by Andy Wood on December 3, 2008
This just in… modern newlyweds are increasingly dealing with “the bridal blues.” Doctors report that the expectations of newlyweds are so high, and married life such a letdown after all the planning and excitement of the big day, that an increasing number of brides are suffering post-nuptial depression. The feelgood factor fades so fast that up to 10 per cent of couples suffer enough remorse, sadness or frustration to seek counseling.
Wow. You mean it wasn’t whispy clouds and fairy dust as you lived happily ever after? And Franck Eggelhoffer isn’t there to plan the details of your marriage like he did your wedding? And Daddy’s not there to pay your bills? And sex doesn’t cure everything, or come with an orchestra in your bedroom? And to add insult to injury, you find yourself married to a sometimes-sweaty, stinky boy, who leaves socks and underwear on the floor? Or to a woman, who – get this – ain’t yo’ mamma, your maid, or your madame? She’s no Cinderella, and you’re not exactly Prince Charming.
Those expectations take you for a ride sometimes, don’t they?
Dr. Terry Eagan has a name for post-wedding depression. He calls it the secret sadness. Why? Because the women who suffer from it are often too embarrassed to tell anybody. And men simply bottle up their feelings.
The Secret Sadness is real. And it isn’t limited to newlyweds. [click to continue…]
by Andy Wood on November 26, 2008
Oh, my Father, I enter into Your presence in the name of Jesus to express my eternal gratitude to you.
Thank You for ACCESS – the unfathomable privilege of entering directly into Your presence.
Thank You for BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE – those wonderful growth experiences that look at first like obstacles or curses.
Thank You for CHILDREN – for the ways they remind us that You are big, life is good, and pleasing You isn’t all that complicated.
Thank You for DREAMERS – those who saw the possibilities when no one else did, and who risked failure to make their dreams come true.
Thank You for EXAMPLES – for people who are just as willing to practice as they are to preach. [click to continue…]
by Andy Wood on November 18, 2008
We’re giving up Christmas this year. Thanksgiving, too. And if I have my way, New Year’s day will follow suit.
It all started with a meeting by our Creative Team at the church. The conversation was about what to do this holiday season. What’s on people’s minds? What are they thinking/planning for the holidays, especially Christmas?
As the conversation flowed, it followed themes such as people who were giving in to discouragement, fear, and despair because of the e-word. Also, one couple talked about giving out to charity instead of buying family a bunch of stuff they didn’t particularly want or need.
We talked about how Christmas has become jacked up because of the demands and expectations we place on it – how it’s supposed to magically solve all our problems or bring some sort of enchantment to our otherwise unhappy lives.
We talked about the pressure to make Christmas tricked up – raising the materialistic bar year in and year out. We’ve been keeping up with the Joneses, only to discover that we are the Joneses.
We talked about how, biblically, God one-upped Zecharias, the father of John the Baptist. God always seems to be able to out-give, out-serve, out-surprise the greatest acts of our service or obedience.
And we talked about the ultimate Gift – offered up by God to a world too busy to care.
So, our theme for Christmas is, Give It Up! Before you give in or give out, give up! That’s exactly what God did with His Son. Now He awaits your response.
But why wait for Christmas Day? Why not start now, in the Thanksgiving season, to offer up our lives, first to God, then to others? For many of us, this will be an opportunity, albeit unwelcome, to really discover that it’s not about the toys and trinkets as much as it is about the love, the joy, the life, and the service we offer up. So in that spirit, I thought I’d share ten ways you can give to others in life-affirming ways for little or no money. I would encourage you to do some or all of these things, regardless of your financial status. [click to continue…]
