tonyroberts, Author at Delight in Disorder

Six Months Sober, Sane, Serene

To my Delightful friends — Good News! Six months sober, sane, serene! I’ve been sober for: 0.50 Years 6.00 Months 184 Days 4,423 Hours Posted on Empower Alumni page — “As God would have it, I connected with Empower Health Group on Day 1. Y’all have journeyed with me each step of the way. Only God knows what lies ahead. I don’t know what the future holds but I know Who holds the future. And thanks be to God and those I’ve met at Empower, I know I am not alone.” Posted on Facebook — To all my FB friends who supported and continue to support me in recovery — I first accepted my Higher Power (God) over 50 years ago when I asked Jesus to be my personal Lord and Savior. Since then I have been in a desert wasteland facing many temptations to put addictions to people, [...]

Six Months Sober, Sane, Serenetonyroberts2025-02-19T13:26:40-05:00

Here I Am, Send Me

This morning I went to the midweek Eucharist service at St. James and Andrew (Greenfield, MA). Pastor Jimmy asked me to do the Isaiah 6 reading which includes the amazing transformation of the prophet from crying out, “Woe is me, I am lost.” To boldly declaring, “Here I am, send me.” Isaiah’s call is the call of every child of God. What once was lost is now found. God makes worthy what we once deemed worthless and cleanses our hearts and minds of impure motives. God presses a burning coal to our lips, inspiring us to speak the truth in love. I graduate from rehab a week from tomorrow (February 13). I will shift from treatment to recovery service in the Greenfield community, Western Mass, and beyond. I am living out my ordination vow to serve people with “intelligence, creativity, imagination, and love.” Pray for me, if you would. [...]

Here I Am, Send Metonyroberts2025-02-05T21:16:11-05:00

A Check Up From the Neck Up

It's 3 o'clock in the morning. I am listening to the Beatles while eating baked oatmeal and drinking raw milk. I am wide awake as the world sleeps. What better time than now to do an assessment of my mental health and update on Delight in Disorder Ministries? After our successful Spring/Summer Hope for Troubled Minds book tours, I returned to my Tiny House on the family farm in Upstate New York rather depleted of psychological and physical energy. I had scheduled a Sabbath rest from public speaking for the month of July. A good friend encouraged me to consider applying to present at the NAMI NY state convention in November. The application deadline was August 1. As the deadline approached, I found myself stymied by the application, almost emotionally paralyzed. I received much encouragement from friends and family. In the end, I decided to take a hiatus from [...]

A Check Up From the Neck Uptonyroberts2024-09-12T11:13:35-04:00

Head-over-Healed (and a little Jesus Crazy) by Katie R. Dale

Head-over-Healed (and a Little Jesus- Crazy) Katie R. Dale Cured from chronic crazy? By no means cured. But healed, yes. By grace, I am ever grateful for the psychiatric medications that I take on the daily. Just the other morning I perused through my old medical records from hospitalizations at 16 and 24. The zany, fanatic, maniacal ways my mind could work! I can't even read my handwriting from back then in the black and white composition notebooks I kept. Most of the manic psychosis hijacked this ability to clearly pen my thoughts, and I stand amazed at the obvious (to me now) absurdity where my mind went. It was like I had been abducted and someone else was living in my body and brain…not far from what I believed happened while in that state of mind. Suffice to say, that person no longer exists. And I am so [...]

Head-over-Healed (and a little Jesus Crazy) by Katie R. Daletonyroberts2024-09-12T11:14:10-04:00

Pick up Your Pen and Write ✍️

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” — Martin Luther. “There is nothing so tragic as the untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou. Writing has been part of my vocation for half a century. My writing has dropped off a good bit of late — both in terms of frequency and effectiveness. Recently I’ve been giving some thought to stepping away from my chosen/appointed vocation and finding something else to do with my time. After all, I am on disability and writing does not exactly provide me a stream of income. What difference would it make if I stopped? Couldn’t I be of better use doing something else? In lieu of just quitting, I have wandered the wilderness wasteland of Facebook. I have met many friends who have given me great support. But I have also concluded, at least for me, at least [...]

