Thinking about Darkness

Maybe just knowing that after this week the daylight hours will be shorter, or the fact that the upcoming elections next week make me shudder, I feel a heavy darkness. I have walked through dark times before, why does this seem different? Maybe because my understanding of darkness has enlarged.

I can see two types of darkness. There is a darkness that is totally and completely full of sin. This darkness is devoid of any understanding of God. Here the enemy has rule.

There is also a darkness that is full of God. Though our eyes are darkened and we do not understand what is going on around us, God is there. His presence may seem far away to us, however, He is there with us. God, thankfully, is so overwhelming and all powerful our minds cannot comprehend His ways. Yet for God even the darkness is light. It is in this darkness God rules and those of us who choose to learn to trust.

The greatest truth is that God reigns over all. I looked up definitions to rule and reign. The first definition I found for rule was the principle governing conduct, control. So you see where the enemy rules his principles govern the conduct of those under him. They have chosen to be controlled by him. Where God rules, those who chose Him are governed by His principles.

The definition for reign was to have sovereign power. No matter what you choose, God reigns over all. That is so comforting to me. No matter what, God is sovereign over everything. His word and His will is what stands firm forever. I will choose God's rule in the dark any day.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8

A Dark Cloud

"The Lord has said He would dwell in a dark cloud..." 2 Chronicles 6:1

Darkness, swelling and settling all around,

Selfishness, unkind words, a daily challenge of desire,

Anger, resentment, choking fallow ground,

Young minds and hearts groping with the fire.

Will the tests of time prove to purify?

Or simply burn and scar the lives meant for God's glory?

Oh Father God, why must our selfish desires get in the way of obedience to you? How do you teach and train children bent on having their own way? How do you instill Scriptural principles? Maybe it is just the frustration of daily dealing with so much sin. My sin, children's sin, world sin - constantly confronted with unrighteousness. Oh God my heart longs for Your kingdom to come, Your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Understand, a song by Jeremy Camp, says "Every time I fall down on my face, I see the one who bore all my shame, To know that you are everything I need you to be, You're my ever present help in time of need, I know you understand it all, So why don't I get back on my feet again."

Father, by your Son you have freed us from this body of sin. Teach us to walk in the Spirit, to set our mind on what the Spirit desires. Thank You for dwelling in a dark cloud. I feel that dark cloud enveloping me and yet Your presence is here with me. God, give me strength to continue to daily take up my cross and train these treasures you have given me.

In Jesus,

Nancy

Scripture Only Sunday

"Oh Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7

"He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Romas 4:25

Adversity & Peace

"The very thing that we may think will be the demise of our lives - trouble - can actually serve to strengthen our lives by forcing us to cling to Jesus and Him alone." Joe Stowell

I read these words yesterday and thought how true. My life has been comparatively easy. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and six beautiful children. But there have been struggles along the way - financial disaster, a challenging strong-willed child, continual rejections and self-confidence issues, the list could go on but you get the picture. However, through it all my faith and belief in my Lord has only grown stronger. He is more real to me today that the day before. It is not because of anything I have done really, it is ALL JESUS!! His grace and mercies that are new every morning. Apart from His strength I would have turned to a crying mush years ago.

I am so glad we have a God who leaves us words of encouragement and a foundation to stand on "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:38 Isn't God good to let us know ahead of time - you will have trouble. And He doesn't leave us hanging there - He lets us know that it is okay. He has overcome the world so we can take heart and not let fear or frustration rule over us.

When all else fails I heartily join Peter in saying , "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

May we daily go to the One who has the words of eternal life and listen to His voice. May we receive encouragement and strength for the journey ahead.

