tonyroberts, Author at Delight in Disorder

Continual Conversion: St. Augustine and Me

"Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet." St Augustine of Hippo. Like Augustine, I squandered God's gifts throughout the days of my youth in riotous living. Only by the grace of God was I able to survive and function with relative effectiveness. Were it not for God's sufficient grace, my behavior would have led to an early grave. But also like Augustine, I had people praying for me. My mother, Patsy, was like Saint Monica, refusing to give me over to forces within and around me that tried to steal my soul. In time, I came to my senses. God set me straight and I began the long journey home. I have turned away from addictive behavior and devote each day to continual conversion. Taking one step at a time, living day by day, I focus not on gratifying my own cravings but loving God and others, even [...]

Continual Conversion: St. Augustine and Metonyroberts2026-05-05T06:45:51-04:00

Happy St. Joseph the Worker Day!

Novena to St. Joseph the Worker Let us praise Christ the Lord, as we celebrate the memory of Saint Joseph. In Praise of Saint Joseph Joseph, patron saint of workers, blending skill with charity, silent carpenter, we praise you! Joining work with honesty, you taught Christ with joy to labor, sharing his nobility. Joseph, close to Christ and Mary, lived with them in poverty, shared with them their home and labor, worked with noble dignity. May we seek God’s will as you did, leader of his family! Joseph, inspiration for workers, man of faith and charity, make us honest, humble, faithful, strong with Christ’s true liberty, Make our labor and our leisure fruitful to eternity! My father was a very faithful worker and provider for his family. At age 14, he became the principal breadwinner -- setting pins at a bowling alley and serving as an orderly at a [...]

Happy St. Joseph the Worker Day!tonyroberts2026-05-01T04:40:35-04:00

A New Creation: Delighting in Recovery

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! - 2 Corinthians 5:17, NRSVCE To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. ― John Henry Newman 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be; And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed; to turn, turn, will be my delight. Till by turning, turning we come round right. - Joseph Brackett Many changes have taken place in my life and in our ministry here at Delight in Disorder. At the same time, one essential thing stayed the same. In the midst of [...]

A New Creation: Delighting in Recoverytonyroberts2026-04-30T12:56:36-04:00

Hope Remains for Katie Dale: From the Psych Ward to Serving in Europe

Dear Mom and Dad, Do you recall how depressed I was in 2003? It seemed like I was on the brink of the blackest bottoming out. Then, without notice, my mind was a buoy, bobbing on cresting waves of euphoria. Evidently, the changes I went through my junior year of high school lent themselves to my breakdown. I guess the switch to private school wasn’t all I expected it to be. I wanted a Christian education with a Biblical worldview, but it wasn’t black and white that way. I was ignored by my classmates, sidelined for my poor soccer performance, shamed for being late or showing any opposition to the rules, and undermined when I began to have a voice. My actions and behaviors may have been a bit strange, especially when I stalked my class crush, but I don’t think I meant to embarrass him or you. I [...]

Hope Remains for Katie Dale: From the Psych Ward to Serving in Europetonyroberts2025-09-15T08:19:14-04:00

A Father’s Legacy: Hope Remains for Kevin “Earleybird” Earley

Kevin "Earleybird" Earley writes: My father has been a major force in my life. A mentor, a friend, sometimes a fierce combatant, a towering figure of authority, and a lighthouse-like guiding light in the world that has instilled his values, ideas, morals, and flaws for me to wrestle with as I define and continue to redefine myself throughout my journey. I am fortunate to have a present and involved father-figure, when I have friends who had fathers who were never around, and siblings who lost their biological father at a young age. My father stood up and faced the pressures of fatherhood head-on. He's been with me through my heartbreaking struggles and statistic-defying triumphs. He is still here, still alive, and still among his family, while many of my peers have lost one or both of their parents. I cherish and value his friendship, mentorship, and vitality. As long [...]

