Last week a reader emailed, to ask if I would write a post on involuntary childlessness. She said, ‘We as a Christian couple haven’t been able to have children, but not by choice… It’s not what we wanted but it’s where we are… I just want folks to think a bit!’ Glen and I have had some experience of this, but I wondered if anything I wrote would sound glib, given that we’ve now had Ruby and adopted a wee …Read More
This week, Glen is on mission. He tells people about Jesus; and sometimes, as he talks, lives are changed. Eternal lives, as well as earthly. Hope and help, in place of pain and despair. A+E for the soul. What a job! What a responsibility! It must take a very special person to be an evangelist. … It does. In fact, it takes hundreds. But most of them you can’t see. Sometimes when Glen is speaking, he asks the church to …Read More
Glen has a new book OUT TODAY! It’s 6 months of undated devotional thoughts that take you through the Old Testament. (In the new year, they’re bringing out the New Testament volume). Each day you get a little taste of the goodness of Jesus and over the course of a whole year you can see the bird’s eye view of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. If you’ve been watching Reading Between the Lines on Facebook or YouTube you know …Read More
Today’s brilliant guest post is from Beth, who is a talented blogger and mum to two children, (a son adopted, and a 14-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome). Thank you, Beth for sharing your wisdom. … “Can I sit with my friends?” It sounds like a typical question from a teen. It was from my 14 year old daughter with Down Syndrome. I looked at the row of girls that my daughter was pointing to. I wondered, “would they welcome her joining their …Read More
Provide small group settings so that people don’t feel overwhelmed – both within church services (e.g. at prayer gatherings or events) and mid-week, (home groups, socials etc). Give events as much structure as possible, (unstructured social time is especially stressful for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, (ASD)) Let people know in advance (website/service sheets/notice-board) what to expect from services (including communion), and events. This helps to provide a sense of safety and minimises the stress of the unknown. Service leaders …Read More
Part 2 of Sharon’s wonderful guest post. (Read part 1 here) The Church and Severe Mental Illness When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he referred to it as the ‘body of Christ’, which had ‘many parts’ (1 Corinthians 12:27,12). He emphasised that every part – or person – in the church body was important: “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honourable …Read More
Be honest. If you find social events difficult, say so. If large groups make you panic, share it. Don’t just shut up and shut down. People can’t help or empathise if they don’t know how you’re feeling. Don’t cut out relationships because you sometimes find them tricky. Yes, you like time by yourself. But you’re human – so you need other people. Instead of spreading yourself thin with everyone, focus on going deep with a few folks you trust. If a whole room …Read More
I love my church family. I’m typing this now, because they are babysitting my daughter. When she comes home, she’ll be grinning from ear to ear; and knowing she is safe and happy – I am too. I love my study group. We’re completely different women from all walks of life – but we share our questions, our struggles and our hearts. We’re real about our struggles and yet, they inspire me to live for Jesus; more than any perfect motivational speaker or book. I love …Read More
Sometimes I look at other Christians and think, “you guys have got it together; but I’m a mess. Your problems are fix-able; mine are too much!” This is not the truth and it’s not the shape of gospel community. In real community, we carry one another and we share our mutual struggles. You’re not the fixer and I’m not a project. You’re not “fine” and I’m not “a mess.” We have different struggles and at different points we might need extra …Read More
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder and you go to your GP, you’re doing something enormously brave. You’re making yourself vulnerable. You’re sticking two fingers up to an addiction that can kill. You’re saying no to a host of voices that tell you, “you’re not sick enough, you don’t deserve any help.” The last thing you need to hear from your GP are the same words. “I’m sorry, but you’re not ill enough to qualify for treatment.” Sadly, this is …Read More
