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Suffering and a Reason for Hope

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  SUFFERING COMES TO ALL No one likes to suffer, even if it is deserved. We don’t like pain of any kind, though we sometimes unintentionally cause ourselves pain. What about suffering when we’ve done nothing wrong? Many in times past and even now face suffering because of their faith. Some have even been put to death, becoming martyrs for the cause of Christ. Scripture tells us not to be afraid: 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righ...
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TO CRITICIZE OR NOT It is time for Five Minute Friday , and the word for this week is criticize . When we do the five-minute writing, we are supposed to just write and not worry about editing. But I always find myself editing, because I want to try to make sure it sounds coherent. So here's my offering with a little bit of editing: Criticize is a word many of us don't like to hear because of its uncomfortable connotations. Maybe someone has criticized you a lot, with much of it unwarranted. Or maybe you have been the one to offer unsolicited criticism. But we don't have to criticize in a way that brings someone down. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM Sometimes, we want constructive criticism because we've written a piece, have some music to share, or have authored a book. We've put a lot of work into these projects, so when someone criticizes, we might take it personally at first and be hurt by it. Yet, we do want to improve, don't we? So, wouldn't it be better...
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In the Beginning...

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THE BEGINNING When I saw the Five Minute Friday word prompt, beginning, these two scriptures came to mind: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light .  Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.   John 1:1-5 GOD IS ETERNAL Before our world began, there was the triune God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit. There is nothing behind God, as Francis Schaeffer would say. H...
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Hope Through A Glass, Darkly

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TRUE HOPE For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.   (1 Corinthians 13:12) "The prognosis is not good." No mother wants to hear a doctor say these words. My son's heart was only functioning at 10% capacity, his life hanging by a thread…. So begins the Introduction to my book,  Through A Glass, Darkly: Daily Hope in Light of Eternity .   How do we find hope when our world seems to crash in on us? Is there such a thing as true hope? Yes, true hope does exist and is rooted in eternity. God is real. The scriptures show us that Jesus is the only source of real hope. He is the One I cling to when hope seems lost. I am convinced that hope based on anyone or anything else is false and will not hold up when the pressure comes.  This hope is not a fairytale. It was part of God’s plan before the beginning of time, and nothing can ever thwart His purposes. It is a promise secured by the...
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We Don't Outgrow the Need for Nurture

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The Five Minute Friday word for this week is nurture . I thought of that word as I read Psalm 128 this week. Though the word does not occur in that psalm, it came to mind when I read Psalm 128:3 : Your wife will be like a fruitful vine  within your house, your children, like young olive trees  around your table.  The cross reference sent me to Psalm 52:8 , where David said:  But I am like a flourishing olive tree  in the house of God; I trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever. So I began to research the characteristics of young and mature olive trees. The young trees need a lot of nurturing, making sure there is enough water so that the roots can go deep. As they grow and mature, the branches become gnarled and spread out. They are actually beautiful trees. Like olive trees, when we were children, we needed a lot of nurturing. As we continue to mature and grow older, we pick up scars and become somewhat gnarly. Yet, God is with us throughout our lives, nu...
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Jesus Gives Peace and Hope

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JESUS IS OUR PEACE For 2025, peace  is my #oneword. I started the year well with my word, writing, looking up scriptures, and making journal pages using various materials. Focusing on scriptures about peace reminds me that true peace is only found in God. I am grateful for the peace found in Christ alone, which is beyond all understanding. This peace is never far away because Christ is always with me. When grief comes to call, peace in Christ brings comfort. This peace is full of hope that carries me through trials. With the peace God gives me, I can encourage others. HOPE BRINGS PEACE In late spring, my focus was on finishing my second book and getting it ready for publication, but the thought of peace was never far from me, even when I wasn't consciously thinking of it. My book is called Through A Glass, Darkly: Daily Hope in Light of Eternity , available on Amazon. My peace is found in Jesus, who is also my hope. He is the One who left the glory of heaven to come down to ea...
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A Thanksgiving Turkey Acrostic

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MORE THAN JUST A TURKEY DAY The #FiveMinuteFriday word for this week is turkey . A big thank you to Andrew for hosting while Kate is away. I thought it would be fun to write an acrostic using the word turkey .   T hank you, God, for all the beauty U nderneath the Autumn sunshine. R emind us of our loving Savior who is K ing of kings and Lord of lords, the great I Am. E verything belongs to Him, our Creator and Sustainer Y ou, God, are the Sovereign Lord, worthy of honor and our praise. THANKFUL   This Thanksgiving season, I want to remember that all I have comes from God. He gives me strength and grace for all the days I walk this earth. Because of Him, I can have joy and peace even in the chaos, because He is a God of order and calm. Today and every day, I want to remember to praise Him for all His works and the way He meets my every need. Thank you, God, for everything. I'm linking up with #fiveminutefriday with Andrew .
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