Marriage is a gift.  But, those who are married will agree, marriage is hard work.  The world teaches us to look out for numero uno.  Marriage is a daily, sometimes hourly, reminder of the importance of servanthood, forgiveness, and selfless love (just to name a few).  I recently heard a minister say, “Marriage is not a contract, it’s a covenant.”  That line caught my attention so I paused my DVR, wrote it down, and did a little digging.  Contracts are built, mostly, on a mutual distrust of two or more parties and is legally binding in many cases.  It outlines the expectations of all parties involved, sets a time period for certain transactions to take place and/or expectations to be met.  To get out of a contract one must find a loophole or go through the arduous process, usually with consequences involved, of having the contract rescinded.  A covenant is similar but is a lifelong commitment.  If may seem comical but, a commitment can be best explained by comparing the chicken and the pig when it comes to providing you with breakfast……eggs and bacon.  The chicken provides you with the eggs with little work involved.  For a pig to provide you bacon…..now THAT’S a commitment.  The pig can’t just be half in.  It doesn’t work that way.  It takes total sacrifice.

Our walk with Christ requires commitment.  What does He see when He looks at us?  Does He see someone living a Christ-centered life, or do we fall into the “fling” category.  A commitment isn’t convenient.  It’s hard work.  It requires constant care mixed with some blood, sweat, and tears.  Though we haven’t gotten married, per se, we’re still in the betrothal period with our Groom.  We’re preparing ourselves for the moment He returns for us, His bride– and He’s picky about the type of bride He’s coming for.  Ephesians 5:25 reminds us, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”  It’s time for His bride, the church, to clean up our act.  We’ve prostituted ourselves out to the things of this world for too long.  When we could have been spending intimate moments with our Maker, we skipped out and went on a date with someone else because it seemed like it would be more fun.  Are you prostituting yourself?  Are you just a fling?  Or are you fully committed?  I challenge us all to prove it!  Talk is cheap.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  As we get closer to His Second Coming, it is going to become harder and harder to choose God.  There are so many things out there sent to steal our focus.  I encourage you to become purposeful in the pursuit of your Groom.  Relationships require lifelong commitment; they require a covenant.  Not someone looking for a loophole.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

“I’m done!  I’m just…..done!” I stated as I threw up my hands.  My wife and I had just had an argument, not unlike many of you have with your significant other from time to time.  I continued, “I’m sorry, but I’m done.”  To the casual onlooker, if they had strolled up at that exact moment, many may have thought I was saying I was done with the marriage.  That couldn’t have been further from the truth (by the way, that is not an option in our marriage).  I was simply tired and I felt like our conversation was walking in circles.  We mutually agreed to table that particular issue, without holding any grudges or negative feelings, and visit it later.  A few days passed and we came back.  The conversation lasted less than five minutes and everything was fine.  My fatigue and emotions had gotten the best of me in that moment and I knew I needed to walk away from the conversation.  No doubt all couples have experienced moments or seasons where they have to deal with these same types of frustrations.  One comment taken out of context can cause great confusions or even make another person look like a terrible person.  Taking comments out of contect can lead others to think something different than what was intended.

I find it interesting a person can make one statement and it have multiple meanings.  Had others been around during our argument I would have been forced to clarify what I meant.  But my wife knew.  She understood what I was saying.  Jesus had the same problem with being misunderstood.  John 19:30 recounts Christ’s death stating, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  No doubt those that screamed for his death were cheering.  I imagine every demon in hell rejoiced at that moment.  By most accounts, it is finished means He is done.  It’s over.  The end.  No more Jesus…..ever.  We Christians know it wasn’t the end.  Just the opposite.  It was the beginning!  Have you ever felt there was something in your life that was dead only to see it come to life years later?  I have!  There have been situations I’ve come against that led me to believe that a particular dream, goal, desire, or some other thing would be unfulfilled.  It was finished.  But I’m glad to serve a God who has resurrecting power and uses it on our behalf!  He can resurrect a dead marriage!  He can resurrect our finances!  He use a washed up drug addict and turn he/she into a pastor!  He can perform the impossible!!!!  When God is involved, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!  It’s not finished until GOD says it’s finished!!!!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I can’t begin to know what you may be dealing with today.  That thing (whatever it is for you) may seem dead.  The same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave is the same power that can bring life to something you thought died a long time ago.  Rather than worry about what has died, concentrate on how big our God is!  Rather than plan a funeral, sit back and celebrate.  If God spoke it, it WILL come to pass!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Over the years I have been blessed me to come in contact with a number of wonderful men and women of God who have ministered to me in one form or another. There were times I would sit back and marvel at the anointing God had placed on their lives.  There were many I placed on high pedestals that disappointed me when they fell from grace.  What I failed to realize or remember in those moments was each person is a human being just like me.  They put their clothes the same way I do, have struggles and heartaches, and will make mistakes just as I do.  It’s important that we remember the source of their anointing.  When we place our trust in men rather than the One who gave them breath and life, we are bound to walk away heart broken.  Many are simply a mouthpiece for a much greater power.

When I began to ponder this idea a few days ago I discerned what attracted me to certain people had nothing to do with them, per se, and everything to do with the God that resided in them. It’s important we realize the role of everyone in our lives.  The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians addressing their divisions and carnality.  He continued by reminding them that neither he nor Apollos were anything special to brag about but were merely servants assigned with a task. Paul stated, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”  [1 Cor. 3:7]. Years ago I heard someone say people are placed in our lives for a reason, a season, or lifetime.  I have found that to be true.  It is so important we understand who is in our life and why they are there.  Some may be there to bring encouragement or help teach us a valuable lesson when we need it most.  Some are there to give us a swift kick in the rear.  If God can use a donkey, a whale, or a burning bush to get someone’s attention, surely He can use that person that threatens to drive us crazy to speak to our hearts and mind in a certain way.  But we may have to listen a little harder.  While people are not a commodity to be used and thrown away, they are quite possibly there on an assignment from One much greater.  The next time we attempt to mourn the loss of a certain relationship it would behoove us to trust it may have happened for a reason.  Sometimes it’s a blessing when God prunes certain relationships in our lives.  Many can’t accompany us to the next level of ministry.  Although, it doesn’t mean it will feel good.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  An even better question to ask might be what role do we play in the lives of those around us?    Are you fulfilling your God-given purpose in someone else’s life?  God’s not looking for the perfect vessel.  He’s a Master Potter and can fix all the imperfections.  As I’ve said before, He’s looking for a willing vessel.  And we shouldn’t get too impressed with ourselves.  We’re nothing without Him!  Now…………get to work!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!!!

I thought Saturdays were supposed to be relaxing.  Not so much for me this past weekend.  From the time my eyes opened I had this sense of apprehension and dread with no understanding of where the feelings were coming from.  After a while of trying to figure it out I gave up and went to my fall back, my Plan B.  For me that means busying myself in hopes of forgetting about it.  Probably not the best way to deal, but it’s always been my fallback method.  With a quick survey of things that needed to be done I decided to start preparing all of the paperwork for our taxes.  After only a few short minutes I began coming across bills that had been paid throughout this past year, paperwork reminding me my wife’s cancer scare, unexpected dentist trips that led to high-priced dental procedures, the loss of a loved one, debt that had accumulated for one reason or another.  If I’m being transparent, 2016 was a rough year for my family physically, financially, mentally, and spiritually.  When everything happened, I remembered how all-consuming it all felt.  I began to realize, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I had gone through the fire- fighting battle after battle- but I made it through and didn’t even smell like smoke!  There was very little evidence any of it had ever happened.  Bills that should have taken me a few years to pay were paid in full!  Situations that should have caused me to lose my mind were distant thoughts I barely remembered!  I became so encouraged!  My mood changed instantly.  I felt grateful, blessed, and humbled that God would care for me like He did.

Have you ever watched a boxing match where one guy is getting pounced on?  He gets in a punch here and there but just as you think he can come back…. he gets hit again, and harder.  After a while you just pray for the bell to ring so he can catch a little break to doctor that bloodied nose.  That’s life.  It happens fast and quick.  1 Samuel 30 tells us of David returning with his men from a hard fought, exhausting battle only to find their belongings, wives, and families had been taken.  Though David had been anointed the next King he had been fighting with the current King, Saul, for nearly seven years or longer.  He had even spared Saul’s life when he could have taken it and forcefully occupied the throne.  No doubt in this exact moment he was tired and at his breaking point.  Rather than have a pity party the Bible tells us (v. 6) David, “…encouraged himself in the Lord.”  Next, he prayed to God for direction on his next step.  God encouraged him to go forth into battle informing Him that he would (v.8), “…recover all.”  And he did.  God restored everything that had been taken and more.  Coincidentally, a short time later- after the death of Saul, David became the new King.  Had he thrown in the towel after the aforementioned battle he could have missed his greatest blessing.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Have you considered your breakthrough, your greatest blessing, could be right around the corner?  Sometimes our greatest battles lead us directly to our promise.  Will you give up early?  Or will you keep throwing punches?  The battle will only be difficult if there are spoils involved.  There’s something waiting for you on the other side of that battle you’re facing.  It may feel like you’re losing but, with God by your side, you’ve already conquered the enemy!  Keep fighting, my friends!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

What I am about to share is probably one of the most embarrassing things I have ever done – something I’m genuinely ashamed of.  Throughout my life God has supplied me whatever I needed.  While in middle school I was given a lot of responsibility by one of my teachers and, sadly, I misused and broke her trust.  She trusted me enough to inform me of quite a few things the other students didn’t know, including where she kept a bag of money in a closet from the sale of school supplies to her students.  One day while she was gone I decided to steal fifty cent to get an ice cream in the cafeteria during lunch with the intentions to replace it.  But I never did.  My initial offense became a daily occurrence for a few weeks with the amounts increasing daily.  One particular day I stole over $20 from her.  Each time I didn’t get caught I felt a rush of excitement but was still bothered because I knew I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing.  There was no justification for my sinful actions.  I knew right from wrong and had no excuse.  Once she figured out what was going on she set me up, I took the bait, and I got caught.  I was so ashamed.  The trust and faith I had worked so hard to build with my parents and teacher were lost in a single set of actions.  I still remember the day she called my home to discuss it with my father and how emotional and saddened he was that I had made such a terrible decision.  Even though I had done something so terribly wrong his love for me never changed.  Over time, I built that trust again but I never forgot the emotions and feelings that went along with that entire situation.

Exodus 3 finds Moses having a conversation with God via a burning bush.  God had heard the cry of His people and was about to release them from under the oppression they had been experiencing for so long.  Verse 15 states, “God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”  Let’s consider what just happened.  God just had a conversation with a fleeing murderer (Moses) about using him to deliver His people from an oppressive ruler.  He also just reminded them (in the scripture listed above) that He was the God of a liar (Abraham), another liar (Abraham’s son, Isaac-who repeated his father’s sin), and a dishonest swindler (the “heel-catcher,” Jacob – God didn’t even use his redeemed name, Israel).  Seems odd he would choose and use so many imperfect people.  So many “screw-ups”, if you will.  And now, a former thief, he uses me to minister and lead the lost to His saving grace.  But I’m glad He did.  Your past isn’t a problem for God.  Why should it be a problem for you?  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  [Romans 8:1]  Hold your head high and press on!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Regardless of your past, we serve a God who offers us a redeeming love that we are undeserving of.  Adulterer’s, liars, whores, cowards, cheats, murderers, and donkey are just a few of the vessel’s He’s chosen to use.  Don’t ever allow the enemy to convince you your past prevents you from your work for the kingdom.

Be encouraged and have a blessed week, my friends!

On December 22nd, 2016 at 2am I was standing by my grandmother’s bedside as she took her last breath on this earth.  As I was preparing to speak and sing at her funeral a few days later I racked my brain for the longest time attempting to solidify some life altering message that would minister to everyone in attendance.  After sitting behind my computer frustrated by the insurmountable task at hand I realized there was no reason for me to create anything new to share.  She had already preached her funeral by the life she lived.  Even from my earliest memories of my grandmother the only thing I could remember about her was how much she loved those around her.  It didn’t matter who you were.  It was a selfless and sacrificial love.  She had this ability to love the sinner unconditionally while despising the sin.  Every word spoken was bathed with so much love and compassion yet was full of conviction only the Holy Spirit can minister.  You walked away from every conversation feeling this odd mixture of emotions and a desire to do better, to be better.  There was no judgement or degradation.  Only pure, unadulterated love.  She wasn’t perfect and, no doubt, made many mistakes in her life.  But she was one of the greatest people I’ve ever known.  She was an anointed woman of God, a soldier of the cross, who fought many battles on her knees in prayer.  She overcame every obstacle in her life with the help of her Lord and Savior.

The life she lived for Christ was the focus of everything she did.  As I’ve stated in a past blog, she didn’t have much in this life.  But she lived and spent every breath God gave her in a posture of praise and worship to Him.  Even after a stroke, brain swell, brain surgery, a coma, and a long stay in ICU she still had her wits about her enough to remember the word of God.  I even had a nurse call me one day, mildly amused, to inform me she was preaching to the nursing staff and anyone who passed her room that day about God’s miracle working power.  She may have forgotten her social security number, address, and birthday but she had no problem remembering how great her God was or the scriptures she had studied throughout her time on this earth.  Her life was always spent helping or doing something for someone else.  In later years when she was physically unable to do much she could still be found praying and interceding for those in need.  In Job 33:4 we’re reminded, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”  Every breath you breathe is a gift from God.  You can’t take your next one without God’s permission.  How are you spending your breath?  In other words, how are you using the life you’ve been given?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Are your wasting time focusing on your frustrations, worries, or personal desires?  Today I hope you will choose to laugh a little more, to help others more, and- most importantly- love without expecting anything in return.  We’re all allocated a certain amount of time on this earth.  Some more than others.  We never know when we will inhale/exhale for the last time.  I encourage you to spend your breath wisely.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

My son is a sweet, loving, and extremely giving child.  He is also an independent and hard-headed little ball of energy.  He likes things done his way and on his time schedule.  When that doesn’t happen he, well-let’s just say, doesn’t put his best foot forward.  Recently I heard him stomping around and yelling in frustration so I went down the hall to check on him.  Somehow, while getting dressed he had gotten himself twisted up in his shirt and was as equally panicked as he was frustrated.  I began to try and help him and he responded, “STOP DADDY, I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF!”  I replied, “Ok, go ahead,” and I stood back while he wrestled further, fussing all the while.  My desire was to reach out and help him but he was set on doing it himself.  Finally he responded at an even greater level of frustration, “HELP ME DADDY!!!!”  I began to intervene and momentarily he attempted to continue doing things his way which, by the way, still wasn’t working.  Finally, in a quieter tone to calm him, I said, “If you will stand still I’ll fix it.”  He stood still, I fixed it, life went on.  But in the midst of my rescue I instantly had a déjà vu moment.  The only difference was, in my mind I was the one fussing and God was the one with the quiet voice attempting to calm me while I flipped and floundered around like a buffoon.

I’m sure everyone reading this can admit–been there, done that!  Something goes wrong and, rather than ask for help, we get ourselves in a tizzy attempting to do it all on our own making things worse as we go along.  I don’t see anything wrong with being independent.  I’m a firm believer in pulling yourself up by the boot straps and handling your business when necessary.  But there are certain situations we get ourselves into, when we’ve done everything you know to do, we stand helpless with nowhere to turn.  Those are the moments it becomes necessary to turn to the only person who can help us through our circumstance.  Am I implying it’s wise to do things we know are wrong because we know He will rescue us?  Absolutely not.  Sometimes we place ourselves in situations we know will lead us down roads we never intended to travel.  But He’s such a good Father, always there to provide a way of escape.  That doesn’t mean we won’t suffer the consequences of our actions but He still provides a back door.  Back to my main point—My assignment today is to remind you, when you’re in the middle of the storm He will be your shelter.  He’s a place of refuge.  Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Be encouraged today.  Stop trying to control everything around you.  Stop spinning your wheels.  You can’t fix everything.  But you know Someone who can!  Call out to Him and then step back and watch Him move.

