“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; […]
Reading the Bible as a Mentally Ill Person
June 30, 2012 by 13 Comments
I remember when I was given a “proper” Bible. I was about thirteen and the Gideons had come round to my school, handing out pocket New Testaments in the NIV translation. I don’t think I really read it at that time, aside from when we were covering Mark’s Gospel in RE class, but I have […]
Self-Injury: Sinful?
June 29, 2012 by 4 Comments
I first self injured when I was 14. It became a bigger part of my life when I went through an acute episode of bipolar disorder (mostly characterised by depression) when I was 21/22, and I became a Christian at 22. Since then I have occasionally self harmed – though not with the same intensity […]
Justice for the Sick and Disabled
June 26, 2012 by 2 Comments
I rarely get angry, but the current political situation in the United Kingdom is something that has been making me very angry. At present, the rhetoric and policy surrounding sick and disabled people has been devastating to a population already more likely to live in poverty. State benefits needed by disabled people to meet the […]
When The Unquiet Hours Depart
June 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
When the unquiet hours depart And far away their tumults cease, Within the twilight of the heart We bathe in peace, are stilled with peace. The fire that slew us through the day For angry deed or sin of sense Now is the star and homeward ray To us who bow in penitence. We kiss […]
Believer's Brain 