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This page contains Inspirational
Thoughts previously published on my web-site. I hope you will find them insightful and encouraging. I welcome
your comments and feedback. If I can pray for you in a specific way, please let me know.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water (from the well where Jesus was sitting), Jesus said
to her, “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew
and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews did not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus
answered her. “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask Me, and I would give you
living water...Whoever drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. It
will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” “Please sir,” the woman said,
“give me some of that water so I will never thirst again and I won’t have to come here to draw water.” “Go
and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I have no husband,” she said. “You’re
right. You don’t have a husband--for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t married to the man you are
living with now.” (John 4:7-10, 13-18)
Excuse
me, um...cough, cough...Well, okay. That’s being direct, Jesus. At this point in the story, I can
imagine this woman reacting in several ways to His words. She may have simply turned away, taking the water she had
drawn and given Him a look that said, ‘You can get your own water, mister.’ Or, she may have turned defensive,
trying to make excuses for her lifestyle. At this point her question about why a Jewish man was talking to a Samaritan
woman would have come in handy, but she had already asked that, although Jesus hadn’t given her a straight answer, so
she could have repeated herself. ‘Um, exactly who are you, and what right do you have to speak to me that way?’ Or, she may have
asked what her marital status had to do with receiving this living water He was offering her; but she seemed to have caught
on that Jesus was not an ordinary man, and she was intrigued enough to respond accordingly.
“Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but
you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared. “Believe
me, woman, and time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...true worshipers
will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
It’s an interesting conversation, to say the least. And while the woman may have been speaking
“off the cuff”, expressing whatever came into her head, I doubt that Jesus was. For Him this wasn’t
a random encounter. He didn’t treat it casually. He didn’t just exchange pleasantries and then go
on His way. He had some things to say that He knew she needed to hear. His words may seem random, and even offensive,
but they’re not. He had a point, and this woman heard Him loud and clear. Once their conversation
ends, she rushes off to tell the whole town about it, and ‘many of the Samaritan’s from that town believed
in him because of the woman’s testimony’; Jesus also stayed with them for two days, and those who may not
have listened to the woman initially heard and saw enough for themselves to know He was the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
Someone who knew all about them and had something to offer that they were desperate for. But what was it that Jesus
said that was so convincing? Why did this woman believe? How did she figure out how to get this living water that
He talked about? I’m not sure I know the answer to that because I wasn’t there, and it wasn’t me.
Have you ever had an encounter with Jesus where you knew He was saying something specific to you, and you “got it”,
like a light bulb going on? Maybe even in such a way that changed your entire perspective on something, and yet when
you tried to explain it to someone else, putting it into words that make sense to them was difficult? Jesus likes to
get personal with us, doesn’t He? He’s a personal God, and we see this very clearly in this story with the
woman at the well. First of all, Jesus was associating with someone that a lot of His own people wouldn’t have,
but even more than that, He knew her very personally, and He treated her that way. He wants to do the same with me and
you. Getting back to the words that Jesus speaks to her about going to get her husband, however, I wonder why Jesus would
have asked her to do something that He knew very well she couldn’t do. “Go and get your husband,”
he says, and she is forced to respond, “I have no husband.” Why did He do that? To humiliate or condemn her?
No. He was making a point about her need for this living water. Something that would satisfy her empty, thirsty
soul. His love and acceptance. The value and worth she had in His eyes. He was giving her an opportunity
for true worship: to believe in His sufficiency. If Jesus were to do the same thing with you, if He wanted
to bring to the surface an empty place in your heart that He could fill, what would it be? What would He tell you to
go get, where your only response would be, ‘I have no_________. Think about that seriously. You may have more than
one thing to fill in the blank. Some of them may be the result of how others have failed you, some may be shortcomings
you see in yourself, and others may be related to your current circumstances. (I have no husband, no special talents, no job,
no security, no peace, etc.) The list of our missing-pieces can go on and on. Say them all, or better yet, write
them down; and then let Jesus say to you, ‘Let Me fill that empty place, and that one, and that one.’ Find your satisfaction
and completeness in Him. He is enough.