A Father’s Legacy: Hope Remains for Kevin “Earleybird” Earleytonyroberts2025-09-06T10:39:39-04:00

Hope Remains: My Sister April, A Psych Nurse Who Follows Her Heart

From: "Dear April" in Hope for Troubled Minds I want to tell a story I’ve told many times before. But I can’t tell it enough. It’s the story of what happens when someone with a mental illness falls into the pit of despair and is lifted up by the loving faithfulness of one who cares. December 1, 2016. I am in the Goodman exit lane off I-490 in Rochester, New York. An unusual light shines in my rearview. In seconds, I hear a loud crack and feel a tremendous lurch. Someone traveling too close, going too fast, hit me. Hard. I called 911 and a policeman showed up, followed by an ambulance. I was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital where they ran tests and found nothing conclusive. But I became increasingly agitated. I became convinced that I was paralyzed. Three doctors ran tests on me at separate [...]

Hope Remains: My Sister April, A Psych Nurse Who Follows Her Hearttonyroberts2025-08-14T16:02:14-04:00

Holding Onto Hope: The Legacy of James Mark Rippee

Until We Are Reunited by Catherine Rippee Hanson My sister and I thought we were strong. Though burdened with a heavy wrong. We lost our brother to injury and disease, Leaving us with bittersweet memories. We tried to fix it, to make it right. So much love and hope in sight; But darkness would not be denied. And his life...the world would not abide. Schizophrenia...was his last undoing. Making his world wild and confusing; And though we tried to keep him safe, He turned away, lost in life’s dark maze. Homelessness was his final fate. The streets...his home; there’s no debate. Our hearts were broken, tears were shed. Before the end when he was dead. Our brother’s death is sad and tragic. A simple illness, but too late for magic. His soul departed from this world. Leaving us unraveled, thoughts unfurled. We grieved in sadness; we kept some hope. Remembering [...]

Holding Onto Hope: The Legacy of James Mark Rippeetonyroberts2025-08-06T17:22:49-04:00

Hope Remains: The Fish Catcher by Sherry Lanning

The Fish Catcher Sherry Lanning Arriving at the fish pond, we saw a duck family. “Those are my brother’s kids!” you said assuredly. “Really,” I smirked. “You’re smiling at me mom! I love it when you smile at me!” My 50-year-old, fish-catching son, off to drown some worms. We named you Robin, meaning “bright and shining fame.” The perfect name for our 7 ½ lbs of potential. Within the next 12 years, you would be joined by three sisters and three brothers. Our family of nine was musical, performing annually at local fairs. Your spontaneous energy enhanced our group. March 21, 1986 At 13 Robin is filled with life! His heart is as big as the sea. He loves pizza, basketball, and fishing. He sings like an angel. While competing at your school’s State Convention, you placed first in vocal solo. Your dynamic performance received a standing ovation. Your [...]

Hope Remains: The Fish Catcher by Sherry Lanningtonyroberts2025-07-31T10:36:56-04:00

The Heart of Hope: Stories by and for Those with Troubled Minds

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 Prize It has now been almost two years since the publication of our collaboration Hope for Troubled Minds. Over 100 collaborators contributor their hearts and minds to the effort. A team of editors including Katie Dale, Adela Dickey, Leanne Sype, and Janet Coburn worked countless hours to bring it all together. Shepherding the project was a labor of love that marked a pivotal point in my journey. More a crossroads than a pinnacle. Maybe a plateau. I required rest and recovery. The [...]

The Heart of Hope: Stories by and for Those with Troubled Mindstonyroberts2025-07-28T11:47:11-04:00

My Life Now — Plain and Simple

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what life had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” — Henry David Thoreau, Walden. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” — James 4:10, Holy Bible (NIV) I have come to live in a cabin beside sheep, cows, and pigs with my companion lab Briley on the property of my loving family. I will begin each day with prayer and meditation. Six days a week I will pray with the faithful at St. Joseph the Worker. I will make deliveries for Summit View Ag (my family’s farm) to Amish and Mennonite brethren. At mid-day I will sit down to a farm fresh meal prepared by my daughter. My son in law will [...]

My Life Now — Plain and Simpletonyroberts2025-05-08T00:06:40-04:00

About tonyroberts