Lane Palmer serves as a writer for Dare 2 Share Ministries International (D2S) in Arvada, Colorado, a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teenagers to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information about D2S, please visit www.dare2share.org.

Turkey Day approaches, and I don’t know about you…but I am planning on overstuffing my face with loads of the other other white meat, mashed potatoes, and delicious stuffing that is made of things I probably don’t want to look into closely. And yes…the gravy. Actually for me I believe all the food I pile on the plate like football players on a fumble is just an excuse for the boatload of yummy-licious brown substance that can and will be devoured. Sometimes I think my family should just load up the back of a dump truck with my food so I can just open my mouth and get it all at once. Then, after the Thanksgiving meal comes the post-feast nap. With the amount of turkey I’m putting away, I should wake up just a few days before Christmas. Only in America would we invent a holiday amazing enough to include mass consumption, football, friends, family, and a few days off of school and work – right? But in all the turkey glaze and pumpkin pie haze, don’t miss the biggest thing of all. Thanksgiving, as it turns out, is about giving thanks. You get it, right? Thanks-giving = giving-thanks. And the interesting part is that we didn’t invent the idea of being thankful and blown away by the amazing blessings we all enjoy. Sure we invented the official day, but nearly 2000 years ago a Christ follower named Paul penned this command which is straight from the mouth of God: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). OK so, most of us give thanks now and then – especially when things are going well. But can you imagine being thankful in every circumstance? Think about it – the ability to have gratitude on the inside no matter what is going on with your outside circumstances. That is what Paul says is ‘God’s will’ for your life. You might be thinking – ‘well, Paul could do that because his life was going well at the time.’ The thing is – here is what Paul tells us about his circumstances: Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not (2 Corinthians 11:24-26) In other words, Paul’s life was about as bad as you can image, yet every day he was thankful because of something that couldn’t be taken away from him. And if you’re a follower of Christ, it can’t be taken away from you either. The free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ gives you eternal life and a relationship with the God who loves you and died for you. So no matter what happens to you, there is an amazing truth that even in the darkest times can light your way and allow you to be thankful. God’s love will never be taken away from you – which is something we should never stop being thankful for. Let this promise soak into your soul: And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). The early American settlers held the first thanksgiving because their lives had been saved from what seemed like certain destruction – and they were thankful. Believers in Jesus Christ should see every day as thanksgiving, because we have been saved from what truly was going to be our eternal destruction. Happy Thanksgiving my brothers and sisters! Head: Believers in Jesus Christ can be thankful each and every day because of the gift of salvation we have received. Heart: Feel incredibly thankful no matter what the circumstances. Hands: During your time off, make a list of things and people in your life that make you thankful. You may be surprised how big the list can get!

As I sit here in my office on a cool day in Salt Lake City Utah, I’m watching the live video feed from www.foxnews.com one side of the screen is the people up top (the rescuers) and the miners below (the rescued) I’m sure the entire world has been watching for the last 24+ hours this rescue of 33 men trapped half a mile under the ground for the last two months, there is literally light at the end of the tunnel.

www.voiceoftruthblog.com The dramatic rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners serves as a global platform to put the Glory of God on display.  The miners have been trapped in the San Jose copper mine, Chile,  since August 5^th, a total of 69 days in a tunnel more than 1,970 feet underground.  Rescuers have designed an escape tube 26 inches wide to hoist each miner to the surface.  As of this writing, the rescue mission is ongoing with more than half of the miners being rescued in a dramatic event that has captivated a worldwide audience.  As one news story notes, the event is being seen by an estimated 1 Billion people.  Another story notes that the miners were sustained by eating 2 spoonfuls of tuna and a sip of milk every 48 hours for the first 17 days in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.  In a surprising twist of selflessness, the miners actually began to argue, not over who would exit first, but who would exit last. 

