A Time For All Seasons: Do you still believe?

Ever read something and have a revelation, an eye-opener, a discovery?

There are times I see or read something that just really makes me think, wakes me up. Sometimes it's actually something I've always known, but hits me in a different light. Do you ever wonder if your prayers go unheard or you get an answer that's not what you think you want or need? We all have, I'm sure, at one time or another questioned God, maybe even screamed at Him....Why!!! When we get an answer that's not to our liking, do we still believe God is good, that His way is better than ours?

                    When the diagnosis is chronic and the healing doesn't come...

                    When the spouse walks out the door and doesn't come home...

                    When the prodigal child turns their back and doesn't return...

                    When the desperate couple seek out the physicians and still can't have a baby...

                    When you need the job and it doesn't work out...

How do we handle these situations? The God of our Faith is bigger than all of these. When He doesn't answer in a way we expect/desire/need, what are we supposed to do, how should we react. He is asking us...

                    Do you still believe?

                    Do you trust me?

He is showing us Mercy when we are not looking for it. He is working miracles in the midst of the chaos our lives. Look close for the miracles. When you were walking through the mess...

                    Did you learn something new about yourself?
                    Did you grow closer to Him?
                    Did your faith grow?
                    Did you help someone else suffering?
                    Did you make a new friend?
                    Did you share your faith with someone else?

He may not have responded as we wanted, but He did respond and you were blessed.

We do not walk these trials alone. The One who walked trials on earth and died for us all, walks beside us. We can rest assured ALL things work to our good.

"These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. It will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return." -1 Peter 1:7

JOY DARE

I've been slow at it this summer, but here are a few of the gifts I counted.

234. Lazy days at the lake

235. Sweet watermelon

236. Sun rays