I have written two books both selling for $5 each AUD and can be bought by sending an Australian checque or money order made payable to Colourful Dave to P.O Box X2222 Perth 6847 Perth W.A. 6847 saying which ones you want. This is the general address for this website. The books are “Hope in a dark place” and talks of the history of Christians For Mental Health, an article on panic attacks by a sufferer, Lisa Buddrige, links to other groups and poems.
The other one is “Why suicide Lord?” and like the other one is aimed to give hope in difficult times while not ignoring them. It gives my personal story of recovery in brief as well as poems, tributes to those who have helped me overcome this and a few links onto those who can help people recover.
If you know anyone who you think may be helped by these books then don’t hesitate in buying one or both direct from me the author. They can be autographed free if you type{prefered} or print clealy who you want which one or ones made made out to. NO REFUNDS AVAILABLE ON MISCHOICE . While it is made out to me for convenience they do help cover the many costs of this ministry such as sending out about 45 newsletters each time they go out and advertising. The more sales I get and money I get coming in such as subscribers paying for their stamps the more work I can do in this area. This ministry gets NO church or other financial support. Thank you. Colourful Dave. Please note…not David Longworth. Correct name is Colourful Dave. PH 08 9349 8275 9am - 12 noon Perth WA time. Strictly information not emergency contacts.
I nearly died. In the six weeks from November 2002 to 1st January 2003 I nearly died three times. The first time was not suicidal although I have written as the others were. I don’t remember in full what I was facing at the times and I don’t aim to focus on death, sucidal tendencies and dying, but I believe the issues are important because many face them, sadly even some Christians.
Obviously suicide isn’t the answer to problems as no matter how the person concerned may feel, many are left behind in deep pain and questions after suicide or even an attempt.
However those weren’t my thoughts at the time and I was taken to hospital by ambulance, things that have never been attention seeking or a stunt. Despite going through busy uncomfortable hospitals, God was with me all the time. I don’t suggest suicide to anyone, but if you need help please seek help from the appropriate authorities such as on the links page of this site.
After one attempt on my life God gave me these verses and others in Psalm 139 “I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heavenyou are there;if I go down to the place of the dead you are there.” Psalm 139 v 7 - 8 I stared death in the face and found God there. But that is not a a good place to test him. I don’t suggest you do it as you may not have the gift of life like I do. How appropriate those words were.
Though one day soon after all this happened I was feeling particuarl low so I rang a friend who prayed after I asked her to for me. I cried, she prayed although she felt useless to help God worked quickly and both my two case workers at the time {one a Christian} called offering help. One set up for my chemist to have all my tablets and repeat prescriptions, helping me not to overdose, giving me weekly and sometimes daily supplies something I have kept to this day, even when shifting home to be on the safe side. The spiritual and the physical worked together.
Then, after my phone calls of support and prayer I had a great time alone with God. For someone who has never felt suicidal I can understand that it’s hard to comprehend how someone can get that low in depression but unfortunately many do. However I am living proof that you can come out the other side of constantly feeling depressed. I don’t think I can seriously say I will never feel depressed again or possibly not even never suicidal again. It’s a long journey out but there is recovery from suicidal tendencies. For me it meant counselling and realising that God loves me just as I am, despite my percieved imperfections….HE still loves ME! It’s a long journey but one that God is prepared to take with you. All it takes is you admitting you have a need. Seek him, Seek help. You may want to start with one of the links on this site,one of the groups………or you may need hospitilisation. Whatever seek that help. God will be there to meet you as he did me. Colourful Dave
This is a book review of a very informative booklet on Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. These are things I admit I don’t have any personal experience in apart from seeing women suffer when I have been in hospital. This booklet is only 32 pages long and from Intevasity Press. Further details at end of article. It is an American book, quite obvious in pounds instead of kilograms in weights of people mentioned. But none the less it is, as I said very informative and gives some American groups to contact for furher help. I have included some of theirs and Australian groups on the links page of this website. Not only does it cover what it’s like for people with both anorexia and bulimia in what are basically the “facts”, it gives stories of recovered women and says how becoming more often these days a growing number of men are struck down with eating disorders. It also covers how eating disorders happen to Christians sometimes, just like everything else in life, we aren’t immune as Christians. It talks of how a distorted understanding of the bibles teaching and fear of lack of faith can unfortunately contribute to an eating disorder of Christians in particular but not only. The booklet also talks of ways to approach a friend or yourself with these types of issues, although the authors believe there is no perfect way of dealing with the issues. I got the booklet on markdowns from Koorong [ see links]. Intervasity Press P.O.Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515 - 1426 U.S.A. www.ivpress.com e - mail; mail@ivpress.com It is certainly a very good starting read and I have some support groups on the links page of this website or look in your local phone book.
This little 48 page book is a classic. On one page it will have a few words about a subject of distress such as lonliness, hopelessness, temptation, weariness, discouragement or guilt and on the opposite page is something showing hope from the bible. It’s cheap enough to almost give away and can be picked up and read spasmodically, as a devotional guide and can be good when left wisely and appropriately in hospital visits. Not much to say about a short book but GET ONE or two or three to give away wisely. It has a lovely colour cover and black and white photos inside. Published by THE BIBLE LEAGUE. www.BibleLeague.org
This may seem a sad book to start with but it is a subject that is very important. Sheila has worked extensively as a counsellor, as a G.P, and advised people extensively through this most difficult type of grief. She is well trained and well experienced. There are all sorts of people recomending her book from Anne Deveson AO, Writer and film maker who son died after a long battle with schizophrenia and Dr Col Owen, the president of The Royal Australian College of General Praticioners and a proffessor who is the head of the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Queensland right through to struggling family and friends, doctors and ministers.
It is a very practical book showing various stages that families and loved ones go through as well as explaing the roles of the various medical and police departments etc.
It’s not something I would want anyone to need, but certainly a book offering hope and healing in a grim, dark time. Published in Australia by Michelle Anderson Publishing P/L www.michelleandersonpublishing.com
Esther was in a high position as a jew in the king’s house; one where she could influence [ and did ] the king who had set a decree to destroy all of the jews in the land. One thing was, he didn’t realise she was a jew and would have had to by his own decree destroy her too. I will leave you to read the whole story, as it’s too long to explain here. It’s found in the book of Esther but I want to focus now around the verses in 4:12 -14….When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer:”Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
I know I have often thought that verse true of myself many a time as I want to show you today what it can for you. It doesn’t matter who you, whether you be in high position working with or are a prime minister, royalty, whether you be a shopkeeper, teacher, bus driver, tradesperson, church minister or worker, cleaner or street sweeper or even like me and most people reading this mentally ill; YOU ARE USEFUL AND IMPORTANT TO GOD! There have been times when waiting in hospital I have prayed for the other patients around me and the staff as they do their best to help them. Also I reguarly pray for the ambulance drivers as they speed past my home { I live near a depot} and for the patients that they pick up. Another thing I do is save aluminium cans {often off the street} which get recyled and the money goes to sponsor poor children in India to give them a far better future than the begging they would have otherwise. I have just recently heard that one of the boys sponsored has gone on to university to train his own people. You may feel useless as a mental health patient or that your life simply isn’t helping many people. But I can assure you that you can make a difference in the lives of others for the kingdom of God in simple ways even as simple as saving cans with others to sponsor underpriviliged children. Esther didn’t know why, at first she came to royalty, and so often we wonder too why certain things happen to us. You don’t know what influence you are having on others {and sometimes who those others always are or will be later in life } but we can all influence people for the kingdom of God. And, after all, EVERYONE, INCLUDING YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD! Who knows that you have come to such position in life for such a time as this………
Sometimes good things come in ordinary packages. Like this night in my sleep. Just an ordinary night, but I had a dream. Imagine this….. An ordinary group of Christians but one of them gets up and says [Holding a plain paper bag] ……You would think this is a plain paper bag but lets see what’s in it. The leader pulls out a large piece of paper. What’s this she wonders. Slowly reads it. Silence across the room. WOW. This is worth a lot. Its 100 American bonds. Worth a lot in America but whe’re in Australia. It would cost a lot to exchange these for what they’re worth. Let’s put these aside for a moment, somewhere safe and see what’s else in here.
Pulls out a plain apron. Nothing out of the ordinary. But what’s this pinned to it. A note. It says it can be used for serving too. This is getting intersting! What else is in here. Pulls out an ordinary loaf of bread. Then a wine glass. Then a bottle of wine. Thinks for a minute. With American bonds in hand goes to a point in the circle of believers and says “This is precious. What it took to bring it to you took great cost and sacrifice. Breaks the bread and says ‘The body of Christ broken for you.’ Likewise they take the cup ‘The body of Christ shed for you.’ In the same way the believers go around the room and serve each other Communion, The Lords Supper, The Eucharist. Many names, different ways, same simple meal. Thats what communion was to those first 12 disciples. Nothing out of the ordinary, Just ordinary bread and wine. The bible says they sang a hymn and went off into the night.
The disciples were ordinary men [and women]. Tax collectors,fishermen and the like. Nothing out of the ordinary. But when touched by Jesus, by the masters hands they were transformed into the extra - ordinary. You can be too. Your life. Your days and nights. Start your day with Jesus. Ask him to bless you and your times. Even if you never have before ask him to come in and transform you and believe me or rather believe him he will. He will transform you as he transformed those ordinary men into followers;disciples of him. Give your life to him. He’s changing lives all the time. Let him change yours too…….
