Journey into Forever

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."                                    - Romans 5:3-5         Romans 5:3-5 is a verse I have been working with a lot lately.  It was the focal point for a study I just finished entitled "Looking for Lovely" by Annie F. Downs.  If you have not read anything she has written, I recommend you try her.        Suffering.  I don't know about you, but it seems to me there is a tremendous amount of this going on.  Parents with sick children.  Spou...

I'm not a good crisis person.  When the stress level is highest, I'm usually at my lowest.  Although I would love to be the "glass is half full" kinda girl, I'm really just the opposite.  If something's bad, it will likely get worse.  I just really struggle with maintaining a positive attitude. it's not that I don't believe God's in control...I know He is.  It's just my nature. I am doing a study at church by Annie F. Downs entitled "Looking for Lovely", a study to help us look for the good things in every situation. ( something this "downer" girl needs).  It's a really good one.... You should check it out.  There was one lesson that took my scattered brain in a whole new direction.  It was about the mustard seed parable.  We've all heard it, but I had never really explored it very much. The parable occurs in Matthew 13 and17, and also in Mark and Luke.  There is so much in this one lesson from Jesus I could tak...

"Religion  that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."                                                  - James 1:27   "Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves."                                                - Romans 12:10 I just threw a bouquet away.  I didn't want to, but it was dead.  It was the most beautiful bouquet I think I have ever...

 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.                                   Ephesians 1:18      I think it might be becoming clear that I am affected and inspired by theatrical productions.  Not a big surprise....I've been pretty "theatrical" in my life.  But sometimes, I think an experience through the arts gets the thought processes moving more freely than they normally do on a day to day basis.      Yesterday,our son's family went with us to see "Moses" at Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, Mo.  It was a depiction of the life of this man who was used so dramatically by God.  You guys all know the story....his birt...

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.  Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court.  And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."                            - Matthew 5:21-22 Wow!  I didn't  realize it had been so long since I posted here...misplaced priorities probably.  Well, that's a subject for another post. Today is the morning after I saw "Wicked" at JQH in Springfield.  Many of you reading this have seen or will see it.  It was truly a Broadway-like production.  I was amazed at the beautiful costumes, detailed and computerized props, and the talent I o...

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."              - Colossians 3:12   "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."              - 1 Thessalonians 5:11   "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."                 - Galatians 6:2   I have fibromyalgia.  Just to look at me, I seem perfectly fine, for a 62 year old woman that is.  Most of the time I look and act like there is nothing at all wrong.  But the truth is, it's always there.  Some days are good and some are not.  I try not to let others see or know, or let it influence my life. I have th...

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then , and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery."                         -Galations 5:1 "This is what the Lord says:  "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes.  They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.  But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."       ...