Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o’er the shades of night; Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear. Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by thee; joyless is the day’s return, till thy mercy’s beams I see, till they […]
Visions and Psychosis
July 11, 2012 by 1 Comment
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17) Disclaimer: I have not experienced psychosis, or indeed heavenly visions. Please feel free to ignore what I write as the […]
Rest and Our Souls
July 10, 2012 by 10 Comments
Resting, both with sleep and with relaxing while awake, is important for our mental health. Mental ill-health can make us wide-awake when we desperately wish not to be, may be triggered by overwork and a lack of rest, and may lead us to be constantly exhausted. Rest also has a spiritual purpose, rest for our […]
Christians and Suicide
July 9, 2012 by 3 Comments
If you are feeling suicidal, please consider calling or emailing The Samaritans… I have been suicidal many times. I have seriously attempted suicide several times. My bipolar disorder (which, in me is characterised by deep depression) has led me close to the brink of death by my own hand. I have to say that when […]
Son, I Beseech You, Don’t Sleep Anymore
July 5, 2012 by 1 Comment
This is one of my favourite prayer-poems, by Michel Quoist in his book “Prayers of Life” “I shall be in agony till the end of time,” God says. I shall be crucified till the end of time. My sons the Christians don’t seem to realize it. I am scourged, buffeted, stretched out, crucified; I die […]
Believing for Comfort?
July 4, 2012 by 1 Comment
I have occasionally been told by others that I only believe in God because of my illness, that I have in effect chosen to believe in order to give myself comfort and a sense of purpose, to make sense of why I have a mental illness and not because God actually exists. I came across a […]
Nox et Tenebrae et Nubila
July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Ye clouds and darkness, hosts of night, That bred confusion and affright, Begone! O’erhead the dawn shines clear, The light breaks in and Christ is here. Earth’s gloom flees broken and dispersed, By the sun’s piercing shafts coerced: The day-star’s eyes rain influence bright, And colours glimmer back to sight. Thee, Christ, alone we know; […]
Believer's Brain 