Journey into Forever

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved."                                                -Ephesians 2:4-5 "The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."  Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."                                                  -Luke 10:37 " This is Us".  My new favorite.  I absolutely love this show for a lot of reasons.  The story line is wonderful, and it addresses a lot of stuff.  But my favorite part of this series is how it encourages mercy.  Mercy.  Something I need a lot of. I love the way the story flips back and forth...

" For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."                                                                 - I Corinthians 13:12                                                       I have to be honest here.  Sometimes I could really give Doubting Thomas a run for his money.  I think, like m...

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."                                                  -Colossians 2:2-3 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."                                               ...

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."                         Ephesians 1:3 Long time no see.  That is what my grama used to say to people who had been gone for a long time.  This blog has been gone a long time.  No excuses, really.  Just a long, dry spiritual place.  Plenty of reasons for that, but none I can really say are valid.  Basically, a lack of fervency on my part.  I moved, He didn't.  Anyway, after much prayer for passion, I think I might be back on track.  Ever happen to you?  I suspect it might have.  So much in the news lately.  This morning on the news I listened to them talk about all of the positions the President-elect is trying to fill for his administration.  A ton of them. ...

"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...