You know someone with a mental disorder. Even if you don’t know it yet. Whether family, co-workers or acquaintances, we’ll call them “your friend.” Since you are reading this, I know you are a caring and compassionate person who would like to understand and support your friend.
Mental illness makes many things very difficult, especially relationships with others. I bet you have felt that with your friend. Maybe they have been labeled with major depression, and find it hard to respond to your invitations or enjoy activities with you. Maybe they have issues with anxiety and their worry is so intense that you find it difficult to relax with them. Maybe they carry the label of bipolar disorder, and their manic energy and obsessive enthusiasm occasionally leaves you in the dust and overwhelmed. Maybe they sometimes seem to lose touch with the ordinary world, and meaningful communication appears impossible. But whatever the problem, you can feel their suffering, and you do not want to give up or walk away.
So how can you help someone with a mental illness? Read More →
In my last post I offered a 
So I am sure you know that there is no conflict between science and revelation. If I asked, you would tell me that when science discovers truth, it cannot conflict with religious revelation because the truths of science and the Church have their source in the same Author. But nevertheless, sometimes it is alleged that “science” disproves/replaces/invalidates religion.
In my last post I discussed some considerations that one might take into account as they discern whether they are ready to take psychotropic medication. As a follow-up to that post I want to explore some practical, non-medication related suggestions for coping with anxiety and depression, as well as discuss 10 common thought errors/distortions that cause many of us difficulty. In order to do this, however, It is necessary to provide some background on the various ways psychological disturbances are conceptualized.
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.
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.