Well, I'm afraid the last two days have been difficult to bear, and I'm sorry that I've forsaken my little attempts of words left here. I learned yesterday that a lifelong friend of mine was deserting everything of the life he has always known in Christ and is leaving his family to follow a path completely opposed to all that God has ever set forth as honorable, just, pure, lovely... and my heart is reeling with sorrow, as I watch what my friend is doing. God created me as an exhorter in spirit, and almost all I do is motivated by a passion to help others be all they can be in Christ. When, suddenly, a loved one has "gone off the deep end" and the only one to hear my words is my Savior, my soul finds that even in pain, God will be my refuge and peace. So, tonight, I'll leave you dear ones with some Scriptures that He's brought to strengthen me, during these past two days and, actually, many in the years long since gone. Perhaps, some of them may bless your soul in a time of need...

Psalm 62:1-2, Psalm 63:1-8, Psalm 43:5, Deuteronomy 4:29-31, Jeremiah 1:7-8, Isaiah 35:3-7, Isaiah 40:11, Romans 8:26-28, Ezekiel 37:23, Matthew 10:26-31, John 10:10-11, Genesis 50:20...

In these coming days, I'll be doing all I can to fulfill what I believe God's asked of me. May He give me strength to faithfully follow His leading. "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:9

So, my friends, I will rest myself tonight in the promises and purposes of God. I know they are so far beyond the earthly paradigm that mortal eyes can behold at this time. Above all else, I know that I can trust my precious Savior to be faithful and to be working "all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose".