Beauty from Ashes - A Continual Process

The loss of my brother will always take my breath away - that's true for all who miss Joel.  As my heart constricts and my breath leaves, and I feel the deep ache in my chest and throat - even then,  I feel God again.  People said I would, but the despair made it impossible to imagine.  I also know that every day, season, event will bring new filters... I'm sure that in life, we will always be aware of someone suffering.  The ones who can get closest to our heart are those who have suffered in the same way.  In time our inward suffering calls us to outward action. A lot is going on in the world.  Where can God use your pain?  If not yet, some day He will, if you offer it up to Him.  Take your time...I'm taking mine.  But when you're His child, He is close, whether you sense it or not.  God. Is. My. Anchor. I have hope and a taste of His presence again.  Psalm 34 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is g...

Thank you friend for Psalm 119:114 today, "You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me."  You have been the hands and feet of Jesus to me this week.  Don't take it lightly, continue, you have a gift of ministry and a world of people ready to receive hope.  You are a light my dear friend.  You don't often see it that way, but God wants you to know.  Because of your encouragement I am moved to write today.  So I will share my heart. I am astounded at how many have read my post titled "Reach Out and Touch the World," and the reads just keep climbing!  I think it is easy to forget the the WORLD is right next to us.  The WORLD is your child, your friend, your co-worker, your neighbor, the person in line at Walmart, the waitress/waiter at your next meal out, the person at church you've never met... It doesn't have to be about going far away.  Sometimes the people closest to you need to be touched the most. ...