Today I am thinking of mental illness.  It is now estimated that 1 out of 5 individuals will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime. This is a sharp increase from 1987 where it was 1 out of 187. What happened? Statistics Canada found that 23 per cent of all deaths for youth aged 15 to 19 can be accounted for by suicide.  We have a serious social problem. This coming Saturday we will honor and celebrate a beautiful young woman who struggled with mental illness and experienced a tragic end. Our hearts are sad and we can’t help but ask, what happened in our world that this disease is so prevalent with such devastating consequences. Is it that our social construct is failing us? It used to be clear who was a male and a female, which bathroom to use, and what a passing and failing grade was in school. Our world has changed. Now kids as young as 9 are carrying smart phones with the porn industry at their fingertips. Free speech is sacrosanct, but you better not post on face book what is not socially acceptable. In our free world, people are not feeling free at all.

Emotional pressures of every sort have never been greater. And when one feels “out of sorts” the big Pharma companies have convinced us that there is a pill for that.

It could it be that we have embraced behavioural norms in our culture that has side effects of feeling distress, confusion, and depression. We then often treat these symptoms with drugs, (legal or illegal) with accompanying side effects that are catalogued as forms of mental illness.

Maybe we need to look at our lifestyle before we get into this never ending cycle.  Here are some things to think about.

1. Why the prolific use of drugs to treat emotional distress instead of talking about behavioural change.

2. If you are taking drugs, to stop taking them is dangerous and ill-advised without close observation and medical supervision.

3. It is possible that drugs can help people with some types of mental illness.

4. It is also possible that the way you feel is a result of wrong thinking and behaviour.

5. We need to support and care for those that are mentally ill.

Mental illness does not need to be a life sentence. Jesus can heal and he does heal the mind, body, and soul. Within salvation is healing for the entire human being.  Coming to Jesus can make a difference, but it will often require a lifestyle change. If I want a healthy body, I have to eat right, exercise, and get adequate rest. If I want a healthy mind, I then too need to feed my mind right thoughts, I need to exercise right thinking and I must allow my mind to rest from anxiety, worry, unforgiveness, anger and the list goes on. Everything in this world is not good for me, but everything in Christ is. When I align my life, thoughts, and actions with what Jesus wants, I can and will experience health in my whole being.

If you are struggling with mental illness, please know that we as a church love you and want to do all we can to support you.

This Sunday, I will be continuing my sermon series on the Holy Spirit and You. This week I will be focusing on being led by the spirit.  Holy Spirit wants to be our guide, an integral part of your life. I will show you how you can do that.

Niki Thorson Memorial

This Saturday, October 21, 12pm at KCF we will share time together with Niki’s family and friends reflecting on Niki’s life.  Lunch will be provided. 

KCF Membership Classes

If you consider KCF your church home and are not a Member yet, this would be a good opportunity for you to find out more about KCF church and establish your roots. If you are interested in church membership, please contact the office.

The next round of membership classes will be held over 4 Sundays at 1pm: Oct 29, Nov 12, Nov 19 and Nov 26.  Soup and a bun will be provided.

Haiti Arise

KCF is actively involved with supporting Haiti Arise.  Please keep them in prayer as this is active hurricane season for them. To find out more about Haiti Arise, click on the link. http://www.haitiarise.org/

S.H.A.R.E. Nelson

S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day.  Come down and support the poor.  If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities.  Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire.  Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s new video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM

Calendar of Events

• Niki Thorson memorial, October 21, 12pm at KCF
• Church Membership Classes, KCF, 1pm on Oct 29, Nov 12, Nov 19 and Nov 26
• Bright Lights, Club for Kids Tuesdays at KCF, 3:30 – 5pm, Contact Doreen Reimer for details – 250.354.2077.
• Junior Teens, Ages 11-16.  Meet at KCF, Fridays from 4 – 5:30pm.  No cost.

Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Pastor Jim

 October 19, 2017