Cry for His Help

By:

Emily Miller

It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday

Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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Trust = Blessed

By: Jenifer Metzger

Jeremiah tells us that the one who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Have you ever thought about that? When we place our trust in God, we are blessed.

What does it look like to place our trust in God?

To understand that He is right by us and will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6). To know that He has a plan for us and His plan will not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). To realize that He doesn't sleep on the job, but is always watching over us (Psalm 121:4). And to rely on God in our circumstances (Jeremiah 17:5-9).

How many times have you gone through a difficult situation and you relied on your own strengths? Struggles in your marriage so you try harder, you read marriage help books, you seek counsel, all good things, but did you go to God? Did you pray to Him and trust that He would help? Financial struggles begin so you add on hours at work, cut back on things you can do without, again good things, but did you go to God? Illness affects you or a loved one so you make doctor appointments, evaluate your diet, exercise, but did you go to God?

We tend to lean on our own knowledge and understanding and abilities when things get tough, when what we really need is to go to God with confidence, hand our problem to Him and trust that He is capable of working it through.

Now, often when a problem arises and we give it to God He will give us tools to help. He may allow more hours at work to open, a Godly counselor to welcome you, or that doctor with wisdom of the illness, and we need to take those open doors. But we first have to take the issue to God and trust Him. And, as Jeremiah tells us, when we trust Him, we are blessed.

What are you facing today friend? Have you taken it to God yet? Have you started this battle in prayer?

When you have hard questions...

by Elizabeth Stewart

We met at our mailbox and he pointed his finger toward the heavens. "I have some questions", he said, "for Him."  His wife died a few days ago after a long, excruciatingly painful death from cancer.  I simply listened as he wondered aloud why God would let his wife suffer, since she was such a good person, instead of picking him to be the one to suffer.  In his opinion, suffering should be dealt out based on behavior.  I didn't try to defend God or theologically explain why even good people suffer. After all, God Himself didn't give Job, a man whom God described as blameless, an explanation for all the suffering he had gone through.  Instead, God accuses those who did try to come up with reasons for Job's sufferings as having "words without knowledge." (Job 38:1) I'm sure I've also been guilty of being like Job's friends by trying to wrestle with, reason out, explain away, and defend God's reputation when what I see as senseless suffering occurs. All of us have heard God's people say stupid things in the face of tragedy.  Many of us have said some of those stupid things ourselves. This time, thank God, I held my tongue with my neighbor friend.  I just tried to listen and by doing so, to communicate to him that my husband and I are a safe place to ask the hard questions.

It's strange to me that we struggle so with suffering while lavish undeserved blessing occurs as well, and yet we don't struggle with that. God gives us lavish grace and mercy and undeserved blessing and yet we accept it without question. Why was I born in a land of plenty while others are born into poverty? Why was I born healthy, while others are born with disability? We don't wrestle with reasons for blessing nearly as much as we do with the reasons for suffering. Until that blessing comes to one of our enemies, until someone who has hurt or offended us prospers, and then we struggle and cry out,"Why, God, why?"

God doesn't give Job all the answers for suffering nor for blessing.  Instead, He reveals Himself to Job.  He reveals His strength, His power and His sovereignty.  Then, He asks Job some questions. "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." (Job 40:1) "Will you even put Me in the wrong?  Will you condemn Me that you may be in the right?' (Job 40:8)  Job came to the point where he accepted not having all the answers, but he rested and trusted in what he did know.  He knew, by prophetic foreknowledge, that there is a Redeemer Who lives forevermore and that one day He will stand on planet earth. (Job19:25) (Hallelujah! Our Redeemer will make the wrong things right in this sin sick world.)  He knew that God can do all things and that no purposes of God's can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)  And, he knew that he didn't know or understand all things or all of the ways of God and he accepted that fact. (Job 42:3)