Pick up Your Pen and Write ✍️tonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

“What Will Become of Me?” said my Inner Child, by Dan Staub

Today's blog post is written by my friend, Dan Staub, who wrote this as part of a memoir class. Tony I am afraid to tell my story. Many times I have shared anecdotes about my life in some relevant conversational situation but there is no way I can tell MY STORY. One reason for my hesitation is that my story is very much still in progress. Another reason is that my remaining living siblings would object to, I imagine, my interpretation of our family's history. The risk of pushback against and criticism of my voice speaking in this world prevents me from sharing my story with those whom it may help. Timidity. Anxiety. Cowardice. There are true details in my story that contradict what are seen as acceptable, normal and allowable behaviors. The consequent problems and my DIY solutions, for better or for worse, also defy convention. The miracles are [...]

“What Will Become of Me?” said my Inner Child, by Dan Staubtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

Hope for Troubled Minds Homecoming

The initial book tour of Hope for Troubled Minds came to a rousing close with a talk/dialogue at Louisville Seminary for their Alumni Day of Giving. Going back to my alma mater ‘90 after three decades was an adjustment but it was great to meet students, staff, trustees, and fellow alumni like Ginny Brown and David Wallace. It was a blessing to be so warmly received and I want to particularly thank Laura Kelley and all who facilitated the visit.All told, I spoke at 9 engagements at 7 venues in my former Kentuckiana homeland. It was a delight to join Pastor George Love, Helen Sarver, and the saints at Hebron Presbyterian; share my story with faithful friends Eric and Jen Riddle at First Presbyterian (Columbus, IN) and greet my fellow seniors with Linda Clark at Mill Race Center. Thanks to the Bartholomew County Public library for hosting an event where [...]

Hope for Troubled Minds Homecomingtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

Hope for Troubled Minds Paperback and Tour Launch

"It is impossible to read this collection without a moist eye, an overwhelming anger at the cruelty of brain diseases, exasperation at society's failure to help, and a deep admiration for the undaunted spirit of those who speak out and advocate for their fellow travelers on such a difficult path."- Pete Earley, author of CRAZY: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness, finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer PrizeHope for Troubled Minds is now available in paperback and can be ordered through Ingram Sparks from any bookstore. It is also available at Amazon. The list price is $19.99. Net proceeds support National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), and Delight in Disorder Ministries (DiDMin). Hope for Troubled Minds is a trove of tributes, collected to celebrate the lives, legacy, and strength of those who lead brave lives in the face of brain disorders and mental illness. These [...]

Hope for Troubled Minds Paperback and Tour Launchtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

What I’m Thankful For: My Cross by Alisha Wolpert

When thinking about what I have the most gratitude for in my life, my cross immediately came to mind. By picking up my cross each day, I draw closer to my Creator, I learn to grow and be more like my Savior, and gain trust and reliance on the Holy Spirit. I have the choice and free will, gifted to me by God, to either take up my cross and offer my day to Him or I can try to make a go of my day on my own. The days I choose God are always on a different level and trajectory than the days when I rely on me and my own strength. I'm full of gratitude for having a cross to bear, because it shows me that God is still at work in my life and is standing beside me each step of the way. If I feel [...]

What I’m Thankful For: My Cross by Alisha Wolperttonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

The Thanksgiving Project: Family by Moriah Couch

Many moons ago, I (Tony) asked readers to submit brief devotions of what they were most thankful for. Life sent me many distractions that turned out to be blessings. One thing I am grateful for is I saved submissions and can publish them now. Like this one from Moriah Couch — There are many things in this life that I am grateful for, but the thing I am most grateful for is my family. My husband and my children. Growing up all I ever wanted was a family of my own someday. A caring spouse, beautiful children, and a home that overflows with love. Both my husband and myself come from broken homes and we vowed to never put our own children through that pain. I'm thankful God gave me a husband who felt the same way I did in that regard. I'm thankful for our relationship. For his love [...]

The Thanksgiving Project: Family by Moriah Couchtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:20-04:00

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