Every one of our churches has individuals who struggle with mental disorder. Which only makes sense, because Jesus came to heal the wounded, right? Church should be a magnet for those who want healing. Jesus is a Mighty Healer. And he wants to use YOU and YOUR CHURCH to accomplish his healing work.
This message is not new. Our churches are great at reaching out and caring for people, supporting and healing. Too often, those with a mental illness are the exception. This needs to change. Read More →
A soft golden light, emanating from the hanging, yellowish-gold sconces, illuminated most of the church. The apse was shallow, not extending back very far, it’s vaulted ceiling obscured by a thick, plain, wooden border. The apse was unlit and remained relatively untouched by the light, though the tabernacle was faintly visible in the darkness.
When I was growing up older folks often spoke of a “mid-life crisis.” Hitting forty was usually the critical period they had in mind. These days I’ve noticed it hits a lot sooner. Maybe it’s because we live in a “youth culture” that forces the questions of aging and being successful a lot quicker. Maybe it’s just the stress. But these days, there’s just something about the mid-thirties that hits a lot of folks. I was no exception. My mid-thirties were difficult years for me—years filled with anxiety and self-doubt.
Our culture is obsessed with happiness. From a purely individual perspective, happiness seems to be the obvious and ultimate goal. Quite often, the second highest goal is avoiding pain or sadness. Pursue happiness, avoid pain: seems like common sense, right? Too bad its a really poor prescription for actual living.