There
is a unique story in the gospels that tells about a particular miracle of Jesus that makes me smile every time I read it.
Jesus and His disciples are invited to a wedding, and they go. It's a festive occasion, and I can imagine them having a good
time. Jesus isn't preaching or healing or being asked a lot of questions. In fact, most people aren't aware of who He is yet,
because He hasn't begun His public ministry. He's just Mary's son who brought some new friends to the wedding. Jesus isn't
the center of attention, the Bride and Groom are, even if their names aren't mentioned in John's narrative.
The story goes
like this: Jesus is enjoying the party along with everyone else, and then His mother comes to Him and says, "They have
no more wine." Apparently this was a big deal at a Jewish wedding, and His mother is concerned for the family. We don't
really know if this was a result of poor-planning on the part of the bridegroom and his family, or if some of the guests were
being a little too greedy. This may have been a poor family pulling together a wedding on a shoe-string budget, and the wine
they had was all they could afford. But whatever the reason behind it, the wine was gone, and Mary asks Jesus to solve the
problem.
"How does that concern you and me?" He asks her. She doesn't
respond and simply turns to the servants and says, "Do whatever He tells you to do." She seems to have confidence
in her Son to get some more wine from somewhere, and He gets it. But He doesn't make a trip to the wine shop to pick up a
few more bottles. He just asks the servants to fill up some water jars and turns the water into wine. The best wine, and plenty
of it.
I can imagine John sitting down to write about the man he called Jesus.
He starts out with some grand, eloquent words...In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2) He continues on in this eloquent style for awhile, but eventually his
description of the Messiah gets a little more personal. He talks about meeting Jesus for the first time, the little conversation
they have, and then he tells how several of his fellow disciples first encountered Him and why. Each of their stories is a
little different, but they're all intrigued by Him. And they follow Him when He says, "Come, and follow Me."
They end up following
Him to this wedding. How they interacted with Him that day, we don't know. We just know they were all there together, having
a nice time most-likely. And then these ordinary men witness their new Friend do something truly miraculous. I can picture
them rubbing their eyes and shaking their heads in bewilderment. "Did he just do what I think he just did? Did you see
that? Holy cow! Who is this guy?"
John puts it this way. This, the first of his
miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
(John 2:11)
I think it's interesting that Jesus revealed His glory to His disciples
in this "little" way. I say, little, in comparison to things Jesus did later, like healing people of their diseases,
giving sight to the blind, and raising people from the dead. Turning water into wine is just as miraculous as anything else
Jesus ever did, but not as significant in terms of life-and-death issues. As I was jotting some notes down in my journal on
that, however, I thought, 'How often do I see Jesus in the "little" things?' He doesn't have to raise the dead for
me to see His glory. I've seen Him do some "big" things once in awhile, but thank God I haven't had to see Him do
those big things too often. Why? Because He takes care of so much on the front-side.
I haven't had to
ask Him to heal me from an incurable disease because He's kept me healthy for 41 years. I haven't had to see Him provide in
"supernatural" ways very often because most of the time I've had plenty. I haven't had to ask Him to restore my
sight because I've never been blind. I haven't had to see Him raise one of my children from the dead because He's kept them
healthy and safe. No, the things I've seen are a lot more like Jesus turning water into wine. The everyday things that I often
don't even think about because they just happen like clock-work. Most of the guests at that wedding never even knew there
was a problem. They didn't see the miracle because there was no need for that. Jesus didn't go around telling everyone what
He had done, not even the Bride and Groom, but everyone there benefitted from it.
Sometimes obvious
miracles are needed. And sometimes the healing or answers we're looking for don't come. But Jesus always saves the day somehow--just
how we need and however we can best see His glory, even if a lot of waiting or sorrow is involved. But we don't have to wait
for those "big" things in life to see the faithfulness of our God. We can see it every day. Learn to recognize miracles
on the front-side, in the "little" things, and you will see how blessed you truly are. Because a lot of little things
add up to Something Big: His love for you. His care. The peace, joy, and hope He wants for you. And enough of those things
to share with those around us.
