Successful Relationships Workshop

Catchy title, eh?  This is what I'm involved with on Friday nights.  We had our first session last night.  What does it mean to have a successful relationship?  How do you know when things are working out between you and the other person?  Better yet, what are the benefits of relating well with people around you?  Doesn't everyone long to have fulfilling, satisfying relationships?  Is there anything better than having some really close, reliable, faithful, loyal, solid-as-a-rock friendships in your life? 

How beautiful and rich life can be when you have friends: faithful companions who stick by you when times are tough and who rejoice with you in your victories.  Ah, the solace and comfort of a good friend who listens and cares for you, regardless of how crazy or unlovable you can be.  Thank You, Lord, for friends!  What a blessing and gift from God!

Spring!

There's something about the approach of Spring that just excites me.  The birds are singing, the trees are budding, the flowers are starting to come up.  Even rain instead of snow is a nice change!  But, it's not just the weather that's exciting, it's the feeling of things being brand new, of new beginnings, of fresh opportunities, of life ready to unfold.  What will the future hold?  This Spring, what are your goals and dreams?  What do you hope will happen this year?  Spring: a chance to begin afresh and anew.  A chance for renewal, hope, and great joy.  I wish, you, my friend, an abundance of joy, peace, faith, and hope this Spring!

Flying?

Today was the day I was supposed to fly to Arizona to visit my brother, Ben, his wife, Joanna, and three-year-old son, Laine.  Instead, we experience blizzard conditions that prevent safe road travel.  Sigh.  Today really tried my patience.  But, I am trusting that God has a better plan than my flight itinerary.  Somehow, He wanted me to wait out the storm and fly tomorrow, instead.  Waiting out storms is hard, sometimes.  Winter snowstorms and the storms of life.  Sometimes, we think it would be better if God calmed the storms, but He calms us in the middle of the storm.  He gives us peace, strength, and hope for a better day.  A brighter tomorrow.  He sustains us, holds us together, and allows us to cry on His Shoulder through the storms of life.  Be encouraged.  Have faith.  He is the Rock in our storms.  Blessed be His Name, Jesus, Master, Savior, Lord, and the Prince of Peace. 

Winter Wonderland

It's so wonderful to have Christian friends you can count on and an AWESOME God to serve.  Can anything be better than worshipping God with friends?  I had a great time last night at Wednesday Night Out with Synergy.  Life is hard, but God is near to the brokenhearted.  He understands suffering, having been through it Himself when He lived on earth.  Sometimes, I think that God can't understand my pain, but then I am reminded that He suffered, too, and in every way.  We are called upon to suffer.  To become like Jesus in His sufferings, to walk the steps He walked.  It is a high calling.  It is a privilege.  It is HARD.  I want to run from this very idea, yet, I, along with all other people on this planet, will suffer.  May He be glorified in all I do and in the way I handle being dealt the blows of suffering and pain and life...sometimes I wonder if I can bear it all.  Lord, give me strength.