Family

From An Obsession with Success to a Deeper Well

“Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” ~ Franz Kafka I have had many obsessions in life. As a young boy growing up in Indiana during the era of Bobby Knight's Hurrying Hoosiers, I was obsessed with basketball and what it took to be a success. Their 1975-76 Perfect Season coincided with the breakdown of my family and eventual divorce of my parents. I spent countless hours dreaming I would one day orchestrate such perfection, to erase the damnable loop, "God Hates Divorce" that pierced my soul. Nothing I could do on my own brought relief. Now, in my 60s, twice divorced myself, 15 in-patient psychiatric stays, and twice in treatment for dual diagnosis (alcoholism/bipolar), I have come to the Living Water of Christ as if for [...]

From An Obsession with Success to a Deeper Welltonyroberts2026-10-12T03:39:15-04:00

Our Prodigal Father: A Father’s Day Reflection

Father's Day elicits so many mixed emotions for people of all generations. Young children grateful for their Superman Daddy. Teens who see dad as a bungling idiot. New fathers who wish they had paid more attention to their father's advice. Wounded adult children angry at the fathers who neglected or abused them. Fathers who regret mistakes made or opportunities missed. Sandwich generation folks who now see the vulnerabilities of a man they once saw as stronger than steel. And those who feel the bittersweet joy of times remembered mingled with grief over a life lost never to be regained. As a son, I want to say to all fathers -- "Thank you for giving what you have out of love for your children." As a father, I want to say, "Celebrate what God has done through you even in moments you feel you've messed up." There are many reasons we [...]

Our Prodigal Father: A Father’s Day Reflectiontonyroberts2026-06-21T12:13:51-04:00

Nothing Shall Separate Us

What others call coincidences I believe are God-incidences with an inscrutable purpose. The first sermon my mother heard me preach was on the Gospel truth in Romans 8 that Nothing shall separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.” In my message I said that I had great hope that though my parents were divorced, I was still loved. Though my earthly family was separated I was adopted into God’s family in Christ. Mom would later give me a cross stitch of that verse which I now have on display in my prayer room. Yesterday I worshipped with my daughter and her family. The Sunday School lesson, chosen by a Church committee months if not years ago was on Romans 8. I believe Mom as my guardian angel was speaking to me, reminding me to never lose hope. Just do the most loving thing — since God is love and [...]

Nothing Shall Separate Ustonyroberts2026-05-18T04:29:39-04:00

Delight in Disorder Dissolves, Spreads Hope to Troubled Minds

Sent to Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), National Alliance on Mental Ilnness - NAMI Indiana, and National Shattering Silence Coalition, along with a financial donation of $1,239.84 (each) — On behalf of Delight in Disorder Ministries, we would like to make this donation in appreciation for all you do for people often treated as "the least of these." These funds have been generated largely through sales of and donations towards our book Hope for Troubled Minds, edited by Tony Roberts. Katie R. Dale served as Associate Editor. Over 100 collaborators, many of whom support your organization, poured out their hearts sharing how Serious Mental Illness impacts their lives and the lives of their loved ones. The book is still in print but sales have stagnated and we no longer have the bandwidth to manage it. The legacy lives on and we are delighted to contribute to your mission. — Tony Roberts [...]

Delight in Disorder Dissolves, Spreads Hope to Troubled Mindstonyroberts2026-05-12T13:33:14-04:00

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

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

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

How to Handle the Holidays with God’s Love

Welcome to the Holidays! The stress of the holidays. We’re still pressured to spend money on gifts, or gather with family we may or may not get along with. Just the idea of the holidays, with the loss of loved ones over the past years from sickness, tragedies, or simply the circle of life, is tough. We may not feel like it’s anything close to the norm we’ve known in years past. However, as Christians, we are called and set apart and distinctly expected to “live worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1) we have in God, with or without mental illness. On top of the worldly stressors, our personal lives have the constant wearing of symptoms, perhaps. Is it still possible to live as a Christian with a mental illness and expect to “live worthy” of such a calling? God commands it, therefore He’s going to make it possible. [...]

How to Handle the Holidays with God’s LoveKatie R. Dale2024-10-30T06:28:55-04:00

3 Steps to Help a Loved One Heal

As sensitive a topic it is, it's not obvious to most of us, otherwise, we'd see the signs. People are hurting. They want the pain to end. They've been dragged down by the weight of this invisible burden like a ball and chain on their soul. You may not see that or know much about their struggle. There are three steps you can take when you're talking with someone who's struggling and thinking about suicide. They may or may not have a plan. Whether or not they are intentional about acting on the desire, you can still be keen on addressing this. Having a healing conversation with someone is not natural, nor is it easy. There are tools you can learn to start talking to others, though. Observe to Identify The first step is to observe. It takes intentional effort to see if someone is suffering under an invisible, [...]

3 Steps to Help a Loved One HealKatie R. Dale2024-09-29T02:35:18-04:00

How to Help a Loved One Who’s Losing Hope

Living with a loved one who is in decline and has been giving up hope can be overwhelming, to say the least. When you want to change their behaviors, but you can't, frustration and tension can soon set in. No one wants to be in the depths of depression, or riddled with anxiety. If you're in a better place, you can be the one to help fight with them and for them. Here are a few ideas of what to do if you are with a loved one who is going through a rough time internally. If you are that loved one, these are for your toolkit too: Pray For Them At the most hopeless seasons in my life, I've been lifted up through prayer. I firmly believe that has been a game-changer in my life in the midst of and despite my mental illness. Hope has never [...]

How to Help a Loved One Who’s Losing HopeKatie R. Dale2024-09-19T05:25:23-04:00