The Encourager

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. 

Subtitle; Findind a path back to mental and spiritual well being. Bought at Koorong Christian Bookstore. 192 pages. See links: Koorong

This book is recommended reading for anyone who is a Christian and is just “fed up” with their mental health professional,psychiatrist, case manager etc. The author is a Christian psychiatrist of many years experience, yes as far back as the bad old days of the 1960’s at least. He has seen many changes and has some interesting stories to tell as well as a very basic overview of most diseases currently understood. There is a whole chapter on depression. Some of the chapters include the role of the church in recovery, therapist and pastor, healing and wholeness and very importantly; church or clinic. At the back of the book are a few pages of useful addresses and websites, most being in the U.K. I personally recomend this book to  Christians involved in ministry to the mentally ill and those who are themselves. I was left with more hope in a profession we all find difficult at times. I’m sure they find it difficult too.

If you see anything you think others on this website may be interested in that will SPECIFICALLY ENCOURAGE readers please let me know by leaving a message on the comment section or post it to THE ENCOURAGER P.O. Box X2222 Perth WA 6847 Australia. I will do my best then to attend to it. Thank you.  I am purposely NOT asking for negative news.

1.  An article titled “Online encouragement for mentally ill Christians” appeared on page 21 of June, Revive, a fresh perspective on faith, church and life. It’s a publication of the Uniting church in Western Australia. If you want to read it pick up a free copy from your local W.A. Uniting Church. Also often available from Good Sammy’s stores. It’s put in to inform those who may not have heard of this website.

2. If you missed out on listening to ABC Radio National Encounter program on 11th May 2008 you missed out on a very intersting program that explored the links between faith and depression. Questions like What does it feel like to sit in church when you’re depressed were asked as well as talking to a wide variety of people from ordinary church members as well as religous leaders who had struggled with depression themselves and psychiatrists also talking about people of different faiths or not of organised faith who came to them with faith issues in their depression. It gave in my opinion a very well rounded view of the links between a wide range of peoples experieces including one man’s guilt for feeling depressed……something often felt by people and the interviewers response. Check it out at www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories The interviewer was Sharmini Kumar. Encounter. Faith and Depression.

“Neither this man sinned nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:3 

I’m sure we’ve all heard words like this as mentally ill people and also similiar for any disabled person…. Pull your socks up…If you only had more faith or trust in God. Or maybe you like me have had scripture quoted at you like “If you only believe you can do ANYTHING in my name Jesus said, But you must believe.” Personally, from first glance it sounds like there are three magic words…..trust, faith and belief, and if you just apply them properly anything in Jesus name can be acheived. To a certain extent it is true but also to a certain extent it’s not that simple. Now don’t think that I’m trying to deny, reject or even twist scripture here, all I ask is that you read on to what God may be saying here to put new light on a old problem.

If you read the whole passage [and see the pharisees response following] you will see how Jesus healed a man born blind on the sabbath something forbidden by Jewish law. You could take lots of angles on the passage but I’m just taking why he was born blind and going from there.

We like the man born blind in this story are often blamed for our sicknesses and disabilities, even by other disciples of Jesus [ See verse 1] .But when The Master, Jesus comes fully into the picture we get the correct image of all things in life including sickness and disability. Not even the disciples who lived, walked, ate and worked with Jesus got it right all the time. They even argued amongst themselves it says at times in the bible while with him. It’s no wonder we make mistakes too; we’re just as human as they were. Which brings me back to my point: Jesus NEVER blamed people for being sick or disabled. And in verse three Jesus said it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him . Then he healed him. We often forget that total physical healing isn’t the only way God touches, changes and uses us. [Plus in Acts 5:12-16 there were people Jesus hadn’t healed.] The greatest change a person has is the change on the inside, the greater healings are those of broken relationships healed, healed marriages, families, changed attitudes, changed lives from the inside first. God maybe using what seems bad or unwanted in your life to bring out further his glory. See Romans 8.28. So just because you may not be totally physically or mentally healed, Jesus can still use you and it’s NOT because you don’t have enough trust, faith or because you don’t believe with all your heart. God can and does use you anyway in lots of ways including but not limited  to part time/full time paid/volunteer work, ministry, prayer the list goes on. Sometimes you have true trust, true faith and true BELIEF to do these things anyway.

