One of my observations is that those who seem to particularly have a prophetic gift in church often have a particular sensitivity to others and what is going on around them. It seems that the spiritual gift particularly aligns with the more natural, common grace gifting of sensitivity, intuition and emotional insight. It also strikes… Continue reading The prophet with a thorn in their side: prophecy, preaching and pastoring with depression
Category: Depression
Held captive by a frowning providence
If you read my article on Saturday about depression, then you will recognise a mash up of two song lyrics one from an old hymn and the other from a contemporary worship song. I really appreciated the follow on conversation on Facebook that resulted from the article. It seems that a significant amount of what… Continue reading Held captive by a frowning providence
Depression and why hymns and worship songs struggle to get it right
The hymn “God moves in mysterious way” contains the line “behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face “. There’s something that jars a little about that line. It seems to give the impression that the goodness and kindness of God is something hidden behind a more austere exterior. Do we risk a similar… Continue reading Depression and why hymns and worship songs struggle to get it right
Is depression an emotional state that makes people interpret the events in their lives in a negative way?
A quote in the Daily Telegraph says ““Depression is an emotional state that makes people interpret the events in their lives in a negative way,” explains Mabel Martinelli, the director of the Cambridge Centre for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy. “It’s only by helping someone to find some space from that feeling that they are able… Continue reading Is depression an emotional state that makes people interpret the events in their lives in a negative way?
Facing depression
Every so often I try and point people in the direction of this video series I put together a little while back. I hope it will be useful to you or something you can share with others. Please fee free to get in touch if you would like to talk about anything in them
Every soul held captive by depression?
There seems to be quite a few worship songs at the moment which pick up on the theme of healing and declare it specifically in relation to depression. Quite why this is happening I’m not too sure. Why the focus on depression and anxiety but not on other illnesses? Perhaps it’s just that people are… Continue reading Every soul held captive by depression?
We need to talk about depression
I’ve just been writing some responses to advice given from older guys in ministry via the Christian media. I’ve responded to a few of these in recent years where the time seemed to be very much “it is all terrible now. It was better in the past”. I wonder to what extent rather than editors… Continue reading We need to talk about depression
Facing Depression
A few years ago, I was completely knocked flat by depression. Whilst at the time, it seemed to come at me from nowhere, in fact, the warning signs had been there for some time. In this little video series, I talk about what depression is, spotting the warning signs, understanding the causes, trusting God through… Continue reading Facing Depression
Continuing to trace the rainbow
Back a few months back, as the news came in that Queen Elizabeth II had died, a rainbow appeared over Windsor Castle. It was a beautiful symbol of God’s goodness and promises at a time of grief. I’ve frequently talked in terms of “tracing the rainbow” based on the lyrics of the hymn “Oh Love… Continue reading Continuing to trace the rainbow
What I need for Christmas
Mariah Carey sung: I don’t want a lot for ChristmasThere is just one thing I needI don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas treeI just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come trueAll I want for Christmas is you Songwriters: Mariah Carey / Ellis Williams / Robert Allen… Continue reading What I need for Christmas
Faithroots 