One of the most important things i've learned in the last 3 years during a difficult journey in my life is that God did not create us to go through life alone. We were created to:
bear each others burdens:
• Galatians 6:2 Bear one anothers burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
look out for one another:
• Philippians 2:4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
help those in need:
• 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
treat others like we would like to be treated:
• Matthew 25:35-40 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'
bind together in the strength of Christ:
• Ecclesiastes 4:12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
i have never been a witness to a more beautiful thing than experiencing the love of Christ through others. God has called me to share that here and make this a place where we gather to learn truth, hold hands in our journey, share what we've learned in our experiences and to pray for each other.
i find that it's all about investing in other people. Letting go of our own personal interests and agendas and to love one another unconditionally. Perhaps that is one of the most difficult things to do and it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that we may struggle with this our entire life. But, we can strive for it and help each through it. This space is a product of what God has put on my heart to invest in other people.
With that comes changes in this space. You've seen new photos, new links and a new design, all of which are being tweaked. But the most important change is the new people you will meet. God has laid upon my heart two amazing women (so far), along with me, who will be sharing their life journey with you. We are all at different points in our walk with Christ and different ages, but we all share compassion, love for people, and most importantly love for Jesus and what He has done in our lives. They are truly amazing and i can honestly say that as i've gotten to spend time (virtually) with them over the last several weeks planning sweet things for this space, i've come to really love and adore them. They both inspire me and lift me up and i know they will do the same for you.
i would like to take some time to introduce myself (for new readers), and the new contributors. Please join me in welcoming them here. i have asked each of them to write a little introduction so that you can get to know them a bit better.
Cynthia Wilkerson
I was born once in 1951, and was born again at about age 9. By 23, I was married to a Vietnam vet, and had all 3 babies I had always dreamed of, 2 boys and girl. I have been an artist and lover of flowers since birth. I marvel daily at the creations of God. When I play, I go birding, take pictures, and trek for the tombstones of my ancestors. Then I write about it all. My story and prayer blog is A Garden Called Gethsemane.
My life's work has always revolved around 2 things:
• What I can make out of anything God provides; &
• How I can best share the greatness of Who God is.
When I owned a small shop in Georgia years ago, I saw God use both things to His glory. I long once again to meld the two, to make art and use it to bless someone's heart. I was fed the word in my teens by a church where they sought truth, and God's heart. Starting there and in church homes since, I taught children those truths, and developed materials that helped me better convey them. I am most thankful to have been used as a counselor and to have seen the spark of rebirth in the eyes of many children.
I continue to be married to my high school sweetheart from Georgia. I am alive when I spend time with my children. I have two wonderful grandsons who've captured my heart. I am abrasive and colorful, creative and long winded. And I love that Jesus was too. I passionately look forward to the new thing God is doing in my life. I am thrilled that there is an opportunity for like-minded people to support one another, and lift up the name we adore: Our Jesus. I believe that Christ is where two or more are gathered in His name and those are the best times spent among friends.
Lori Cole
I am a wife and mother of two children, ages 12 and 14. I have been a teacher for 13 years, teaching preschool, middle school, and high school. My hobbies are walking, aerobics, gardening, reading and writing. I frequently write about my life story at "Dancing in the Rain" at loricole.blogspot.com.
I became a Christian ten years ago and love to study God's Word. My heart is for freedom in Christ. What I am most passionate about is ministering to women. I believe in being transparent in my walk with the Lord in hopes that I can minister to someone else through my life and experiences. I'm excited to sharing my walk with Christ here because we can learn so much from one another. God never wastes our situations or troubles, but instead He wraps them up in a package that we can share with others for encouragement. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Christy Eggert
Many of you know me as the originator of this blog, but for those of you who don't know me, i would like to introduce myself.
Shortly after my husband, Luke, and i got married in September 2008, God laid it on my heart to start a blog. Inside i was kicking and screaming about this because i didn't think i had anything worth saying—at least, not to the point of people being interested. But, i reluctantly followed His desire, blogging about everything in my life—from moving to a healthy lifestyle change, my artsy background, to my love of God.
But, after six months of being married and into this blog, my world was turned upside down when Luke became terribly ill due to a pharmaceutical to help control seizures. He lost his job, company car, we had just signed the papers to a brand-new house, and the economy was going down the drain. All of a sudden my blog became a place where i shared my greatest struggles, fears, sorrows, and joy. And i now see God's timing and perfect will for this blog. He intended this space to be one where i rode the roller coaster of life while holding on tightly to Him. i could glorify Him with the joy i've found through my greatest tragedy. Most importantly, though, i've been able to show how i've followed His will for my life, regardless of what the majority thinks of the path i've taken. We've taken a Godly, natural path to healing, utilizing the things that God has put on this earth and trusting that God will heal Luke in His perfect time.
You see, life is not perfect. We will all experience tragedy and heartache, probably multiple times in our life. But the reason happiness can still be found is because of the cross. There is no greater pain, heartache, or bloodshed than what happened on the cross. That day that Jesus surrendered to God's will, He took all our pain, all our sin, burdens, etc., and nailed them to the cross.
Maybe this was the hardest thing for me to realize ... that i didn't have to carry all the burdens of life's struggles and pain. Jesus already did. And, now that my heart knows this, i can freely move forward, persevering, believing and trusting in a God who loves me. That my friend, is true happiness. And in the midst of pain, this happiness outshines the most terrible things we could ever go through. It gives life, when it otherwise seems meaningless.
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So, my prayer and hope is that this space will be a place where you can find rest, joy, hope, and great love every day. A place where we can share each others burdens and joy all while soaking up Truth and being inspired to live out our best life.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:31
