Hope against hope (1): Following Jesus when we’re depressed

There is a weed in my front garden. I pull it up but after a few months, there it is again. Depression for me is like that weed. I became a Christian 25 years ago, and like many Christians, I couldn’t believe that anyone who knew the significance of the good news could also knowContinue reading “Hope against hope (1): Following Jesus when we’re depressed”

Hope Against Hope (4): Following Jesus when it feels like we have lost everything

This is Part 4 of a series on mental health Right now in the church, victims and survivors are hurting, congregations are swirling, statements are confusing and triggering. I’m sick of the betrayal, and many of us are in different kinds of pain. But I can tell you a bit of my story. I cameContinue reading “Hope Against Hope (4): Following Jesus when it feels like we have lost everything”

Hope Against Hope (3): What does Jesus know about stigma?

This is Part 2 of a series on mental health Centuries ago criminals and slaves were branded by a hot iron and the mark left was referred to as the stigma. It was a permanent, visible sign of disgrace, enslaving someone, or reducing someone to a failing from the past. It rendered them irredeemable. TodayContinue reading “Hope Against Hope (3): What does Jesus know about stigma?”

Hope Against Hope (2): Following Jesus when we are stigmatised

This is Part 2 of a series on mental health A few years ago, a photo of a wolf pack went viral. The caption claimed that the first three were old and sick, the stronger ones were in the middle and the alpha was in the back. People loved the idea that the pack slowedContinue reading “Hope Against Hope (2): Following Jesus when we are stigmatised”

Prayer for Mothers in the Church

Loving Lord Jesus, Who honoured his mother, even while on the cross, Today I pray for Mums, Left in grim, lonely, dark side rooms to feed or settle their babies while others get to take part in worship, Raising children without any wider family or community and who are told that that shouldn’t be aContinue reading “Prayer for Mothers in the Church”