So how then can God get glory from an epic disaster that drew the attention of the world?  As Mario Sepulveda Espinace, the second miner rescued, stated “I met God.  I met the Devil.  God won.”  And as always, God did win.  Along with additional food, water, medicine, survival clothing, and handwritten notes, a Chilean evangelist sent 33 copies of the Bible down to them so that the miners could “find inspiration and hold up for the 4 months they have ahead.”  The 4-months was an early estimate for the expected rescue.  Chilean engineer Igor Bravo, member of First Baptist Church of Santiago, was responsible for sending down the Bibles, Bible studies, recordings of sermons and Christian music down a series of small shafts through which the other supplies were sent.  “I had to help in some Christian way,” Bravo said. “If there is an opportunity to share the Gospel — even if we’re extremely occupied — and to contribute to the Christian cause and evangelism, it’s something that’s in [my] blood.”

3 of the 33 trapped miners are reportedly evangelical Christians, yet it is being reported that 2 more of them have made professions of faith since being trapped.  One of the original 3, Jose Henriquez, has been leading Bible studies for the miners each evening.  “It [Bible study] started out 5, 10, now 20 participants,” Bravo said. “[The people on the surface] have José Henríquez identified as the spiritual leader; they call him ‘The Pastor.’”  Additionally, the family members of the miners have been witnessed to by Pastor Marcelo Leiva, of Vallenar Baptist Church of Vallenar, Chile.  The wife of one of the miners has also become a Christian since this disaster.  “This has been a testimony to what the Lord can do in a person’s life,” Leiva said. “Those that are the children of the Lord have been those that have shown, even in the midst of the storm, a testimony of peace, tranquility and trust in the Lord.”  Pastor Leiva has also been able to witness to other family members, Chilean policemen, and foreign press, including a Japanese reporter.  As the rescue mission takes place and will soon be coming to a close the on-site Gospel sharing will likewise soon end, but Pastor Leiva maintains his obedience.  “Let’s do our job and fulfill the purpose for which God brought us here,” Leiva said. “Not to just have a protagonist role without sharing the Gospel.  Because this camp, in a few more days, is going to close and the people will return home. Pray that we, the children of God, will do our job.”

And herein is where God’s glory takes center stage.  Through this disaster that could’ve taken the lives of 33 miners, God has sent His Gospel message forth through the faithful ministry of one man below surface along with two of his brothers in Christ and then used them in conjunction with Christian rescuers and pastors at the surface.  In doing so, God’s Word went forth and penetrated the hearts of two of the miners and so far one family member.  The Gospel is literally being spread underground and on the surface giving greater insight into the passage from Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.”   When we read of passages such as Matthew 28:18-20 or Romans 10:14-15, we too often think these refer to someone who is “called” to be an overseas missionary or a pastor of a congregation.  The truth is, this rescue is an example of how these verses are being lived out precisely the way they were intended, in an everyday context by everyday Christians, and these miners along with their rescuers are a testimony to the saving power of God’s Word when proclaimed by those who faithfully follow Christ.

I can’t help but to think about the Day that my life and soul was rescued! I thank God for that day May, 15th Sitting there in my jeep on old 601 Hwy in Davidson NC.

One thing I’ve noticed is these men needed a rescuer. They could not saved themselves. And the rescuer came! They did not argue or negotiate with the rescuer when they came….They did exactly as was asked of them. Why? Because they were in need of a rescue and the rescuer came for them.

Don’t negotiate today…Submit to the rescuer Jesus Christ. He said …I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10

.Rescue from Persecution. “I come to You for protection, O Lord, my God. Save me from my persecutors-rescue me!” Psalm 7:1

God is my Strength. “I love you, Lord, You are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior. My God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-

God is close to the Brokenhearted. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s love. “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger or threatened with death? No! Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37

God hears my cry. “I love the Lord because He hears my voice and prayer for mercy. I will pray as long as I have breath.” Psalm 116:1-2

Read this from one of John Pipers sermons about 4 or 5 years ago…Pretty good stuff!

Loving God for who He is– This is one of the most important discoveries I have ever made: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him. This is the motor that drives my ministry and effects everything I do. Whether I eat or drink or preach or counsel of whatever I do, my aim is to glorify God by the way I do it (1 Corinthians 10:31). This means my aim is to do in a way that shows how the glory of God has satisfied the longings of my heart. If my preaching betrayed that God had not even met my own needs, it would be false teaching. If Christ were not the satisfaction of my heart, would people really believe me when I heard his words, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35, RSV)? The glory of bread is that is satisfies. The glory of living water is that it quenches thirst. We do not honor the refreshing, self-replenishing, pure water of a mountain spring by lugging buckets of water up the path to make our contributions from the ponds below. We honor the spring by feeling thirsty, getting down on our knees, and drinking with joy. Then we say, “Ahhhhhh!” (that’s worship!), and we go on our journey in the strength of the fountain (that’s service). The mountain spring is glorified most when we are most satisfied with its water. Tragically, most of us have been taught that delight in God is our duty! Being satisfied in God is not an optional add-on to the real stuff of Christian duty. It is the most basic demand of all. “Delight yourself in the LORD” (Psalm 37:4) is not a suggestion, but a command. So are: “Serve the LORD with gladness” (Psalm 100:2), and, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). The burden of my ministry is to make plain to others that the “steadfast love [of the Lord] is better than life” (Psalm 63:3, RSV). If it is better than life, it is better than all that life in this world offers. This means that what satisfies are not the gifts of God, but the glory of God–the glory of this love, the glory of this power, the glory of this wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. This is why the psalmist Asaph cried out, “Whom have I in heaven but you? Besides you I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever” (Psalm 73:25-26). Nothing on earth—none of God’s good gifts of creation–could satisfy Asaph’s heart. Only God could. This is what David meant when he said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides you” (Psalm 16:2). David and Asaph teach us by their own God-centered longings that God’s gifts of health, wealth, and prosperity do not satisfy. Only God does. It would be presumptuous not to thank him for the gifts (“Forget not all his benefits” [Psalm 103:2, RSV]), but it would be idolatry to call the gladness we get from them, love for God. When David said to the Lord, “In your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11), he meant that nearness to God himself is the only satisfying experience of the universe. It is not for God’s gifts that David yearns like a heartsick lover. “As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2). What David wants to experience is a revelation of the power and the glory of God: “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory” (Psalm 63:1-2, NRSV). Only God will satisfy a heart like David’s, and David was a man after God’s own heart. That’s the way we were created to be. This is the essence of what it means to love God–to be satisfied in him. In him! Loving God may include obeying all his commands; it may include believing all his Word; it may include thanking him for all his gifts; but the essence of loving God is enjoying all he is. It is this enjoyment of God that glorifies his worth most fully, especially when all around our soul gives way. We all know this intuitively as well as from Scripture. Do we feel most honored by the love of those who serve us from the constraints of duty, or from the delights of fellowship? He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. None of us has arrived at perfect satisfaction in God. I grieve often over the murmuring of my heart at the loss of worldly comforts, but I have tasted that the Lord is good. By God’s grace I now know the fountain of everlasting joy, and so I love to spend my days luring people into joy until they say with me, “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all of the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4, RSV).

Nine months ago after being laid off from a church that we really thought we would be at for a long time, we began to question alot of things. one being will we ever work in ministry again. as i sat at home every day for those 9 months or was out working little odds and ends jobs just trying to make it by, i can recall a peace that really did pass all understanding. and i knew that it was in that season that God has placed us there for a reason. i look back at blogs that were written, journal entries and just reflecting on conversations that i had and i know God used that trial for my growth. the very first search committee that called was from the church we are at now, www.southeastbaptist.org. a dude by the name of Gary Robbins called and said pastor, before we talk we want you to know we’re praying for you and if this is where God wants you we want you here and if not we dont want you. so we talked and i didnt hear back from them for 2 months. in the mean time i went and candidated at several churches, never getting a peace about any of them until we came to Salt Lake City. we knew that this is where we had to be. not necessarily where we wanted to be, i mean its 30 hours away from any family, we know nobody, we’re living in a basement, but we know we’re in the center of His will and tonight the calling to Salt Lake City was not only confirmed but solitified.