As I type I am sitting by the bedside of my maternal grandmother as she mildly struggles to take her last few breaths on this earth.  Though it may seem odd to many, I just finished packing the items from her room into my car.  To some that might seem disrespectful knowing that she is still here a short while longer but, to me, it makes perfect sense.  Doesn’t everyone pack or have help packing their bags when they’re preparing to move?  It’s true.  She is moving.  In some respect I understand as I recently moved myself, albeit it’s definitely a different type of move.  One of the first people I wanted to call when I finally got my set of keys was my Mamaw (that’s what I call her).  She was one of those people I always enjoyed sharing my accomplishments and blessings with because, on most occasions, she had a hand in helping me pray things into fruition.  I had already envisioned my ushering her through the front door and saying, “What do you think of my new house?”  And I imagined her saying, “Oh, baby doll, it’s beautiful!  God is so good!” to which I would agree.  Because of all her recent medical problems she had not reached a place where she was healthy enough for such a visit.

Her home down here is nothing to brag about.  It was a meager existence but was her little piece of heaven and served as a place of comfort for me.  It was that place where I fell forty feet out of the pecan tree and broke my arm.  It was the place my brother got attacked by the neighborhood dog and I carried him all the way to back to the house.  It was the place I learned how to ride a bike.  It was the place I watched her make hundreds, if not thousands, of pans of biscuits.  In regards to earthly riches, she had none.  But she was one of the richest people I knew.  She had friends and family that loved her more than words could express on paper.  And she had a God that had brought her through trials and unimaginable loss over her 79 years.

She has spent most of her life waiting for this moment.  Her moving day.  She’s been preparing to move to her new home for decades now.  The two of us will be leaving this place soon.  This nursing home has been wonderful to her but we both have somewhere else to be.  She will get to our destination before I will, but it’s always been that way.  No doubt she will have my bed ready and will be pulling a pan of biscuits out of the oven when I walk in through those gates.  I imagine her meeting me at the front door of her new mansion stating excitedly, “What do you think of my new house?”  To which I will reply, “Oh, Mamaw, it’s beautiful  God is SO good!” and then we will both make our way to the feet of the Father to worship him for a few thousand years while those biscuits sit on the table getting cold.

Goodbyes are terrible and I refuse to utter those words.  For now, all I’ll say is, “See you soon, Mamaw!”  You will be missed down here but I wouldn’t keep you here for anything in this world.  You deserve this!  Tell everyone up there I said hello and I look forward to our family reunion soon!

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”   1 Corin. 2:9

Betty Jean Harris Lyles

May 19, 1937 – Dec. 22, 2016

Years ago a movie was released titled Ice Age.   As the franchise has grown, millions of children all over the world have been introduced to a few furry cartoon characters and the journey they endure to outrun the pending Ice Age.  Even more importantly we were introduced to the funniest (in my opinion) and most interesting of all the characters, Scrat the Squirrel (pictured above).  Both my children and I think he’s hilarious.  Though he was never meant to be the main character, Scrat always finds a way to steal the spotlight throughout each movie simply by chasing and attempting to hide that ever-elusive acorn.  Just as he gets his hands on it, something happens and he loses it.  Throughout each movie his very life existence, dreams, and goals center on this never ending activity.  Even to his own demise he will chase that acorn.  You could literally build the movie around this funny little furry creature.  The audience watches as he repeats this same action over and over, always expecting a different outcome–and, bless his furry little heart, he never gets it.  Albert Einstein calls this insanity.

