It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Swing low, sweet chariot,Coming for to carry me home.

Gray skies are just clouds passing over.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.

Sometimes God has to destroy in order to save. He has to wound in order to heal.

Better to have trouble with man than trouble with God.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ROMANS 8:26

life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.

There was pain in him—like a blister, all that was left of some lost yesterday that Time had pruned off him.

In the flush of love's light, we dare be brave. And suddenly we see that love costs all we are, and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.

What an encouraging thought that Jesus - our beloved Husband - can find comfort in our lowly feeble gifts! Can this be, for it seems far too good to be true? May we then be willing to endure trials or even death itself if through these hardships we are assisted in bringing gladness to Immanuel's heart.

Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown.