Don’t throw away those Christmas cards!

Merry Christmas!  I hope you had a beautiful time with the people you love most.

I’m assuming that, like me, you received some wonderful cards from friends and family far and near.

And I’m assuming that after the holidays are over, you don’t know what to do with those cards.

Well, I have an idea for you to use those cards in order to bless your loved ones over the course of the next few months, or even the next year.

Here’s the idea: find a cute little basket and place all the cards inside.  Keep the basket somewhere that you will see it regularly (I suggest the centerpiece of the dining room table!).

Each week, at the beginning of your week, take the top card out of the basket.  Take a few minutes and re-read the card, especially if it came with a letter outlining the family’s highlights and events.

Then, commit to praying for that person or family for the entire week.  You can do this on your own or, if you sit down with your family to eat dinner together, do it as a family.  Or do both!

Pray for that family faithfully all week long, letting the Holy Spirit guide your prayers and listening for any insights He may give you.

Then, at the end of the week, sit down and write a letter to that family and let them know that you have been praying for them!  Tell them how you prayed and include anything you felt from the Holy Spirit as you prayed.

I guarantee that you will bless them, and you will be blessed!

Next week, choose the next card and do it all over again.

BONUS TIP:

Before you throw away the envelope that the card came in, make sure you have the address noted somewhere!  You may have a method of keeping addresses, but just in case you don’t, let me tell you how I do it.

I went to Walgreen’s photo center and I bought a small photo book.  It’s the kind that holds 4×6 photos, two per page, because I wanted it to be pretty small; but another size would work too.

I also bought a pack of 3×5 index cards.

I write one family’s info on each card and slip them into the photo sleeves.  I put the address, but I also write notes to myself: the names of their kids and their ages as well as any important information I read about in Christmas letters.

I don’t worry about filing the cards in alphabetical order, but I could if I wanted to.

The reason I really like this method is because if the information changes, all I need to do is make a new card and replace the old one.  It works way better for me than an address book, because I don’t have to deal with all the crossed-out names and addresses, and I really want more room to keep notes.

Please let me know if you will be using your Christmas cards to bless friends and family in this way, and let me know in the comments if you like my address book tip!

Blessings, Mindy

Ten Christmas Albums You Must Add to your playlist!

The weather is changing, leaves are falling, and it’s time to start listening to all the wonderful music the holiday season offers!  Now, I freely admit that I start listening to Christmas music early; I direct a community choir that performs during the holidays, so we start rehearsing in August music that I select in May.  I also know that a lot of people don’t believe in listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, and although I disagree, I can respect your discipline!  In any case, whenever you decide the time is right, I want to give you my top ten recommendations for Christmas albums that I feel are worth listening to.  Here they are in no particular order:

Christmas, by brent and celeste

Brent and Celeste are old college friends of ours.  They have a wonderful, folksy style and their Christmas album from 1999 contains some more obscure carols and songs that absolutely deserve more play time.  The album is available here:  Christmas by Brent & Celeste on Amazon Music – Amazon.com 

a Christmas together: john denver and the muppets

This album creates a sense of nostalgia for me.  I grew up with both John Denver and the wonderful Jim Henson muppets, and the combination is lighthearted as well as tender.  There are quotes from this album that Darryl and I still say to each other; listen particularly for Miss Piggy, voiced by the ultra-talented Frank Oz.  I know a Christmas album by the Muppets seems silly, but you really must give this one a chance.  Get it here: Amazon.com : john denver and the muppets christmas

behold: a christmas collection by Lauren daigle

If you’re not familiar with Lauren Daigle, you need to check out her music.  She has a Louisiana blues style and a deep rich voice that will captivate you.  This album includes familiar carols both sacred and secular, as well as an original, “Light of the World”, which is destined to become a new classic.  Get it here: Amazon.com : lauren daigle christmas

Christmas, by lance gibbon

Another old college friend, Lance is a master at electronic music.  This album consists of wonderful all-instrumental arrangements of traditional carols, presented in new ways.  Don’t be scared by the electronic nature of this album; I guarantee even the staunchest traditionalist will enjoy this!  Get it here: Christmas | Lance Gibbon (bandcamp.com)

Joe pass: six string santa

The inestimable jazz guitarist Joe Pass lends his talented fingers to Christmas music in jazz-inspired guitar arrangements that will have your toes tapping.  I love the melodies and musical quotes and jokes he throws in; listen carefully for other well-known melodies within the traditional tunes.  Don’t miss this one: Amazon.com : joe pass six string santa

phil keaggy with the london festival orchestra: majesty and wonder

Another instrumental album from a premier guitarist.  Keaggy’s playing combined with the orchestra’s backing creates a soaring, emotional tribute to some of the season’s most iconic music.  A perfect album to put on for sitting by the fire with a cup of cocoa, this one is not to be missed.  Get it here: Amazon.com : phil keaggy majesty and wonder

when my heart finds christmas: harry connick jr.

Old enough that it’s still offered on cassette, this album has stood the test of time.  Connick’s vocals still resonate, especially on some of the well-known secular tunes; but my favorite songs on this album are the ones I didn’t know before I heard them here, like “I pray on Christmas” and the title track.  Being a traditionalist at heart, I don’t love his version of the Ave Maria, but one so-so song does not prevent this album from being in my top ten.  Get it here: When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick Jr. on Amazon Music – Amazon.com

larry carlton: christmas at my house

Another guitar guy, but the season just seems to lend itself to this instrument, and Carlton is a talented musician whose (mostly) instrumental album has a relaxing, homey feel to it.  It’s an older album but with a timeless appeal.  Larry Carlton, Robbie Buchanan, Christopher Cross, Jeff Porcaro, David Pack, Kirk Whalum – Christmas at My House – Amazon.com Music

darryl wall: a simple christmas

No nepotism here, I promise; this is genuinely one of my favorite Christmas albums, recorded by my husband.  Beautiful guitar arrangements of favorite, mostly sacred Christmas songs, this album is offered for free, but you are welcome to make a donation for your download, which will go directly toward our ministry in Sierra Leone, Africa.  Look for it here: A Simple Christmas | Darryl Wall (bandcamp.com)

vince guaraldi trio: a charlie brown christmas

Probably the most iconic and well-known pick on this list, this album has really stood the test of time.  Full of nostalgia and fun tunes, I think this is the one album everyone should have in their playlist, whether for Christmas or for any other time of year.  Get it here: Amazon.com : vince guaraldi charlie brown christmas

So there you have it: my top ten Christmas albums to add to your collection this year.  Do you have any favorites I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments!  I’m always looking for new music to add to my personal playlist!

Blessings, Mindy

Leave your water jar

I love listening to my husband preach.  He always challenges me and gives me new insights into scripture.

This last Sunday was no exception.  Darryl was teaching from the story of the woman at the well in the book of John chapter 4.  I know that this is a very familiar passage, and we have all heard multiple sermons about it.  But if that’s not you, and you don’t know this story, I encourage you to go read it.

There are several really important concepts in this narrative.  First, Jesus is for everyone.  He’s not surprised or disgusted by our past; His love and grace are available to every person, no matter what.

Second, He’s not interested in debating the finer points of theology.  The Samaritan woman, when told that she could receive living water, deflected to where worship should take place.  Jesus kept bringing her back to the most important thing: Himself and what He could do for her.

One more important thing not to miss: Jesus constantly elevated women in His ministry, in a time when women were not seen as a  valuable part of society.  Just the fact that He was happy to sit and have a conversation with the Samaritan woman shows how much He considered women to be just as worthy of His grace as any man.  I have said before, and I believe it with my whole heart, that Christianity has done more to elevate women than any other religion or philosophy in history, and one of these days I’ll do a whole post about that.

But for now, I want to concentrate on a part of this story that you may have missed; I know I had never noticed it until Darryl mentioned it on Sunday.

Look closely at verse 28 of chapter 4.  “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town….”

Isn’t scripture amazing?  There are so many instances where seemingly unimportant details are thrown in, and often those little things change our whole perspective.

The Samaritan woman left her water jar.  I don’t think it’s a mistake that this is mentioned; in fact, I think it may be the whole point.

You see, the water jar represented everything wrong about the Samaritan woman.  It was a very tangible reminder of her sinful past.  She was out at the well in the middle of the day–around noon–probably precisely because of her marital status.  She was unclean and unsavory, and the other women in the village didn’t want to have anything to do with her, so she was forced to go draw her water during the hottest part of the day.

She toiled daily under the strain of having to get water, and also did it without friends or support.  Her regular trek out to the well must have been a painful reminder of her sin.  I can just imagine her thoughts each day as she trudged up the hill in the heat, carrying that heavy jar:  I’m no good.  I don’t deserve love.  My bad choices are a result of the terrible hand I’ve been dealt.  I’ll never break free of this shame and guilt I feel.  I’m unworthy.  Unworthy.  Unworthy.

But then, she had a divine encounter with Jesus.  He didn’t gloss over her sin; in fact, He named it specifically, but with compassion and grace.  He offered her what she could never find anywhere else: freedom from the guilt and shame she had been carrying like a heavy water jar, through the heat and toil of life.

And when she understood who He was and what He was offering, her burden was lifted.  She left her water jar and ran into town, unable to contain her joy.

Friend, what have you been carrying?  What is the burden that weighs you down?  What makes you feel every day as if you are unworthy of love?

It’s time to leave behind your water jar.  Jesus sees you, and He loves you right where you are today.  He knows your past, and He still looks on you with love and compassion.  He’s not interested in making you feel guilty; He wants to give you living water.  His water restores your soul and never runs out.  Once you taste the pure, clean water of His love and grace, you will be able to leave behind everything that has been weighing you down and walk in joy and peace.

I hope my message today has been an encouragement to you.  Please let me know in the comments or by email how I can pray for you.

Blessings, Mindy.