Like my friend, I too have had hard questions at times.  During life's darkest hours, when I had more questions than answers, I had to just reach out and let God lead me, questions and all.  I had to trust in the fact of His love for me enough to be honest with Him about my hard questions and even my offenses and anger at Him for what He was permitting me to go through. In doing so, I found that He is, indeed, a safe place for my hard questions, even when He, as with Job, doesn't give me all of the answers. Instead of answers He has just continued to show me more of Himself, more of His steadfast love, more of His faithfulness, more of His strength, perseverance and meekness. As my understanding is growing of Who God is I'm more able to live at peace even with my unanswered questions.

still following,

www.justfollowingjesus.com

Your Cares and Worries

By: Emily Miller

Blessings,

Emily

It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday

Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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Choose trust...

by Elizabeth Stewart

We can't insulate ourselves very long from the hurt, pain, and brokenness in this world can we?  We may be able to forget for a season, a week, a moment, and then we are suddenly reminded of our vulnerability and the fragility of life. All it takes is an unexpected accident, dreaded diagnosis, a job loss, or a horrific news alert and we are forced to face the reality that this world offers us no guarantees of peace, safety or provision.  

A few years ago I took an unexpected tumble down some stairs at a public park.  There were no broken bones but I was a bit cut up and bruised. Worse than the outward scars was the inner realization that I was no longer young and invincible.  I felt fragile and vulnerable.

Three weeks ago I had one of the biggest scares of my life when our second born daughter was hit by a pickup truck while she was out jogging.  Facing the fragility and vulnerability of my child was even harder than facing my own.

This week we all faced, once again, the horrific news of another school shooting.  Over the past several months our nation has been rocked by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, mudslides, turmoil, strife, and even possible nuclear threat. We can't help but realize that even our nation is not invincible.

The way I see it, there are three possible ways to cope with the reality of our vulnerability.

We can just refuse to face it.  We can be like an ostrich and figuratively bury our head in the sand and pretend that the scary stuff "out there" doesn't exist and won't affect our lives in any way. We can bury ourselves in anything that will keep our mind pre-occupied so we don't have to think about it.  We can drug, drink, work, or shop ourselves numb to not deal with it.  There are myriads of ways we try to cope or numb ourselves from what frightens us and to keep ourselves from having to face it.

We can try to control our circumstances. We can drive ourselves to exhaustion trying to prevent our own physical and/or mental decline.  We can spend our whole life preparing for a future for which we have no guarantees. We can prepare for a stock market crash, build as invincible of a house as possible, stock up on reserves of food, prepare for every emergency we can imagine, and insulate and isolate our children from all perceived forms of danger and harm. In other words, we can fail to live our life trying to protect and preserve our life.

OR, we can choose to face the truth that life here on planet earth is a vapor.  We are all fragile human vessels.  We live in a fragile, sin sick world.  That's our reality.  Yes, there are practical common sense things we can do to protect and take care of ourselves and our loved ones.  Ultimately, however, we have to decide if we are going to trust in our own self effort or in some hope that us human beings will one day get our act together, or are we going to put our trust in God at all times, in all situations and circumstance, no matter what we face. When we make a choice to put our trust in God, when we pour out our hearts to Him with all that confuses us, frightens us, or threatens our well being, it's then that we experience the refuge that He is to us. We can rest assured that if there are things He wants us to do and actions He wants us to take that He will give us the wisdom we need to handle it. We come to know with assurance that nothing and no one can separate us from His love. We can be at peace and rest in tumultuous times knowing that He will never leave us or let go of us.  We can face our vulnerability and fragility knowing that He is our shield, strength, and fortress. We don't have to be frightened and intimidated by our vulnerability, because we can trust in God's invincibility. Where we are weak, He is always strong.  When we feel overwhelmed, He always overcomes.  We have a trustworthy Father.  Choosing to trust Him is where we will find our peace, our ability to cope with life's challenges while still enjoying our life, and our victory over fear.

still following,

www.justfollowingjesus.com

How to Use a Resurrection Garden for Family Devotions

Today we have a guest post by Sarah Geringer.