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
Is anyone happy? Let Him sing songs of praise. (James 5:13)
I have reached a milestone in my book ministry that I would like to
share with you. Today I have another book in print. 'When I'm Missing You' is the sixth book in the Pure in Heart
series for young women. But it is also the 50th book I have published! Ten years ago when I was actively seeking
formal publication and receiving rejection letters that were very discouraging, I had little hope that my stories would ever
be read. I came to a point where I told God I didn't want to do it any more. I loved writing, and I wanted to
write more, but I was tired of sending out my precious manuscripts and receiving them back with a letter that said something
like, 'You're a talented writer, but we don't have a need for any more material at this time.' Surprisingly Jesus agreed
with me, and He told me to stop. He had another plan. So, I stopped, and I waited to see what His answer would
be. The answer came
about ten months later and 600 miles away at our new home in California. Self-publishing had never occurred to me, and
my original intention was to make a few copies for family members and friends, but once those initial copies were gone, I
had women asking for more, so I made more, and that's the story of my success in a nutshell. God said wait, I waited,
and He made it happen. Why
did He do this? Why so many stories and characters? Why another author when publishers already had enough? For you. For me. For the glory of His Name. That's enough of a reason for Him to declare the message
of His grace. Some say God is distant, but He's not. Trust me, I never could have written all of these stories
on my own. I'm not that ambitious. I'm not that tenacious. I'm not that smart. I'm not that talented.
Not without Him. Not without His desire to bring forgiveness, healing, guidance, and hope. I never could
have written what you needed to hear at the exact moment you needed to hear it. But He knew. And He came to you
through these stories that others said weren't needed. Wherever I have met you along the journey, I am honored to have walked with you. Keep seeking, dear
one. Keep trusting. Keep believing in His Love. He will meet you there every time, because He is your God
and the relentless lover of your soul. Seeking His Heart Always, Melanie This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the
good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16
“But if You can do anything,
have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all
things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child
cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:22-24 (NKJV) I saw Him again this
week. And it was glorious. Surprising, but amazing and delightful. Those clouds
can be so deceiving. Any reason for hope is just clouded by doubt, but the light is blinding when it breaks through,
and it leaves me speechless. Human perspective is so short-sighted. Human reason is so limiting.
Hope based on logic is so faint and well, hopeless. But hope in Jesus? The impossible becomes possible. The tragic
becomes an opportunity for glorious grace. The heartbreaking becomes heartwarming. Despair turns to joy. We’re at the end of another year, and maybe you feel at the end of your rope. If you do,
I have good news for you. Just like a new year is upon us, new hope is waiting for you to cling to. I have learned
that being at the end of my rope, or seeing others at the end of theirs, it’s a glorious place to be because the glory
is coming. Just wait. Just believe. And if you can’t, do what the man did who wanted his son to be
healed so desperately but had trouble believing Jesus could really do it. “Lord, I believe,”
he cried. “Help my unbelief!”
“This is my
command: Love each other.” John 15:17
Have you ever loved someone and not had that love accepted
or returned? Maybe you’re currently experiencing that in an obvious way, or maybe it’s been awhile, but
it can be very frustrating, can’t it? You want to love them, and you are, but they simply refuse it for one reason
or another.
God is love, and God created us to love. In John 15:17 Jesus says, “My command is this:
Love each other.” And I believe He gave this command for several reasons. The most obvious one is that others
need to be loved. And yet just because we choose to love someone, that love may not always be accepted.
“Love
each other,” Jesus says. Why does He use these specific words? Not merely to love, but to love one another?
Perhaps it’s because love is not meant to be a one-way street. Loving someone who refuses that love isn’t
complete love. It leaves us with a feeling of emptiness. And it leaves them feeling unloved, even though they
are.
My question for you today is not, ‘Are you loving others? Are you loving that person who has hurt
you? Are you loving someone who is difficult to love?’ Those are valid questions that we must ask ourselves
from time to time, and I’m sure you’ve wrestled with that on occasion and will again in the future. But
for today, I encourage you to think about Jesus’ command another way and ask yourself, “Am I allowing myself to
be loved?”
Loved by God. Loved by others. Are you aware of your need to be loved? Are you
accepting God’s mercy? Are you accepting help from others? Are you listening to godly advice? Are
you allowing Christian relationships to be a priority to you? Are you taking the opportunities for fellowship and instruction
and encouragement that are available?
God always gives us what we need. He surrounds us with love.
But a lot of the time, we just miss it. We miss it in our busyness. We miss it because we think we know better
than God and refuse to listen to His loving instruction. We miss it in our, ‘I can handle this myself’ mentality.
We miss it because we don’t take the opportunities with other Christians to receive sound teaching, fellowship, and
practical help.
Love each other. Love AND be loved. This is His desire for you. Not
only to love, but to receive love. This is His Divine prescription for a full and blessed life.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands
you remain in my love...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John
15:9-11
Jesus left Judea to return
to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on His way.
Sitting beside Jacob’s well, He said to a Samaritan woman who came to draw water, “Please give Me a drink.”
The woman was surprised because Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans. She said, “You are a Jew, and
I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
Jesus replied, “If you only knew
the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water.” John 4:3-10
Last week my son had his 13th
birthday. In some ways it seems unbelievable that he could be thirteen already, but when I look back at all that has
gone into raising a special needs child, I feel like he should be about twenty by now.
It’s been a long road,
to tell you the truth, and I know it’s not over yet. His unique view of the world, and his unique way of living
in it knocked me off the road of parenting I was originally on and sent me down a new path where I have often felt weary,
lonely, desperate, and heavy-laden with a pack that is too heavy for me to carry.
When Jesus meets this woman at
the well, He was meeting someone who felt the same way. Later in the story we learn that this woman had been married
five times and is currently living with a man who is not her husband. How she came to live such a life we do not know.
But Jesus knew, and He didn’t meet her simply by chance that day. He knew all about her, and He had something
to offer that she undoubtedly needed: Living Water.
In my days of parenting an autistic child, this same Living
Water has often been my lifeline. During moments when I have not known what to do. During moments when I have
felt like such a failure. During moments when I didn’t think I could face another day. During moments when
the hurtful words of others caused such pain.
But through all of it, Jesus was
always there. Offering me His unconditional love. Holding out His peace.
Offering me hope. Filling my heart with joy. Reminding me of His presence. Removing the burdens and giving
me rest. Revealing His faithfulness.
“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would
ask Me, and I would give you living water.” The good news for me was that I already knew Jesus when I became a
parent, and I always knew I didn’t have to do it alone. I clung to Him from the beginning, and yet I didn’t
know how much more of Him I could have. I didn’t know how much more there was of His love and faithfulness for
me to discover.
Do you know the gift God has for you? Do you know Him for who He really is? Do you
know how much you are loved? Are you drinking deeply, or just taking a sip once in awhile? Do you know that whatever
you’re going through right now, however you are feeling weary, desperate, and hopeless, that more than anything you
need this Living Water, and that you can have it?
Ask Him for it today, and it’s yours. As much as
you need. Don’t live another day trying to make it on your own. Just ask. Just receive. And
no matter what your situation and your specific needs, you will find that He is there. And He is always enough.
“Whoever drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. It
will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Back To Love
When I was young
I believed in Your love
I had nothing to offer You
I just knew I was Yours
You gave me a heart
To love You in return
To
love others as You loved me
And I was happy
When I grew older, others said
You must give Him more
It’s not enough to just believe
You must prove your love
I became dutiful
Loyal committed and
sacrificial
I was good and deserving
I was better than most
So why did I feel so bad
Why was I always
sad
Where was the joy
Where was the peace
It’s in My love for you, You said
You’re not
My slave
You’re My child
Be still
I stopped running ahead
I waited
You picked me up
You carried me
Back to Love
Back to Joy
Back to Peace
Back to the Truth
And it’s
sweet
And it’s good
And it’s me
And it’s You
It’s the way
You always
Want it
To be
It’s the way
I always
Know it
Can be
He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not
Have you ever said this little chant to yourself while
plucking the petals off of a daisy? I remember doing so many times as a teen girl, wondering if that boy I liked,
liked me back. It seems silly now, since I didn't know most of them well enough to know if I really loved
them, let alone figure out if they had any feelings for me whatsoever. I'm sure most of the time they didn't,
but playing this little game gave me a small dose of hope when I actually ended on 'He loves me.'
As a very happily married woman now, I don't question my husband's love for me. I never play this game with
a daisy over him because there is not a question in my mind of whether or not he loves me. I know it because he tells
me every day, and also because he shows it all the time. In everyday ways like going to work to make good money for
us, coming home at the end of the day, and the sweet affection he is always willing to show me. And in special ways
like bringing me flowers once in a while, taking me out on dates, and telling me the things I need to hear: that I'm a
good mom, that he likes being with me and sharing our life together, that I'm good at writing and am touching many people's
lives. With all of the ways I am reminded of his love for me, I would be crazy to ever doubt it or have to go looking
for the nearest daisy to put his love to the test.
And yet, how often I do that with God.
I doubt His love for me on a regular basis. It's crazy, I know. All I have to do is pick up the Bible and
see it written all over the place, or just listen close and hear Him whispering it to my heart. And the ways
to see His love are endless, but often I lose sight of them. How about you? Do you ever catch yourself
doubting God's love for you? Maybe with actual thoughts like, 'I'm not good enough; What I did was just
too horrible; He loves people like Melanie who write great stories for Him, but not me.' Or maybe the thoughts are
more subtle: 'I'm going to lose my job, and then what am I going to do? How will I ever pay my bills? (He loves
me not); One of these days something terrible is going to happen to me, I just know it. This world is too unsafe for
God to protect me all the time. (He loves me not); There is no way anything good can come out of this situation. God,
how could you let this happen to me? (He loves me not); I know that God tells me to live this way, but that's too
hard. I can't. I'll do things my own way instead. I'm sure it will be all right. God's
ways are too restrictive for me.' (He loves me not)
Whatever paths your thoughts take
you, the destructive ones have something in common. All of them can be traced back to an unbelief in His love:
'He loves me not.' The last petal has fallen, and that is our mindset--even if we don't realize it.
This can be traced all the way back to Eve. God had told her what was right, what was best. But she listened to
the lie: 'No, that's not the way it is. God is lying to you. He doesn't love you. Listen to
me instead.' If there was a daisy near the forbidden tree, and Eve plucked its petals off, I know what she ended
on; How different her choice would have been if she had only believed the truth. (He loves me)
What voices are you listening to? Do you believe in God's love for you? Do your thoughts and actions reflect
that belief? We don't have to play Daisy Roulette with God, sweet sister. He loves me. He loves you.
He shows us all the time. Through His beautiful Creation He both whispers and screams, 'I will meet your
every need.' Through the details of our lives where his faithfulness and blessings can be plainly seen. Through
His forgiveness and second chances. Through the hope and the joy that He continually restores when our hearts have grown weary
and faint. Through the commands He gives that always have our best interests in mind.
So let's believe it and live it--every day. Daisy or no daisy; He loves us!
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
Revelation 21:5
Okay, here’s the bad news. We aren’t perfect, and we never will be. We
will make bad choices. We won’t believe God and will do our own thing. We will have problems and often cause
our own. We won’t love God with all of our heart, and we won’t come close to loving others as we should.
And even when we are trying to do the right things and make good choices, we will use poor judgment and make innocent mistakes.
We will try to do our best to please others, but not everyone will be happy. Every day is a battle and often we will
fail.
Life can be extremely hard and unforgiving. People can be impossible. God can seem elusive and
distant. Church can be a pain. Love can turn to hate. Good intentions can come back to haunt you.
You can plan for every scenario and end up with the one thing you never thought of. You can be certain that you are
right, only to discover you’re wrong. You can follow your dreams and end up in a nightmare.
If you
don’t have any idea what I’m talking about, you’re not a member of the human race. If your life is
peachy all the time, trust me, the lemons are coming. If you’re a new Christian and think you’re now immune
to the harsh realities of life, think again.
But...(deep breath)...the good news is...Jesus. God loves you.
His grace trumps everything. The love of others may fail you, but God’s love remains. Your mistakes and
failures could ruin you, but God won’t let them. He has compassion on you--always. He makes things right.
His holiness covers your imperfections. His means of healing and restoration always prevail.
“Behold, I am making all things new,” Jesus said. Allow me to paraphrase: ‘Focus
on Me, not your mistakes. Look to Me, I will make things right. Listen to Me. I tell you the truth, and
I have the right answers.’
When we sin, He forgives. When we hurt, He is there.
When we don’t
know what to do, He will show us.
When...there’s ALWAYS grace.
God’s love isn’t merely
a feel-good idea. ‘Jesus loves me’ isn’t just for children. His love is not elusive. It’s
the Good News! It’s the greatest message ever! It’s the answer. It’s the one truth you
can stand on when nothing else makes sense.
The prophet Jeremiah, in times of despair, put it this
way:
“Yet this
I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’S GREAT LOVE we are not consumed, for His compassions
never fail. They are new every morning; ‘Great is Thy faithfulness!’ I say to myself, ‘The LORD is
my portion. Therefore I will hope in Him.’” (Lamentations 3:21-23)
If you only make one New Year’s Resolution this year, dear one, make the choice to
live-loved every day. I guarantee you it will change your life. Take to heart God’s love for you in 2008.
Receive it freely. Even if it’s all you have left, it’s enough!
"I call as my heart grows faint; Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2)
Yesterday I received some very difficult news. A friend of mine suffered a great loss that left me with the
infamous question, "Why God?" As I went on with my day, I tried to comfort myself with the belief that God
is in control and that nothing He allows to happen is ever without a purpose. But to be honest, I found the thought
very hollow and was comforted little by it.
Before
I went to sleep last night, I managed to whisper a prayer that I have often found to be the prayer God is looking for most
from me in difficult moments: "I call as my heart grows faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
(Psalm 61:2) I had a difficult time going to sleep, but when I woke up this morning, thought once again of my friend,
and said a little prayer that she could have peace today, the thought came to mind once again: 'God is in control.
He knows what He's doing.'
"Well, I
don't like it!" I wasn't afraid to tell God.
"Would you change what happened if you could?" I heard God asking me.
"Yes!" I quickly answered. "Of course I would. I would never inflict that
kind of pain on anyone. Who do you think You are doing something like that to her?"
But as the morning went on, I began to take back my quick reaction. If I had
the power to change it, would I? No, I suppose I wouldn't. You see, I began to think of all the difficulties
I have suffered that were certainly not pleasant at the time, but later on I have seen the rich blessings God had in mind
when He allowed my times of trial. To sit here and list all of my great troubles in this life--I could do that.
But to list the benefits, the things I have learned, every piece of grace, the moments of healing, the ways God has revealed
His love to me, the intimate details of how He has woven my heart gently into His own--I could never list them all.
And after spending much of my day thinking of so many of them, I'm writing this feeling very thankful that God is in control,
but I am not. If I was in control and could change some of my past circumstances, how much would I have missed that
God had for me? If I could give my friend back what she has lost, what would I be taking from her that God has
waiting for her on the other side of this valley?
May
God bless you today--however He chooses to do that. Through sorrow or healing or triumph, or just an ordinary day; May
you see Him and be comforted with this thought: He is in control, and He doesn't make mistakes. And although some
difficult chapters may come along the way, He is the God of happy endings. And He is the only one who can weave the
perfect story out of your life.
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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984
International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture marked (THE MESSAGE) taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from
the New American Standard Bible, Copyright © 1960,
1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture marked (NKJV) taken from
the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982
by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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