Jesus, books, mental health and pork pies // Pastor of
@LitchardMission
, Bridgend // Home of the Christian Book Endorsement Awards // Curator of
@OurLocalChurch
Serious tweet:
5 years ago today, I made a definite plan to end my life
This photo could have been the last one taken of me
Why do I mark this anniversary?
Because it's a reminder that things change
There is hope in the darkness
And maybe you need that reminder today too
What are you most thankful for?
1) Autumn days when the grass is jewelled
2) Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
3) Clouds that look like familiar faces
4) The smell of bacon as you fasten up your laces
5) A swallow curving in the sky
6) The taste of apple pie
18 days ago, I was signed off work with depression. I don’t know how long I’ll be off.
But:
“To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley, He will lead”
Christians get depressed too.
There’s no shame in getting help.
Jesus still loves us.
As someone who has planned suicide in the past, I find it terrifying to think of a future where society’s response to my ideation isn’t
“You’re valuable, please stay with us”
but instead
“Ok then, here are some pills so you can do it without any mess”
On this day 4 years ago, I made a definite plan to end my life.
But I'm still here.
And I'm thankful to still be here.
If you're struggling: Things do change. There is hope. And if you want to chat, there are always people ready to listen:
Many of you have been praying since I was signed off with depression 6 weeks ago.
A quick update: The Lord is kind, and we are planning a phased return later this month.
Your messages, prayers and random Twitter nonsense are a great blessing. Thank you!
He will hold us fast.
I don't know who needs to hear this but if you're running church PowerPoint you should go to the next slide as soon as the congregation starts singing the last word on the current slide
CHRISTIAN BOOK ENDORSEMENT AWARDS 2022
📚🏆 📚🏆 📚🏆
It's almost time for the ceremony to begin!
This year's awards celebrate endorsements in books published in 2021.
I'll be live-tweeting all 18 award winners in this thread.
So, grab a drink/pie, and take a seat...
CHRISTIAN BOOK ENDORSEMENT AWARDS 2024
It's time to celebrate the ONLY awards ceremony devoted to Christian book endorsements.
This year's awards are for books published in 2023.
When you're sitting comfortably, keep reading to find out all 20 winners...
🧵
For no particular reason, I decided to spend my evening making a mash-up of Haddaway and David Suchet.
So here's the version of "What is Love" you've all been waiting for:
Whatever you think of this tweet, let's not forget the incredible privilege we have of living in a country where the Prime Minister marks Good Friday by speaking positively about Jesus Christ.
So many of our brothers and sisters can only dream of this kind of religious freedom.
On this Good Friday, as we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, let us reflect on the values of compassion, charity and selflessness he embodied.
These values are at the heart of British values, inspiring us to build a society based on respect, tolerance and dignity for all.
It’s very weird being in a church service when you’re a pastor on sick leave with depression.
But it’s also very encouraging eating and drinking together to proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
So, on balance, a good day.
It’s time for a quick Tuesday game of:
BLUEY OR BERKHOF?
Can you correctly identify whether the following 10 quotes come from a Bluey character or from Berkhof’s Systematic Theology?
Good luck!
🧵
Matthew Parris may think your life isn't worth much, but thankfully the God of the universe thinks otherwise.
You're fearfully and wonderfully made. You are not a burden.
For no particular reason, can I just say:
There are a lot of reasons to criticise Twitter.
But this place has been a key source of joy in many of my darker moments of depression over the last 4 years.
And I'm thankful for all of you who have been part of that.
Thank you!
Ahoy praying friends:
This Sunday (Lord willing), I'll be leading a service for the first time since 14th May.
I'm not preaching yet, but this is still a wonderful sign of the Lord's kindness after the darkness of recent months.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragements!
In this recent clip, one of the world's most influential evangelical preachers denies the validity of PTSD and suggests that diagnosing children with behavioural disorders will potentially turn them into criminals.
This is wrong.
This is harmful.
This is not biblical.
Some words from Monica Baldwin, who spent 28 years in a convent, writing about boring preachers in the 1940s.
Do we preach like people reading aloud extracts from a travel guide, or like people who have actually been there?
❓SATURDAY QUIZ
It's time for a quick round of:
Thomas Aquinas or Thomas the Tank Engine?
Can you correctly identify the source of these 8 quotes?
