Gateways to Joy

'A nd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28 I share with you, what I've echoed to myself these past couple of weeks.  Feeling from your emails that some of you may just be in need of this reminder too. I would also like to share a quote with you from a book that I am reading by M.R. De Haan, MD called "Broken Things." If you are being broken by disappointment or bereavement, by loss or pain, by weakness or sickness, remember that although to us broken things are tragedies, to God they are opportunities to be used for His glory.  We cast the broken things aside and call them "junk," but God casts the "unbroken" things aside as useless. "Remember, before there can be life there must be death.  Before there can be joy, there must be weeping.  The joy that floods the mother's heart at the sound of the first cry of her new newborn ba...

E very Wednesday I participate in community over at Ann Voskamps A Holy Experience, where we share a spiritual practice that draws us closer to God, allowing us to walk with Him.  Today's post won't be a "spiritual practice" about what we are doing for Easter per se, but instead I chose to focus on "The suffering's of Christ" giving gratitude and attention to what took place leading to His death by bowing the head and knees—hourly in recognition to these sufferings on my behalf.  I'm choosing to take the time to learn about the physical and spiritual sufferings and to share them...testify. I pray that the introduction to the sufferings of Christ will cause you to pause .  Give gratitude.  Put skin on holy words realizing what Jesus allowed to happen only because He loves you and me.   The torture of Jesus is cruel, inhumane, and disturbing , but I've chosen to learn about it and walk through the agonizing, bone-chilling, stomach tight...

T hat's what Ann always says.  I don't know about you but sometimes I have questions—all kinds.  I don't necessarily pray about them, I just wonder.  I've always been that way: someone who sits back and "wonders why?"   Most of the things I've never shared.  That's why it was kind of eerie when I started reading Ann's book.   She addresses so many of my "unspoken" wonders—they seem to be hers and probably even some are yours.  She's bold in her writing and gets bare. Today is Monday, which means I am participating in the Gratitude Community started by said author pictured above.  My gratitude list consists of things that I find through the day and list in my journal... things that I'm thankful for .  Are you going to participate?  Have you gotten your journal and started penning your gratitude, your gifts with us?  You should.  It is transforming.  Grace awakening. H...