Joni Eareckson Tada is the founder and president of Joni and friends [JAF], an organisation accelerating ministry in the disability community worldwide. A diving accident in 1967 left her [then a teenager] a quadraplegic [ paralized from the neck down]. One of the things that organisation has done is publish this New International Version of the Bible. From someone who doesn’t enjoy general reading much I can say that this bible has encouraged me to read the bible again. In the front is information about the work of JAF and two of Joni’s paintings done by a brush held in her mouth.
But it’s when you get into the bible itself that you really begin to benefit. As you turn over the pages you will find as well as the life changing word of the bible on the left of many pages ”Encouragement from the classics”. Words from people like E. Prentiss, Dwight L. Moody and Thomas a Kempis amongst others.There are also many other helps from Joni and from Dave and Jan Dravecky. They both know pain, Dave having been a former all star pitcher with the San Fransisco Giants until he lost his pitching arm to cancer and his wife Jan struggles with clinical depression. Yet these people have come out on top and have written many words of encouragement in this bible. There are also in several places throughout sections of 4 pages of 1. Questions in the valley 2. Questions in the desert 3. Questions in the oasis and 4. Questions in the high places with further bible reading to look up on real life questions that real people ask like, Does God really hear my prayers?, What is the ”fear of the Lord”? and even What will I do in heaven”?
So if your bible is getting worn out or maybe you are I suggest you try getting a copy of this excelent easy to read version of God’s precious word. It will do you the world of good. Maybe give a copy to someone you feel would read and appreciate it for a special occasion.?
The above may seem a rather sad or morbid way to start a biblical reading but it is from someone who has and does struggle with this rather difficult issue. However my prayer is that it reaches those who need it most……people like me. I had been asking various friends for a good bible - based reason not to attempt or commit suicide but couldn’t find one that convinced me. But I hadn’t asked Jesus. Until the other night in hospital. Sometimes we have to hit a really low place, metaphorically not literally before we start to pick up again. Well the next day I read John 13:33 - 14:4 in my bible. It is a conversation between Jesus and his disciples, where he predicts Peter’s denial just before his trial, death and resurrection. I was touched in a way different to the typical. In 13:36 Jesus replied, Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later. The emphasis I noticed is that Jesus is saying I can go heaven YES, but not yet, I have to wait till later.
The biblical conversation continues about Peter’s denial of Jesus three times. The first four verses of chapter 14 is Jesus assurance of many rooms in heaven where Jesus is going to prepare a place for them [and us] and to not be afraid. Then we get to another bit that stood out to me. In verse three Jesus says : “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” This is where the writing by Dave and Jan Dravecky in my N.I.V. Encouragement Bible [The answer for those who hurt], Joni and friends helped. See more on Joni and friends in links. An international ministry to the disabled.
Anyway they pointed out that it’s Jesus who will come back to fetch me not an angel or celestial swooping mechanical arm. And it’s NOT up to me, Jesus will come to take me personally, in HIS TIME! I have NO NEED to pre -empt Jesus job of taking me to my final home. After all , it may not be ready yet. Then he would have to send me back. I still have work for him here on earth. Now it’s just the ongoing need to break the old bad habits like the one we’ve been reading about today. Let’s all pray and fight on to rid this world of suicide. Pray for people like me too, those who struggle with issues and try to help others similar to themselves. May you know the peace and comfort of Christ. Colourful - Dave Longworth.
The back cover of this book starts with….If your life is out of control and you feel hopeless, you haven’t read this book yet. Founder and president of Mercy Ministries, Nancy Alcorn has been in the work of helping girls and young women with difficult problems like self harm for a long time having started Mercy Ministries in 1983. It is from this experience she has written a book to help mostly the girls themselves to find the answers in practical ways using scripture a lot in this book with young girls who cut themselves and other self harm. She has included also personal testimonys of girls whose lives HAVE been changed. Over 2000 young women the book says have been through the programs of Mercy Ministries. Chapter 5 is devoted to parents and those who care with tips on how to help and a prayer for parents. In the appendix are negative beliefs that would be common with more positive beliefs to replace them with bible verses backing them up. Finally there is information on the author and how to contact Mercy Ministries in various countries through their websites. Nancy says you can find hope and freedom if you apply the pinciples in this book. It goes into all the whys and how it happens at the root causes and helps young women know how to stop this behaviour permanently. This book was bought at Koorong. www.koorong.com or the publishers www.winepressgroup.com It’s from a series called The mercy for series. www.mercyministies.com.au Mercy Ministries also in U.S.A. , Canada, U.K. and New Zealand.