"Nevertheless"

So it's 2020 and the world has lost its mind. Earthquakes.  Wars.   Rumors of Wars.  Not to mention a world wide pandemic..or the pandemonia of  civil unrest .. or the politics of the day .. or social distancing .. or friends and families pitted against each other. Distractions. All of it. Jesus said these things would happen.    He gave us fair warning.  He said to watch for it.  He said these things are signs of His return. Where we are in the timeline of His return is really not an issue.    He put each and every one of us when and where we live and exist.   We are strategically and precisely placed where we work and play and worship... where we raise and love our families.  We are here for a reason.   We didn't just happen to be born into this era. “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;   n...

A few years ago, at a women's conference that I attended,  Beth Moore asked the thousands of women in attendance to fill in the blank:  "If the Lord had not been on my side, I would be __________________" I didn't have to think long to form an entire list of  what or where I would be.   Sharing that information with the world is difficult. Because if the Lord had not been on my side,  I would not be here. Yet God so graciously intervenes and reminds us of His love. I can understand the desire to end it all somehow, or to just recede into a cocoon to protect yourself. Pain sometimes is overwhelming and seems as though it will never end.  Where is the light on those dark days? God is still the Light of the world.  He is still the Light of our souls. He would always remind me "Count your blessings." When we are counting blessings, it's difficult to stay focused on the darkness. Don't ever forget or set aside the wonders...

Follow Hard After Jesus! Follow Hard After Your Dream!   If You Don’t Ask, The Answer Is Always “NO!”     Save Money Even If You Don’t Think You Can.  Find A Way!   If You Don’t Try, You Automatically Fail. Get Back Up When You Fall Down.   Every Time. Don’t Blame Others. Encourage People Rather Than Put Them Down.   Learn How To Fight.   Don’t Play It Safe.   Take The Risk. Don’t Cheat or Lie.   Karma Ain’t Nice. Don’t Be Afraid To Be Different. Admit When You Are Wrong.    The Truth May Hurt, But It’s Always Better Than A Lie.  (Again.. Karma)    Speak Up For Others … Don’t Gossip.   Learn To Enjoy Your Own Company.   Travel … Just Travel.   Don’t Buy The Chevy Monza.     (From the life and times of Kathy Thompson Ellis)