In Jesus,
Nancy

Vessels

Vessels

Broken pieces, distorted images,
My life in shambles around my feet.
Healing words, clarifying pictures,
Spirit of God putting chaos in order.
Creating a vessel for His use, His glory.
-Nancy Kourmoulis

"Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalic."
Proverbs 25:4a (The Message)

"Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery designed to show His angry displeasure and another style to show His generous goodness, isn't that all right?" Romans 9:21 (The Message)

Jesus - thank you that because of Your righteousness we are vessels of honor for the Father's glory. May we be filled up and poured out for Your pleasure.

In Jesus,
Nancy

Purpose Fulfilled

"Without charity external work is of no value, but anything done in charity, be it ever so small and trivial, is entirely fruitful inasmuch as God weighs the love with which a man acts rather than the deed itself.

He does much who loves much. He does much who does a thing well. He does well who serves the common good rather than His own interests.

...he who has true and perfect charity seeks self in nothing, but searches all things for the glory of God." Thomas a' Kempis, Imitation of Christ

How this words refresh me this morning. It has been a tough week. Moving does not bring out the best in me. I become a task driver - driving my children and myself to get it all done. I need order and moving definitely makes things disorderly!

But I read these words and it makes me think about what a Godly mother really is or does. Mostly mother's do the small, trivial, daily, routine stuff that must be done. These words show me that, in God's sight, these are fruitful deeds because we do them in love. Because of the love we have for God and our families.

Now truly I can drive my children in a more loving way, God help me! However, my whole purpose in driving them is to make our lives more simple, prepare room for meeting God, give more time for the fun, by being orderly and settled. This is part of my purpose as a mother.

Father God, may I deeply realize that when I daily serve my family, I am serving You and fulfilling my destiny in this time and place. Forgive me when I drive in an unkind, harsh manner. Teach me to trust, even when I don't see the Godly principles I have taught my children revealed in them. May I have eyes to see the times You are honored by their actions. Help me to understand that these small, trivial things bring You glory and is how I bear fruit for Your kingdom.

In Jesus,

Nancy

Scripture ONLY Sunday

Isaiah 61:10 (New Living Translation)

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!

For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation

and draped me in a robe of righteousness.

I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit

or a bride in her jewels.

Daily Provision

Bread of Life
Dew, settling and gone,
Sunrise
“Thin flakes like frost on the desert floor”
Manna, bread for today.
A morning long ago,
Sunrise
Thin flakes of flayed skin on the chilling soil
Manna, bread of life
Provision today and an eternity of
Sunrise.
Nancy Kourmoulis
(from Exodus 16:14, John 6:35)

Jesus, Spirit of God, today I'm hungry and weak. O God, I long for Your presence. I sit in the stillness and wait for you to fill me up. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73: 26) Thank you for being my daily bread! For providing the nourishment I need daily for my soul and spirit when I am so hungry.

In Jesus,

Nancy

The Path to Trust

Okay, so today is my final encouragement from Poppy Smith's book Keep Growing. Mainly because it has to go back to the library today. However, I will be looking to have the book for my very own soon. I love books - especially the ones that strengthen my faith!! Now the words from Poppy:

"When you're tempted to fall into worry and despair, think about who God is, believe everything good you know of Him - and keep bringing your thoughts back to Him whenever they wander. Do this over and over and you'll train your mind to trust - not to worry.

Satan Tempts Me to:

Focus On:

my suffering, my need

Satan's Objectives:

to drag me away from God

Natural Choice:

self-pity, bitterness, cynicism,

hopelessness/fear

God Desires Me to:

Focus on:

His sufficiency, His strength

God's Objectives:

to draw me closer to Him

Godly Choice:

to receive strength, bear fruit,

deepen my trust, have hope/joy

Crises are crossroads - those places where decisions are made and consequences set in motion.

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16) Jeremiah points to God's solution in times of confusion and worry, spiral upward by choosing to stand, look, ask, walk, and rest.

Stand: When life is scary - quietly stand still with a sense of expectancy. Affirm your believe that the Lord has brought you to this place. He has lead you this far and He will continue to lead you.

