Her Father's Eyes

When I was growing up there was a song by Amy Grant called Father's Eyes. It was a song about having God's eyes and seeing things the way He would. In the 2nd verse it states 

And when you're called to stand and tell, just what you saw in me. More than anything I know, I want your words to be: She had her Father's Eyes. Her Father's Eyes. Eyes that found the good in things, when good was not around. Eyes that found the source help, when help would not be found. Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain. Knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same. 

This song became my prayer as a child. Every chance I had, I would play this song on my tape deck; even now as an adult I play this song on an MP3 player. About 7 years ago someone did me wrong. So wrong in fact that they bore false witness against me, took me to court, did everything they could to hurt me. It made my friends furious. I couldn't get mad. I tried. I wanted to hate that person. I couldn't. I'd go out and my friends would mention the situation and they'd get angry and I would just sit there. One day, we saw this person out in public and I said "Hey, I know you!" they ignored me. My friends were livid. I just walked on. Later that night as we were eating dinner my friend said "You have an uncanny understanding of grace and mercy." That doesn't mean that I am not hurt by what happened, or I am not angry, because believe me I was hurt and I was angry, but I chose to see what God saw in the situation. 

Recently, I was banned from a Christian chat room because I said "People need to stop being idiots." The room owner came in on the tail end of the conversation and swore I said that one of his admins was an idiot. I was banned. Earlier tonight a friend of mine asked if I wanted to come to the room, and I said "sure" we tried for two hours to get me in the room, I even apologized to the room owner, though I knew I wasn't guilty of what he thought was the truth; the room owner said "are you going to behave?" Again using accusatory language instead of being gracious. 

I know not everyone is gracious; not everyone is gifted with mercy and grace, but honestly as Christians we should be gifted with grace and mercy. We were extended mercy and grace under no certain terms and we too should offer that grace and mercy to others. 

This is another thing that runs people away from God. People run because they think that God is accusatory. Satan is the accuser. Satan is known as the "Accuser of the brethern" (Rev. 12:10). He accuses of of our sins before God. Satan does NOT want God to extend grace and forgiveness to us, nor does He want us to receive God's grace. Satan wants us to suffer, and in order for him to get his way, he will use those who call themselves Christians. 

When I think of Satan as the accuser, I think of a courtroom. In that courtroom is every person you have ever known, or touched their lives. The jury is made up of Satan's minions; God is the judge, Satan is the prosecuting lawyer. He starts telling the entire jury every time you stumbled, every mistake you made. He tells the jury every thought you had that was evil and vile. He tells them every word you said that was vile and disgusting. You sit there before God; there is nothing you can do, nothing you can say. Your hands are bound by chains, and you know that because there is nothing that you can do that is right you are going straight to hell and suddenly Jesus stands up, He looks at God and says "All of this is true. They had bad thoughts, they used bad language, they made their mistakes, but right here, in this book, is where I saved this person. This is where I forgave their sin, this is where they repented. Their name is right here!" Suddenly the chains that bound you are gone, you are free.

Grace and mercy completely undeserved are given. While Christians can't be perfect, we can imitate Christ, we can have our Father's eyes and show grace and mercy.

Mental Health and the Church

This is a post about depression and how the Church should handle depression and depressed people. There may be triggers in this article. As always, If you’re depressed, tell someone. Tell a doctor, friend, family member or counselor. I am begging you please do not suffer alone, especially if you feel suicidal.

World Mental Health Day was on October 10th.  This week, in various discussions with Christians, I have heard "you don't need counseling, a doctor, a therapist, medication, etc." These same Christians follow up with you only need Jesus. 

I am not going to lie, that is one thing that really irritates me because it shows just how much work we need to do to become more acceptant of mental illness being treated. How many Christians do you know that will go to the doctor when they catch the flu? Have a broken bone?The common cold? Pregnancy? Most everyone will go to the doctor for ailments they can see or that they physically experience. So why not mental health? 

Mental Health shouldn't be a taboo topic. According to an article by Geneva College, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), "approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S." Biola Univerisity states that this means that nearly 46.6 million Americans over the age of 18 struggle with some form of diagnosable mental illness ranging in severity from mild to severe. On average, there are 48,344 suicide deaths, most of whom have a diagnosable mental illness. To break that down further, 100,000 population, there are 14.8 suicide deaths. 

Many of these individuals will have turned to their church and their faith for spiritual guidance in times of emotional distress. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to mental illness in many Christian churches. The prevailing culture of silence along with misguided attitudes and erroneous expectations often cause suffering believers to feel shamed, blamed and very unsupported. This means that a lot of good, Christ-centered people suffer alone and more often than not in silence. And sadly enough our African American counterparts are more likely to suffer in silence even if they have the funds to seek help. 

