As I have been writing on most of the main types of mental illness a media controversy has raged. The release of the DSMV was seen by many as an opportunity to throw the spotlight on the validity of psychiatric diagnostic systems. In particular, the announcement of a new highly experimental approach the RDC was spun as a rejection of DSMV, which has since been denied. There are a few things that are worth saying in response to that. I... Read more
Anxiety is something that everyone experiences from time to time in their lives. It is also something that many people can fight off by various psychological strategies for e.g. telling ourselves that our fears are irrational, by prayer i.e. by “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7), or simply by forcing ourselves to face our fears and push through them. As a result of the universality of fear, I think many Christians struggle... Read more
And God heard their groaning . . . God saw the people of Israel-and God knew I just wanted to share a brief encouragement with you this morning that struck me reading in Exodus today. We do not serve a blind God. We do not serve an ignorant God. Nor do we serve an indifferent God. Whatever pain you are going through today, know this: GOD KNOWS. When God knows he cares. When God cares he acts. Just as he... Read more
Any Christian who has lost a loved one to suicide and worries about their eternal state should take comfort in Romans 8. Our confidence comes from being IN CHRIST. That means NOTHING can snatch us away from him! Read more
If you can get to Toronto on 1st June, I urge you to book into this day conference with Tope Koleoso. You won’t be disappointed! For a taster of what is in store watch this clip from Tope’s recent talk at the Desiring God Pastors conference: BOOK IN HERE. Read more
Today I post the last question in our conversation on mental health. You will be able to read the answers to the first two questions in the following posts (I have not yet had a chance to collate the replies to the second one). You can also watch the recording of our video conversation with author Amy Simpson. You can still submit an answer to any of the questions by linking your post to the relevant article and writing a... Read more
My friend Justin Brierley is serving the global church well with debate podcasts. I have had the priviledge of being on his show several times, debating Rob Bell, Rachel Held Evans, and and a pastor who didn’t believe in the resurrection. So, this apologetics conference he is hosting promises to be very interesting as well. If I was free next Saturday I would definitely go along. So I encourage you to go as this is an important topic for the... Read more
If you are near London this weekend, you are warmly invited to Jubilee Church’s International Day which will be a celebration of our diversity. This will take place at 11am in Lee Valley Athletics Statium (Postcode N9 0AS) For more information see the church website’s page on our International Day. Read more
As part of our ongoing conversation about Mental Illness, I hosted a video discussion right here on the blog. You can watch it above or on the YouTube page. Participating in the conversation was myself, Amy Simpson who is the author of Troubled Minds, and Patheos editors Timothy Dalrymple & Deborah Arca. One subject that we address in the conversation is more fully discussed in my post: Can a Christian get depressed? You can also join a written conversation on... Read more
Today I share the second question in our broad conversation about faith and mental illness. Last weeks question is still open for you to post your replies. Today’s question is very sensitive and requires great tact. But it is not possible to speak about mental illness without speaking about this. Please see my previous post for more information about how we can be a part of reducing the risk of suicide Please post links to your answers to this question... Read more
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