Depression, spiritual warfare and calling the elders to pray

Mark Pickett has written this helpful review of “The pastor with a thorn in his side.”  In his review, Mark picks up on a number of things that he would have liked further analysis and discussion of in the book.  I agree with Mark that these are crucial areas that we need some further discussion… Continue reading Depression, spiritual warfare and calling the elders to pray

Anxiety

I’ve written before on Faithroots about depression and have recently contributed to a book on the subject. Here I want to talk about another aspect of mental health sometimes linked to depression. When I was signed off sick by my GP I was diagnosed with Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder (no the anachronym for that… Continue reading Anxiety

When the wounds do not heal

In my review of “The Wounded Christian” I raised one small point where I felt the author hasn’t quite hit the nail on the head.  I felt that the book whilst rightly talking about how healing happens may have given the impression that it always will or at least should happen in this life time. … Continue reading When the wounds do not heal

The Wounded Christian – love letter to a broken child of God – Book Review

The wounded Christian is a book by John Piper, no not THAT John Piper, but by another Christian with the same name although also based in the States. This John Piper is originally from the UK and as a child experienced a strong calling to serve God on the mission field. In his case, his… Continue reading The Wounded Christian – love letter to a broken child of God – Book Review

He is stronger than the Darkness

We’ve been learning this new song from Tommy and Eileen Walker over the past few weeks. Over the past few years, our Sunday Night Church congregation have grown fond of the worship songs provided by Tommy Walker.  The words that particularly struck me in this song are “He’s stronger than the darkness.”  Although this isn’t… Continue reading He is stronger than the Darkness

Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay

It’s the funny thing about Sertraline.  Every morning if you’ve been pre-scribed it, the box sits there on the breakfast table as a reminder that you need to take your medication. And each morning, it shouts out to you “You are so weak.” It’s funny because you don’t think that when you get up and… Continue reading Depression tells you that you are weak – and that’s okay

Jesus and the shamed woman

Yesterday, I wrote about how the woman with an issue of blood experiences shaming from powerful men. Today, I want to highlight how Jesus deals with her differently.  All the Gospel writers present her as creeping up quietly, nervously and sneaking a quick touch of her garment. Her aim seems to be to make some… Continue reading Jesus and the shamed woman

Why does Jesus heal, forgive and call? (What’s the common theme in Matthew 9)

What is Matthew 9 all about? There’s a lot going on in the chapter.  We have a number of healings including: a paralysed man, a daughter raised from the dead, a woman with an issue of blood, two blind men and a demon possessed man who is unable to speak. Is the passage primarily about… Continue reading Why does Jesus heal, forgive and call? (What’s the common theme in Matthew 9)