No Other Gods A DecisionMaking Model for Transformational

No Other Gods: A Decision-Making Model for Transformational Heart Surgery Karl Benzio, MD

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? Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 2

Your wish is my command!

SOLOMON 1 Kings 3: 5, 9 -11

The Most Important Spiritual Discipline: Decision-Making Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Decision-Making • Classes in DM? • Bible – Jesus, Paul, Solomon, David, Peter, James – Biographies of good and bad • 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 • Strategy Necessary Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

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Sin, Have more Faith! Disease, Take your MEDS! Psychological Defect, Tell me about your mother! Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network HELP! I prayed, took meds, and love my mother!

Today’s Goals • Understand Decision-Making Better – Importance – Mechanics – Spirit, Mind, Body Integration • Practical Equipping for You – Personally – Help those you work with – Today – Matrix Moments Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

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? Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 10

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 Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 11

God’s Great Gifts Mind/Heart Free Will: Decision Making Science is a tool. So let’s not ignore the science. Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 12

Karl’s Story Why did I become a psychiatrist? Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 13

Karl’s First Beer Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 14

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Real Dysfunction • Rom 7: 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate • 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Real Dysfunction • 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Mind of Christ! Jesus’ Brain = Perfection! 1. Perceived everything from a Godly perspective 2. Responded with Biblical skills Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Brain. Works – My Brain Based on new scientific research, my brain does 2 things 1. Perceives 2. Responds Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Brain. Works Research Skin GI / Cardiac Panic Disorder Study Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 28

Panic DO, Depression, and Anxiety Before and After St. John’s Wort, therapy, and EMDR Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

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 Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 30

Integration and DM are Key! What determines accurate Perception and Response? Human Manuals – Distort lenses and response Holy Bible – God’s Instruction Manual Mind Decision-Making = Spirit, Mind, & Body Integration Body Spirit DM: Science and Faith Meet Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 31

What Determines Good Decision-Making? • Creators create awesome things – You and Your Brain • Your Creator was kind enough to give you an instruction manual • What do you use for your instruction manual? – How is that going • Why not use the creators Instruction Manual? – The Holy Bible vs Spiritual Warfare • But How? !? ! Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 32

19 Today 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. Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

John 10: 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Proverbs 4: 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it flows the wellspring of life. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23: 7

Romans 12 : 1 -2 I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will iswhat is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

1 Peter 1: 13 -15 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep a clear head, and set your hope completely on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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.

2 Corinthians 10: 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ

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. Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Consequences of Wrong DM • Mark 12: 30 -31 • Spiritual: – Interferes with our relationship with God – Flesh on throne of heart – Fruit of Flesh • Psychological: – Interferes with our relationship with ourselves – Interferes with our relationships with others – Impairs psychological development/maturity • Physiological: Short circuits/injures brain chemistry Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

There is a strategy to transform • The Holy Spirit is perfect • We are not. DM is the key Spiritual Discipline • Therefore, a strategy exists that we need to follow. All 3 Spheres! • Reflect, Detect, Resurrect • Nobody ever teaches us thoroughly about decision-making skills. – Jesus, James, Peter, Proverbs, Paul’s letters Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Decision-Making Strategy • How many Decisions per day? • Decisions Determine the course of your life. • Decisions determine whether your brain gets stronger or weaker • How do you make decisions? Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 44

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Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment SPEARS • • • All the elements Right sequence Requires thought Requires intention Requires practice Response Summary Thought Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 46

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network Stimuli • Stimuli is anything that acts on or mobilizes your coping mechanisms • All stimuli is neutral • God is sovereign

What word do you see? Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 48

Test • How many squares are there? • Hint: What is the most important question? • Is this the only way to view this? Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 50

Perception Exercise • Things are not always as they seem: 84! • Assumptions • Jumping to conclusions • Knee-jerk reactions Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 51

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Perception • Perception is what really drives the decision-making process • Subconscious • We are usually unaware of perception because it occurs so fast in the decision-making process • Adversary with a Strategy Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 52

Devil Dogs Bell Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network No Drool Meat Drool

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network Perception • Satan gets to us as early as possible, when we are most gullible • Unpack Life - FOO • Our brains our easily influenced as kids (neuroplasticity) • Relationships • Maturity is seeing life clearly

Filters GPT • Greatest Perceived Threat GPN • Greatest Perceived Need LDO • Life Depends On C • Confidence M • Motivation

Acts 28: 26, 27 • Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. • For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. ’ Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 56

Emotions Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 57

God has lots of emotions! • • Anger – Mat 23, Mark 3, John 2, 2 Kings 24 Jealousy – Exodus 20, Deut 6 Sad/Wept – Luke 19, John 11, Heb 5 Troubled – John 12 Forsaken – Matt 27 Abandoned – Matt 27 Tempted – Matt 4 Worried – Luke 22 Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 58