Recently, millions of people could be found fighting over extremely discounted items (or so they thought) at all our local establishments.  Black Friday is the time when many are found purchasing new cars, designer clothing and accessories, overly priced shoes, planning exotic vacations, and so much more.  We’re reeled in with those flashy advertisements and walk out wondering what possessed us to lose 12 hours of sleep to fight over a flat screen television.  Admittedly, I’ve caught myself doing the same from time to time.  Rarely when I make purchases do I actually need what I am getting.  We’re like the hamster that jumps on the wheel and runs for hours.  There’s always the glimmer of hope that this time will be different—and it never is.  We do this because we have given certain things priority and/or value in our lives.  The value of an items changes according to who is viewing it.  You can place perfect steak in front of me and, while I can admire it for the way it looks or smells, I don’t find much value in it.  I just don’t care for steak.  If you place it in front of my skinny, meat-obsessed wife you better keep your hands away from her plate or you’ll draw back a nub.  Matthew 6 finds Jesus right in the middle of His sermon on the mount preaching on inward/outward expressions of holiness, private prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and more.  In verse 33 he states, “but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Does this mean if we seek God and skip Black Friday that we will still get really good Christmas deals?  Maybe—but probably not, ha ha!  The ideal being expressed is trusting and seeking God and His will for our lives rather than striving for personal gain.  We can stay on the hamster will of self gain or turn our attention outward to the lost and hurting.    What are you chasing?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  You could buy everything your heart desires and never truly be happy.  You’ll always want more.  “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  Save your energy to chase that which is worthy in the sight of God.  You’ll avoid a lot of hardship!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Has anyone else ever considered how crazy life can be?  I shared a list of things my family had been dealing with in the past few months in a recent blog.  I can now add an unexpected dental visit for myself as I’ve somehow managed to lose a filling in one of my teeth.  I literally began laughing, quite loudly, when my wife told me what she saw.  By this point, my pitiful little credit card is bleeding from the pressure it has received.  Years ago if I had gone through a season like this I would have been so utterly stressed I probably would have had a mild heart attack by now (those closest to me can attest to this).  Honestly, I’m not sure when it happened but, somewhere along the way, I’m learned to shrug my shoulders and just press on.  I deal with things as best I can but I’m never going to be prepared for everything that happens nor for every curve ball life throws.  I liken it to a roller coaster ride on one of those old wooden roller coasters from my childhood.  Like life, these coasters offer a mostly enjoyable experience but have a tendency to shake us around leaving a mild case of whiplash when those sharp turns surprise us.  The up’s and down’s of the coaster, while fun in certain seasons, can cause nausea in other seasons.  I’ve always enjoyed roller coaster rides.  But, I learned early on, if I’ve just eaten, happen to be a little sick, or any number of unexpected stimuli that roller coaster ride can turn into a ride of terror.

Life changes.  Just when we think we have things figured out someone changes the rules.  It can be frustrating.  Our smooth ride turns into a tire that has blown out and needs to be changed.  Our perfectly functioning home can be thrown into chaos in a matter of seconds.  Things happen.  The world is constantly changing.  Sometimes it feels like life is dancing on our nearly dead corpse.  But here’s the hope we have; His word and promises never change.  He never changes.  Just a few scriptures I wanted to share that bring me encouragement–“Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” [Heb. 13:8]  Even when things seem chaotic, He is unchanging.  He is constant.  “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” [Ps. 30:5] Praise God for this one!  Eventually the sun WILL shine again.  There is always light at the end of the tunnel.  Eventually, the pain of that hurt will wane.  Our morning will come!  Just wait for it.  “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” [Ps. 37:25]  Praise God!  Even when I feel alone, He’s right there fighting for me and taking care of me.  As long as I’m His, I’ll never be alone, forsaken, or forgotten.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  [John 14:27]  Thank you, Heavenly Father!  Even in those fearful and tumultuous moments, His peace is there waiting.  We simply have to accept it and walk in that promise.  [Even when I’m waiting for that dentist to begin drilling in my mouth—Oh Lord, I accept your peace!  Ha, ha!]

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Don’t grow weary!  Keep pressing forward!  Those terrible seasons creep up out of nowhere……but they eventually pass!  Storms may leave damage but we WILL make it through it.  Just hold on, my friends!  Just hold on!!!

Feel free to share this blog with someone who may need to read it.