Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Month: July 2020 (page 2 of 2)

Part 9 – Family life

  Cornelius joined us in 1973. I had become a mother! We were now a family! And I was happy. I had always loved children and had, in fact, wanted to be a school teacher. Now I had a child of my own to raise and to help shape. I hoped he would become creative […]

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You matter to him

  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the […]

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Part 8 – Growing in confidence

Candids by marja   And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28   God was good. At the camera club he gave me a place where I felt I belonged. A place where my confidence was […]

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Part 7 – Immersed in photography

Our photographer friend Ali on the island of Paros   Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23   Many find community in church. At the age of forty-two when I started believing in God, that was the kind of community that […]

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Part 6 – Making books

From Marja’s Favourite Recipes, 1971   We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. Romans 15:2 NLT   Yes, I had a rich life, doing many interesting things—accomplishing much, despite my mental health struggles. But, except for a couple of years part-time, I could not work at a […]

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Part 5 – Why was I not ashamed?

  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12   Let’s pause for just a moment: So far, you have seen three significant people who came into the early part of my adult life. There will be more. Note how the emergency room […]

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Part 4 – A special kind of man

  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke […]

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Part 3 – A most extraordinary doctor

Dr. Gerald M. McDougall October 1934 – December 2015   He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 During my first months at Riverview, I was fortunate to have Dr. McDougall looking after me. When I left hospital I would follow him when he opened his private practice. At the hospital, I […]

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Part 2 – Good things in bad places

Crease Clinic When times are good, be happy;     but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one     as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover     anything about their future. Ecclesiastes  7:14   We will start this story with the time I got sick in 1965 and was sent from the […]

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Part 1 – My journey from patient to leader

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11   I’ve been writing a great deal of my story, so much of it including sad parts of my journey. But there have been […]

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