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Thoughts From Laura Story

Greetings Friends,

This week's "thought" comes from a devotional by Laura Story entitled "What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?" It contains her thoughts on God, suffering and trials. Today I present you with portions of two entries - When We Don't Understand and The Blessed Thorn. Enjoy.
"Can you understand the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?"
Job 11:7

"Sometimes, things happen, and we simply can't understand why. When life takes a turn for the worse, we wonder why, but no matter how hard we think or how desperately we try, we simply cannot fully understand God's plan. And that's okay with God. In the Book of Job, God's word teaches us that He is sovereign; that He reigns over His entire creation (including us), and that He isn't required to answer all our questions (Job 38-41). So what should we do? Well, for starters, we can recognize God's so…
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Thoughts From John Bunyan

Dear Friends,

Today's "thought" is a true story. As I was wrestling with what I should share with you, I went to one of my faithful "fall back" books ("The One Year Book of Christian History" by Michael and Sharon Rusten) and looked to see what event in history happened on this day. Turns out it was the publication of one of the best-selling books in history. Yet, it's not simply about the publication of a book, it's the story of the author as well. Like his book, his story is fascinating also. I trust you be both inspired and challenged. Enjoy.


"For a century after it was first published, one book's popularity was exceeded only by that of the Bible. Yet it's author was a "tinker" -- a mender of pots and pans whose story continues to inspire generation after generation. His name is John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress.

When Bunyan was sixteen, his mother and sister both died within three months of each othe…
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Thoughts From Dr. Larry Crabb

Dear Friends,

Today’s "thought" comes to you from the well-known Christian psychologist Dr. Larry Crabb and is found in one of his first books, “Encouragement – The Unexpected Power of Building Others Up.” It’s the true story of a crucial turning point in his life and an extremely powerful example of what words of encouragement are able to do in a person's soul. Enjoy.


“The tongue has the power of life and death.”
Proverbs 18:21
As a 9th grader (14 years old) Larry was asked to pray before the Lord’s Supper as part of his church’s custom to involve young people in the morning worship service. But since it was his first time ever praying out loud in the service, he says, he was filled “less with worship than with nervousness.” In fact, he was so nervous that when he prayed his prayer he ventured into heresy. He thanked: “The Father for hanging on the cross, and praised Christ for triumphantly bringing the Spirit from the grave.” He …
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Thoughts From Marva J. Dawn

Dear Friends,

Today's "thought" comes from a lady named Marva J. Dawn, a musician and theologian (with a PhD in Christian Ethics and the Scriptures from Notre Dame). At the time she wrote the book from which I will be quoting - "Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down" - she worked with an organization called, "Christians Equipped for Ministry." Admirably, as one who is herself wheelchair-bound, she has donated all the proceeds from the sales of her five books to charity. As a pastor I found her words today challenging. I trust you may find them challenging as well. Enjoy.


"Worship Ought To Kill Us."

"O God of earth and altar, in mercy hear our cry;
Our earthly rulers falter, our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us, the words of scorn divide.
Take not Thy thunder from us, but take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches, from lies of pen and tongue;
From all the easy speeches that satisfy the throng;
From sale and profanati…
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Thoughts From Charles Spurgeon

Dear Friends,

It's been a while since I offered you some thoughts by one of my all-time favorites -- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892). The pens of some writers put out a best-selling book and then fade. Others might put out two of three. Still others are popular for a time, but their writings lose relevance over time. Spurgeon is different. He offers us a seemingly endless source of timeless spiritual inspiration and encouragement even to this day. The following 25 quotes are simply a small sampling of the wise guidance he still has to offer. Enjoy.


"One might better try to sail the Atlantic in a paper boat, than try to get to heaven on good works."

"With heights of joy in serving my Master I am very familiar. But into the very depths of despair -- such an inward sinking that I cannot describe -- I have likewise sunk. Yet I do know that my Redeemer lives, that the battle is sure, and that the victory is safe."

"Whenever God means to make a man great, H…
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Thoughts From Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Greetings Friends,

Today I offer you a blog post by Vaneetha Rendall Risner entitled, "Embrace the Life You Have."
It's longer than most of my posts, but please don't let that deter you -- it is worth reading. It's about coming to grips with where we are in life as opposed to where we may have thought we would be when we dreamed of what out life would be like years ago. Most of you will be able to relate. Some will be helped immensely by it. So, despite our cultural desire to have an impactful message we can skim through in two or three small paragraphs, this one is a bit longer -- 8 to be precise. Good advice is like that. It often requires a bit more space. Give it a chance, you'll likely be glad you did! Enjoy.


Embrace the Life You Have

We are moving. Cleaning out boxes from the attic has left me more unsettled and emotional than I ever anticipated. As I open each crate, I vividly remember the way life used to be — the hobbies I used to …
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