Most of the time when I write about Depression I do so hoping that it will help someone who is going through a place I have been. Other times it is to come alongside people who are in recovery and just share experiences. Today my article is for me. I need to write this. I’ve needed to do something with this subject since the day I reached out to a pastor in my area and was absolutely floored (and crushed) by his response.

Why I’m Writing This

Jenn and I were in the market for a new place to do church. I searched the internet for a local place that we might be able to heal in. I was a pastor who had stepped down due to complications with depression, anxiety and bi-polarism and needed a church that could accept who I was and what I and my family were still going through. I emailed this pastor a brief overview of our story and what we were dealing with. I wanted to see if he would accept us. We’re going to go through the reply he sent me.

I do not wish to single out this pastor. I see him as a type of person rather than a particular one. He has come to represent all of those in the church who feel the same way as this man, but haven’t had the platform to share it. They say when you see one roach that there are hundreds more behind the walls. In the same way I operate daily believing that most people in the church view depression, it’s cause and cure as this man does. This is my attempt to answer their condemnations one-by-one. We’ll see how it goes. Continue reading →

I put the word out a month ago that though I wasn’t ready to go full-out podcasting on my own, I’d be happy to get my feet wet again with some guest-hosting invitations. Here is a short list of interviews I’ve done if you’d like to check them out. Continue reading →

Last time I said we would talk more about the importance of, and methods for, getting Biblical scripture in into yourself. So today we’ll be focusing on the point and purpose of scripture study… Life Application.

If you haven’t yet read “Look At Your Fish“ and “A Text Without a Context Is a Pretext“ as this is a continuation of those two articles.

The Bible seems clear on the point that what you believe matters, but what you do matters more. James 2:19 says that even the demons believe in God (and it freaks them out). They naturally don’t allow that knowledge to affect their lives or put into practice anything they learn of him. James doesn’t equate a person with no actions with a demon, but he does say “You want ‘Christian-Cred’ for believing? Heck, the devil believes.” Believing only apparently doesn’t give you something that I’ve now coined as Christian-cred.

We downplay life application. Works don’t save us, we say, and that is true, but works are how we show our faith. I often say that works won’t save you, but they’ll keep you saved. Continue reading →

I sang the lyrics from “Let it Go” the hit song from Disney’s movie Frozen… into Siri. Here are the best results from two attempts. I thought it was pretty funny. Here’s a link to the actual “Let It Go” lyrics.

“Let It Go”

The snow clothes line on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
The kingdom of isolation,
And it looks like I’m the Queen.

The wind is howling like this whirling storm inside
Couldn’t keep it in the avenues try

Don’t lead then man, don’t let them seek
Be there Google are you always have to be
Concealed, downfield, all that Danno
Will now they know who

That a go, leg go
Can’t hold back anymore
Or let it go, let it go
Turn the ways land the door
I don’t care what they’re going to say
Love the storm raids on
Nichole never bothered me anyway.