“Because they love me, says the Lord, I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.” Psalm 91: 14 - 16

These verses are at the end of a Psalm where God promises protection and victory over everything from snakes and lions [Verse 13]  right through to terrors of night and arrows that fly by day in verse 5 and everything in between. It’s a commonly used Psalm promising protection but I believe some people use the first part of this Psalm and other bible passages to teach that if we just follow God’s ways and do all the right things we will never have any problems. HOW WRONG! In verse 15 and in many passages of the bible [plus many Christians lives ever since including Jesus himself ]  we see great suffering with the promise of God being with us in our suffering NOT always taking it all away. Jesus said that in this world you will have troubles but I have overcome the world. That was obvious in the lives of the early followers of Jesus including how most of how the 12 disciples died. So what am I saying is this………Well for starters don’t think it’s always because you have sinned or done something wrong. It could be, but not neccessarily so! ……… Secondly: God doesn’t always take away all our problems but he will never leave you nor forsake you. Verse 91: 15 and the great commission : Mathew 28:21…..And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Jesus was with his disciples in the form of the Holy Spirit from the day of Pentecost but the disciples still went on and were persecuted, flogged, imprisoned etc. You may be thinking now “But I’m not being imprisoned or anything for my faith….what good is this doing for the Lord or for the sake of furthering the gospel”. I know I’ve felt at times thoughts similair to that…..What good is this mental illness doing me or anyone else for that matter. But years later I am writing this and can relate to you and to others in their pain and mental and emotional anguish. I’ve often heard it said that the best person to help a person through their suffering is one who has been there before them. Who knows whom or what situation  you’re helping with both now and in the future by what you are going through now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s all doom and gloom as Christians until we get to heaven or Jesus returns or anything like that. All I’m saying is we need to have an equal balance. Yes, we are protected by God, but yes Jesus did say in this world you will have troubles, but I have overcome the world AND I will be with you. Colourful - Dave Longworth

Not another medication change I thought. Not again surely. I’ve had more changes in medication than roast dinners, or at least it seems that way at the time of first writing this some years ago. I’m sure I’m not the only one to get sick of medication changes and all the havoc it plays on our bodies and minds. Sometimes I wish doctors would make up their minds about how much of what they want to give us. Surely I know better after all, I’ve had this illness longer than some of those doctors have been practicing psychiatry. And I don’t leave it at the office to go home to a healthy home life. I have my illness 24 hours a day,  7 days a week.

Now, isn’t that how we treat God………I know more about the problem than you do! You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m the one who has to put up with IT [OR HIM OR HER], all of the time. And you don’t even give me a guide. I mean to say all you’ve given me is a bible, the Holy Spirit and oh yeah, the church………who could forget that group of misfits. At least I’m not as sick as they are…….but then again I’m reading [and writing] an article about mental illness. After all I’m not like them or am I ????

I know……..I’ll go to another clinic/church. I can get help somewhere else. Another doctor [pastor/church leader], church/clinic or even…why not another branch of medicine like new age teaching or another religion. After all my prayers aren’t being answered. I’m still sick. I’ve been forward for prayer so many times. It’s not fair! I’ll try that other church or maybe that new age healer I read about. After all, you know you read about more people being touched and healed and changed by that sort of thing than by prayer or going to a good Christian church reguarly. But then again, I haven’t been reading much Christian literature lately, just the stuff you get at the newsagent or on the television. But surely that doesn’t matter, surely nothing like that really does happen. Or does it?

Surely Jesus is called the great physician. Jesus still performs miracles as he did all those years ago. And God still makes the way through peoples “red sea” type situations with rapidly approaching armies. And the Holy Spirit is still poured out into people lives changing them like in new testament times. Sure it DOES  happen, yes, even now in these times even if not always in exactly the same way………..But are you listening to, watching and reading the right material. Are you just gazing at whatever comes on the T.V. or the internet, literature for wrong purposes. Do you use the internet etc. to gossip the latest news or to gossip the gospel. Even for people without the internet there are lots of ways of doing ministry for God. Ask your pastor or missions director for ways of helping out. That’s how I started doing this. There was no adequate people helping me so I decided to do it myself, to help other mentally ill Christians that suited me, so I decided to help others like me.  And you are now reading the results.

