Category Archives: #TheJourneyHolm

I believe in the imminent return of Christ…in the meantime, we are called to live for Him. This is my journey…

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What I Should Have Done

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Have you ever regretted how you responded to something? We are often faced with situations that demand a response – sometimes even immediate. On April 29th, 2018 my wife and I were up for vote as Lead Pastors of a local church. My immediate response to losing that vote, was something to be proud of. However, the unfortunate experience, along with an unnecessary denominational narrative later (more on that in a future post), triggered a series of events that actually crippled a part of my ministry – I stopped blogging.

what I should have done

Eight months later, it was time to reflect. I’ve come to realize that I couldn’t actually change the situation I found myself in. I was simply experiencing it. But that doesn’t mean I’m free and clear of any learning or responsibility. There are a few things I could have done differently.

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5 Things the Church Needs to Know About Mental Illness

Guest Post

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Reading Time: 6 minutesSitting in my Church pew, dressed in my Sunday best. I could play the part like an Academy Award-winning actor, with face all aglow. But inside panic and sadness flooded my being to a point of just wanting to run. When I unveiled my mask, the truth came pouring out; DEPRESSION and Anxiety. But how could that be? I’m here sitting in Church. Christians cannot feel what I’m feeling. Aren’t Christians supposed to be happy, joyous, and have perfect peace all the time? But I was broken, the pieces of my mind falling apart. If only someone saw through my facade; the stigma, the shame, the humiliation I would have to endure.

Sitting in the pews of many of our Churches today are people just like that, so never judge a book by its cover. People are searching for hope, acceptance and understanding.

You would think that the one safe place that a person suffering from a mental illness (such as depression) could find support, would be the Church. But sadly to say, that’s not always the case. Just as prejudice, stigma, ignorance, misunderstanding, and lack of knowledge is found in our society today, so it is found in our Churches.

Harris Tucker, someone who blogs about his struggle with mental illness, shares the following 5 things that every Christian needs to know about the struggle.

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Why Newfoundland Is Home and Home is Where I Am…

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Reading Time: 4 minutesNewfoundland has always been home to me, and for most of my life, it’s where I’ve lived. If you’re not sure where Newfoundland is — it’s the most easterly province of Canada. If you follow the news, the economy has seen better days and the political landscape is often a bleak picture…BUT, the people are great, the food is great, and the sense community is like no other.  Dorthy said it best: ‘There’s no place like home!’

Why Newfoundland Is Home and Home is Where I Am

I’ve lived in Toronto, ON for a while. The people are different there. They don’t know each other. You’re just another face taking up space. No one stops to chat about life at the grocery store. No one randomly waves or greets one another when you pass them on the street. My time in Toronto was good, but it wasn’t home. I knew I was called somewhere else? Why is that?

The sense of community in Newfoundland is so beautifully strange that I find myself attracted to it. And there lies why I’m living in this province. It’s more than a feeling; I feel called to Newfoundland. Let me tell you why:

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When God Says, “Not right now…”

Reflecting on outcomes; not letting outcomes reflect us

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Reading Time: 7 minutesYou’re passionate about a new opportunity. You’ve applied for a new role. You’ve been nominated for leadership. You know God is stirring up a passion for new ideas and strategic initiatives in your life, but for some reason the outcome doesn’t match the passion. The opportunity closes. The job is awarded to another person. Another candidate is chosen. What happens when God says, “Not right now…?”

When God Says Not Right Now

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What the Church Should Be About

Church, Community, and Commission

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Reading Time: 6 minutesWe — are — the — Church. It’s pretty simple, but challenging to actually live out. We know ‘believers’ make up the Church and we know the ‘building’ is just a building. In practice, however, there seems to be a disconnect between what we know and how we act. We say ‘the Church’ loves God, and in the same breath agree that we ‘go to church each Sunday.’ How can the people (the Church) go to themselves? We use the same word to refer to different things. Are we missing something? Does this impact the way we view the Church?

What the Church Should Be About

At the end of the day, there are three basic things we need to remember:

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