by Joanna French | Dec 27, 2022 | Mental Health, Special Needs Ministry, Spiritual Development
When asked what religion I am, I typically answer, “I am a Christian.” This descriptor, though, feels like it falls short; so many professing to be Christians abhor the very teachings of Jesus, but I digress. Somewhere along my walk of faith, God opened my eyes to the...
by Key Ministry | Dec 20, 2022 | Hope, Mental Health
My Story with OCDIn my baby book, my mom wrote that I got paddled twice in the first grade at school! I didn’t let it bother me, though. It was nothing to worry about. I just kept going and enjoyed life. Image of Jeff Rickert as a young boy. Sports were a big part of...
by Joe and Cindi Ferrini | Dec 19, 2022 | Medically Fragile, Mental Health, Spiritual Growth
As the days drew nearer to His birth, Mary found herself in a time of waiting. Could she have understood what it meant to carry the Christ-child? Humbly, she endured the looks and speculations of others—perhaps including Joseph. Even still, they persevered and...
by Jolene Philo | Nov 28, 2022 | Caregiving, Mental Health, Spiritual Growth
The grief of disability caregiving almost overwhelmed me this autumn.First, my Aunt Donna, an oasis of security and love during my childhood, died. Grief over Donna’s death was accompanied by grief for my mother. She’s the elder sister by six years,...
by Joanna French | Nov 8, 2022 | Advocacy, Bipolar Disorder, Mental Health
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always? Pray continually? Give thanks in all circumstances?It’s not as easy as the...
by Jolene Philo | Sep 26, 2022 | Medically Fragile, Mental Health, Special Needs Parenting
Our pastor was introducing a new sermon series about beauty when these four words, which I had never strung together before, which I did not want to string together, took up residence in my brain. My response was swift and prickly.The beauty of disability? Why would I...