Was it the Theologian from Aquino or the Engine from Sodor?
@grcastleberry
As a Christian with depression, I urge you to reconsider this tweet. This is far too simplistic, and potentially harmful. Sometimes you need a doctor, and no amount of Bible reading will change that.
Lo, Jesus meets us,
risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us,
scatters fear and gloom;
Let the church with gladness
hymns of triumph sing,
For her Lord now liveth,
death hath lost its sting.
REASONS TO USE A BALL POOL AS A BAPTISTRY
✅ Doesn't need to be refilled for each use
✅ Saves water
✅ No need to change clothes
✅ Reinforces death/burial imagery
✅ Bright colours emphasise joy of new life
✅ Contextually appropriate in C21st Britain
✅ Available from Argos
PROPOSAL
A podcast where I interview UK church leaders about:
- Their favourite Christmas food item
- Their favourite non-religious Christmas song
- Their least favourite Christmas decoration
- Their favourite character in the Nativity account
Reply if you're interested 🎄
QUESTION:
For Sunday services, if we described the front 2 rows of chairs as a "VIP Experience", do you think people would be more likely to sit there?
You know how "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart" sounds a lot like "Go West" by the Pet Shop Boys?
Well, the legend that is
@JonBergdahl
has only gone and done a mash-up.
This is the best new thing on the internet this week, and it's not even close.
I’ve seen multiple tweets suggesting that I was wrong to become a pastor in my 20s.
(Not me specifically, but blanket statements have individual implications).
So this is just a shout out to other under-40 pastors who are seeking to serve the Lord faithfully. Keep going!
I’ve just realised that today marks three years since I first made a specific plan to end my life.
Antidepressants are part of the story of why I’m still here.
The Lord is merciful and gracious
“Antidepressants are a gift from God”
I’m thankful for
@steve_kneale
and
@faithrootsDW
writing on this, as each week sadly brings yet more harmful tweets about mental health from Christians
Did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger once helped to deliver a child in the toilets of a supermarket a few days after Good Friday?
Asda lav Easter baby.
#LunchPun
#RateMyPun
So, it turns out Twitter can be a really wonderful place sometimes. You are all amazing. Thank you.
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.”
Today, as a special birthday treat, I'm looking forward to worshipping with the men of Parc Prison, and sharing with them the good news of God's love for his children
I don't know who needs to hear this, but Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
Actually, I do know who needs to hear this
Everyone needs to hear this
13 years ago today,
@hannahsreading
and I got married, caught a train to Scotland, bought some sandwiches at a petrol station and ate them on a bench at the side of the road
❤️
On the topic of arriving late to church services:
In one of our previous churches, the pastor turned up 20 mins late to an evening service because he’d had an afternoon nap and overslept.
His wife and children arrived on time.
🏆 MOST HYPERBOLIC ENDORSEMENT
Many endorsers describe books as "must-reads". But Ben Witherington III goes further in his endorsement for Köstenberger & Goswell's "Biblical Theology" (Crossway), describing it as "frankly almost as monumental an achievement as the moon landing"
CHRISTIAN BOOK ENDORSEMENT AWARDS 2023
📚🏆 📚🏆 📚🏆
It's time to celebrate the ONLY awards ceremony devoted to endorsements in Christian books.
This year's awards are for books published in 2022.
So grab a drink/pie, and keep reading to find out all 20 winners...
🧵
Back again with the mental health stigma.
My life involves daily repentance AND daily sertraline. And in it all, Jesus is not ashamed to call me a brother.
My antidepressants are not a sign of unrepented sin.
Last Christmas service done ✅
And this is also my last tweet of 2023
Thank you to my mutuals for making this a joyful place to be this year - and especially for your encouragements in my darker moments.
See you in January for the Christian Book Endorsement Awards!
We had a time of open prayer in our afternoon service on Sunday, as we normally do.
The first person who chose to pray was a 7-year-old.
This hasn't happened before.
I hope it happens again.
He’s higher than a skyscraper
and He’s deeper than a submarine
He’s wider than the universe
and beyond my wildest dreams
He’s known me and He’s loved me
since before the world began
How wonderful
to be a part
of God’s amazing plan
In today’s GTY broadcast, John MacArthur places trauma, anxiety, anorexia and schizophrenia in the category of “blasphemy” [from 18:26].
This is not grace and it’s not biblical.
