Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Month: June 2018 (page 1 of 2)

Flowers amid the pain

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8   Uh oh! Just realized while editing this, that I’m on the same old topic again – my old hurts. I’m very sorry. […]

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Part 12 – BPD for pastors

  Today I want to share an article written by Enos Martin and E.A. Vastyan from Christianity Today. In it they advise church leaders on how to treat parishioners suffering with borderline personality disorder (BPD). https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/1989/fall/89l4042.html I found it a valuable, yet personally humbling read. Humbling because it paints a picture of how I had […]

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The awe and wonder of God

  Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” Matthew 11:25 ​The words awe, and wonder are magical words. When I reflect on them, my mind immediately goes to young children. They must be the […]

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Meeting God in honesty and truth

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust […]

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Righteous indignation

    David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down […]

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It came from God

  Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent […]

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Returning home

  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him… But the father said to his servants, `Quick!  Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on […]

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Stigma my biggest struggle

Dear Marja, I cried reading your article entitled “Feeling Hated?” dated June 7th because I can truly relate. Sometimes what keeps me going are your articles. My struggles are no longer so much about my illness as I have learned how to handle that now especially with the medicines and some self help stuff I […]

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Does Jesus care?

  I received the following message from someone today with a need to share where she’s at. She sends prayers to all who find life difficult in some ways:   Hi Marja So much of what bothers us can be hidden by pretending to be okay, and as your posts indicate, people do not want […]

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Feeling hated?

  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45   Around thirty years ago when I started following God I prayed, “Fill me with […]

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