vision & Make It Plain."

Remember the meaning of success is very different from person to person and culture to culture.

You learn this is not a game you can play by yourself, there are other people involved in this game, and you best have a good understanding of what their rules are.

That is why people, who give up on themselves, never thrive because they never get to feel and live Life with ultimate joy, happiness and fulfillment.

KISS. Keep It Simple Silly!

Most, if not all people have the same desires and needs, of ultimately seeking and experiencing joy and happiness, regardless if it is in a personal or professional relationship. We seek to have pleasure in all situations and avoid pain when possible.

Jon was inspired to write this chapter based on the principles taught by Robbins (2000), in his audio book, Getting the Edge. He identifies humans having six specific needs that are driving forces in their life: certainty, uncertainty, significance, connection, growth, and contribution.

It does not matter who you are, what your educations or experiences have been so far in your Life. We have all been there and experienced many levels of motivational passion and drive at some point in our lives. What is the secret of putting yourself in a state of passion about everything you do in Life? The passion of doing what it takes to become significant and serve God and humanity.

All people need diversity, uncertainty, and a little vanity in their Life. In my eyes this will teach you not to place your trust in man, but in God, for storms will come, things will just happen.

You are never too old to know something new. To earn a higher degree, new language, play a musical instrument, foster a child, or paint a monet.

Jon's Mother turned a young 70, and unfortunately, she had to bury three of his siblings over the past twelve years.

Had each of his siblings known exactly how long they had to live, he is certain, the quantity and experiences of their Life would have been much different, and perhaps their relationships with God as well.

As parents or guardians, it is our responsibility to get every child educated and on track as soon as possible. Your children are gifts from God.

Time, as you know it, will never be replaced!

The world was not created in one day, and neither was your attitude or Belief System.

Become Fit For Life!

Before you run out of time, make the best of it in what ever you do to be effective and efficient in your daily Life.

Setting goals drive you to serve with a purpose.

A good coach or teacher can train you to use all of the latest and greatest techniques and methodologies for reaching your goals.

Define and lay your goals out in every part of your Life.

In May 1980, Jon had turned seventeen when he barely finished his tenth year as a C-ish student. He dropped out of high school so he could join the military. He studied that summer and earned his GED.

He went from an E1 to being frocked to E5 in less than three years.

He decided to go to college after he got out of the Navy, and he had many academic adversities awaiting him along the way.

After he got out of the Nay, he took a decent job working in a chemical plant as a mechanic in North Haven, Connecticut and soon began taking night classes.

It took him three years studying part time to do it.

After three years of passion, pain, and joy, in the fall of 1992 he was awarded his Mechanical Engineer degree.

Only two people attended his graduation ceremony. He received few congratulations from family members, his mother, but very few from extended family members and friends. Not because they did not care, because for some, if they were to acknowledge his achievements, it meant they were staring in the face of their own failures.

He received his AA in 1989, and then his engineering degree in 1992, and his MBA in 2003.

Know when to excuse yourself from a conversation going nowhere.

Small talk can be very important and powerful when it is used Purposefully in an effective and efficient and manner involving relationships, networking, consoling, being cordial, and in business.

Look for subject-matter-experts in your church or community programs. Find a Life Coach, Big Brothers/Big Sister Program, Counselors, Your local non-profits, Support Groups, or Colleges.

You can choose to be a main character, by seeking to be santicified by God, or you can simply stand back and watch His story unfold without you being written into His last chapter, Jon titled it, "Eternity, The Last Beginning."

He suggests you could write a letter to yourself each year at a minimum. He recommend that you do this on your birthday.

This may be very personal information and you may not want to share it with just anyone. Teach your children and neighbor so that you can pass on a new tradition that will bring love, growth, and value to the present day, as well for your family's future, long after you are gone.