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Emotion • Warning system • Not a decision-making system • Distort reality - Court - Doctors • Volume Buttons • Biblical truths soothe Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 59

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Assessment • Who is stronger: a tiger or a man? • Emotional and intellectual volume – We fail when we let our emotions rule our intellect – Poor tolerance and soothing of negative feelings Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 60

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Assessment • Options • Pros and Cons • Weigh pros and cons using the filters (GPT, GPN, LDO, C, M) – SMB Damage/growth – Motivators Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 61

• Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. • Proverbs 4: 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 62

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Response • We need a relationship with God • We need to put on the Armor of God • Is this helping me or others become more Christ-like? • WWJD? • Mark 12: 30 • Sometimes a combo of options Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 63

Stimuli Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought • After review of each element • Celebrate our successes, and learn from our failures • Are my responses working for long term health • Heart Change • Self-reflection and assessment is paramount • Autopsy Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 64

Driving Force for Dysfunction Stimuli PAIN Perception Emotion Assessment Response Summary Thought Old Beliefs New Beliefs Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 65

Main Problems OLD Beliefs-Lies NEW Beliefs-Truth Negative feelings are bad Negative feelings are our warning system I am all alone Jesus is with me, hook his yoke We can’t endure negative feelings We can endure and grow and God will meet us We only have skills and of 8 yo We have skills and of an adult Talking about them is bad Talking abut them is good One variable is same, so all are same One variable is same, so only one is same

Deconstruction/Reconstruction • • • Prospective Retrospective – Autopsy Flexibility Journaling Thinking about it more – then real time use Skills need Practice Behavioral Change Examination of Heart Change leads to Real Transformation Motivators for Change Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

Deconstruction S – “Screen Door is Broken” P – Rubic – Intruding on my agenda for the day GPT – not good enough, incompetent, not in control GPN – control, competency, power, authority LDO – me being in charge to minimize pain C – my ability to control and manipulate, verbally argue, control = power = soothing M – not feel the pain, be in charge or in control, do what I want to do when I want to do it

Deconstruction E – incompetent, worthless, failure, poor husband, falling behind, angry, E Volume = 8 T Volume = 1 A – ignore, yell(leave me alone, I’m busy), shift blame(you and girls broke it), pick on her(laundry not done), pros/cons based on my filters/motivators R – ignore, then blame them ST – got her off my back and on a different topic, get to do my agenda and watch the game Pain – incompetence, no control, exposed, out of agenda old beliefs: I’m a little kid, people telling me what to do, blaming me, I’m responsible for their feelings, this will ruin my day and all the other activities

Reconstruction Pain – new beliefs: Neg feelings are only warning system, God is sharing my yoke, God provides peace and comfort, I’m an adult, Won’t last long He brought this for a reason for my growth so embrace it

Reconstruction S – “Screen Door is Broken” P – Rubick – Opportunity and chance to serve my wife GPT – dishonoring God, Flesh on throne, out of God’s will SMB impact, hurting my wife GPN – God’s will, please God, SMB growth, fruit of Spirit, LDO – Mind of Christ – SMB growth, Ambassador C – God’s promises, Love, Forgiveness, Character, Instruction, His plan has worked in the past M – SMB growth, Fruit of Spirit, giving back to God

Reconstruction E – interested, curious, connected to wife, slight excitement, sl financial worry but know God provides E Volume = + 4 -1. 5 T Volume = 8 A – “wait till I am finished”, teamwork – call handyman, check our budget, go to home depot together pros/cons based on my filters/motivators R – ask her to wait 15 minutes then we check it together, agree we can live with it but if it gets worse, call handyman for advice ST – honored God, wife, myself, SPEARS was good, SMB +, fruit of spirit, no fruit of flesh Pain – not much relational and was able to rely on God to see me thru the slight disruption and financial concern

Hardware Summary DM Key Points • • Most important Spiritual Discipline Bible talks the most about DM Exercise for the Brain, Spirit, Mind Intersection of S, M, B Intersection of Science and Faith Need a Strategy, Slow the Mind Reveals what’s in the Heart Easiest way to reflect/detect/resurrect Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 74

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 • Free Stepping Stones Daily Devotional – Emailed daily • Solomon’s Portico – Devotional for Teens/Young Adults • Addiction: Sin, Disease, or Psychological Defect (DVD) • Can Psych Meds Help Christians? (DVD) • Parenting and other workshops available on DVD Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network

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 877 -562 -2565 x: 101 Copyright 2012 - Lighthouse Network 76

Any Questions? Copyright 2013 - Lighthouse Network