Look: This includes pondering, thinking, and weighing what's before you in light of God's character and promises. Consider not only yourself but others who will be affected by your choices.

Ask: Give yourself time to pray, seek wisdom, and wait for God to work.

Walk: After asking God to provide what you need, walk forward in the confidence He will give. Echo the truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

Rest: God promises rest - the absence of panic and hopelessness - when we rely on Him to guide us in our confusion. Jesus also promised rest when we come to Him. ("Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28)

He longs for us to trust that we are under His watchful care. In this way, we not only experience His tender assurance, we live it, and have something real to share with a confused and needy world."

Here again I want to thank Poppy for letting me share from this chapter of her book! Don't forget to check her website http://www.poppysmith.com/.

May God lead us all along His Path to Trust. Not just for our peace of mind, but for His glory. After all this life is truly not about me, It's all about Him.

In Jesus,

Nancy

Crisis of Faith

Crises of faith reveal whom we trust. This begins the next section of Poppy Smith's (http://www.poppysmith.com/) book Keep Growing in Chapter 5. Before I get into her faith building teaching, I must share that we all go through crises of faith in our lives. Maybe it was being rejected by someone we considered a friend, disappointment with failed dreams, the pain of a wayward child, or even feeling abandoned by God in our time of need. I know I have felt all these and more in my own life - naming a few of my crises of faith. I have found Poppy sums up the truth of these troubled times so well and gives great guidance on how to handle these times. Her words reflect things I have found true during these periods, as well as new insights I need for my life now. May you be blessed, encouraged as you read...

"Now there was a famine in the land, and Abraham..." (Gen. 12:10-20). What? Did he pray? Seek direction from the One who had appeared to him? Trust God to provide....No. In the face of crisis Abraham panicked, forgot God, figured out his own solution, and headed to Egypt.

Difficult situations don't necessarily mean we're out of God's will. His goal is to develop our faith. To do this, He will sometimes allow famine to touch our lives, as He did with Abraham.

The famine - is a God-permitted time of need. Whenever you face a situation you're powerless to do anything about, your in a famine. "There's a famine in my life": a job layoff or a big problem at work, a family or church conflict, a frightening diagnosis or chronic illness, a painful loss...You're drying up inside for lack of life and soul-sustaining nourishment....You wonder God, why? What are you doing?

Whatever form famines take, God uses them, not to punish, but to push us forward. He didn't cause the famine, but He allowed it in order to build Abraham's trust - and He permits them in our lives for the same reason.

In addition to deepening our trust, a famine reminds us of how much we need God day by day. Only when famine strikes do we relearn: God alone can provide for our deepest needs.

Few of us go through life without confronting some seemingly real fears: How can we stretch our income to cover the bills? Is my marriage going to survive? What kinds of choices will our kids make - and how can I cope with the choices they've already made?

When our mind locks on these kinds of fears, what happens? Do we feel joy, peace, and trust in God? Hardly. We become caught in the grip of worry, don't we often react like Abraham, forgetting God and figuring out our own solutions?

Worry is the termite of the soul, tunneling its way into the very support beams of our lives.

As a result of worry, we can...
Forget God. Here we have an opportunity to remember God's promises and develop faith muscles. Spiritually, we blank out.
Lose Faith. Like helium in a balloon, as soon as Abraham forgot God, his faith fizzled to nothing.
Experience Fear. By leaving God out, fear takes over. Add a fertile imagination, and Abraham could see his whole household and animals slowly starving. When a famine hits, you can't sit around waiting for God to do something unheard of like dropping manna from the sky...could you?
Feel Insecure. Fear breeds insecurity. "What's going to happen?" Thoughts of waiting on God for His wisdom fly out the window. Too often we act impulsively because of emotional pressure bearing down on us.
Behave Selfishly. Panic and insecurity crowd out everything but self-preservation. Abraham arrives on Egypt's border and thought," Now what am I going to do? Sarah is so beautiful...the Egyptian king will kill me for her." Notice, no thought is given to Sarah's feelings or safety. Abraham's thoughts were "What about ME?"
Act Hypocritically. Where is our true character seen? "Character is who we are under pressure." Abraham's household looked to him to be the spiritual leader. Even though his faith didn't go as deep as the situation demanded, God was at work.
Receive a Rebuke. If we neglect to seek God's direction He doesn't necessarily stop us from going our own way. Nor does He always shield us from the consequences of our actions. Receiving a sharp rebuke can be a painful reminder to turn to God early on the next time.

