Friends are a Gift

On Sunday, yesterday, I was struck with the realization that I am so greatly blessed.  God could've given me only one friend, yet He's given me many.  He's given me many friends inside the church as well as many outside the church.  Let me not take them for granted, oh Lord!

I thank God for each and everyone of you!  Thank you for your prayers, encouragements and time.  Thank you for still being my friends even when it's hard sometimes.

I've been praying for each and everyone of you.  For strength to finish out this school year, for peace through your various trials, and that God would draw you even nearer to Him.  Please let me know if there is ever anything else you'd like prayer for. <3

Friendships are such a blessing in people's lives.  Although, often it seems that people (including myself) can take them for granted.  For some people, it may seem like it's normal to have lots of friends; for others it is a rare day indeed to have someone come up and tell you that they love you.  Let us all not take our relationships for granted.  They truely are a blessing from the Lord.  Let us also look for others who may not have many friends themselves.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." _James 1:2-4

Rain Will Make the Flowers Grow

I love the song "A Little Fall of Rain" from Les Miserables.  The lyrics in the title of this post "Rain will make the flowers grow" doesn't just mean what it says.  It symbolizes much more than rain and flowers.  The rain represents trials and pain, and the flowers can represent all of the good that comes from trials.  Things like becoming closer to God, or the fact that through trials He replaces the sand we built our houses on with rock.  The rain may hurt, but in the end all things are made right and we are made strong through Christ.

Cherry Blossoms and Spring

Let Us Not Grow Weary, Oh God

"Fight for us, O God, that we not drift numb and blind and foolish into vain and empty excitements. Life is too short, too precious, too painful to waste on worldly bubbles that burst. Heaven is too great, hell is too horrible, eternity is too long that we should putter around on the porch of eternity."
-John Piper

Trusting in the Moments We Feel Weak

God does not willingly bring affliction or grief to us. He does not delight in causing us to experience pain or heartache. He always has a purpose for the grief He brings or allows to come into our lives. Most often we do not know what that purpose is, but it is enough to know that His infinite wisdom and perfect love have determined that particular sorrow is best for us. God never wastes pain. He always uses to accomplish His purpose. And His purpose is for our good and His glory. Therefore, we can trust Him when our hearts are aching or our bodies are racked with pain.

~Jerry Bridges

Let His Love Shine Amidst This Storm

"Would you have perfect peace in life? Then lay hold on this doctrine of perseverance. Your trials may be many and great. Your cross may be very heavy. But the business of your soul is all conducted according to an 'everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure.' (2 Sam. 23:5.) All things are working together for your good. Your sorrows are only purifying your soul for glory. Your bereavements are only fashioning you as a polished stone for the temple above, made without hands. From whatever quarter the storms blow, they only drive you nearer to heaven. Whatever weather you may go through it is only ripening you for the garner of God. Your best things are quite safe. Come what will, you shall 'never perish.'"

-J.C. Ryle