Sneak Peak inside Exploring the Bible

Screen Shot 2017-09-14 at 7.56.25 AMWhat’s the age range for Exploring the Bible

That’s the most common question I’ve been asked about my forthcoming children’s book. The official answer is 6-12, but now there’a a better way to judge. Crossway have supplied some sample pages so that you can make up your own minds.

The sample includes the introduction explaining the format and also the value of daily Bible reading. Then follows two of the fifty-two week-long expeditions, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Have a look and see if it would be suitable for your kids.

Screen Shot 2017-09-14 at 7.56.39 AMYou can pre-order the book on Amazon and get it sent to you in a couple of weeks when it comes available. Or you can hop on over to Reformation Heritage Books who managed to snag a number of pre-launch boxes. They are offering a special pre-launch price of $9 or you can get a pack of five for $40. Westminster Books also have some pre-launch copies available here.

As a number of churches are planning to use this resource in their Sunday Schools, Crossway are also offering discounts for twenty or more. You can contact them here to get more details.

Download the sample pages here.

exploring-the-bible 1


Check out

Blogs

Survey: Being a Pastor’s Wife Is Good for Faith, Bad for Friendship
Some positives in this report:

“Overall, pastors’ spouses see their family’s ministry involvement as a good thing; 90 percent say it has had a positive effect, according to LifeWay. More than half commit to regular family time at least once a week to avoid burnout and rest together. While some spouses suffer anxiety, depression, and resentment tied to the pressures of being married to a pastor, most report being generally happy and satisfied with their lives. They view themselves as happier than their peers (74%) and see their work as valuable to the ministry (88%).”

Closely Connected Care
In the aftermath of the hurricanes and other disasters, does the Bible offer any guidance on what our priorities should be in the face of so many competing needs?

Entitlement Will Rob You of Rest
“If entitlement is so dangerous, and often so subtle, how can we fight it? I recommend three steps to move from a spirit of entitlement to a spirit of rest: diagnose your heart, remember your God, and imitate your Savior.”

Popular Author Stumbles — What Should We Do With His Books?
Helpful answer here from John Piper:

If a writer does move in a seriously defective direction doctrinally or morally, we have good reason to reread what he has written and be on the lookout for the seeds and trajectories that might give some explanation for why he went in such a wrong direction.

Should We Pull the Plug on Cable News?
One of many insights from this piece by Trevin Wax:

Could it be that the reason Andy Crouch’s cultural analysis is so astute and Piper’s devotional and exegetical writing is so compelling is because they don’t spend time in front of the screen?

The Overcommitted Church
“Many churches have become too busy for their own good. They have so many activities, programs, events, and services that they are wearing out their congregations. Here is the irony. Most of the activities in these churches were started with a noble cause to make a difference in the congregation and the community. But the members became so busy they don’t have time to connect with people in a meaningful way. The overcommitted church has become the ineffective church. So how did our churches get in this predicament? The causes are many, but here are seven of them:”

An Abundance of Counselors
“The Lord himself is our great Counselor. In addition to his word and the work of his Spirit within us, he uses people to aid us in making wise decisions. There are at least two ways in which the “abundance of counselors” principle should be applied in our lives:”

4 Ways Pastors Can Help With Mental Health
Most pastors I know prefer serving on the prevention side of mental health. In all honesty, we are not adequately trained to assess, much less diagnose, many mental health issues. Here are four proactive ways we can help lead a mentally healthy ministry.

Kindle Books

Have a look down this page for some wonderful commentaries at $4.99 each. I almost always consult these when preparing sermons.


Resources for Depression

My assistant Sarah Perez has just completed the herculean task of organizing and categorizing the many online articles I’ve gathered over the years on the subject of depression. Thank you, Sarah! After my favorite books on depression, you will find articles organized under the general outline of Love, Know, Speak, Do (See Paul Tripp’s Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands). You can find more resources on other subjects here.

Favorite Books on Depression


I’m Not Supposed to Feel Like This by Chris Williams (and others).


Dealing with Depression by Sarah Collins and Jayne Haynes.


A Practical Workbook for the Depressed Christian by Dr John Lockley.


Overcoming Spiritual Depression by Arie Elshout.


Depression: Looking Up From The Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch.


D Is For Depression by Michael Lawson.


Spiritual Depression: Its Causes And Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.


Broken Minds by Steve and Robyn Bloem.


Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission by Amy Simpson.


Christians Get Depressed Too: Hope and Help for The Depressed by David Murray.

Other helpful books include:


Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine

When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God–and Joy by John Piper


If I’m a Christian, Why Am I Depressed? by Robert B. Somerville


Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness by Matthew Stanford

Love

These links will help you build an understanding of the problem in general. Included are definitions, personal testimonies, and research.

Definitions/About

5 Things Christians Should Know About Depression and Anxiety | RELEVANT Magazine

A Holy Experience – What Christians Need to Know about Mental Health

Allie Brosh On Depression | The American Conservative

What It’s Like Explaining Depression Meds to Many Christians

Christian Teenagers – Depression FAQ For Teens

6 Little-Known Signs of Depression in Older Adults | THE COUNSELING MOMENT

Stigma, Ann Dunnewold

Listening to Prozac… and to the Scriptures: A Primer on Psychoactive Medications | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

Anxiety and Depression, My Strange Friends | TGC | The Gospel Coalition

Anxiety and Depression Together | Psychology Today

Battling Depression . . . Redemption, Medication, and Christ – Desiring God

How has faith shaped our view of mental illness?

Can a Christian get depressed?

Coping with S.A.D. and Seasonal Depression

Depression: how should we understand it? | Wisdom for Life

Depression | Biblical Counselling Australia

Every Time I Talk About Depression – Being Brave

In the Valley of Postpartum Depression | CT Women | ChristianityToday.com

Frankly Speaking: Two myths about Christians and depression

Inside the Battle to Define Mental Illness | Magazine

Mental Health Black Community: What African Americans Need To Know About Mental Health | Breaking News for Black America

Suffering service | The Briefing

Suicide Awareness: Answers About Teen Suicide & Depression | Yellowbrick

Tangled Up in Blue: Depression and the Christian Life – Reformation21

the beginning of wisdom: on suicide, gratitude and compassion

The Christian Curmudgeon: When Darkness Is Your Only Friend

Personal Accounts and Testimonies

Beyond Survival | The Emmaus Blog

Beyond the Lights: Celebrities and Mental Illness

Black with Postpartum Depression: My Therapist Had Never Treated A Black Woman

Broken But Grateful | Desiring God

Christianity Can’t Replace My Zoloft – TIME

Clemson center Jay Guillermo battles depression but returns to anchor Tigers

Depression, Dementia, and Heavenly Relief

Depression and the Pastor’s Wife: Suffering in Silence | Counseling One Another

Depression Strikes Again: Leave Me Alone Black Dog

Describing the indescribable | HeadHeartHand Blog

Amazing Grace – A Story of Recovery from a Suicide Attempt

Hope for Your Dark Night of the Soul – Justin Taylor

I’m Glad I Stopped My Suicide Attempt

Jesus Isn’t Going To Take My Zoloft

Like Job, I Too Was Surrounded By Darkness

Making Small Talk as a Person With a Mental Illness | The Mighty

Martin Luther’s Shelter Amid the Flood of Depression

More on Depression in the Christian Life and Ministry (with citations from Charles Spurgeon) – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries

My Depression Is Not Wasted | Gifted for Leadership

Out of the Darkness — Modern Love – NYTimes.com

Phil Lineberger – “Through A Glass Darkly” – Depression & Suicide

Postpartum Depression: An Interview with My Husband – Postpartum Progress

Pyromaniacs: Spurgeon on Depression

Reach Out To Women Like Me With Postpartum Depression

Robin Williams & Depression | The American Conservative

Saved and Depressed: A Real Conversation about Faith and Health

Sheila Walsh: Depression Not the End of Her Story

Stories of Suicide and the Faith Community

The Doctrine of Election Saved Me from Depression | Desiring God

The Pastor’s Wife Who Went Crazy: A guest post by Heather Palacios | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer

These Grey Cupcakes Could Take A Bite Out Of Depression | Co.Design: business + innovation + design

The Spurgeon Center | 11 Reasons Spurgeon Was Depressed

The Upward Call – The Upward Call – Those nasty family legacies

What does Depression look like for Entrepreneurs? | Seth Getz

What Zoloft Is Teaching Me About God – The Blazing Center

When a Loved One Takes His Life

When Depression Comes Back | Addie Zierman | How To Talk Evangelical

When the Darkness Closes In: A Christian’s Journey through Depression- Reformed African American Network

When The Darkness Doesn’t Break – Borrowed Light

When The Psychologist Has Postpartum Depression

When You Are Thinking About Suicide

A Day In The Life Of This Christian Living With Anxiety/Depression | Carlos Whittaker

A Mother’s Heart on Praying for Her Prodigal Son | True Woman Blog | Revive Our Hearts

A Few Observations From My Recent Time in the Pit – Borrowed Light

BBC – Chris Bevan: Andy Morrison’s biggest battle

BBC News – Would-be MP on depression battle

BBC SPORT | Cricket | Trescothick’s long-term illness

BBC Sport – Cricket – Trescothick admits tour dilemma

BBC Sport – Cricket – Cricket World Cup – England hit by Yardy withdrawal

Keith O’Neil | Game plan | bphope

Helping and Understanding

How Do We Deal With Our ‘Problem People’ & The Mentally Struggling In Our Churches? – 20schemes

12 Ways Depression-Anxiety Impacts Family and Relationships | Brad Hambrick

13 Helps For When a Friend Battles Depression – Borrowed Light

5 Ways to Help Your Depressed Friend | For The Church

A Prayer for Serving Our Friends Who Struggle with Depression – Heavenward by Scotty Smith

Caring for the depressed – free ebook

Good Morning America Misses The Mark on PPD

Having Mental Illness Is Like Being In Fight Club – The Blazing Center

How to Cope with a Depressed Spouse | Reader’s Digest

How To Love Your Depressed Friend | The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

How to Support a Partner Struggling with Depression

How We Rewrote Our Company’s Mental Health Policy

In Case It’s the Right Question | Addie Zierman | How To Talk Evangelical

Pyromaniacs: Candid pastoral thoughts on depression and drugs

Tips For Supporting Someone With Postpartum Depression – Postpartum Progress

What I Needed From the Church During My Depression | Her.meneutics | ChristianityToday.com

When Your Depressed Friend Twists God’s Word – Borrowed Light

Research and Statistics

BBC News – Five psychiatric disorders ‘linked’

BBC News – GPs access to depression treatment ‘is too narrow’

BBC News – Test ‘predicts’ teen depression risk

BBC News – Where hyenas are used to treat mental illness

Brain scans to catch depression before it starts – Yahoo News

Depression and the Limits of Psychiatry – NYTimes.com

Depression as hard on the heart as obesity and cholesterol

Human Lie Detector Paul Ekman Decodes The Faces Of Depression, Terrorism, And Joy | Fast Company

Is Gluten Making You Depressed? | Psychology Today

Is Postpartum Depression Non-Existent in Other Cultures?

More Americans suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, study finds – CBS News

New Mouse Study Links Chronic Stress to Depression, Adds Evidence to the Benefits of Antidepressants – - TIME Healthland

New Research on the Antidepressant-Versus-Placebo Debate | Healthland | TIME.com

NIMH · Scan Predicts Whether Therapy or Meds Will Best Lift Depression

One in four American women take medication for a mental disorder | Mail OnlineOnline

People Change: New Research Shows That Personalities Change – Good Mood Bad Mood

Psychiatry Now Admits It’s Been Wrong in Big Ways: But Can It Change? | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

Soil Microbes And Human Health – Learn About The Natural Antidepressant In Soil

Talk Therapy vs. Drugs | Psychology Today

The Evolutionary Reason for Depression – Mind – Lifehacker

The Internet Knows You’re Depressed, but Can It Help You? | Healthland | TIME.com

The Internet Usage Patterns of Depressed College Students

The Real Problems With Psychiatry – Hope Reese – The Atlantic

This App Tells You — and Maybe Someone Else — When You’re Depressed – Bloomberg

VeriPsych Says It Can Spot Depression, Schizophrenia in Blood | Fast Company

What If We’re Wrong About Depression? – NYTimes.com

Why Patients Don’t Open Up to Doctors About Depression – TIME Healthland

Alternative to talk or pharmacological therapies for depression? | Musings of a Christian Psychologist

A Video Game Designed to Treat Depression Worked Better Than Counseling - medGadget - Health – The Atlantic

Primer on Antidepressants

The Truth About Antidepressants, from WebMD

Mental Illness, Psychiatric Drugs, and Counseling Education | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

‘I Wanted To Live’: New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases : Shots – Health Blog : NPR

Antidepressants may damage the brain | Daily Mail Online

BBC News – ‘Doctors should stop pushing drugs at depressed people’

Antidepressants ‘work instantly’ | Michelle Roberts, Health reporter, BBC News

BBC News – Ketamine ‘exciting’ depression therapy

Birth control linked to depression, new study says – CNN.com

Hope Is a Very Good Thing: What Is the Active Ingredient in Antidepressant Medication? | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

Medication, Biblical Counseling, & Depression: What’s New in Serotonin? | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

New drugs for depression? | Musings of a Christian Psychologist

Report: 1 in 5 American Adults Takes Mental Health Drugs – TIME Healthland

Unraveling the Mystery of How Antidepression Drugs Work: Scientific American

You May Soon Be Able To Take A Drug To Prevent Depression

BBC News – Brain training ‘helps treat depression’

BBC NEWS | Health | ‘Talk therapy’ for the depressed

BBC News – Self-help books ‘treat depression’

Can Depression Be Cured? New Research on Depression and its Treatments Webcast | Library of Congress

Can Faith in God Help Alleviate Depression?

Phone-Based Psychotherapy May Help Depression as Much as Face-to-Face Treatment, at Least in the Short Term | Healthland | TIME.com

A Gene to Explain Depression – TIME Healthland

Chemical Imbalances & Depression: A Theory Falls victim to New Research – Good Mood Bad Mood

How a flash of light to the brain can banish fear | Mail Online

 How video games can teach your brain to fight depression.

Human brain has more switches than all computers on Earth | Health Tech – CNET News

Lipids in Health and Disease | Full text | Omega-3 fatty acids and majordepression: A primer for the mental health professional

Treating depression with electrodes inside the brain – CNN.com

Treating Your Stomach For Depression « The Dish

Know

These links will help you find out about the problem in more detail. This includes interpretations, information on specific issues, and possible causes.

BBC News – Not depressed, just sad, lonely or unhappy

Depression, a Pastoral Approach

Depression, Sin & Self-Reformation – Theocast

Her.meneutics: Should Christians Take Antidepressants?: A Response

Mental Illness in the Bible – Christian Mental Illness

Moore to the Point – Is It Right for a Christian to Take Anti-Depressants?

My Take: How churches can respond to mental illness – CNN Belief Blog – CNN.com Blogs

No room for sadness (a closer look at depression) | Wisdom for Life

Pyromaniacs: Experience and effective ministry

Should Christians Take Antidepressants? | Her.meneutics | Christianitytoday.com

Should Christians Take Medication for Mental Illness? | Blog | Perry Noble

Sufficiency of Scripture and Psychotropic Medication | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

The Blues vs Clinical Depression – Christian Mental Illness

The Depression Epidemic Revisited | Counseling One Another

The Doctor Is IN | CCEF (Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Part 6Part 7)

The Psalmists’ Rich View of Depression

This Demon Only Comes Out By Prayer and Prozac | Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

Why Do We Seem Negative about Psychiatric Medications? | CCEF

William Cowper’s Letters « Soliloquium

BBC News – Does sunshine make us happier?

Low levels of face-to-face social contact ‘can double depression risk’ – Telegraph

My nightmare on the pill – BBC News

Specific Issues

Burnout

Depression: What is burnout? – National Library of Medicine – PubMed Health

Celebrity

BBC News – Why are sports stars prone to depression?

Depression and suicide: Football’s secret uncovered – BBC Sport

Jesse Jackson Jr’s Shame on Us » Amy Simpson

Childhood Trauma and Difficulties

BBC News – Persistent depression risk ‘doubles’ in abused children

Do Children of Same-Sex Parents Suffer from Higher Rates of Depression, Obesity, and Suicidal Ideation? | National Review

Post-Partum Depression

Her.meneutics: Why Stay-at-Home Moms Are More Depressed Than Working Moms

How To Tell Whether It’s Postpartum Depression Or Normal New Mom Stress

7 Postpartum Depression Survivors Share Their Stories Of Having More Children

Living With: Postpartum Depression

Reach Out To Women Like Me With Postpartum Depression

BBC News – Postpartum psychosis: Affected parents speak out

As A Psychiatrist, I Thought I’d Be Immune To Postpartum Depression. I Was Wrong.

How Does Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression Work, Anyway?

One In Five Get Postpartum Depression: Numbers Too Big To Ignore

The Depressed Homemaker’s Greatest Need | HeadHeartHand Blog

When Christian Moms Get the Blues | Her.meneutics | Christianitytoday.com

When New Moms Can’t Stop Worrying | Her.meneutics | Christianitytoday.com

Cutting and Self-Harm

The First Cut Is The Deepest: Self-Harmers In The Church – 20schemes

Spiritual Depression

8 Causes of Spiritual Depression | The Christward Collective

Are Unhappy Christians a Poor Witness? – Borrowed Light

Spiritual Depression: The Dark Night of the Soul by R.C. Sproul | Ligonier Ministries Blog

Spiritual Depression | RPM Ministries

Spiritual Depression | Wisdom for Life

Depression in Pastors and Ministry Leaders

Paul Tripp Ministries -Depressed Pastors

Why do pastors get depressed? | Practical Shepherding

Depression & the Ministry – Part 1 | The Cripplegate

Depression & the Ministry – Part 2 | The Cripplegate

Encouragement for Pastors Tempted with Depression – Justin Taylor

Do You See the Glory of God in the Sun? Spurgeon’s Battle Against Depression – Justin Taylor

Depression among Christians

Why Pastors Are Committing Suicide

Top Ten Causes of Depression in Pastors | Andrew Knott.org

Using Effort-Reward Imbalance Theory to Understand High Rates of Depression and Anxiety Among Clergy – Springer

Suicide

BBC News – Call for action to tackle ‘Scottish effect’ on suicide rates

Why Teenage Suicide is More than a Statistic for Me | TGC

Speak

These links start to provide possible guidance, advice, or direction – resources for speaking into someone’s life.

A Biblical Approach to Depression | Counseling One Another (Part 1Part 2Part 3)

Depression and Common Grace | TGC

20 Approaches to Battling Depression-Anxiety as Suffering | Brad Hambrick

7 Factors that Contribute to the Impact of Depression-Anxiety | Brad Hambrick

9 Ways to Battle Depression, Condemnation and Anxiety > The Village Church

10 Types of Thinking that Undergird Depression-Anxiety | Brad Hambrick

7 Ways The Lord Uses Depression in the Life of a Minister

6 Changes in Lifestyle that Add to the Impact of Depression-Anxiety | Brad Hambrick

6 Steps to Wise Decision Making About Psychotropic Medications | Brad Hambrick

Avoid Working Long Hours of Overtime to Reduce Your Risk of Depression

BBC News – Cognitive behavioural therapy ‘can reduce depression’

BBC News – Late-night teens ‘face greater depression risk’

Believing in God can help treat depression | Mail Online

Breaking the Silence: When Christian Leaders Speak Openly about Depression | Everyday Theology

Camp Kivu’s Quest to Get Depressed Teens to Disconnect From Social Media – The Daily Beast

Can We Be Positive about Psychiatric Medications? | CCEF

Is it right for a Christian to take antidepressants? | Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

Charles Spurgeon: Preaching Through Adversity 1995 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors – Desiring God

Does Your Depression Make You Hypersensitive to Criticism? – Postpartum Progress

Examples of mental anguish and depression in the Bible

Freedom from the Performance Treadmill | Counseling One Another

God’s Beauty for the Bored, Busy, and Depressed

Happiness in Christ, Even Through Depression and Sorrow – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries

How Do You Tell A Pregnant Friend About Postpartum Depression?

How I Gleaned Hope from the Darkest Psalm

How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs

How Your Diet Can Raise The Risk of Postpartum Depression – Postpartum Progress

Injecting the Light of H-O-P-E into a Dyed-Black Perspective | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

Lessons Learned from the Dark Valley of Depression | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

Medicating Women’s Feelings – The New York Times

Mothering Through Depression and Chronic Illness | CBMW | The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Out of the Ordinary: Anxiety and the Battle for the Mind

Overcome Depression: How to Avoid Hitting Bottom | Lifescript.com
Ruminating: The Mental Health Killer | Musings of a Christian Psychologist

Social groups alleviate depression | CIFAR

Depression and your internet usage? | Musings of a Christian Psychologist

Heavy social media users ‘trapped in endless cycle of depression’ | Health News | Lifestyle | The Independent

Digital depression in a digital age

Mind Over Misery – Stanford Magazine – Article

The Bleakest Psalm Is Really a Night-light :: Desiring God

The Forgetfulness that Leads to Depression

The Nutrition of Mental Health

The Surprising Upside to Sadness

The World Needs Pastors | For The Church

Time on the Internet Linked to Teen Depression | Covenant Eyes

Wasted Depression | Thistletown Baptist Church

When A Pastor Gets Depressed – J.A. Medders

When You Don’t Want to Go to Church

Your Thoughts Will Betray You | Desiring God

Do

These links include practical advice and possible “homework” for a counselee. 

3 Suggested Uses for My Depression Interview | Counseling One Another

10 Tips For Getting Through Seasonal Depression

7 tips to help manage Depression and Anxiety

8 Lessons Learned from a Long Battle with Spiritual Depression – The Gospel Coalition

Baby Blues & Postpartum Depression: It’s Ok to Admit You Need Help (Part 1)

Access to nature reduces depression and obesity, finds European study | Society | The Guardian

BBC NEWS | Health | Depression link to processed food

clutter and depression

Depressed and Thankful: Six Ways to Find Joy | Desiring God

Depression & Exercise: I Run! Therefore I Am Not Depressed! – Good Mood Bad Mood

Holiday Season Blues: How To Beat Loneliness & Depression At Christmas

Homeschooling with Depression

How to Beat that Bad Mood | Challies Dot Com

How to Fight Depression (Without the Pills)

How to Fight for Faith in the Dark: Three Lessons for Depression | Desiring God

How to Find Bread and Water in the Dungeon of Depression – Borrowed Light

How to Pray When You’re Depressed: A Look at Psalm 13 | Biblical Counseling Coalition Blogs

I Feel Sad Sometimes, And It Doesn’t Go Away | The Blazing Center

if you’re going through hell…. | Sarah Thebarge

Lisa Notes: If you’re discouraged with yourself…

My Take: Let’s stop keeping mental illness a secret – CNN Belief Blog – CNN.com Blogs

Persistent Prayer to a Loving Father | The Christward Collective

Pyromaniacs : Battling depression

Regular Exercise & Depression | Counseling One Another

The Ministry of Sorrow | Counseling One Another

What can a depressed person do daily while fighting for joy? | Practical Shepherding

What should a Christian do when overwhelmed with depression? – ChristianAnswers.Net

