Just as we go through seasons in nature, we also go through seasons in our lives. There are seasons when going to school is our focus, and seasons when parenting is our focus.
Ups and downs
We have seasons of financial prosperity, and seasons of financial struggle. Some days we celebrate a baby’s birth, other days we celebrate a loved one’s death. These types of experiences are part of the cycle of life. Just like we may prefer certain seasons of nature more than others, we often prefer certain life experiences more than others.
Finding acceptance
But as life progresses we will eventually experience both the good and the bad of life. It’s just part of the cycle. Learning to accept the various cycles in our lives is part of becoming fully mature disciples of Christ.
The One to count on
Whatever season of life we find ourselves in at any given time, the one Person we can count on to be with us is Christ. He is with us on both the good and bad days. He never leaves us or forsakes us. Let us keep our focus on Him, and He will carry us through the struggles until the good season returns.
Terry Dorsett
Executive director
Baptist Churches of New England
Because of her faithfulness and loyalty to Israel, God blesses Rahab. He goes beyond saving her and her family — He makes her a mother in the lineage of David through her son Boaz.
By the world’s standards she is dirty and unclean, but in God’s eyes she is wiped clean, forgiven. She’s no longer Rahab the prostitute — she’s Rahab the daughter of the King.
Addie Lee Frierson
the-scroll.com
“It had not even crossed my mind since my college days to do something like this, but God’s going to use this, and I didn’t need to pass up this opportunity,” said Ben Waites about his recent audition on America’s Got Talent. Waites was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition that causes fixed or hooked joints throughout the body, such as in the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. His family has always encouraged him not to let his disability limit him, he said.
“There’s not a job description for a pastor’s wife in the Bible. There’s not a one-size-fits-all model. Every pastor’s wife is unique and different,” said Tara Dew, director of Thrive, New Orleans Seminary’s ministry wives certificate program. She’s also an adjunct professor of ministry to women at NOBTS and the wife of Jamie Dew, the seminary’s president.
“Every church needs to have a place for people with special needs,” said Lisa Wilson, the special needs ministry director for Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. “The numbers have increased in recent years, and every church will have families with special needs individuals. They don’t need to be turned away, and they don’t need to feel like they don’t belong there.”
“It’s just my feeble attempt of being faithful to the calling that God has given me,” said actor and writer Max McLean, who stars in “The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis.”
“I had the worst 10 days of my life physically after leaving the hospital, but probably had the best 10 days of my life worshipping the Lord, and I really grew close to Him during that time,” said Charles Billingsley, teaching pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, and acclaimed worship leader. Billingsley was hospitalized in 2020 after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
“I want to raise up women who get a vision of disciple making and leverage their lives and their gifts to serve the Lord faithfully,” said Lissy Sandova, campus ministries intern at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
From the Twitterverse
@bartbarber
I’m a long-term optimist when it comes to believing that God will answer our prayers for spiritual awakening.
@DianeLangberg
Using our position in the home or the church to get our own way, serve our own ends, crush others, silence and frighten them is an ungodly use of power.
@jaroland74
“Job never saw why he suffered, but he saw God, and that was enough.” —@timkellernyc
@johnmarkclifton
Over 40 million folks live in rural America. … Rural America is a distinct, identifiable and strategic missions field. We will not abandon it.
@markmac1023
A closed door is known for keeping you in the place God wants you to be.
@brocraigc
“There is so much dirty linen in our own house needing to be washed that none of us need to take in our neighbor’s washing.” —Spurgeon
@RobertAtCCC
“If God says it, #build it and let the #naysayers’ comments roll on by!” —Nehemiah #MakeDisciples
@AdamGreenway
I increasingly find that the most consequential ministry I may have in any one particular day bears little semblance to what was on my calendared agenda for that same day (cf Prov. 16:9). What I may tend to view as a disruptive irritation may turn out to be a divine intervention.
@TrevinWax
Trust that God is going to make the most of all our bungling attempts at truthful witness, that He will fulfill His plan and build His church. Negative world or not, no weapon formed against His people will stand.
@LysaTerKeurst
Having faith doesn’t mean we have all the answers. It means walking with certainty in God when we have no certainty in our circumstances.
