hope | Heartstone Journey

Thank You God

I am looking forward to spending time with those I love through this Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because you spend time with family without the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Truth be told, I really love all the amazing food and fixings too!

As I reflect I don’t want to forget those who will not be gathered around a table with loved ones with an abundance of food and a warm fire. Super storm Sandy still has people without power, weeks after the storm and for some no end to the turmoil. War is escalating in the Middle East as rockets strike fear into those near the impact zone. We just finished up an election which in the end divided this country. The stock market has become the new roller coaster ride and people I have opportunity to talk to are worried! The list is long and scary for some, but I want to pause here and remind folks of what the Bible offers.

Nightsong

Wandering through life with a vain pursuit of self, circumstances eventually hunted me down and forced me to look into the mirror of myself. Standing in front of the mirror, with a tear running down my face, it took everything I had to see the stranger looking back at me. I became a person that I knew deep down inside I wasn’t, but I didn’t have the courage to come out of hiding. Numbing myself to the pain in life, I convinced myself that it was easier to exist behind a mask, paralyzed at the thought of being exposed. I exhausted myself trying to outrun my pain. This is not who I wanted to be. I was living life the way I wanted to live it, but once my eyes were opened, I realized that I wasn’t free. Flying solo in life left me tired, beaten down, and empty. I’ve tried so long to make it on my own that my hopes and dreams became scattered fragments of what they could have been.

The strength of a ship is only fully demonstrated when it faces a hurricane, and the power of the gospel can only be fully exhibited when a Christian is subjected to some fiery trial. We must understand that for God to give “songs in the night,” He must first make it night.

-Nathaniel William Taylor

Remember

What are you doing this Independence Day, July 4th? Spending time with family and friends? At the beach? Having a cookout? Planning to go see an awesome fireworks display?

Have you paused and thought about the significance of this day?

Do you even remember the courage, resolve and the sacrifice that hangs in the shadows of this day?

What If There Was More To The Lion’s Den?

If I were to ask you to tell me something about the book of Daniel, you would most likely share the courageous story of how Daniel survived the lions den. What if there was much more?

It was during the spring/summer of 605BC when everything fell apart for Judah, Daniel and his people. It was when Babylon, under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar descended upon them, defeated them and took them captive away from their homeland. Daniel taken from his home, now found himself in a full immersion program for the purpose of teaching the language and culture of the Babylonians in preparation for service to the king. Daniel did well, because at the end of his training he became one of the kings advisers.

Thank You God

Nightsong

Remember

What If There Was More To The Lion’s Den?

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

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