The Lord did rescue both Sarah and Abraham with a plague on Pharaoh's household. Needless to say, Pharaoh wasn't too happy about this. Confronting an ashamed man of faith, Pharaoh told Abraham to go. So much for being a blessing.

When we don't trust God under pressure, testings, we spiral downward. It's as if we've entered a spiritual war zone blindfolded. God's desire is to use whatever troubles us to draw us closer to Himself. At the same time our spiritual enemy whats to trip us up, ensnare us.

Confusing, worrisome situation always confront us with spiritual choices. Can I trust God?...At times the battle to trust can be exhausting and seem never-ending - but it must be fought over and over again. Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus referred 5 times to worry. "Don't worry" Jesus commands - and gives two solid reasons why:
1. You have a Heavenly Father who lives and values you. He will provide for you (v.26)
2. Worry cannot change your circumstances. (v.27)

God can change our circumstances if it is His will, but worry will not. The blunt truth is, worry amounts to disobedience, which is sin. Ouch!...What does my worry really reveal?

In Philippians 4, Paul gives us clear instructions: Figure out what is worrying you, tell God all about it, make your requests known, and thank Him for his power to provide what's needed. (v6-7)

Okay so I have been long worded today and I really must get my day going. Tomorrow I will cover to me the most encouraging part - two outcomes from testings, difficulties, and pressures and the path to trust. I pray you have hung in there and will join me again.

In Jesus,
Nancy

Scripture Only Sunday

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

Cultivate Worship

"Cultivating worship strengthens our ability to trust. Genesis 12:7-8, Abraham, in response to God's assurance built and alter and worshiped "the Lord who had appeared to him."

Worship..is shown as something presented by us, to God because He is utterly worth of our adoration. Not all prayer or praise is worship.

Prayer brings needs to God: "Lord, help me."
Praise relates to blessings from God: "I praise you Lord for helping me."

Worship focuses on God himself: "I adore you, Lord, for who you are."

This is wonderfully depicted in the fourth and fifth chapter of Revelation: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come....You are worth, our Lord, to receive glory and honor and power..to Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever."

Worship is not about us, but all about God. By focusing on His greatness and perfection, our ability to trust deepens.

Worship produced trust. Instead of worrying about our puny resources, worship reminds us that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Worship and trust are linked. Together they produce spiritual ability. When we neglect worship, we sentence ourselves to a shriveled view of God." Keep Growing, Poppy Smith (http://www.poppysmith.com/)

These words wondrously presented by Poppy Smith stir me to make the time. Despite a house to keep, five children to nurture and train, a husband to honor and support - O God, never let me forget to take time to be awed by You - Your Majesty, Your Worthiness, Your Bigness (not sure that is a word, I just know God you are BIG). God, there is nothing too hard for You - You are the first and the last, from everlasting to everlasting. Your Words last forever. "Jesus, name about all names, King of kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus, most beautiful name that I know, You are the exalted one. Jesus, You have the power alone. Be exalted, higher and higher." (italics mine, other a song "When I Speak Your Name" by Klaus)

In Jesus,
Nancy

Opportunities to Trust

Okay, so today I am feeling weak. Our world is definitely getting a shaking, many of our lives are being wrung out from difficult situations. So today I want to refer back to Poppy Smith's book Keep Growing. (Remember her website is www.poppysmith.com). Now more from Chapter 5...

