LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR – A humble facilitator is the key to an effective faith-based mental health support group. By modelling vulnerability and candidly revealing pain and insecurities, facilitators can encourage the entire group to do the same. Honestly sharing faith and doubt, hope and despair, joy and sadness with others helps bring members of […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR As you read this, why not imagine the Jesus we believe in today as the living and breathing person he once was, joining us in our world? Could you imagine what it would be to spend time with him as he did his ministry—as one of his disciples perhaps? To truly […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR – As I’ve mentioned before, Living Room’s Open Door is founded on the unconditional love of Jesus. When I sat down to tell you about him, I felt overwhelmed. Where should I begin? I will start with what I believe: As a Christian, I believe that Jesus was a man who […]
Read More...COURAGE TO OVERCOME – The piece below, was originally written in November 2015, just after release from hospital where I had been admitted in October, close to suicide. I had tried to take my life due to the heavy stigmatization I was receiving. I edited the writing today in 2024 because I still need that […]
Read More...WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS – Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 I first wrote about this Scripture at Christmas time in 2014. I told […]
Read More...CHRIST’S MESSAGE And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have […]
Read More...BEYOND PAINFUL MEMORIES I have personally learned how true the lessons I tell below can be. I dwelt for many years on pain I had experienced, unable to put it in the past. But God has gradually helped me create a new reality. Yes, I do believe I’m a transformed person. Through God, I’ve […]
Read More...FOLLOWING JESUS So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can […]
Read More...YESTERDAY AND TODAY Long ago, on May 29, 2011, I wrote the following in my journal: My devotional planner posed the questions: What is your goal? What do you want to win? Will you gain the prize? You know what my goal is, Lord. Removing stigma. Christian support for mental illness. But it is a […]
Read More...I SURRENDER ALL MY STORY My journaling, which I started in May 2006, consisted mostly of prayers. I wrote to God at all hours of the day, telling him of my passion, my hopes, and my dedication to serve. During the summer and spring of 2006, while preparing to begin Living Room, I was greatly […]
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