Biblical Validation: Guest Post

By • May 7, 2020 • Blog

In another thought-provoking guest post, Sharon Hastings asks, ‘what is ‘validation’ and why is it biblical?’ Thank you so much, Sharon… Mourning With Those Who Mourn A Near-Crisis I suffer from schizoaffective disorder, a severe mental illness with symptoms of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and between 2015 and early 2019 was hospitalised fifteen times with psychotic depression.  In the year since, I have been relatively functional – writing, keeping up to date with housework, attending my appointments, and maintaining …Read More

Facing the Day: Guest Post

By • April 15, 2020 • Blog

Here’s a wonderful guest post from Rachel Lane. In it she talks about keeping on, even when your mental health is wobbling. (Rachel is the author of a great wee book on depression, aimed at teenagers – and to be published soon. Rachel, please keep us posted!) She writes; I don’t know about you, but some mornings I don’t feel much like getting out of bed at the moment. Sometimes just the prospect of facing another day in lockdown seems …Read More

Holding on to what is Good

By • March 31, 2020 • Blog

At the moment it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But even now, there are moments of grace. Here’s a few; Fresh eyes to see what we depend upon – and what really matters. Three weeks ago I was reading articles about skin creams and fretting about the school run. Now, not so much! My heart’s been exposed and I’m being forced to look to the Lord afresh. The realities of life and death were always there – but now I’m really …Read More

Fighting Corona-Brain

By • March 17, 2020 • Blog

Slice me open and I bleed anxiety. I always have. I grew up in 80s/90s Northern Ireland; a place riven by chaos and conflict. If fear was a contagion, back then, we were all infected. At the same time, the headlines (those I remember) were full of the AIDS epidemic — a terrifying and fatal disease with no cure. My child-sized skull echoed with warnings: you can’t be too careful. You can’t be too safe. Aged 13, I developed anorexia. …Read More

Guest post: Gospel for broken hearts

By • March 6, 2020 • Blog

A huge thanks to Miriam S for this week’s guest post. It’s powerful and wise; and deals with an area we don’t read about very often. She writes… A broken hope: How breakups point us to the Ultimate Romantic  It’s easy to think that God and the Bible don’t have much to say about relationship breakups. It’s not something that is spoken about much in sermons. You don’t hear topical talks about them. Serious breakups don’t even seem to have …Read More

A softer heart

By • February 24, 2020 • Blog

What are the challenges that are facing you this week? Perhaps you’re dreading a difficult boss or conversation. Caring for elderly parents, small children – or both. Maybe you’re studying for exams or recovering from illness; swamped by emails or demands or an addiction that seems bigger than you. Perhaps you are grieving – for a person or relationship or situation that you hoped would last forever. Whatever you’re facing, it’s not a surprise. We’re broken people living in a …Read More

This week….

By • February 11, 2020 • Blog

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

Gospel for the festive frazzled

By • December 9, 2019 • Blog

1. “You are worried and upset about many things.  But only one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42). Look at the context of this passage.  Martha is wrapping presents, stuffing turkey, decorating the tree, baking mince pies and keeping the whole show on the road.  She’s feeling neglected and stressed – but her solutions aren’t helping.  She doesn’t need a spreadsheet – or even a special reading plan. Just one thing matters – time with Jesus! Whatever our surroundings, the Lord …Read More

Straws and safety-nets

By • October 10, 2019 • Blog

There are times in our lives when everything seems wrong.  A workplace that demands everything; but gives nothing back.  A relationship on the rocks; or no relationship at all. A baby who refuses to sleep; a scowling teen who won’t meet your gaze. Maybe it’s something you can’t talk about – or something you can’t see. Bruises; inside or out. Loneliness; depression; pain or grief.  Sadness that smothers; thick crests of anger that die, quick as they surge. Hold on, friends …Read More

Hope for Dark Days: Guest Post

By • September 23, 2019 • Blog

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