When Christians Suffer from Depression | TGC

When Feelings Fail – Wog Magazine

When He Feels Far Off – The Gospel Coalition Blog

When Is Depression-Anxiety Sinful? | Brad Hambrick

When the Darkness Doesn’t Yield

When You Have a Case of the Monday’s on Sunday – Borrowed Light

With Depression, Helping Others May in Turn Help You –Doctors Lounge

Resources

Videos

David Powlison: “Depression and Suffering: Finding Hope and Healing for Ourselves and Others” | TGC

Andrew Solomon: Depression, the secret we share | TED Talk | TED.com

God Is with You in Depression | Desiring God

Christians Get Depressed Too: Jeni’s Story – YouTube

Danny Rossi’s Story on Vimeo

Depression, Divorce & New Life In Jesus: Ronnie’s Story – 20schemes

Dr. David Powlison – Is Depression Purely Biological?

Misdiagnosed Mood Disorders – Fox News Video – FoxNews.com

Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Personal Responsibility Paradigm (Seminar Videos) | Brad Hambrick

Randy Alcorn Opens Up about His Depression | TGC

Sabrina Benaim – “Explaining My Depression to My Mother” – YouTube

Session 17 – Actual Counseling Session: Clinical Depression – Portions of Session 1 & 4 (Oct 2011) – YouTube

Session 27 – Actual Counseling Session: Clinical Depression – Session 1, 4, 10 (Nov 2011) – YouTube

Six Free Video Curriculum From 2014 | Brad Hambrick

Video: Overcoming Depression-Anxiety, A Responsibility Paradigm (Step 1) | Brad Hambrick

A Boomer in the Pew: Video: David and Carol Porter – Our Story Filmed by Scottsdale Bible Church

God is With You In Depression

Battling Depression…Redemption, Medication, and Christ

Podcasts

How can I help my spouse through depression? | CCEF

When Depression Descends, Do the Next Thing | Desiring God

When God Withdraws the Sense of His Presence – The Gospel Coalition Blog

What Does Christian Hedonism Offer The Depressed?

The Darkness of Depression


Check out

Blogs

Serious Sins | Kevin DeYoung
“If we as Christian laypeople, Christian pastors, and Christian churches never talk about sexual sin, only talk about sexual sin, ignore what the Ten Commandments say about sin, or refuse to warn people of the dire consequences of sin, we are doing something wrong.”

What’s changed in Britain since same-sex marriage? | The Spectator Australia
“In the United Kingdom, it has become abundantly clear that redefinition has affected many people, across many spheres. At first glance, these spheres appeared distinct from marriage redefinition. However, subsequent changes, have proved that they are entirely intertwined.”

Goldilocks, Psychiatric Diagnoses, and Psychoactive Medications | CCEF
Mike Emlet introduces his excellent new book, Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications.

“There is no doubt that many people suffer greatly with emotions and patterns of thinking that bring grave hardship to them and to their loved ones. The pressing issue is how best to know and understand their struggles. And then, having understood, how best to provide compassionate and wise help. After all, we are called to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Psychiatric diagnostic classification and psychoactive medications provide a way to understand and help those who are burdened in particular ways. This book assesses the limitations and benefits of understanding and helping people using that lens.”

How the Minor Prophets Help Us Enjoy Jesus | Desiring God
“The Minor Prophets will help you enjoy Jesus more deeply, if you let them. Why not begin your journey to greater joy in Jesus through reading the Minor Prophets? Pray that through these twelve short books God would open your eyes wider to see wonderful things in his word (Psalm 119:18) and shine into your heart brighter “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:18–4:6).”

Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth: A Letter to a Would-be Adulterer
“However cute that woman might be that you’re tempted toward, ask yourself if your legacy is worth destroying for a moment of stolen pleasure. Your sin will quickly turn into a bitter aftertaste you’ll be spitting out of your mouth for the rest of your life. But God is positioning you and your wife to bless the generations yet to come. Embrace the vision! Don’t throw your legacy away!”

6 Ways to Teach Like Jesus | Facts & Trends
“If you want to be a better preacher, look no further than Jesus. Tell stories, be shocking, craft memorable statements, use object lessons, and repeat.”

