Kenton J. Kutney

Here's something a little different. A 2-in-1 book review: Something old and something new, something borrowed and definitely something 'blue'. Lincoln's Melancholy - How Depression Challenged A President And Fueled His Greatness , by Joshua Wolf Shenk, and Sideswiped - Three Keys To A Fresh Start After Suffering A Broken Heart , by Michael Voll.  One old and one new biographical exploration of brokenness; depths of the soul not well understood for many centuries. These are two stories for our time as depression is the number one disability we are facing today, ten times worse than it was 50 years ago. We're obviously not just talking about having 'the blues'. From a young age the sensitive Abraham Lincoln experienced psychological pain and distress - and he eventually learned how to adapt and endure. First there were the deaths of his mother, aunt, and uncle due to terrible illness, the loss of his brother in infancy, a long absent father courting a ne...

As Christians we must never get smug – we are saved, let world hang.   You cannot reconcile yourself to God: “The only thing of my very own that I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed” (John Stott said this , I think). Our response to all this mercy ought to be a loving obedience.  Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." We need to stop pretending with 'facades' and ‘personas’ and co-operate with God as He shapes a depth of character in us.  God sometimes allows situations where doing the right thing is going to cost us.  ... Just a little reflection on dedication this New Year.