**********

A resurrection garden is a fun, easy, inexpensive project to do with your family during Lent. I’ve written step-by-step instructions on how to put it together, and today I’ll tell you how to use it in family devotions.

The base of the garden reminds us that Jesus came to serve us and teach us to serve. In John 13:3-5, Jesus used a basin of water to wash the disciples’ feet, even the feet of Judas, who would betray Him. Jesus is the King of the World, yet He gave up everything to be with us and save us from our sins.
The pot in the garden reminds us that we are the clay and God is the potter (Jeremiah 18:6). He shapes our lives according to His wise purposes and lets us hold His glory.

The soil represents the state of our hearts, as Jesus described in Matthew 13:3-8. If the soil in our hearts is good, it will produce growth. If it is full of other things from the world or sinfulness from our human nature, it won’t produce good growth. God’s Word waters the soil of our hearts and makes it productive.

The grass seed is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit plants in our hearts so we can grow in obedience. If we keep the seeds watered, they will take root and grow. If we neglect the seeds, the growth will die. Just like the Resurrection Garden needs daily attention to thrive, so our hearts need daily time with God to keep growing. Also, the grass reminds us that God can do glorious things with the smallest parts of His creation (Matthew 6:28-30).

The path is a symbol of our life’s path. God will guide and lead us on the right path if we choose to follow and obey Him. Jesus will lead us as the Good Shepherd, who protects us from harm, as described in Psalm 23.

The stone reminds us that God is our Rock. We can turn to him for strength and security. We must build our faith on the solid rock of God’s word, as Jesus described in Matthew 7:24-25. Then we can withstand life’s storms and our faith will be even stronger.

The crosses remind us of Jesus’ suffering and death. If He hadn’t suffered and died for us, we would be condemned forever. Jesus’ victory over death allows us to live eternal life as believers. We can celebrate that Good News at Easter and all year round!

I’ve written a free 40 Day Resurrection Garden Devotional that you can use for family devotions. It’s available for free on my website. I plan to use it for family devotions this Lenten season.
You can also use the verses above as keywords to make your own family devotions to go along with your resurrection garden. Simply do online searches or use a concordance to choose verses to study with your children.

Your children will love building their own resurrection garden, spraying it daily, and watching the seeds grow. I encourage you to try it this year and use it as a basis for your family devotions.

Sarah Geringer writes about Finding Peace in God’s Word at sarahgeringer.com and is the author of three books. She’s written a free 40 Day Resurrection Garden Devotional, and you can find it here. Sarah lives in her beloved home state of Missouri with her husband and three children, right in the heart of prime viewing for the Great Eclipses of 2017 and 2024.

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Out of my comfort zone!

by Debi Baker

I desperately want to be a girl who says "yes" to God.  But saying "yes" to God can get me in trouble!  How?  Because a few months ago, I was asked to do something that is so very far out of my comfort zone!  This weekend I am speaking at a conference!  It's one 1-hour class.  It shouldn't be a big deal.  The topic is right up my alley, I suppose.  See, I am a credentialed pastor in the Assemblies of God.  And, I am female.  So, I was asked to share about how I've been empowered by God and how I've managed to overcome the fears that paralyze me.

The funny thing is...I'm not sure I've overcome anything.  Sometimes I feel like I'm on auto-pilot!  Speaking in front of a group of people scares me to death.  Now, mind you, I have no problems speaking to my congregation every Sunday.  But to go outside the area of my pulpit...that's another story all together.  I've done it before...and I suppose, judging from the comments of others in the crowd, I did it well enough.  But the people who will be sitting in the room where I'll be speaking are other pastors and other people in leadership!

I'm not confident in my own  little world much less in a place where there are people who have been at this longer than I have.  But, as I pray and seek God for the correct message and the confidence to do this, He reminds me of 2 verses.

John 15:5 NKJV

"⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and 

I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

"⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

These 2 verses give me such a sense of peace.  I know that I am fully attached to the Vine.  There is no doubt that I can do this because I abide in Him.  I also know that because I lean completely on Jesus, that He will direct my way.  The problem arises when I let my head get involved!  My heart has no doubt; my head, on the other hand, is not so sure!  I guess I'll just have to shut my head down!  I will be spending the next couple of days repeating these verses multiple times each day.   

