This week started out pretty bad, but has turned out amazing. I started the week by falling into a depressive state on Sunday afternoon (what I sometimes refer to as "being down"). Lately I've had cycles of depression where I will go a couple weeks "normal," and then fall into a depressed state for about …
How to Help
When my depression was at its worst, I was in crisis. I had plans for my suicide, but was also starting to experience suicidal impulses. I was abusing opioids. I kept my wife in the dark, but I did confide in a few close friends. They knew about my drug use and they knew I …
A Video Testimony
Here is a video of my testimony that I gave at the Sycamore View Church of Christ (Memphis, TN) Celebrate Recovery on February 20, 2018. This is the third time I've given my testimony; the one before this one was at my home CR group at Highpoint Church. I like public speaking. I enjoy giving …
Holistic Treatment
Treatment for depression works. It's a journey, for sure, but it works. Everybody responds differently; I don't want to give you a false hope that treatment will completely erase depression. It may, but probably not. What treatment does for me is to give me more depression-free days, and when I do cycle down into depression, …
My Addiction?
The disease of addiction can strike anyone. Unfortunately, depression and drug or alcohol addiction often coexist. Sometimes it's drug or alcohol use that leads to depression, either due to chemical effects or stresses and circumstances created by the drug or alcohol use. Sometimes it's the opposite - depression leads one to abuse drugs or alcohol …
Worship Night
Last night our church (Highpoint Church in Memphis, TN) hosted a worship night. It was a night of mostly music, but also guided prayers, Spirit-led revelations, and a few spontaneous baptisms. So yeah, it was an awesome night. The guest speaker, Russ Parker, at one point invited the prayer team to be available at the …
One More Light
Before I gave my testimony for the first time, I came across this song and was stricken with its emotion and message. It was written about losing someone you love (specifically, about a friend who died of cancer). I thought about Chester Bennington's (the lead singer) suicide that happened only a couple of months after …
I had a black dog, his name was depression
This video does a great job of explaining depression. The first time I saw it (in a therapist's office) I completely broke down by the end, sobbing uncontrollably. I realized, "I am that guy." It's good to share with those who have never struggled with depression so they may have a better understanding of it. …
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