Whatever lies ahead, here’s what we know for sure… We have a loving Father who is working all things together for our good. Sometimes we’ll feel angry or sad or overwhelmed or unsafe or crazy. These feelings are not the truth and they will pass. Our circumstances will change. Suffering has a “used by” date and there is hope. Only Jesus’ future is forever. Whatever mistakes we make, there is always more grace in Jesus than there is sin in us …Read More
Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything, That’s how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen, Anthem The world is broken. Systems are broken. The government is broken. The environment is broken. We are broken. And with it, we are brokenhearted. Amazingly—given how universal brokenness is—we never seem to make our peace with brokenness. It continues to outrage us, even though we’ve never known anything different. But our hearts break for …Read More
Thank you Sharon, for another great post – this time on depression. Make sure you look out for her powerful book, “Wrestling with my thoughts” (A doctor writes about her own mental health struggles), which will be coming out in January, published by IVP. Autumn Days Comfy hoodies, pumpkin spice lattes, cosy evenings indoors, rustling leaves, spectacular colours… For some people, autumn is a favourite season. But others have a different experience. The darker mornings and earlier sunsets squeeze …Read More
…in our weakness we can learn certain strengths: humility: suddenly, the plug is pulled. You’re not who you thought you were; and it hurts. You can’t think yourself out of it or get your act together. But with it, a savage freedom; a letting go – because it’s been taken from you. And in your emptiness, a new understanding of grace. God does it all – He always did, but now you see it. dependence: to survive, you must learn …Read More
There’s a certain kind of tiredness that no amount of sleep can touch. Where does it come from, this weariness? it’s the news – a steady stream of sadness that drips drips drips till you’re leaking soundbites and you can’t tell what matters and what’s just noise it’s polite chit-chat and stabs behind the cup-cakes it’s the magazine articles that tell you to be yourself and what that self should be it’s the queue at the post office and the …Read More
Another stunning guest post, from Lizzie, who is training to be a curate. Thank you, my friend. “How many kids do you have?” Until recently, I’d have thought this was a pretty easy question. Mr 7 and Little Miss 1 have, after all, spent the day bouncing around like lunatics – you’d almost think it was nearly time for the 7 year old to go back to school – very much here, very much present. The truth is, for …Read More
Years ago, I remember praying with Glen. (We have prayed together since then but this one stands out). We were relatively new Christians and and he said something like, ‘Lord if suffering will bring us closer to you, then let your will be done’. ‘What?’ I hissed – ‘Are you asking for suffering?’ ‘Not exactly,’ he began… Elbowing him, I cleared my throat and in my prayer voice (louder), continued, “Sorry Lord, can we stop right there. I would like …Read More
“I hate myself.” “I have no hope. I have no future.” “I’m so ashamed.” “I don’t belong in church.” “Why did He make me like this?” “I have/have had problems with my mental health.” “I feel my weakness.” “I don’t quite fit.” “I believe the gospel but I don’t feel it.” “I’m afraid.” If you feel these things, then know that Jesus is for you. You are not beyond the pale, or outside of the camp. In your weakness …Read More
When you’re in pieces know that God is here – with you – and He is holding them. In fact, there’s a good chance he allowed the breaking. It hurts; but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. You’re dying to what you were; and maybe what you want to be. But amidst the chaos, something new is forming. Something beautiful, that nothing can break. There’s a kind of breaking that’s demanded of all of us. A scattering; so that we can …Read More
I can’t change or control the world around me. But through Christ, I have a choice about how I respond when things are hard. I can choose to remind myself who I am in Him; or I can choose to try to manage life myself. I live in a broken world and I am broken. Doing the ‘right thing’ doesn’t make the bad things stop. Ordering things on the outside – my body, my house, my diary, my finances – …Read More