I just realized that these 2 verses are 2 of several that helped me get through those first months of my being behind the pulpit!  God is the same yesterday, today and forever!!!  What an awesome journey He has me on!

Have a blessed day.  And, if you happen to think about it, please pray for me on Saturday (February 17).  God bless!!

Modesty deems Respect

By:

Emily Miller

Too often I get disheartened by certain images being promoted on social media. On some of these things I feel a strong temptation to respectfully comment with my own worldview, but have to hold back for a fear of being ripped to shreds simply for stating my opinion.

I am here today to promote a simple message that should be all too familiar too some of you ladies, but perhaps needs a bit of reinforcing for my age group.

Modesty deems respect. It is as simple as that. If you feel a need to disregard modesty, then you are disregarding your own self-worth that your own Abba Father has endowed you with.

True confidence does not come from wearing revealing clothing. True confidence comes from within, as discussed by Peter.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
1 Peter 3:3-4

We don't get any bonus points by what we wear. We gain true confidence by what is inside of us. If we have a Christlike, servant-led spirit, we have no need to concern ourselves with what is on the outside because we have a quiet confidence radiating from within us.

You want to know what else? This quiet spirit attracts other people you interact with each and every single day. People will ask, "What is so different about you?" This will only give you an opportunity to further God's kingdom by telling them about all that Christ has done for you.

Blessings,
Emily


It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday

Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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Will You Prove To Be Trustworthy?

By: Jenifer Metzger

The ladies at my church are doing Priscilla Shirer's study on Gideon. Let me start by saying that this study is incredible! Every Christian needs to do this study! Three weeks in and let me tell you, we have been blessed, encouraged, inspired, and challenged.

Last night while watching one of the sessions, Priscilla said something that has been heavy on my mind and heart. She said, "Those around you have been entrusted to you." Now, I've always firmly believed that God hand picked me to be the mom to my children and that He entrusted them to me. But Priscilla goes deeper. She tells us that we may have picked our home, but God choose and entrusted our neighbors to us. We may have picked our job, but God choose and entrusted our co-workers to us. The people around us at any given moment have been entrusted to us.

Friends, that's a big deal. When I think about it, it's a large undertaking and I wonder if I am up to this challenge. Yet, it's also a beautiful blessing knowing that God entrusted people to me.

When you are at the grocery store, all those people walking around you, those people have been entrusted to you. What will you do with that? That co-worker that grates on your nerves day after day, she's been entrusted to you. What will you do with that? Your mother-in-law who is intrusive or belittling, she has been entrusted to you. What will you do with that? How will you treat those around you? Will you give them a smile, kind word, or prayer? Will you show them Jesus? Will they walk away feeling encouraged?

Before you become angry or frustrated with someone, remember that God entrusted that person to you at that very moment.

Before you let a teachable moment with your children or those under you pass, remember that God entrusted you at that very moment.

Before it's too late to say I love you or thank you to a precious loved one, remember that God entrusted you with that life.

Will you prove to be trustworthy?

What God has prepared for those who love Him...

by Elizabeth Stewart

The other morning I woke up with the verse above running through my mind.  Lest you think I'm super spiritual, the only thought that is typically running though my mind when I wake up is, "I need coffee!"  That is why I knew it was a God thought-something not from my own mind but from His heart to me.

Have you ever had something turn out even better than you imagined? When I asked myself this same question, one of the things that immediately came to mind was having grandchildren.  Being a "nana" is way better than I could have ever imagined!

Have you ever had the joy of making something happen for someone else that was more than they imagined?  One of my granddaughters told me after a special day together that I had planned that it was, "the best day ever!"  Those words made every bit of effort and preparation I had made worth it.

