Light and momentary troubles

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  (NIV)

They don't seem light, those troubles. They sure don't seem momentary. But compared to the amazing things God has done and continues and will continue to do, they are. Let us fix our eyes on our Father!

Fall Apart

~Monday Movies & Music~

Josh Wilson has an amazing song "Fall Apart." Here are the lyrics.

   "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

    he delivers them from all their troubles.

   The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

   The righteous person may have many troubles,

    but the Lord delivers him from them all;" Psalm 34:17-19 (NIV)

  "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

How about you? Are you going through a tough time? Are you leaning on God for help? 

"Admitting it shows courage" and more quotes

~Saturday Stories~ 

"Everybody does things that they regret, Beka. Making a mistake and admitting it shows courage." - Renee, The Masquerade

"When you say 'If God loves me - if Jesus loves me,' that means you have some doubt. As long as you have that 'if', you're going to doubt the opportunities that Jesus puts right in front of you. I'm sure that bums him out. ... God loves you. There is no 'if'... That's why he sent Jesus to show us the way - he loves you that much. He's our Father - and you know how much a father loves his kids." - Dr. Peter, Sophie's World

"True peace only comes when God dwells within thee." -Mrs. Fry, The Thieves of Tyburn Square

"Prayer. When all else fails, or even succeeds, prayer can change things." -Pastor Ray, Faded Denim

How about you? Have you done things that you regret? Do you trust that God loves you? Have you experienced true peace or felt the power of prayer? 

Be kind

~Friday for Friends~

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” -Wendy Mass, The Candymakers (similar quotation available)

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Who can you show Christ to today? Who's burden can you carry? 

Never

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]" Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Never. Never. He will never leave. No matter who else does. No matter how lonely you feel. No matter how much you wish everything would be different. He will never leave. 

Because of Winn-Dixie

~Monday Movies & Music~ 

Opal and her dad have moved again, and she can't find a single friend in this new town. Then she discovers a stray dog, Winn-Dixie, and everything changes. Opal makes friends with the librarian, the woman others believe is a witch, and a somewhat strange store manager, among others. But what will happen if, as her neighbor threatens, Winn-Dixie is given to the pound? And will Opal be able to bring together the very different people of the town? 

Because of Winn Dixie (trailer) is a great movie for children that explores friendships, growing up in a single household, and seeing other people's struggles. Although Christ is not the center of the movie, there is some Christian input. 

How about you? Do you see other people's struggles and try to help them with them?

The battle is not with human beings

~Saturday Stories~

I wrote this after reading Shannon Dittemore’s amazing book Angel Eyes. 

The world is full of

Noises we do not hear

Sights we do not see

Truths we do not understand

We think this world is all there is

But how blind that idea

How ignorant, how destructive

Does God’s Word not warn us

That the battle is not with human beings

But with the powers of darkness

That we as humans do not see

But that are nonetheless existent

Yet let us not forget

A truth so bright it blinds in a new way

That God has power over all

And the enemy has no chance

Against the might of the Almighty 

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

Amen!