"Confusing circumstances are opportunities to trust." In this section she talks about how God told Abraham to go to a land, a land promised to Abraham. After Abraham travels, for an unknown about of time, he reaches Shechem(Genesis 12:6-8). "Imagine his situation. He'd trudged across hundreds of miles of desert, dragging his family away from relatives and friends, a comfortable life, and all that was familiar. He'd done what God asked - an now look what he found: other people living in what he considered his space. ...This very confusing new venture was not starting off as he'd expected.

God knew exactly what he was thinking. Making His presence known at the exact time Abraham needed reassurance and encouragement, God affirmed His promise, "To your offspring will I give this land" (Genesis 12:7).

In the middle of Abraham's questions and confusion, God came to remind him to look up, not at his circumstances. He was not to worry or try to figure out how God would keep His promises. Abraham was to depend on God to do what He said.

In confusing times, probably most of us yearn for God to assure and encourage us as He did Abraham. This does happen - if we have eyes to see.

Have you ever received a note or card when you were down in the dumps? Has someone called you at the precise moment you were crying and pleading with God to show you He loved you? (Maybe you were reading your Bible when a verse jumps off the page and comforts you - this happens to me often.) It is as though God is audibly saying, "See, I'm still here. I know you're struggling, but you're my child. You're engraved on the palm of my hand. I haven't forgotten my promises to care for you.

If you're confused, feeling down, battling the enemy's destructive words, take heart. Look up to Him, not at your circumstances. Watch for - and expect - His encouragement."

In Jesus,

Nancy

A Daily Journey

I can so picture a journey today. Yesterday was spent in a van with four children for eight hours. We had the time and privilege to go visit darling daughter and dear son-in-love for a few days. I am so excited because we have not had a chance to visit face-to-face since they were married in May!

Driving along the roads yesterday made me think about how we must trust God for each bend in the road. We rely on Him to get us safely to our journeys end. Yet we must drive wisely - spend time in His Word. We must follow the rules - live lives of humble obedience. We must have the right directions - daily take time to worship and fellowship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.

When we do these things we are blessed. When it is raining - hard times come - there is blessing in the cleansing that is given during those times. When it is overcast and dreary - confusion in our circumstances - we learn to trust God in the dark. Our faith is stretched in these times. Then there are times around the bend when there is only beauty - times of joy and peace. God walks with us through all our times. He is faithful and loving in all His ways. We don't have to understand those ways to believe the truth.

God will never leave us or forsake us along this journey we are on. Many times the way is hard, but the results at the end are so worth the trip. For me, today, my journey's end is the gift of visiting beloved family. One day, joy beyond compare, the joy, the bliss of visiting in my Father's house. The total peaceful rest of daily living in His presence. This gives me the courage to keep driving.

In Jesus,
Nancy

Learning to Trust - A Journey in Itself

I am reading an encouraging book by Poppy Smith called Keep Growing. Before I dive in I want to thank her for generously allowing me to quote from her book. You can check out her website at http://www.poppysmith.com/. Chapter 5 has been especially encouraging to me. The title is Trust God in Confusing Circumstances. This may take several days of reminder for me - so I hope it lifts you up as much as it is doing for me.

"God yearns to use our lives to bless others. For this to happen we need our character and faith developed....One of the tools God uses to accomplish His work in us is external circumstances - those times of confusion, stress, and pain. In those situations where we don't know what to do, where we struggle with fear, are overwhelmed with doubts, or swamped by grief, we learn the same faith lessons Abraham did."

What did Abraham learn? Exactly what we need to learn if we're to grow in trust:

God's Character - The Foundation for Our Trust...If we look at unfair, confusing, or horrific circumstances and judge God's character on the basis of what we see, we will find ourselves in an enormous spiritual and mental battle. God doesn't condemn us because we wrestle with what He permits. Where do these painful issues "leave us?" With two choices...will we deny and renounce God, or will we believe and trust Him, in spite of the evidence that confuses our hearts?

