Posted by Racquel on June 2, 2002, at 4:18:57
In reply to Mental Illnesses and Faith Communities, posted by SuzyQ on May 31, 2002, at 3:45:01
To SuzyQ,
It took me a long time to be able to talk about my mental illness to ANYONE, let alone fellow Christians. My church is wonderfully welcoming, supportive, and loving to any man, woman, or child, especially those that are hurting. My pastor was a former alcoholic, drug-dealer, drug-addict who served in Vietnam, ran with a motorcycle gang, and committed crimes of all sorts before he came to know Jesus Christ. He has devoted the past thirty + years of his life to serving the Lord by helping and loving people...like Jesus did. I can attest to all he's done for so many people, myself included, out of his love for them, not glory for himself. We have people in our church who are former prostitutes, former Hell's Angels, and former hard-core criminals. We also include as part of our church family people, including me, with mental illnesses like clinical depression, bipolar depression, and others. People from all walks of life and all different economical and social backgrounds make up this little church in Las Vegas, and God has used everyone in the church to help me get through some seemingly hopeless valleys of darkness. Isn't that was Jesus teaches? "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick."
In turn, we hope to share that comfort and love that we received from God with others who are hurting.
I know I wrote that this message board is a bad idea, but after reading the replies I received from all of you, I realized I was in error. Thank you for the kind, courteous, and direct manner in which you wrote your replies. You didn't belittle or attack, which I've seen at some of these other sites around the www, and I appreciate that.
Anyway, that's my little contribution for Jesus. Thanks everyone. Racquel
poster:Racquel
thread:19
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20020527/msgs/43.html