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Summer 2016 View this email in your browser Steve's Current Musings The Stigma of Mental Illness Fresh out of seminary over 30 year ago, I remember being so depressed that I was unable to candidate at a church in Florida. After a stay in a psychiatric hospital, I had gotten better and tried to reapply. The head deacon said to me, in a smooth southern drawl, "Steve, do you have a case of the nerves?" They did not want me back. Certainly, mental illness has to do with the central nervous system. But the term nervous breakdown represents a pejorative perspective on mental illness. Mental illness is biological in its origin. Christians cannot claim to have immunity from it. Let’s Pray For Our Poor, Mentally Ill Member Evidences of the stigma of mental illness in churches persist. For instance, when is the last time in a church prayer meeting that you heard a prayer request for someone who is in a psychiatric hospital? If people in your church or your town would really be honest, they would be amazed how many people are being treated biologically for a mental illness. However, most church goers will not mention mental illness, their silence for themselves or their loved ones in the church speaks loudly to us. Instead, there are whispers in the foyer about someone not being able to handle stress, having a case of the nerves or some other inane comment. Heaven Knows No Stigma Thankfully, there is no stigma in Heaven about our subject. Millions of perfected saints in glory are praising God that the Lord Jesus Christ through His shed blood and resurrection has delivered them from the horrible pain of mental illness, which to many was feared more than death itself. Matt. 5:3 tells us, Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see the kingdom of God. A pastor friend of mine contacted me about a godly man in his congregation who had severe mental illness. The tried Christian died suddenly, in the middle of reading his Bible one morning and went to be with the Lord.  My friend, the pastor said, “Now his torment is over forever.” Let us be brave and face the horrible suffering of mental illness head on.  By doing this we will bring glory and honor to God. Romans 12:16, Be of the same mind toward one another ; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Upcoming Seminars Whispers in the Foyer August 13, 2016 Grace Reformed Church Leduc, Alberta (Canada) October 15, 2016 Boca Glades Baptist Church Boca Glades, Florida (U.S.A) Visit www.heartfeltmin.org for more information on these excellent seminars. Prayer Points Robyn and I are under contract to write two more books. We are very thankful for this opportunity! We have 2 seminars planned for this year.  Pray for clarity and strength for both Robyn and myself. Pray that Satan's arrows of discouragement would not find their mark as Robyn and I continue to carry out the work the Lord has called us to do. Pray for our brothers and sisters who continue to wrestle daily against mental illness.  Partner with Us Our ministry has prevented many people from taking their own lives. We have helped put families back together and kept many from giving up on their marriage.  We offer a support group every week, all year long at no cost.  We train churches across the world how to have a ministry to the mentally ill. Since Heartfelt is a ministry, we depend heavily on donations like yours to help those who cannot afford to get the mental help they need. Visit www.heartfeltmin.org click on Join Us, and scroll down to find our Donate button.  All donations will receive a tax deductible receipt. Copyright © *|2016|* *|Heartfelt Counseling Ministries|*, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 4371 Northlake Blvd Suite 256 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 pathema@msn.com 561-909-9109 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list