Jon G. Hartman is a Ph D. Student studying Industrial & Organizational Psychology. He holds a Master in Business & a Bachelor in Engineering Compounding 30 years of Real Life 101, he is a prominent author, motivational speaker, life coach, and business consultant working in the fields of self-development & training for individuals & business professionals, who are seeking to become successfully & spiritually grounded while living their Best Life.

He is a proud Veteran, who has served his country in the U.S. Navy with two tours in Europe and the Middle East. He had the opportunity to be in Israel (my dream vacation) and walk the streets and paths that were believed to be the very journey of Jesus Christ, where the true spiritual journey began for Jon.

He also has been a Sunday School Teacher and Elder within the Lutheran Church Community.

Nothing Is Going To Be The Same ... 6/23/2013

Sunday School Lesson . Heaven . prophet Isaiah . Eschatology/Last Things . Last Judgment . New Heavens & New Earth . Peace . Old Age . God . Prayer . Universal Peace . Other Nations . Gentiles . Jesus Christ . Joy . Faith

The Sunday School Lesson for June 23, 2013 is shared from Isaiah 65:17-21, 23-25 (Devotional Reading Isaiah 42:1-9).

Isaiah 58-66, the restoration of Zion, the felicity of the Israelites admitted to be its citizens,and the condemnation and overthrow of the enemies of Jehovah.

The destiny of faithful and faithless Jews (Isaiah 65:1-25).


Isaiah 65:17-18

Verses 17,18 ... External Nature; The Heavens; Old & New Heavens

Verse 17 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Last Judgment; The New Heavens & the New Earth

Verse 18 ... 'glad' & 'rejoice" ... Real 'peace' will only come via of Jesus/Yeshua

(Psalm/Tehillim 137 - Reference Scripture in Sunday School Book)


Isaiah 65:19-21

Verse 19 ... External Nature; The Heavens; Old & New Heavens

Verses 20,21 ... The Outward Man; The Body In Old Age; Promised

Verse 20 ... for the child shall die an old man; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.

(Genesis 5:5; 9:29; 11:10-32; 25:7; 50:26)





Isaiah 65:23-25

Verse 23 ... Works Of God; God's Providence In Moral Discipline; Their Children Blessed

Verse 24 ... God Knows Our Needs & Answers Prayer

Verse 24 ... Duties To God; Prayer; Efficacy of Prayer, God Promises to Hear Prayer

Verse 25 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Millennium; Universal Peace

Millennium .. period of 1,000 years


Isaiah 42:1-9

God's Servant: his mission (Isaiah 42:1-4)

The ministry of deliverance (Isaiah 42:5-9)

Isaiah 42:1-9

Verses 1,4 ... Other Nations; The Conversion of The Gentiles; General Predictions

Verses 2,3 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Meekness

Verse 5 ... Works Of God; Creation; Mammals & Man

Verses 6,7 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Figurative Prophecies, Light .... Jesus Christ; Christ's Humanity; Christ Compared with the Father, In Dignity

Verse 8 ... God; Anthropormorphic & Anthropopathic Representatives Of God; Seeks His Own Glory

Anthropormorphic ... attribution of a human form

Anthropopathic ... having human feelings

Verse 9 ... God; Attributes Of God As Person,Foreknowledge


Monday - June 17, 2013 - The Handiwork of God - Psalm/Tehillim 19:1-6

Psalm/Tehillim 19 ... Didactic Psalms: Showing the excellence of God's law

Didactic .. Instruct


Tuesday - June 18, 2013 - The Guidance of God - Psalm/Tehillim 19:7-14

Psalm/Tehillim 19:7 ... Everlasting Life & Heaven Promised

Psalm/Tehillim 19:8,11 ... The Upright Are Blessed & Prospered (Prosperity means different things to different individuals)


Wednesday - June 19, 2013 - No One Is Righteous - Romans 3:9-20

Romans 1:8-11:35 ... practical Christian duties. Written in the spring of 58 A.D. from Corinth, during a stay of three months in Greece, by the apostle Paul.

