power

MORE?

Robert and Maureen McQuillan challenge:

‘Please, sir, I want some more’ from Charles Dickens’ second novel Oliver Twist are words so famous that virtually everyone remembers them. The workhouse supervisor Mr. Bumble’s outraged response is well known too.

The musical Oliver portrays Bumble’s enraged reaction as ‘More? You want more?!!’ In other words, what you have already received is enough, more than enough!

Twenty years ago ‘More. I want more’ became the catchcry in church circles. Today as we minister around various denominations and pastoral care/mentoring, we still hear a cry for more from not just a mere few Christians. Unsettled hearts and lack of contentment in current circumstances results in Dickensian type expressions. (more…)

BEYOND DEPRESSION

Charles Schwab, having served as a staff associate pastor for lengthy periods in two major churches, shares from experience:

The ‘D’ word – Depression – is extremely relevant to Christians today! Depression is real, and the church needs to face that reality appropriately.

‘Mental illness and Christians’ is a subject that continues to pop up in the media both secular and Christian. Last year it was sad to learn that Matthew Warren, youngest son of Saddleback’s high profile mega-church pastors Rick and Kay Warren, had taken his own life after a long struggle with unrelenting depressive illness. Interestingly reports indicated he had received the best medical, counselling and pastoral support available.

Later, Matthew’s grieving father Tweeted caring supporters, ‘Grieving is hard. Grieving as public figures, harder. Grieving while haters celebrate your pain, hardest.’

Beyond the fact – Positive care stemming from understanding
The church and Christians have often failed to understand depression and how to deal with it. Consequently there are some shocking and demeaning views held by people who ideally should be able to show positive care, understanding and help towards the mentally afflicted. So often, for various reasons, this has not been the case.

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The Power of Prayer

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

A good friend called asking us to pray for her sick husband and also regarding their need for a new rental accommodation. The first matter was of top priority as the future was looking bleak, the second would be a great homecoming blessing from hospital.

We prayed, knowing that this couple value prayer; that they know their God is interested in everything to do with his spiritual children’s daily life journey. Prayer immediately brought God’s miraculous touch into action and he continues to bless them one step at a time, one day at a time, one miracle at a time.