Brueggemann articulates rightly of American Christianity that “serious religious use of the lament psalms has been minimal because we have believed that faith does not mean to acknowledge or embrace negativity [1].” This, as Lutherans, we know all too well; that a de-emphasis on reality and over-emphasis on happiness, praise, and blessings sometimes skews [...]
Tagged depression, Psalms of Lament, scriptureOver the last couple of years I’ve read a number of books on or about depression in different ways. When I could concentrate enough to read. Two books I read early on I’ve mean to write about for some time:Speaking of Sadness
By David A. Karp
Karp is a sociology professor at Boston College. He is not [...]
At the moment of this writing, the television news is reporting the sorrowful death of 28-year-old Oscar nominated actor, Heath Ledger. The speculation is that it may have been suicide or possibly an accidental drug overdose. While the circumstances are unclear at this point, what is clear is that he is dead. [...]
Tagged actor, Batman, Brokeback Mountain, drugs, gospel, Heath Ledger, hollywood, Movies
Rev. Stiegemeyer asked me to come in as a guest writer and write a bit about depression, mental illness and the pastoral office. Welcome to my world.
Clinical depression is one of the fastest growing and most common illnesses in our country. It affects over 19 million Americans, and yet often goes undiagnosed and untreated, [...]
It was my pleasure to introduce a devotion to the deaconess students last night at a fireside chat regarding “The Winter Doldrums,” or more prevalently called [I'm beating a dead blog post here] “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” However, I’ve found many a good resources that discussed the biological causes, risk factors and treatments (mine might [...]
Tagged depression, Martin Luther, Mental Illness, S.A.D.
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