When we think about prevention, we often think in terms of how we can help others. No one dreams of ending it all one day — none of us are immune to suicidal thoughts. Many people assume suicides happen for a certain type of people. I would disagree. As humans, we all hurt. We experience times of debilitating pain (whether physical or emotional). Life hurts….
My heart is heavy this morning; suicides continue to escalate across the country. Not only has our small community been touched in the past week, but another small town near and dear to my heart in Montana has experienced 5 suicides in the past 4 weeks. In order to prevent suicide loss, it is going to take all of us. This is not a job…
Earlier this year, I went to a writer’s conference where I was asked to examine “what I do” to identify themes across all of my jobs. As I examined my roles as counselor, educator, and international member care coordinator I realized the common tread is hope — I am a hope dealer. I joke to my friends when people ask what I do for a…
This morning I am pondering the day after the crucifixion. Matthew 27 tells us Pilate was afraid Jesus’ disciples might steal his body and tell the people Jesus rose from the dead. I wonder what the disciples were thinking. Were they hoping for a resurrected Jesus? Did they feel defeated and dejected? It must have been the longest 24 hours of their lives. How do…
Do you struggle to rest? Do you feel guilty for slowing down? So many clients I talk with feel pressure to produce. Culture pressures us to remain busy. Somehow we have bought the lie that busyness equals increased value. We are not what we do. God knew we would struggle to find our identity in our productivity; perhaps this is one of the reasons he…
Even though I grew up in church, I never really hurt much about Lent. This was something others did, not me. As I have matured in my faith, I have come to see the benefits of Lent to my own spiritual journey. Lent serves as a reminder of the 40 days Jesus withdrew to the wilderness; Jesus was tempted while in the wilderness. As Christians,…