The failure of the world (Romans 1:18b-3:20)

The Gospel For The World: The Righteous - By - Faith Shall Live (Romans 1:18b-8:39)


Thursday - June 20, 2013 - Sin, Death, Sacrifice, & Salvation - Romans 5:6-14

The joys of faith-righteousness (Romans 5:1-11)

Shall live the righteous (Romans 5:12-8:39)


Friday - June 21, 2013 - New Things Springing Forth - Isaiah 42:1-9


Saturday - June 22, 2013 - God Makes All Things New - Revelation 21:1-7

The New Heaven & New Earth (Revelation 21:1-8)

The vision of final triumph (Revelation 17:1-22:5)

Revelation main theme, "I come quickly," & its objective is to awaken in the believer the response, "Amen: come, Lord Jesus."


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Bible, Zondervan Commentary, The International Teacher's Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder & Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary

Biblical History of Assyria/Assyrian

Assyria/Assyrians . Babylon . Babel . Babylonia . Hammurabi . Law . 10 Commandments . Torah . Pentateuch . Pentateuch at Shechem . Authority . Inspiration . Book of Revelation . Revelation from God

I was assigned a personal assignment by my Sunday School Teacher on 6/16/2013 on locating information about Assyrians character for June 23, 2013. Her goal is that we learn together..


Assyria: intolerant & oppressive (Nahum 3:19); Cruel & destructive (Isaiah 10:7); selfish & reserved (Hosea 8:9); Unfaithful (II Chronicles 28:20,21); Proud & Haughty (II Kings 19:22, 24; Isaiah 10:8); An instrument of God's venegenance (Isaiah 7:128,19; 10:5); Invaded Israel (II Kings 15:19); Bought off by Menahem (II Kings 15:19-20)

Predictions: Conquest of the Kenites (Numbers 24:22); Conquest of Syria (Isaiah 8:4); Conquest & captivity of Israel (Isaiah 8:4; Hosea 9:3); Restoration of Israel (Isaiah 27:12); Destruction of (Isaiah 10:12-19; 30:31), & Participation in the blessings of the gospel (Isaiah 19:23-25; Micah 7:12)


Assyria was a great and powerful country living on the Tigris (Genesis 2:14), the capitol of Nineveh (Genesis 10:11). Assyria derived its name from Asshur, the son of Shem (Genesis 10:22).

Gradually it was extended to the whole region between the Armenian mountains upon the north, and upon the south country about Baghdad, bounded by the Mesopotamian desert, it reached the Euphrates.

Sargon's son became the most famous of the Assyrian kings. He invaded the kingdom of Judea in the region of Hezekiah. Fall of Assyria, prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 10:5-19), was effected by the growing strength and boldness of the Medes, about 625 B.C.

Assyria's religion (Genesis 10:22) was complex polytheism (worship of more than one god).


Assyria & Persians (individuals who lived in Iran) invaded/conquered/ravaged Egypt for gold, slaves, and etc.

Assyrians conquered all of Mesopotamia, plus Egypt and other lands around the Mediterranean. They destroyed Babylon, but built awesome palaces with beautiful sculptures in their own cities. They were known for fine libraries of clay tablets/books on religion, science, history, and other subjects.

Assyrians grew powerful after the time of Hammurabi.





Babylon: Greek for Babel, capitol of Chaldea, built by Nimrod (Genesis 10:10; II Kings 17:30), return of Jews from (Ezra 1; Nehemiah 2), to be taken by Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1,2), its fall (Isaiah 13:14; 21:2; 47:48), church in (I Peter 5:13), and the Great (Revelations 14:8; 16:19; 17:18).

Babylon was rebuilt and under King Nebuchadnezzar it rose to power again. Nebuchadnezzar carried the Jews into captivity. Babylon was overrun, by the Persians who were mighty.

Babylonians rose to power in Mesopotamia.

Babel (gate of El, or Confusion); Nimrod, King of (Genesis 10:10; and confusion of tongues at the building of (Genesis 11).


