At our 5 pm Sunday communion service this week, we will begin discussing spiritual influences on mental health. This is a topic that we often avoid, partly because we're told psychiatry knows better than the stories of mental distress and possession we read about in the gospels and partly to shield those struggling with mental … Continue reading Mental health 2 | The Spiritual
Colossians 1:9-14 | Discernment
Much of the effort of human thought throughout our history has been about how to be discerning. Life is confusing, what categories we explain our lives by are not obvious, how we assess others matters but the work is full of risks and contradictions. In the bible we are encouraged to learn how to discern … Continue reading Colossians 1:9-14 | Discernment
Listening in noise
In our time we want everyone to have a voice but rarely are there calls for people to 'give an ear', to listen. Often we think of listening as a passive or submissive mode of existence but listening is an empowering act for both the listener and the heard. Len Firth, an experienced counsellor, coach … Continue reading Listening in noise
Numbers 20:1-13 | Meribah
That God tests our hearts is a biblical theme. If the rationale for the test is to show us what is in our hearts, then this is a challenge to our time which has made following our hearts the core of who we are. In Numbers 20 we find even Moses is tested and struggles … Continue reading Numbers 20:1-13 | Meribah
St John’s West Brunswick 