So it all depends how you look at it; who knows best? Answer: Jesus the great physician. Is God still working miracles, yes and yes, the Holy Spirit is still being poured out into peoples lives. It just depends on what you’re watching, listening to and reading. HEAVEN FORBID! You might even read the bible!! Believe me good news is out there…….You just need to look in the right places…..

THE PSALM OF THE T.V

Based on the 23rd Psalm

The T.V. is my shepherd, I shall not want

It makes me lie down on the sofa

It leads me away from the faith,

It destroys my soul

It leads me in the path of immoral sex and violence for the sponsors sake

Yea, though I walk in the shadow of Christian resposibilities, there will be no interruption for the T.V. is with me

It’s cable and remote control, they comfot me.

It prepares a a commercial for me in the prescence of my worldliness.

It annoints my head with humanism and consumerism, my coveting runneth over.

Surely lazines and ignorance shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house watching T.V. forever.

What if God decided to install an answering machine?

Imagine praying and hearing this:

Thank you for calling my Fathers house, Please select one of the following: Press 1 for requests Press 2 for thanksgiving, Press 3 for complaints;For all other requests press 4

What if God used the familiar excuse, all angels are busy helping customers right now, please stay on the line and your call will be answered in the order it was received. Can you imagine getting these kind of responses as you call on God in prayer?

If you would like to talk to Gabriel press 1……..To speak to Michael press  2……For any other angel, press 3…..If you would like King David to sing a Psalm for you, press 6 .  

For reservations at my Fathers house press John 3:16   

For nagging questions about the dinosaurs, the age of the earth and where Noahs Ark is located……..wait until you get here!                                         

Our computers show that that you should have already called today…… Please call back on Monday.

Thank God that you can call as often as you want!                                   

You only need to ring once and God hears you!

Author unkown.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Whenever I am troubled and lost in deep despair

I bundle all my troubles and go to God in prayer

I tell him I am heartsick and lost and lonely too 

That my mind is deeply burdened and I don’t know what to do

But I know he stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea

And I humbly ask if in his love, He’ll do the same for me.

And then I just keep quiet and think only thoughts of peace

And if I abide in stillness my restless murmurings cease.

Author unknown.

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have to come to you in prayer. Psalm 143: 7 - 8

I was reading this one day and thought I would share how it helped me. The words in the bible were so relevant to how I, and I’m sure you have felt at times. [When you read the Psalms you can see how it was said that King David suffered at times from depression.] Come quickly Lord…..my depression deepens………Please don’t turn away from me or I will die…. the verse goes on. But it finishes on a more positive note…… let me hear of your unfailing love in the morning for I am trusting you……….

Did you notice the link there? When David  wrote that Psalm he started with his pain and suffering but then turned to God in prayer and believed God for the answer. Show me where to walk, for I come to you in prayer.

He didn’t just sit there  complaining and occaisonaly asking God for help, he got on and did something, he was willing to actually do something. How many of us if we are really honest to ourselves, each other and to God SOMETIMES  just sit there expecting others and God to just fix all our problems while we sit back and do nothing. I know I’ve failed in that area at times. It’s like the new testament verse that says Faith without works is dead. We do need to each day come to God in prayer, then do what HE has said. But make sure it’s really God you’re listening to……it can be easy to be fooled at times.

I know I came to a point in my life where I finally realized that after being so called “pampered” by various government departments, friends, family, medical staff and sadly even other Christians etc, I had to DO something MYSELF. Sure all those other things (including prayer) are very important and have their place BUT, if we do nothing - nothing will happen. It’s basic laws of nature( or God, creation if you prefer) that if you sow wheat seeds, wheat will grow. If you sow carrots, then carrots will grow. But if you sow nothing, then weeds will grow. It’s the old quote of Jesus, you reap what you sow, just made a bit easier to understand.

Now I fully realise that we all have times when we have to almost totally rely on outside help to get through the day and we end up in hospital. Please don’t think I’m knocking that because I’m not. I need it too and still go into hospital myself at times and I also take tablets EVERY DAY to keep me on track medically etc. All I’m saying is we need to do our part.

 Finally I just say remember the last part of that verse………Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer…… David like all of us had to walk where God had showed him. God didn’t walk for him, but promises to walk with us always……. never will I leave you or forsake you…. See Psalm 23 and Mathew 28:20  Colourful - Dave Longworth