Babylonia, an ancient kingdom, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, near the Persian Gulf. Ur (where Abraham once lived) was a chief city, on the western bank of the Euphrates (Genesis 10:10), between Ur and Babylon (Genesis 14:1); southwest of Babylon (II Kings 17:24).

Most famous of the early kings of Babylonia were Sargon of Accad and his son, Naram-Sin, who conquered a large part of
Western Asia, establishing their power in Palestine then/Israel/Holy Land, and carrying their arms to the Sinaitic peninsula.

In the time of Hammu-rabi, Syria and Palestine/Israel were subject to Babylonia and its Elamite suzerain, and they exercised their influence and power in the land of the Amorites.

Babylon was destroyed by Sennacherib. It was rebuilt and it was to Babylon that Mannasseh was brought a prisoner (II Chronicles 33:11).


Hammurabi (Chronology of Old Testament - Chronological Tables of The Old Testament) .. Babylonia & Asyria; Egypt & Syria & Other Lands; Babylonia & Persia; Babylonia & Persia, Egypt & Greece, Rome, etc. ... Chronological Table of The Period Between The Old & New Testament: Persia & Syria, Egypt, & Greece & Rome.

King Hammurabi, wise king of Babylonia, who lived about 1,800 years before the birth of Christ.

He had his best advisors search for the best laws all over his kingdom. Business and banking issues dealt with some of the laws. The laws protected all - rich and poor, widows, orphans and slaves. Women were allowed many rights as men.


Law, of God given to Adam (Genesis 2:16), to Noah (Genesis 9:3), promulgated (make known to the public/news) through Moses (Exodus 19:20; Deuteronomy 1:5' 5:6); described (Psalm/Tehillim 19:7;m 119:1; Romans 7:12); all guilty under (Romans 3:20); fulfilled by Christ (Romans 5:18); preserved on stone (Deuteronomy 27:1; Joshua 8:32); fulfilled in one word (Galatians 5:14) & having a shadow of good things (Hebrews 10:1).


10 Commandments, delivered (Exodus 20; 31:18: Deuteronomy 5:6), on tables of stone broken (Exodus 32:10); renewed (Exodus 34:1; Deuteronomy 10:1); and fulfilled by Christ (Matthew 5:!7; 19:17; 22:35; Luke 10:25; 18:18)


Torah, the Law ... Pentateuch, first five books of Moses (Old Testament)

The Pentateuch At Shechem, manuscripts of the Pentateuch form a single roll or volume, and divided not into books but into larger and smaller sections. Five books of the Pentateuch form a whole. Record of Creation, history of world, early history of the Jewish family and concludes with Moses' last discourse and his death.


Authority (Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22)


Inspiration, Dr. Knapp definition, "an extraordinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or written, by which they were taught what and how they should write or speak."

Inspiration and Biblical Criticism (II Timothy 3:16; Luke 1:79; Job 32:8)


Book of Revelation, its main theme is, "I come quickly," and its object is to awaken in the believer the response, "Amen: come, Lord Jesus." Prologue (introduction) and an epilogue (end/concluding/appendix) Revelation 1:19; 22:5 the Revelation lies. Seven visions in which symbolic numbers 3,4,7, & 12 are frequent.


Revelation from God, of Jesus Christ which God gave (Revelation 1:1), of righteous judgement of God (Romans 2:5); from God of Mercy (Isaiah 40:5; 53:1); & of wrath (Romans 2:5)


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, The Strongest's Strongs Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible & Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder

6/6/2013 ... Christians and God's Economy by Angela Watkins, Book Reviewer

Christians . God's Economy . Economy . Convocation . Holy Convocation . Religious Festival . Tishri . Ethanim . Study/Invest . Strategic Planning . Opportunities/Opposition . Personal Assignment


Sharing parts of my Speaking presentation at a small local church on July 6, 2013. The Bishop also had me to type this information on his computer for his personal records.