The Word is our guide to knowing God's character. Our knowledge of God can only begin with His revelation of Himself.

Three themes ... point to why God can be trusted.

God is sovereign. Isaiah 43:13 "From ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

God is all-wise. Because God is all-wise, we're called to trust that what He gives or withholds if for our good. Isaiah 55:8-9 My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God is love. Listen to Paul's words, then ask yourself, "When life hurts, does God still love me?" "Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us...Neither death nor life, angels nor demons, the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

Opportunity to trust happens more frequently than we'd like, but this is part of learning to walk with God. His goal is to develop our character and faith. To do this means bringing us, step by step, to the pint in our lives where we can affirm, ... that we believe and trust God is sovereign, totally wise, and perfectly loving.

The circumstances God uses to develop that kind of trust will differ for each of us. Whatever form they take, look at every situation as His invitation to turn to the Word, search out His character, and learn to trust."

Poppy Smith is an awesome writer to put the difficulties and challenges of life into words that encourage our faith. I will share more tomorrow. This chapter is extremely helpful for building us up in the Spirit.

In Jesus,

Nancy

Trust

This morning I was driving challenge son to school. He had to be there early so it was about 6:30 as we were driving the back roads. The sunrise was gently coming over the hills in shades of grey and pink. The air was comfortable, refreshing even. As I turned to head for home, what joy greeted me, a rainbow. I almost missed it. By the grace of God I looked up. Like so many other areas of my life, how much have I missed because I failed to look up? In dealing with challenge son - look up. Which reminded me that God also sees the rainbow and when He does, He remembers. "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between me and all living creatures. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life..." Genesis 9:12-17 God keeps His promises. He is totally trustworthy. Do I remember to trust Him?

Upon returning home I opened His Word to the Psalms - my morning routine - 5 chapters daily. The 7th brings me to chapters 31-35. All five of these chapters speak to how we can trust God to care for us, there were four verses that jumped out at me because of the specific use of the word "TRUST".

"I hate those who cling to worthless idols (money - seems to fit with economies shaking), I will trust in the Lord." Psalm 31:6

"But I will trust in you, O Lord; I say "You are my God." My time is in your hands... Psalm 31:14-15a

"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him." Psalm 32:10

"In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name." Psalm 32:21

Today, every day, as I rise up I must remember to look up. To trust in the One who holds my time in His hands. Especially since His Word reminds me, "I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me. Your sons hasten back....Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you." Isaiah 49: 15-18

He is totally trustworthy. God is so amazing!!

In Jesus,
Nancy

Truth

"O God, You who are truth make me one with you in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for." Thomas a' Kempis, Imitation of Christ

This is how I feel about all the noise surrounding us right now. Between hearing and reading about the economy and the election, I am exhausted. How we need truth to shine through. And the only real truth comes from God on high. He is truly "all that I long for."

So while the commentators and pundits go on and on I will be satisfied to rest in the light of God's Word. Knowing that He is in control of every day, every situation.

"..I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19

Father may we walk in the light of your truth, listening for your voice above the cacophony that surrounds us.

In Jesus,
Nancy

Scripture Only Sunday

When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy. (Psalm 122:1)

Beginning of a Blog Journey

Today I begin a journey of blogging the thoughts given to my by my Father God. The best place to start would be to explain my blog name. It is taken from Isaiah 45:3 " I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." This verse has become a verse near and dear to my heart. It seems like life is filled with dark times. Times where God seems far away and our circumstances confusing. However, I am learning that those dark times are the times where treasures, jewels of God's design, are placed in my life.

Like James I am learning to say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

My prayer as I begin this journey is that God would grant me the words to speak. That His insights would become a light in the darkness for any who would read these words, just as they guide me on my path.

In Jesus,
Nancy