Happy Wednesday

"Dealing with Depression"

Depression strikes people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnic groups. It is estimated that about 20 million adults in the U.S. suffer from depression each year, and about 1 out of 6 American adults have depression during their lifetimes.

Depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a medical condition.

Perhaps you have been there. Maybe you have lived for a while behind closed doors. Many good people have. I was reading recently about a young lawyer who descended into the valley of despondency. Things were going so poorly for him that his friends thought it best to keep all knives and razors away from him for fear of a suicide attempt. In fact, during this time he wrote in his memoirs, "I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I fear I shall not." The young lawyer who unleashed these desperate feelings of utter hopelessness? His name was Abraham Lincoln.

Beloved, this ministry was begun, in part, as a response to restoring hope to depressed Christians. If you, or someone you know lives in this darkness now, I encourage you to continue seeking medical help when needed. And, I want you to know that you are not alone. There is a way out. Others have walked through this valley, but with the help of a loving God, they have emerged victorious. And so shall you.

GospeLines Prayer: Father, do not hide your face from me when I am depressed. I confess that it is in those times when I need you the most but seek You the least. I am afraid to admit my humanity…yet it is in my admission of frailty that I grow. Embrace my lonely heart and pull me near to You, so that I will feel Your presence even in the darkness. Ignite my soul with assurance, and my mind with Hope. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, the Comforter of all creation. Amen and amen.

Tommy Harrison
tommy@gospelines.com

HOLIDAY DEBATE

Happy holiday they say with a smile,

even though they're in denial,

All around man's legitimate reason,

why we even have this season,

When men and women all about earth,

reflect on The Savior's birth,

Through celebration and praise,

as men lift up the Ancient of Days.

 

There are people on each side,

who in Christ, do and do not abide,

Who do refuse to even celebrate,

the season some may even hate,

Those, who truly love The Lord,

say this season should be ignored,

While those with no religious belief,

fill the season with undue grief.

 

Some peoples dispute the date,

adding the calendar to the debate,

Using the harvest time as a reason,

to discredit the holiday season;

There're some who could care less,

about a time many call blessed,

While they go on about their way; as for

them, it is just another day.

 

No matter what the debate may be,

another holiday all men will see,

Most men, again will participate,

while others, continue their debate,

Friend, if you indeed participate,

just how will your family celebrate?

Will your holiday be a secular kind,

or a season with Christ in mind?

 

Whatever your view of this holiday,

God's Word has so little to say,

But, much to say about The Son,

Who came that day, for everyone,

God's Son, Who came with Salvation,

for all men from every nation,

Is coming again, as King to receive,

all those, who sincerely believe.

 

 

Daily Smile:

 Three women and three men are traveling by train to the Super Bowl.

At the station, the three men each buy a ticket and watch as the three women buy just one ticket.

"How are the three of you going to travel on only one ticket?" asks one of the men.

"Watch and learn," answers one of the women.

They all board the train. The three men take their respective seats but all three women cram into a toilet together and close the door.

Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the toilet door and says, "Ticket, please."

The door opens just a crack, and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand.

The conductor takes it and moves on.

The men see this happen and agree it was quite a clever idea; so, after the game, they decide to do the same thing on the return trip and save some money.

When they get to the station they buy a single ticket for the return trip but see, to their astonishment, that the three women don't buy any ticket at all!!

"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed man.

"Watch and learn," answer the women.

When they board the train, the three men cram themselves into a toilet, and the three women cram into another toilet just down the way.

Shortly after the train is on its way, one of the women leaves her toilet and walks over to the toilet in which the men are hiding.

The woman knocks on their door and says, "Ticket, please."