It's overwhelming to think that the God Who created this beautiful world for us to enjoy, Who sacrificed His Son for our salvation and adopted us into His eternal family, Who daily, watchfully cares and provides for and protects us, has even more wonderful surprises in store for us.  He has some wonderful surprises for us here in the land of the living-things that will make us say, "WoW!  I never expected this!"  And, of course, He has some wonderful surprises for us throughout eternity.  I'm pretty sure that eternal life will be one wow moment after another.  I think that God, Who is a good, good Father, looks forward to preparing blessings for us and takes delight when He sees us enjoying His blessings in our lives. But as far as what is to come, I'm pretty sure He has some, "This is going to blow their minds!" things prepared for us.

Life here and now can be really, really hard.  Those grandkids that bring me so much joy came into our lives after years of hope deferred for our children.  All six of them have a miracle story behind their existence.  The good things God has for us in this life are mixed in with the suffering of living in a sin-sick world, aren't they? Now, just imagine how wonderful it will be when God makes all things new, when He makes all wrong things right, when there's a new heaven and a new earth where no sorrow, sickness or tears will exist to taint our joy.  Can you even imagine?  Well, guess what?  It's going to be even better than that!

still following,

www.justfollowingjesus.com

SaveSaveSaveSave

What kind of influence am I?

by Debi Baker



Whether we know it or not; whether we believe it or not...everything we do influences someone.  There is always someone watching our every move.  Yes, God is, but there is also another human being who is watching us.  It may be our kids.  It may be the neighbor.  It may be the homeless woman near the freeway.  It may be our spouse.  But someone is ALWAYS watching us.  We need to put our Jesus on and do what we can to influence them for Him!

Sometimes we are watched for the sole purpose of tripping us up in our walk with the Lord.  Yes.  There are people who know what we say we stand for and they have one agenda...to catch us living in a way that would disprove that we are a Jesus follower!  It's unfortunate but if we say we're a Christian but act like the devil, people will see our life rather than hear our words. 

We need to ask ourselves, "What kind of influence am I?"  People need to see the difference between those who aren't believers and those who profess Christianity.  If we look like the world, then we aren't influencing anyone for Jesus.  There needs to be a distinct difference!  People need to see how we handle the cares of life with the joy of the Lord.  People need to see that life doesn't get us down because we know the Creator of life!

We need to be that positive "ripple effect."  You know...where we are the first drip in the pond that causes ripple after ripple, each circle getting bigger and bigger.  As we put our Jesus on and effect our immediate circle of friends, they will be influenced in such a way that they will do the same.  Let's all be Jesus with skin on!

Have a wonderful day!

What Do You Hope For

By:
Emily Miller

We are onto month two of 2018.

With Valentine's day approaching, I want to talk about the things you may hope for in life, marriage more so in particular.

For us single ladies, marriage can be a thing that we hope for and long for in our lives.

There is nothing wrong with hoping that you will one day find that certain someone God has intended you to unite with.

There is also nothing wrong with praying for the possibility and chance of marriage this year.

What is wrong is putting "all your eggs in one basket", in a manner of speaking.

Marriage may or may not be in the cards for you this year.

Either way, I still thank God for whatever way He might lead you this year because both paths offer tremendous opportunities to grow.

Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time.
-Song of Solomon 8:4

Blessings,

Emily

It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday

Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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A Fun Valentine's Giveaway

By: Jenifer Metzger

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. To honor this special day, let's do a fun giveaway!

I found Union 28 several years ago and have loved them from the start! Union 28 offers a full line of marriage apparel for husbands and wives. Tees that say things like My Husband/Wife Rocks, I Love My Husband/Wife, and so much more. They even have fun tees for kids that say My Mom/Dad Rocks.

Every single time I wear one of my Union 28 tees, I get numerous comments! People love seeing marriage promoted and they love seeing marriage apparel!

Union 28 apparel is high quality and lasts. I still have the tees I bought 5 years ago!

Union 28 just launched some brand new designs for Valentine's Day. My favorite is this He Captured My Heart tee. It feels so soft and I am loving this pretty pink color.

