From Wendy's Heart...

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas is just around the corner. This past weekend we had our Adult Christmas Cantata and our Children’s Program at our church and they both were fantastic. I love music so much and to be able to express the excitement of Christ’s birth through music is the best for me. This year a friend and I decided to start a children’s choir and the Christmas programs were the debut for our kids and they did awesome. I was so proud of them and I just smiled and smiled as they were up there singing.

As I thought about that moment the last few days I began to think about God and how He must smile down on us. In particular I thought about that first Christmas night when Jesus was born in that manger and how the shepherds immediately went to Bethlehem to see the Messiah. I wonder if God looked down and smiled as He saw these shepherds follow in obedience and go and see His son. Did he smile as He saw His plan unfold, the obedience of Mary, the integrity of Joseph, the obedience of the shepherd and the worship that the wise man displayed to His son when they finally got to Bethlehem? When I look, really look at the Christmas story I am so touched as I examine each person and the part that they played and how it all really came down to radical obedience on each of their parts.

Think about Mary and all she must have faced being pregnant before being married to Joseph and trying to explain she was pregnant with God’s son. Then there is Joseph who I am sure faced some pretty cruel words that perhaps he had been with Mary before they were married. Both of them had to trust and obey regardless of what other people were saying. This man and woman displayed radical obedience in a way that perhaps none of us will ever fully understand. Sure we face decisions and step out and obey what the Lord is leading us to do and perhaps people look at us like we are crazy but think about Mary and Joseph. Oh, how the Lord must have smiled down on them as they were obedient and followed His plan for their lives.

Are you being obedient? Are you doing what you know in your heart the Lord is leading you to do? What would have happened if Mary and Joseph decided that they just couldn’t face the criticism of the people of their city? Because of their radical obedience the course of history was changed forever. What about you, are you ready for some radical obedience?

Monday, December 13, 2010

Yesterday I sang at a funeral for a dear lady of our church. I listened as a eulogy was read which had been written by one of her cousins. The words that were read brought tears to my eyes as I realized once again how godly of a women had gone home to be with the Lord. Her daughter had written a few words as well and you could tell that this dear sweet woman was a Proverbs 31 woman.

I sang the song “I Bowed on My Knees” and if you don’t know this song it talks about entering Heaven and seeing those you love and seeing the many mansions, and all the sights of Heaven but ultimately seeing Jesus and bowing on your knees and crying out Holy, Holy, Holy. Carolyn had asked me to sing this song and as I sang those words, I could see her entering Heaven and seeing her husband and son who had gone on before her and then I could see a huge smile on her face as she walked down those streets of gold and how in awe she was when she saw Jesus. I know that Carolyn dropped to her knees and sang out and worshipped her Lord. Her funeral was truly a celebration of a wonderful life.

As I left her funeral and went to her home to be with her family, I listened again as various family members shared their memories. I left there thinking several things. I was so very thankful that I had the opportunity to know this wonderful, godly woman. I also felt challenged to live my life like she had. Everything about Carolyn screamed Jesus. She loved Jesus and she loved others. She was one, who could be going through something so terrible, and she was, she battled cancer until she went home to be with the Lord, but she would send out cards, write daily emails or make daily phone calls to check on her friends. When you spent time with Carolyn you could sense the Holy Spirit. She truly was a remarkable woman.

I mentioned that I felt challenged to strive to be more like Carolyn which is really being more like Jesus. Let me ask you this, how would your eulogy read at your funeral? What would your legacy be? These are questions that have been going through my mind. Allow me to encourage you today to think about them as well. I don’t know about you but when I leave this earth I want to be remembered as being a godly woman one who loved others and loved Jesus. How about you?

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From Rachel's Heart...

Monday, December 13, 2010

Today, I feel compelled to write about a serious topic. I know it doesn’t quite fit into all of the joy of the Christmas season, but maybe that is why I feel compelled to write about it. And, the topic that I want to talk about today is clinical depression. You see, my heart is very heavy right now for those who struggle with depression, particularly at Christmastime.

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. It is full of parties and concerts and children’s programs and shopping and it is one of the hardest times of year to go through when you are depressed. When everyone around you is joyous and happy and excited to be getting together with family and friends, the depressed individual is filled with dread, anxiety, and guilt over not feeling the joy that surrounds others this time of year. And honestly, when you struggle with depression at Christmastime, you just want it to all go away. The thought of faking a smile or finding the energy to attend concerts and decorate is simply too much to handle. And when you’re depressed, you find yourself crying your way through the holiday that you wish would simply go away.

The depressed person doesn’t want to feel depressed. They also don’t want to put on the façade of joy so that others around them think they’re okay. But even though they don’t want to pretend to be okay, they also don’t want to mope around during the holiday season. It is a horrible feeling being trapped between wanting everyone to think you’re okay and wanting to scream from the mountaintops that you’re sad and just want Christmas to go away.

This internal conflict leads many depressed individuals, especially at this time of year, to start thinking dangerous thoughts. Would it be better for my family and friends if I just wasn’t here? Maybe they would be just fine without me, especially since I can’t seem to get it together.

If you know someone who is depressed, then I encourage you to be especially sensitive to them this time of year. Remind them often that you love them. In fact, remind them more often than you would think is necessary (it can help counteract the other thoughts that dominate their mind). Remind them that they are not a burden and that they matter to you and to others. And more than anything, pray for them and tell them that you are praying. Pray that God’s peace would envelope them this time of year.

The Christmas season is about peace. It is about the Prince of Peace who has come to earth because He loves us all. If you are depressed this Christmas season, then I urge you to find a pastor, a counselor, or someone whom you trust that you can confide in. Ask them to pray for you and seek the help that you may need to combat your depression. And may I remind you that Christmas is not about parties and decorations and concerts and shopping. It is about Jesus. That’s all. And Jesus doesn’t expect you to decorate your house to the nines, bake for your entire community, or smile a cheery holiday smile every time you leave your house. Jesus just wants you to love Him and welcome Him into your home and into your heart. Because, He thinks you matter and He thinks that you are valuable and unique and worth dying on a cross for. And Christmas is about His birth for YOU.

Depression is a serious, real, and prevalent condition. And if you are depressed this holiday season, please know that I understand what you are feeling. And know that I am praying for all who are not having the perfect holiday, for whatever reason.