Deep Light

About our Guests:

Barb Mullen

My name is Barb Mullen, and I am a charter member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church where I’ve been blessed by being involved with many exciting ministries that pointed to the Lord. I’m 64 years old. Growing up in my family was tough for me. I was abused both verbally and physically. The good news is that I was saved through God’s grace when I was 14 years old. He used a neighborhood family to show me who Christ was and what His love looked like. I wanted and needed Christ and His love. 

One theme in my spiritual life is God continuing to reveal my idols through my shame. He is continually reminding me to let go of shame by dependence on Him. I am thankful, but it is often difficult for me. In January of 1999, when I was 42, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after 11 years of intense emotional ups and downs. Over the last 22 years, being bipolar has changed my life and the lives of those I love both positively and negatively. The negative ways are still very hard for me to think about.

As I’ve traveled the journey of life with mental illness, I have grown closer to the Lord out of necessity. This has been the positive! I need to recall His mercy and love for me daily. My husband of 42 years is my best friend. We have two grown children who we love dearly along with our son-in-law, daughter-in-law, four grandsons, and a granddaughter.

Sadie Morgan

My name is Sadie Morgan, and I am thankful I have never known a day that I did not know who the Lord was. Born and raised in Dallas, and a charter member (albeit baby) of PCPC, knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ has been a part of my life since my memories were shaped. I would be remiss, though, to leave out the ever-prevalent tug of war throughout my life, between what I know to be true about God and how I viewed His love, provision, or even interest in me. There are many themes throughout my life where the enemy has used that lie that “God is certainly good,” however, “He is only good for others, not for me.” I hope to share my continual journey through that dichotomy, where I am learning to know deeply, remind myself daily, and lean on others to rest in His truth. That He is for me, with me, and even in the brokenness, can create beauty from great grief and pain. 

About the Host:

A graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mark Davis came to PCPC as our Youth Pastor in 2003 and became our Senior Pastor in 2009. He and his bride, Kristina, met at a Young Life Camp in 1988 and have five amazing kids, Kara (and husband, Drew), Madalyn (and husband, Jack), Cayden, Esther Kate, & Samuel. Mark loves to journal. Ask him how many journals he’s filled up over the years!

About the Episode:

Join us in support of Barb and Sadie as they share their stories about walking through life with the challenge of mental illness. With honesty and courage, they open up about what life was like prior to a diagnosis, how treatment processes progressed their healing, and also the importance of community and ministry of presence. Come to learn, be comforted, and understand how to have compassion. Sadie and Barb’s courage help us understand both how real these struggles are and how much hope there is in healing through medication as a means of grace and the love and fellowship in Jesus Christ. This episode also has lots of laughs and a few practical jokes!

Resources:

A prayer: “Lord would You give me eyes for people around me and a heart for them?”

We would love for you to find a community within PCPC: https://pcpc.org/

Verses:

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23

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About our Guest:

About the Host:

About the Episode:

Strong leaders such as Winston Churchill have even struggled with Mental Health and often referred to his periods of intense and prolonged depression as his "black dog." March 2020 has affected almost everyone.  

Suspecting you or a loved one has a mental illness is a scary, anxious time. There are more questions than answers. You may be wondering the following: What does mental illness mean? What does my future look like? What about my goals and dreams? How can I get better? How will this impact my relationships with loved ones? What about my children, if I have any, will they have a mental illness, too?  

Although there is much uncertainty, you do not have to be alone in this process. There are trained professionals to help walk with you through this, in many different, but important, aspects. Psychologists, therapists, social workers, testing and assessment professionals all make invaluable contributions toward bettering your understanding of your situation and providing guidance for the present and the future.   

Tune in to understand more about mental health and bonus tips on when to shop at Costco and the best Korean restaurant in town!  

Resources:

Verse:

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About our Guest:

About our Host:

About the Episode:

Resources:

PCPC Counseling and Care Ministry is a safe space for people to get the help that they need:  

“It was for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened against the yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1  

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7  

“But Paul shouted, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!’” - Acts 16:28  

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In our latest episode of Deep Light, we feature PCPC Home Church Missionary, Annie Roberson! Annie is a writer, teacher, and inspirational speaker. She has served at Mercy Street, has been a volunteer chaplain at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center in Dallas, and has volunteered for chapel services at Union Gospel Mission’s Center of Hope. She led the women’s Bible study for West Dallas Community Church and was Chairperson of the Greater Dallas Prayer Ministry. Currently, Annie oversees the Women’s ministry of Disciple City Church, formerly Mercy Street Church. Her life’s calling is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to women and children locally and globally as the Lord opens doors. This interview with Mark is so timely, so please watch and share it with others.

Tonight, we welcome Claire Dillahunty to Deep Light. Claire received her undergraduate degree in music education from Dallas Baptist University and just completed her masters in vocal performance at SMU. Claire has sung in the Greater Dallas Youth Chorus and the DBU chorale which performed at TMEA and toured in Europe. Roles include Guinevere in Camelot, Angelica in Suor Angelica, Eliza in My Fair Lady (all at DBU), Despina in Così fan tutte (NYC Lyric Opera Summer Program), and Eva in An Embarrassing Position (Miami Music Festival). Claire also performed Manuelita in Pépito with the Dallas Opera Education Outreach program. And last but not least, Claire grew up at PCPC and has lead songs in our services many times including this past Sunday, June 7. Be sure to watch the end where she plays and sings for us!

In "Getting Real, Part 2," we continue our interview with Nathaniel Blackburn. Nathaniel was born in Virginia and attended Virginia Military Institute. His senior year he was cast on MTV’s "The Real World" which led him to Hollywood where he worked as an actor in film and television. In Hollywood, he chased fame and notoriety only to find himself in the grip of his mental illness. He moved to Colorado hoping a change of scenery would help and for the next ten years he suffered in his addiction. After losing everything and everyone, he surrendered and asked God into his life. Nathaniel is now in long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction and has worked professionally in mental health since 2015. During that time he went back to school and devoted his life to helping others. He now lives in Dallas with his wife where they are members of PCPC.

Tonight we welcome Nathaniel Blackburn to Deep Light. Nathaniel was born in Virginia and attended Virginia Military Institute. His senior year he was cast on MTV’s "The Real World" which led him to Hollywood where he worked as an actor in film and television. In Hollywood, he chased fame and notoriety only to find himself in the grip of his mental illness. He moved to Colorado hoping a change of scenery would help and for the next ten years he suffered in his addiction. After losing everything and everyone, he surrendered and asked God into his life. Nathaniel is now in long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction and has worked professionally in mental health since 2015. During that time he went back to school and devoted his life to helping others. He now lives in Dallas with his wife where they are members of PCPC.

In our latest episode of Deep Light, we feature Russ Whitfield! Russ serves as pastor of Grace Mosaic, a cross-cultural church that he helped to plant in Northeast Washington, DC. He is also the Director of Cross-Cultural Advancement for Reformed University Fellowship and a Guest Lecturer at Reformed Theological Seminary’s Washington, DC, campus. Russ and his lovely wife, Vanessa, are raising four fun-loving children in Washington, DC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from New York University and a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, and he was one of the original youth interns at PCPC 17 years ago.

In our latest episode of Deep Light, we welcome back Chad Scruggs! Chad serves as lead pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Chad grew up in Hendersonville and attended the University of Tennessee, graduating in 2001. Following graduation, he and his wife, Jada, a native of Jackson, TN, moved to St. Louis, where Chad completed a Master of Divinity at Covenant Theological Seminary. He then joined the staff of Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Southern Methodist University and later the pastoral staff at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas where he served as Associate Pastor. Chad and Jada have four children, John Randall, Charlie, Carter, and Hallie.  

In this episode, we get to hear how Chad, his family, and the church he serves, are coping during this season of COVID-19. Don't miss the end of the video where Chad talks about his favorite burger in Dallas, habits, and hankerings.

Nancy Guthrie continues her interview called "Good Grief." Such an amazing gift for all experiencing grief. Nancy teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including through her Biblical Theology Workshops for Women. She is the author of numerous books including her most recent, Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus and her upcoming, God Does His Best Work with Empty. She is the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband host Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.  Visit Nancy's website - https://www.nancyguthrie.com