Since The Pastor with a thorn in his side was published back during the pandemic, we’ve had lots of feedback, most of it positive. At times though, the feedback was “we were looking for more.” I don’t think that’s necessarily bad, providing we understand it to be a recognition of the limits of a book… Continue reading The limits of Testimony
Tag: Depression
Following up on The pastor with a thorn on his side -a conversation about mental health and depression
Some news on something I’m doing a little work on. Have a read below. 1. I’d be interested in hearing from people who would like to share their stories 2. I’d like to see if there’s interest in the bigger/deeper follow up project to develop a more sustained theological reflection A few years ago, I… Continue reading Following up on The pastor with a thorn on his side -a conversation about mental health and depression
The Church and the issue of suicide
Here are some reflections on how we might go about addressing the issue of suicide in church
World Suicide Prevention Day
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Did you know that there are about 7000 suicides in the UK every year? This means 19 people are likely to take their lives every day. Both suicide and the mental health factors leading to it including anxiety and depression sadly remain taboo subjects, the elephant in the room. … Continue reading World Suicide Prevention Day
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?
Blue Christmas … What I need for Christmas
Some people have started a tradition of using the shortest day and longest night to specifically mark the occasion for those who for various reasons will find Christmas especially hard. I wrote this article two years ago in the face of raw grief. I am reposting it today hoping it will be of help to… Continue reading Blue Christmas … What I need for Christmas
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?
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
Divine Interruptions
Jonathan Thomas’ book “Intentional Interruptions” focuses on those smaller interruptions of day to day life and how God can use them. However, this got me thinking of the ways in which God can use the bigger events in life to force us to hit pause on our own plans and agendas and pay attention to… Continue reading Divine Interruptions