Christians and God's Economy by Angela Watkins, Book Reviewer

Holy Convocation: June 6-9,2013


I had to look up "Holy Convocation" in order to gain insights into this Festival, and I have shared some Scriptures below:

Convocation: "Holy Convocation" (Numbers 10:2; Isaiah 1:13; 4:5). A religious festival which no work could be done.

Convocation: Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:3; Numbers 28:26 (excerpts taken from Concordance To The Holy Bible... American Bible Society.)

Holy Convocation ... Leviticus 23:36b; Numbers 29:35-38 ... 7th month (Tishri) 22 ... September - October ... A day of convocation, rest & offering sacrifices ... commemorate the closing of the cycle of feasts (excerpts taken from The Strongest's Strong Concordance of The Bible by James Strong, LL. D., S.T.D.)

Tishri .. Ethamin, month of September-October. Ethanim, I Kings 8:2 (excerpt taken from The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible)



Matthew 6:33 ... Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, ....

Study/Invest whether it be your time and or funds. Learn to keep confidential issues, confidential unless it could harm others/yourself. Invest/count up the cost. Pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. At times opportunities and opposition come together. Have a Strategic Plan or Plans.

Study (II Timothy 2:15; I Thessalonians 4:11)

Confidential (Malachi 2:1-9 ... A Priest should guard knowledge... August 11, 2003 Sunday School Bible Reading).

Count up the cost (Luke 14:28)

Invest (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Strategic Planning (Philippians 3:7-11; 3:12-14; I Samuel 17:24-47; Habakkuk 2:2)

Opportunities & Opposition (Psalm 33:10-11; I Peter 1:6-7; James 4:13-16; Acts 16:6-11; Philippians 1:12-18; Hebrews 12:1-2; Job 5:7-11; Romans 8:16-18; James 1:2-4)





Personal Assignment (excerpts from The Life & Times of Jesus ... Chapter on ''The Place of Earthly Goods ... A College Book from a HBCU ... January 3, 1957)

In the parables of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) and the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), is anything stated as to the way in which their money was earned? What is it that made them good examples of a misuse of money?

To what extent do you regard the practice of economic sharing in the early church (Acts 4:32-37) as a reflection of Jesus' teaching concerning earthly goods?

What was it that was particularly tragic about the rich young ruler's refusal to obey Jesus' command? Was it because the poor were deprived of the use of his money, or because he was deprived of knowing the true riches of the Kingdom which sharing would have brought him?


6/2/2013 … Isaiah 6:1-8 … Isaiah (the salvation of Jehovah) … Isaiah’s vision of the Lord’s glory & a remnant of Israel shall be saved…. Commitment – Holiness – Worship – God – deliverance of sin – True encounter with God – repentance – confession … Chapters 1- 6 prophecies against the sinful idolatrous people (excerpts taken from The International Teacher’s Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible)

6/30/2013 – 7/25/2013 … Ezra 3,6,8 & Nehemiah 8,9,12,13 … Ezra (help). Fast ordered by Ezra (Ezra 8:21) … KJV Precious Promise Bible

Ezra 1-6 … first return of the Jews, the high priest, in the 1st year of Cyrus (536 B.C.), & rebuilding of the temple, completed in the 6th year of Darius (516 B.C.)…… Ezra 7-10 … 2nd migration from Babylon under Ezra in the 7th year (458 0457 B.C.) & Ezra’s prayer & confession (excerpts taken from The International Teacher’s Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible)

Nehemiah (Jehovah Comforts) His Conduct in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 8-10;13) … (excerpts taken from The International Teacher’s Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible)

Nehemiah 8-13 combined efforts of Ezra & Nehemiah to effect the restoration of religion including the solemn reading of the Law, the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, the confession of the Levities, the sealing of the covenant by the people, a list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem & of other cities, dedication of the walls, & removal of certain abuses. (excerpts taken from The International Teacher’s Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible)