1. The Most Important Skill: Godly Decision-Making
Karl Benzio, MD
Welcome thanks Greg
Powerpoint and SSDD Pad

2. Your wish is my command!
Magic lamp – what would you wish for

3. SOLOMON 1 Kings 3:5, 9-11 Very dysfunctional family
DM was the most important item Solomon had complete stewardship over.
Only Depended on him. No one else controls it.

4. The Most Important Spiritual Discipline:
Decision-Making
List of 67 Disciplines – Never see DM
To practice any of the other disciplines:
Make the decision to
Ongoing decision to stay with it
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5. Decision-Making Importance
Identify a Turning Point in your life; what was the key decision you had to make?
What would you give to have every past decision be a good one?
If you could Rewind Life, what decision would you change?
What area of your life does not involve Decision-Making?
DM is important, Solomon shows it, but look at these questions
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Decision-Making
Classes in DM?
Most people – Random
E-M-M-M, R-P-S, Dice, Magic 8 Ball, Coin Flip
Bible
Gideon’s fleece, Cast lots, Urim and Thumim, Prayer Dreams
Jesus, Paul, Solomon, David, Peter, James
Biographies of good and bad
Strategy Necessary
Pep talk not enough - need a strategy
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Science and Faith
Darwin and Freud
Faith: the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Science: Hard Data, Measurables
Definitions Collide
Do they work together?
Understanding DM fully, = Science and Faith
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Science and Faith
Science is:
The study of what God made
Understanding how He designed it to work
Learning how to maximally steward it for God’s glory and our abundant living
Science shows us what we are believing and its impact psychologically and physically
Spirituality shows us what we should be believing in.
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9. So let’s not ignore the science.
God’s Great Gifts
Mind/Heart
Free Will: Decision Making
Science is a tool.
So let’s not ignore the science.
Science = the tool that allows us to squeeze the Bible
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10. HELP! I prayed, took meds, and love my mother!
Sin, Have more Faith!
Disease, Take your MEDS!
If we are all Christians, why do we struggle Abundant Living
We look at all 3 spheres separately. The answer involves looking at all 3
Combine science and faith
Disease model really emphasized 1970-present
Spiritual aspects get renewed focus 1995-now
CAUSES? It is really all 3 and we are going to really show how and why
Psychological Defect, Tell me about your mother!
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Treatment – DM is KEY Gets to Core issues and PAIN as driving force
*******Need a strategy
CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, EF, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing
Through Biblical Lenses
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John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Bible on DM, Mind, Self
Why doesn’t everyone experience Abundant or Promised Land Living
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Deuteronomy 30
10 The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. 11This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is within your reach.
Obey, Keep, Choice, = DM
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 19Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Spiritual and Science together
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Ephesians 4:22-24
Regarding your former way of life, you were taught to strip off your old man, which is being ruined by its deceptive desires,
to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
and to clothe yourselves with the new man, which was created according to the likeness of God in righteousness and true holiness.
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Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life.
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1 Corinthians 2:6,10
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.   
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
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19. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Formula?

20. Ephesians 5 1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
15-20 Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;
filled with the Spirit means to be:
controlled, led and empowered
living carefully, wisely, making the most of your time, because the days are evil
sanctified unto progressive holiness of spirit and daily walk and for personal growth in Him in every way;
equipped, guided and empowered for the Lord's service and honor and good works
How do we stay filled with the HS
1 John 1:9
Romans 12:2

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Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Step 11
WKST
Decon/Recon
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2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
DM is a Divinely powerful weapon.
All the Armor are about DM
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1 Peter 1:13-15
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
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24. Karl’s Story Why did I become a psychiatrist?
DM always on my heart
Only PsychMD - Newhart, Dr Bellows, Sidney Friedman - MASH
Bionic Brain, Engineer, Doctor, Psychiatrist, adolescent units, Christian Rehab Programs, Iraq, Uganda, Kenya, Congress, Presidents Bioethics Committee, National Ministry and Social Service agency, TV, Radio,
But …..
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Karl’s First Beer
Fun, rite of passage,
Moving, Stressful home, Loss, Anxiety, Depression, Drinking and other poor coping skills.
Many Losses – Baseball $, AFROTC, Cheating, poor grades, almost no MS,
Ignored Core, Ignorance, denial, projection, suppression,
Self-medicating
Separated MH and then addictions
Spiritual ignorance
Who was really in charge and calling the shots
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Drink enough, knocked on my butt! JAIL
God spoke – kind, forgiving, helping but I was ignoring
Time to look at core issues:
Who is LORD = Master = Instruction Manual
DM = Practical Process = Integrating MH and Addictions with spirituality for depth of healing
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Goal: Mind of Christ!
Jesus’ Brain = Perfection!
Perceived everything from a Godly perspective
Responded with Biblical skills
Need to get more concrete as to how to use the instruction Manual
In Jail
Goal
Jesus’ Decisions
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BrainWorks – My Brain
Based on new scientific research, my brain does 2 things
Perceives
Responds
90’s = Decade of the brain, Research
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Treatment – DM is KEY Gets to Core issues and PAIN as driving force
*******Need a strategy
CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, EF, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing
Through Biblical Lenses
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Hardware = Disease: cause and consequence
Interesting interaction between Perceive/Respond and Brain Chemistry
Hardware!
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S.P.E.C.T. Scans
Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography
A sophisticated nuclear medicine study that looks directly at cerebral blood flow and indirectly at the brain activity (or metabolism)
All of the following slides are used with permission from “Images Into Human Behavior - A Brain SPECT Atlas” by Daniel Amen, M.D.
© Copyright 2000
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Normal Brain-Top
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Normal Brain-Bottom
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36. Normal Brain-Active Views
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Motorcycle Accident
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Alzheimer’s Disease
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39. 25 year Heroin Addiction - 39 yo
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40. 16 Years of Daily THC (Tetrahydrocannibinol) Use 32 yo
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41. 10 Years of Mostly Weekend Marijuana Use 28 yo
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42. 2 Years of Frequent Cocaine Use - 24 yo
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43. 8 Years of Heavy Methamphetamine Use 28 yo
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44. 17 Years of Heavy Weekend Alcohol Use 38 yo
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45. 17 Years of Heavy Weekend Alcohol Use 38 yo
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46. 27 Year Daily Heavy Cigarette and Coffee Use 45 yo
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47. PolySubstance Abuse and then 1 yr Clean
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Depression
Before Treatment
After Treatment
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PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety Before and After St. John’s Wort and EMDR
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Images of PMS
Day 10 of Cycle
(Best Time)
Day 2 of Cycle
(Worst Time)
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Hardware Summary
Hardware Summary
Disease Aspect
Our brains are dynamic organs
Our brains can be injured or diseased easily
Our brains can be strengthened or renewed
Not just born this way
Disease Evidence
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BrainWorks Research
Skin
GI / Cardiac
Panic Disorder Study
Brains are dynamic so lets look at the major influence on that circuitry.
Profound relationship between Mind and Brain Chemistry
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53. Heart of Transformation: Decision-Making
No biological Intervention
But Brain Chemistry Improved/Renewed
Decision-making is exercise for brain
Good decisions = stronger brain
Bad decisions = injured brain
PUSHUPS
ASAM says primary defect of circuitry, but here we see how defective circuitry develops.
That’s how psychology (mind sphere) affects biology.
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54. Integration and DM are Key!
What determines accurate Perception and Response?
Creators Instruction Manual
DM: Science and Faith Meet
Mind
Spirit
Body
Decision-Making =
Spirit, Mind, & Body
Integration
Psychology has it’s limits –
Should doctors save suicidal patients or kill them.
Is sex with anyone OK, what about affairs of pedophilia or rape.
Laws of Thermo 1. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed 2. Systems tend toward maximum entropy unless acted on by an outside force.(contrary to evolution)
Spiritual Sphere affects the psychological which affects the biological.
11th Step – Grow in my relationship with God, understand His will, and do it.
Creator makes an instruction manual
– Science is our way to understand how and why the Bible works
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Summary
Science and Faith
Decision-Making is the key – 20-80k
Most important skill you have 100% control over
Exercise for Brain, Mind, Spirit
Keeps Holy Spirit on throne of Heart
Mind of Christ!!!!!
Personal and Global Revival when we understand and embrace science to
Renew our mind, transform our lives, and be Lighthouses in this world.
Science, understanding the mind, helps us wring out the Biblical answers easier.
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Esther 4:14
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
Our time is NOW!!!
Clinicians/Pastors
Why are we here, Why are you here?
Such a time as this!!
Struggling people will perish Suicide rate Addiction deaths
Royal position – appointed by God – help the least of these(not Jews)
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OPPORTUNITY
Revolution of Behavioral Healthcare in process
Neuroscience and the Brain (90’s)
Holistic Attitude and Culture Integrating Spirituality BIBLE Science – AACC, CCEF, CMDA,
We can improve quality by integrating spirituality into BH
Pt outcomes and health can improve, when society sees this phenomena
General application of Bible into many aspects of life management, indiv and public and social policy will be next steps
Education, Abortion, Same Sex Attraction Issues, Right of Conscience, Physician Assisted Suicide, Freedom of Religion, etc
Psychology should be the most advanced field, but now just moving the last years. SATAN and Spiritual Warfare
A Profound Movement, a Revolution is happening!!!!!
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58. Professional Responsibility/Stewardship
Royal position: The front lines and Key catalyst of revolution.
We will be a main group of Prophets God speaks through in the next generation. To Society and Individuals.
The best way is to be a good student of both SCIENCE and the BIBLE to impact YOUR life(LIGHHTOUSE)
and those you serve.
Practical Theology. Applying the Bible.
Radio Pastors – what is there success rate.
Be equipped to lead and change, because people will look to you for WISDOM = Godly Decision-Making Skills
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59. Lighthouse Network Helpline
Finds addiction and MH treatment options.
Expertise about all elements of the system
Free to client
Saves the clinician incredible amounts of time
We find great options for struggling people
x:101
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60. Lighthouse Network Resources
WITHIN REACH: Disciplines for Real Life Change
10+ Hours of DVD
140 Page Workbook
EDGING FORWARD: Mastering the Art of Godly Decision-Making
8 Chapels(25 min each) on DVD
Stepping Stones Daily Devotional – ed daily
Addiction: Sin, Disease, or Psychological Defect (DVD)
Can Psych Meds Help Christians? (DVD)
Self-Harm – Cutting (DVD)
Bipolar (DVD)
Depression (DVD)
No Other Gods - Decision-Making Model Intro (DVD)
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Any Questions?
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