Monthly Archives: December 2013

I sent a letter to every family in our ministry this Christmas season with the following prayer. It is my goal to pray this for each family in our church on a regular basis during 2014!

I pray that 2014 will be a year in which you will know more of God’s presence and peace so that together we may demonstrate to the world around us what it means to live fully pleasing to God;

            I pray that together our lives we bear spiritual fruit as we continue to work together to create a community built on the truth of God’s Word and one that is held together by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ might be magnified;

            I pray that together we would meet all the challenges 2014 will bring our way with assurance and confidence in God’s power to provide all our needs;

            I pray that our lives would be daily demonstrations of thankfulness for all God has already done.

May God’s richest blessing rest upon you, your family, and your ministry during the coming year.

Steve

You didn’t ask, but here is an answer to the question: What does depression feel like (at least my experience of depression)? 

You wake up longing for the day to end so you can go back to bed;

You pick up a book- one you wanted to read and your mind refuses to engage with the words on the page;

All the negative things people have said about you throughout your life bounce around in your consciousness- no matter how hard you try to change the messages;

The To-Do list contains tasks you normally do easily but now they seem to be like climbing a mountain in flip-flops;

Spending time with people- even those who deeply love you- is exhausting;

Prayer is something you do just because you know you are supposed to…

I could go on, but these are the most prominent symptoms. I am slowly emerging from a period of depression. I take medication daily for my condition- and though it helps it cannot eliminate the disease. Many through the years have suggested therapies such as: Stop it!; pray harder, read your Bible more, trust God more deeply; and while those may be helpful to others they don’t always bring relief. 

So, pray for me- I know you do; and remember that people in your life who struggle with depression don’t necessarily need advice, they just want you to pray them through those times. Expressions of love are always appreciated- though there may be no visible response (I still need to hear it- even if it gets drowned out by the negative words spoken). Most of all, just being present is always helpful. Just be present. Listen, don’t judge, don’t offer platitudes, just listen!

Thanks for listening.

Keep on praying!

Steve