If you’re a Christian, it’s 100% not wrong to seek help from medical professionals for any of these.
Psalm 1 likens a stable person to a tree firmly planted by water—it can’t be toppled from its place of flourishing. But how can that picture of strength be a reality in your life? Get answers on Grace to You with John MacArthur.
This week, we have opened a new multi-faith area in the free waiting zone.
Located just off the Silver Zone roundabout, the new area provides customers with a private space to reflect and pray whilst waiting to collect friends, family or loved ones.
Today I've been prepping the sermon I was initially planning to preach on 21 May.
When 21 May came, I was unable to preach anything. My mind was in a very dark place. I was thinking about suicide on a daily basis.
If you're struggling, remember:
Things change.
The Lord is kind.
Struggling to find the right email sign-off?
A few Bible-inspired suggestions:
- Grace and peace
- The Lord bless you and keep you
- See what a large font I use as I write to you with my own email app
Looking forward to joining the men of HMP Parc again for services tomorrow. We’ll be singing their favourite song (10,000 Reasons) and reflecting on Psalm 27.
Prayers appreciated!
Christian friends,
If you're struggling with your mental health, please reach out to someone - one of the lines below, your GP, a friend.
Getting help doesn't make you less of a Christian. Jesus is not ashamed to call you a brother or sister.
#WorldMentalHealthDay
Today is
#WorldMentalHealthDay
🌍 And it’s time for action.
Take that first step to getting help. Or share this post and help us reach someone who really needs to see it 💙
Once in a former church, our bimonthly fellowship lunch fell on Mother’s Day. Most of the prep was usually done by mums in the church. The church leaders decided it would be good to give them a rest that Sunday.
So they rescheduled the lunch to the following week.
Pornhub really doesn't like age verification laws, perhaps because their business model depends on luring in under-18s in the hope of making them lifelong addicts
This really is an evil industry, and I hope the UK starts taking that fact seriously soon
These are Jeremy Marshall’s closing words from “Beyond the Big C”
He’s now enjoying an even more amazing peace, forever
May we all, like Jeremy, find rest in the arms of a loving Saviour, and share with others the good news of this eternal peace
Reuben (aged 8) wrote a hymn this morning and wanted to share it with you all:
🎵 🎵🎵
We will praise,
for Christ rose,
earlier in the day.
He died for us,
we can be forgiven.
Hallowed be the name of Christ,
the Lord!
A reminder:
You're completely free to block or mute anyone you want here.
You don't owe anyone unhindered access to your notifications.
Some people are trolls, some delight in cruelty, some persist in lies and slander, some just like stirring up hatred.
Look after yourselves.
That moment where you’re preaching, and you’ve got all your sermon notes in the right order, but you realise part way through that it’s just not a very good sermon
I don't know what hopes and fears you have for the coming week.
But I do know that Jesus upholds the universe by the word of his power.
That's good to remember.
"We fell in love and... that's something that was completely outside of my control."
This is an absolutely evil and insulting way to describe adultery.
"Let marriage be held in honour among all" (Hebrews 13:4)
Praying friends, I’m preaching this Sunday evening for the first time since I was signed off with depression in May.
I’m not preaching at home; details below. I’m 87% sure that “SAESNEG” means I’m preaching in English, but we’ll soon find out.
I'll tell you what I want,
what I really, really want
So tell me what you want,
what you really, really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna,
I wanna really, really, really wanna
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
No, but I am concerned about how school attendance across Bridgend is treated as an achievement, complete with scores and certificates, in a way that suggests illness/grief is a form of failure
Staying home with chickenpox?
No award for you!
Grieving a death?
No award for you!
Are you concerned about your child’s attendance?
It’s important to seek help and advice from school staff as soon as possible, who can provide you with necessary support and guidance.
This week, one of our longest-serving members died and went to be with the Lord.
Maureen was part of our church family for 45 years.
45 years!
What a privilege to have known her.
So thankful we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
"So we will always be with the Lord..."
What's the word for that feeling of guilt you have as a Christian when you've been unwell and people have been praying lots for you and one of them asks you how you are and actually you're worse than you were before but you feel bad about saying that?
Disappointing to see Cardiff Uni's persecution of conservative evangelicals
(joke stolen with permission from
@NotThatRBaxter
, who's currently on a Twitter break)