5 Reasons Why People are Unproductive at Work – Michael Hyatt
“There are hundreds of reasons that emerge in job satisfaction surveys and conversations with workers. But five reasons really stand out to me.”

America’s Epidemic: How Opioid Addicts Find Help in the Church
“In 2010, Americans—which make up less than 5 percent of the world’s population—consumed 80 percent of the world’s opioids and 99 percent of its hydrocodones (semi-synthetic opiates like Vicodin or Lortab). “America is enduring a death toll equal to September 11th every three weeks,” the report said. “[I]f this scourge has not found you or your family yet, without bold action by everyone it soon will.”

New Book

Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications by Mike Emlet. Here’s my commendation:

Any book that has ‘A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses and Medications’ in its subtitle is going to be huge, complex, impractical, and highly controversial. Right? Wrong! Mike Emlet has managed to write a short, accessible, and immensely practical book on this vital subject. And he’s done it in such a sensible, balanced, and biblical way that the book will promote peace and unity rather than debate and division. Here is help for the helpers and for the helpless.

Kindle Books

For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.


Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom by Ryan Anderson $1.99.

History of Israel by Walter Kaiser $2.99.

Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today by David Helm $3.99.


Check out

Blogs

5 Ways to Focus at Work, from an Executive Who’s Struggled with ADHD
“Once I entered the working world, I knew I had to make some changes. I couldn’t spend my life running away from this problem, especially if I wanted to succeed in sales, my chosen field. I’d have to organize and track my interactions with prospects and clients and stay attentive to their needs. Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve discovered several work-arounds that can help anyone struggling to stay focused at work.”

What is God Saying to Us?
“Understandably, people are trying to make sense of these devastating natural disasters. “What is God saying to us?” is the question of the hour. Many of the responses are less than satisfying. Some are extremely unhelpful. As I have listened to these suggestions, Martin Luther’s wise counsel keeps ringing in my ears; “Let the man who would hear God speak, read holy Scripture.”"

Having Mental Health Issues Doesn’t Mean You’re a Bad Christian
“I’m here to say mental health issues happen to everyday people—even to believers who are strong in faith and have friends, because it happened to me. The bad part was the sense of shame some Christians made me feel about my emotional struggles, but as I discovered how God views healing, I realized it wasn’t my faith that was flawed; it was their views toward mental health and faith.”

10 ways to pastor adoptive parents and those considering adoption
“There are many ways that you can express your pastoral care for those considering adoption and those who have adopted already. As an adoptive father and former pastor, I offer a few thoughts on how to help adoption become a biblically based, heart-led, missional movement in your church and not merely another program on your church’s list.”

The Largest Survey Ever Conducted of American Religious and Denominational Identity: 14 Major Findings from a Landmark Study | TGC
“PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute)—a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to conducting independent research at the intersection of religion, culture, and public policy—has released their report on the 2016 American Values Atlas (AVA), which was the single largest survey of American religious and denominational identity ever conducted.”

Rescuing Souls from Death
“Rescuing souls involves evangelizing, preaching, teaching, disciple-making, disciplining, rebuking, exhorting, comforting, encouraging, and praying. Rescuing souls even involves rescuing the lives of the unborn from being murdered, helping to care for those who are rescued, and trying to rescue the souls of those who attempt to murder the unborn. ”

Restoring Fallen Leaders Back to Ministry?
“Those who defend fallen Christian leaders as “wounded warriors,” and put all the emphasis on their need to heal and be productive and use their gifts, often do not seem to grasp the harm done to the church, the body of Christ, and the damage done to the credibility of the gospel among unbelievers.”

Kindle Books

Developments in Biblical Counseling by Cameron Fraser $2.99. My endorsement of this book:

Cameron knows his subject, writes simply and clearly, and assesses positions in a fair and balanced way. This book will help readers navigate the different approaches in biblical counseling.

Compassionate Jesus: Rethinking the Christian’s Approach to Modern Medicine by Christopher Bogosh $2.99.

Teach Us to Want: Longing, Ambition and the Life of Faith by Jen Pollock Michael $2.99.