In years past, people with mental illness were ostracized, alienated and even abused. Today, most would agree that mental illness is better understood and better treated. However, some of the contempt and cruelty of the past has been replaced with silence and indifference in the present. It is time for the church to step up and make a difference, to move beyond the taboo and reach out to people who suffer from mental illness.

I was reading an article written by a pastor of the Moravian Church and in the article she relates the story of a woman whose husband had knee surgery and the church gathered around, brought food, etc. Yet when this same woman's husband attempted (unsuccessfully) to take his life, the fridge stayed its usual empty self. This goes back to the leadership of the church. This same article in the Moravian church stated that A 2016 study conducted by LifeWay Research and published in ChristianityToday revealed the horror and reality that only seven percent of church pastors discuss mental health with their congregations “once a month” or “several times a month.” Meanwhile, 92 percent of pastors reported talking about mental health in sermons or church functions “once a year, rarely, or never.” (By the way if you are a pastor looking for a great resource on mental health, I recommend the Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness from Kregel Publishers, see review here.)

Personally, one of the worst things I believe Christians can say to those who are suffering with mental illness is that "You don't really need help." "Jesus can heal you." "You have to believe more." As one who has been diagnosed with two mental illnesses, I can tell you I have heard my share of "You don't have enough faith" comments to last a life time. As CareNet blogger Susan Roberts writes "He is the source of our abundant life. However, mental health struggles are not often the result of sin or failure. Equating someone’s depression with mental instability brought about by God as a punishment is like equating a cancer diagnosis with God striking down King Herod for denying him glory. Mental illness is not a punishment.

So what can the church do? 

The church needs to educate itself on mental illness. Whether through conferences or classes. They need to learn to speak about mental illness compassionately and in informed ways. The Grace Alliance Mental Health Website offers resources for churches and individuals that want to work through learning more about mental health and even start their own grace group to help others through recovery with mental health. NCBI has a wealth of articles for starting Mental Health committees in churches so that they can  educate members and clergy on working with those who are currently stigmatized by mental health. 

I would like to remind you all that mental health in the church is something that I feel very passionate about. You may ready my First Blog about mental health at It is Well...Depression in the church. The following is from my second blog about depression and the church. Depression and the Church Revisited: 

Church leaders should know that depression is a very real issue that they must address.  Some people say that depression is solely a spiritual problem while others believe it to be a physical or mental disorder.  I believe it is both.  As followers of Christ, everything we are, everything we do and everything we experience is wrapped up in and affected by the personal relationship we have or do not have with God through Jesus Christ.  Nothing touches our life that doesn't pass through His hands, with His permission.  Every problem we face, whether it is a physical illness or an unconfessed sin is a "spiritual problem".  If it is a concern to us it is a concern to Him.

Church leaders should know that depression may require medical attention.  Chemical imbalances induced by stress can trigger depression.  It is important to know that a tendency toward depression is many times hereditary, resulting in a disorder that responds well to the right medication.  Depression is not eliminated by medication.  Medicine simply levels the playing field so that the issues and problems that lead to depression can be effectively dealt with.

Church leaders should know that depression may require professional counseling.  I am amazed that so many Christians are so afraid to see a Christian counselor.  Shame and guilt often prevent those who battle depression from getting the help they need.  God gave counselors their gifts and abilities.  He must have known we would need them.  Church leaders should be quick to encourage those struggling with depression to seek out Christian counseling. 

Church leaders should be aware of the shame and stigma felt by those who struggle with depression.  These people are not "crazy" but often feel as if everyone thinks they are.  Many times a pastor or church leader can make it easier for those who battle depression by simply acknowledging depression as a reality that anyone can face.

Church leaders should know that depression is not necessarily sin.  The causes of depression are incalculable. While it is true that depression can be triggered by the consequences of sin it is just as true that depression can simply be the result of a chemical imbalance present from birth. Depression can even be a side affect of medication or induced by health problems as well as physical and mental exhaustion. For example, those who must take medicine to control high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, diabetes and a host of other illnesses are very likely to struggle with depression.  Many of the most creative and powerful leaders battle depression because they constantly teeter on the brink of burnout.

Remember, authenticity and transparency bring healing.  As pastors and leaders we must be willing to practice emotional integrity, freeing those we love and lead to do the same. 

Unfamiliar Christianity: A Response

This week a friend of mine, Brother Thomas, a Benedictine Monk sent me a gift of a Catholic Rosary. He ordered it through christiancatholicshop.com. After I received my gift, I began reading christiancatholicmedia.com. I ran across an article that I feel I should respond to. It’s called Unfamiliar Christianity-What Protestants are Missing. 

In the article, it says “They [Protestants] are missing Christ in the Eucharist also known as Communion. The Sacrifice of the Mass Instituted by Christ our High Priest and can only be celebrated by a Priest with authority of Christs Church.”

So on Facebook I commented “Speaking as a protestant, I can tell you that our communion is not missing Christ. We do not celebrate communion weekly because it becomes mundane and loses it’s meaning. I certainly wish that we celebrated more often than once a month or even once a quarter, but you can hardly say that we are missing Christ.” Today while speaking with Father Thomas, I went to show him my comment; and it is gone. It is not on the Facebook post. So I decided to write about how, we, Methodists see the Sacrament of Eucharist/Communion. 

First, let’s look at how the author of the article looks at Communion. Catholics view this as the literal Body and Blood of Christ in the form of Bread and Wine, not a mere symbol or spiritual sign. It is both Biblical in the readings of the Last Supper, Road to Emmaus and others  and also historical, written by the first Christians on how to celebrate this Sacrifice as handed down by the Apostles.

Given this information I can see where he [the Author] believes that Protestants have an unfamiliar Christianity. 

The protestant church, and Methodist in particular use words like Holy Communion, Eucharist and Lord’s Supper. Each of these places emphasis on a particular view of the spiritual nourishment of this ritual celebration. 

Holdy Communion focuses on the holiness of the gathering and sharing as the body of Christ. Eucharist, from the Greek for “Gratitude” emphasizes giving thanks as Jesus gave thanks for the bread and wine and the term Lord’s Supper, refers to the last supper as he recalled it (1 Corinthians 11:20, 23-26. 

Just as in the Catholic church, Holy Communion is important because it is a time when we encounter Jesus Christ. Gayle Felton says “Christ is present in ways we simply can not explain.” To me that is saying more than the explanation of transubstantiation. For Methodists, and I am sure other protestant denominations, and I hope within Catholicism also, Holy Communion is a place of grace, it’s a place of forgiveness. In our liturgy for Word and Table the first thing we do is pray for forgiveness of sins. We confess to almighty God that we have not loved even Him with our whole hearts, we have failed to be obedient and have not done His will. We have broken His law, rebelled against His love, have not loved our neighbors as we should and we have not hear the cries of the needy. We ask for his forgiveness.

Even in our time of silence, we continue to pray for particular sins and we even ask God to be with us there in those holiest of moments. We invite his Holy Spirit to be present. Now I am sure this is where many Catholics would say “That’s right you invite his Holy Spirit, we invite Christ.” 

Going over the liturgy with Father Thomas he asked me “What is said when you are handed your wafer?” I quickly corrected him and said “Kings Hawaiian bread!” (I have to say we laughed)…I showed him our liturgy and said “The Pastor presents the bread to the person, and says “The Body of Christ, given for you.” Father Thomas then asked “How do you see that wafer, is it literally the body of Christ?” Knowing the answer to his question was to be “No.” I explained how I see the bread and wine. “While I do not see the bread and wine as literal flesh and blood, I do see them as the very presence of Jesus in that moment.” Evidently this was an answer that no Protestant has ever given to Father Thomas. He was impressed.

The second way that Methodists see (or should see) Communion is as for for our spiritual journey. John Wesley once said “This is the food of our souls; this gives strength to perform our duty and leads us on to perfection.” Now Catholics don’t see it as spiritual nourishment; but it is. It is our way of drawing closer to Christ. 

Thirdly, when we receive Communion, it transforms the receiver. It puts us in touch with God and then He is able to make us into who He wants us to be. Fourth, communion is a time of reconciliation. It’s a time when God draws us closer to Him. He is reconciling us to Him, He is reconciling us to each other and it doesn’t stop just to those within the four walls of the church, but around the world. 

Lastly, Communion prepares us and propels us into Mission. It provides us grace to be able to share Christ’s love with the world. 

Articles like the one on christiancatholicmedia.com does more harm than good. It keeps the body of Christ separated instead of trying to see the relationship between both Protestants and Catholics. Luckily, I am not the only person who thinks that focusing solely on the differences can do more harm than good. Dr. Mindy Makant, assistant professor of religion at Lenoir Rhyne University, a Lutheran school in Hickory, N.C., states in an article from Oblate School of Theology, “We are called to be in unity with one another for the sake of the world, with the United States more divided politically than ever, many Christians believe it’s absolutely critical that Christians stand together. For 450 years after the Reformation, Protestants – particularly Lutherans – celebrated the schism; but for the past 50 years, we’ve been able to stop seeing schism as something to celebrate and instead to see it as a wound to be healed…we can honor the gifts that have come out of the Reformation without celebrating it as a schism,” she explained.

What the author of the “Unfamiliar Christianity” article doesn’t realize is that Holy Communion is the same for everyone—it is the great mystery that is summed up in “Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.