We live in a world that has been driven to the brink by natural disasters, political divisiveness, and a pandemic that threatened to crush the world's socioeconomic infrastructure, no less the health and welfare of every individual. Dr. Thurston draws on
Animals, over which we as humans have dominion, also bring us unspeakable joy in their antics! The Internet can provide us with an endless source of entertainment from cat and dog videos, to accidents in nature.
Children demonstrate the Wonders of Creation unconsciously, all the time!
If we trust our Savior, we can step into the pocket, rather than retreating or trying to make an end run!
"And do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind....." (Romans 12:2)
"There is no fault which makes one more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves, and the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. Conceit." (C.S. Lewis) Putting our own interest ahead of others is the sure sign of a self-conceit state of mind.
Applying our god given gifts through adversity can lead to a joy we would not otherwise have known!
Choose that path that most glorifies Him, and alleviates the suffering of others.
Fear of the dark, fear of separation, fear of aging, fear of death, really all the same: Fear of the Unknown. God is present. And those of faith can FEEL His presence and lean into their fears knowing He is with them.
"The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!" Westminster Catechism
"Such is the state of life, that none are happy except in the anticipation of change; the change itself is nothing...." (Samuel Johnson)
"Some will say, ' You James, have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works!" (James 2:18 ESV)Don't be a Christian who is simply "great on paper!"
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding...." (Psalm 3:5) Look to the only sure thing when everything else in life is unsure!
God can and does turn evil to good for those who believe. (Romans 8:28)
"Honestly, I think there is nothing more stressful than arguing with someone when you know they're right!" (Jennifer Worth)
There is no behavior you can exchange for salvation. It is a GIFT.
" A moderately good man thinks he is not very good. A thoroughly bad man think he is alright."(C.S.Lewis)
Don't start to think too much of yourself and your good deeds.
When you are too tired to keep your eyes open, its nice to know that the Creator maintains the watch!
Let the needs of others gradually outweigh your own needs.
Show your love with action, not words alone.
God sees what is in your hearts, not outward appearances.
Engage people different from yourselves.
Jesus turns leadership on its head. The last shall be first.
Ask the beasts, they will tell you.
"Complete self-confidence is not merely a sin, but a weakness." (G.K. Chesterton)
We must TRUST, even when the wolf pack gathers in the gloom!
Building your home on the Rock is a really good idea as it turns out!
Benjamin Franklin, it turns out, was only correct about taxes; not death!
"They say that people need just three things in life to be happy: something to love, something to do and something to hope for." (Tom Bodett)
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12 ESV)
You have written Your law on our hearts so that we KNOW 2 + 2 doesn't equal 5 no matter how convincing Satan might be!
No internet to reach the Holy Spirit? No problem! He's indwelling.
Let our little frustrations be a reminder of Your great mercies, Lord!
Man's best friend isn't a canine, it's his/her spouse!
Trust that the Lord wants what is best for us; even if it doesn't seem possible at the time.
Remember the feeling of all pulling together that follows calamity.
We are misguided when we blame God for this world's disasters. Remind us of job ONE: Love Each Other!
When something untoward happens, we have to let the Spirit work through us in love.
The miraculous surrounds us. You'll know it when you look at whatever it is and think to yourself, "How is that EVEN possible?"
Its easy to forget the errors of our fathers and the lessons they once learned.
Personal responsibility has replaced personal response; we focus on what we can do, not what God has done! We will never ACHIEVE righteousness!
As we acknowledge our mortality our search for answers turns inward and a new enlightenment occurs. Disillusionment s a good thing because you no longer labor under an illusion.
Being Still is sometimes the best way to find your way forward
God provides the shade when our problems heat up!
The community of Saints keeps us encouraged
Actions have consequences, despite our being forgiven
Don't look and calamity and natural disaster and and ask "where is God?" instead, look for God in the response to tragedy.
Little pains can be reminders of the Gift.
When the fire rages around us, LOVE is our dry chemical!
While we Believers live under Grace and not the Law; we recognize that keeping the laws of society allow us to live together, peacefully and productively.
"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
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