Their apparel makes a great gift for your spouse for Valentine's Day or even wear a Union 28 tee and surprise your mate.

To get your He Captured My Heart tee or other fabulous marriage apparel, click the image below. Be sure to use code BEMINE for 25% off your order!

To enter to win the He Captured My Heart tee, complete each task in the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not the word of mere men but the Word of God...

by Elizabeth Stewart

Have you ever wondered why our world is such a sin twisted mess when the Bible is still the best selling book in the world? I've wondered the same thing. This week when I read the verse featured above in my devotions, (in the ESV version), I wondered if some of the reasons why might be revealed in this verse."And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." 

Perhaps, some read the Bible as beautiful literature. They find it poetic and lyrical.  Yet, they read it and walk away unchanged.

Perhaps, some read the Bible as the words of mere men. They may think that the authors are very wise men.  Maybe they even consider them to be prophets.  But, for some reason, the words contain no wonder working, life changing power in their lives.

But then, there are some who receive the Bible as a message from God.  They accept it as more than a collection of 66 books authored by approximately 40 different men, but as the God-breathed, Spirit-inspired word of God. They do more than merely read its words, they welcome it into the depths of their mind and heart allowing the Holy Spirit to use it to renew their mind.  They accept its teachings, its encouragement, its exhortation, its correction, its comfort, counsel and wisdom. To those who accept it for what it really is and allow it to have its way in them it produces supernatural results.  It is living, active, powerful, mind renewing and life transforming.

There is so much overwhelming evidence that the Bible is no ordinary book. I love apologetics so I've read and researched the evidence out for myself.  But being convinced of the Bible's uniqueness or supernatural origin in our head isn't enough.  Just as faith is an essential part of our salvation and relationship with God, there comes a time when we have to receive and accept the Bible as God's Word by faith. By faith, we also have to receive it and accept it as God's Word for us.  Yes, historically it was written to certain people at certain times in certain cultures, but it is written for us in our culture, in our time.  When we adhere to, trust in and rely on the Bible, it effectively, supernaturally does its wonder working, mind renewing, life transforming work in us and through us.

still following,

www.justfollowingjesus.com

Seasons

by Debi Baker

Just as the seasons are sure to change, we have seasons in our life!  Last night, my husband and I went to visit a friend in the hospital. This friend has been suffering with dementia/Alzheimer's.  We have known for a while but seeing him this far along in the disease was shocking!  It brought back all the memories of my beloved father-in-love when he fought like a trooper only to lose the battle.

Our friend has always had this bigger than life personality!  In his younger years he was a little wild and quick tempered but in his mid-life years he came back to the Lord.  I remember so many times we would sit around and I would preach at him not understanding why he ever turned his back on God.  He was raised in the church and even went to Christian schools.  He knew!  Then the time came when he would preach at me!  Oh, not because I had wandered away from the Lord, but because,  I believe, he wanted me to know that he had 'come home.'  I am a minister...he called me Joyce Meyer!  What a compliment!  He and I had a unique relationship.  

My hubby has known him his entire life.  Last night's visit was hard.  We hadn't seen him in a while so it was quite a shocker to see him at this stage!  I hate this disease!  In my opinion it's the absolute worst disease there is.  I know...all disease is awful, but Alzheimer's...the person who has this horrible nightmare gets to a point in the disease that they don't know what's happening to them.  But us, the family...we have to watch this horrible disease slowly take bits and pieces of our loved ones away.  I watched it destroy my father-in-love and now my friend!  I ask why?  Not out of disrespect to God, but out of frustration and anger at the loss of my loved one.  I have to go to the Word.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT tells us:

"¹ For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

² A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

³ A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

⁵ A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

⁶ A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

⁷ A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

⁸ A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace."

I trust God.  I know He holds me, all of us, in the palm of His hand.  I know that in a blink of an eye, He could heal my friend and obliterate this disease.  I know that He may choose to not.  No matter what God does or doesn't do, I will forever praise His name.  And when I get overwhelmed, I'll rest on His chest.

Have a blessed day,