Salt Lake City is a very intertesing place. you wanna talk about a mission field, this is it. spiritual warfare like you wouldnt believe! and that leads me to tonight. we were so blessed to have in our little humble temporary basement abode some new friends that we met 2 weeks ago. Seth and Alyssa are former LDS (Mormon) that have received Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, Seth 3 years ago and Alyssa 2 weeks ago. i was humbled and blown away at their eagerness and desire to know the Word. it really is a life change. Just like the verse says”If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away behold all things have become new.” they dont get what all christianity means, and thats awesome!! they just knew that their religion was just that, a religion and they had no relationship. little did i know that the first sunday Kym and I were here was their first sunday at SEBC and her first time ever in a christian church. they were on their way to a liquor store the day before and seen the sign “Anyone and everyone welcome. come as you are.” so they said lets check it out, we have questions that our Bishop cant seem to answer. that day and in the days following many of their questions were answered simply by reading the Bible. and we are excited to grow with them in this process of discipleship.

so this has me thinking; pastors, teachers, lay people, what are we doing to tell the world the good news? people wanna hear it! are you willing to tell it?  just like the other day i was at the hospital and a gentleman came running out of a room yelling, “Shes ok, shes gonna be alright!” he grabbed me and hugged me and then went on down the hall telling everyone . i didnt know him, but he had just received good news and good news is worth sharing. WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE, lets not just go to church and talk about the good news, lets share it.

its like this, if i pay 50 – 100 bucks to go watch my beloved colts play the dern patriots on Christmas day and Peyton manning, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Jeff Saturday and joseph Addai run out onto the field and do something they dont normally do, they huddle, they “call the play”, break and then run and sit on the bench until the play clock runs out and then run out there and do it again i’m gonna be ticked!! but thats what christians tend to do every sunday. they meet, they sing, they fellowship, they hear Gods Word on how to tell the good news and then they go sit on the sidelines the whole week until the next sunday. people need to hear the good news! lets not just talk about sharing, lets actually share the good news while theres still time. i have been challenged and motivated evern more tonight just by talking with our new friends and hearing how lost they were but the good news of the Gospel and the power of Jesus Christ who was the same yesterday as He is today and will be tomorrow can change a life, its worht sharing!

heres a song that was on my mind after our conversation tonight. i heard one of them say just give me Jesus and thats all not only they, but we all need. Jesus! 

I’ve been thinking a lot today about that word for some reason. In my quite time this morning I read this verse..

…comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:14-16).

Thankfulness . . .

•  Refocuses my PERSPECTIVE

Accept my grateful thanks and teach me your desires (Psalm 119:108).

•  Refreshes my HEART

Come before him [God] with thankful hearts . . . don’t harden your hearts as Israel did in the wilderness . . . (Psalm 95:2,8).

•  Remind me of God’s GOODNESS

Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because he is so good (Psalm 7:17).

 Action-plan for thankfulness…

 1. Make thankfulness an ATTITUDE

It is good to say thank you to the Lord . . . every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness (Psalm 92:1-2).

 2. Make an INVENTORY of why you’re thankful

And those who have reason to be thankful should continually be singing praises to the Lord (James 5:13).

 3. Make God the SOURCE of your thankfulness

Since we have a Kingdom nothing can destroy, let us please God by serving him with thankful hearts and with holy fear and awe (Hebrews 12:28).

 A blog that I try to check out every day is by Pastor Mark Driscoll of “Mars Hill Church” in Seattle. www.theresurgence.com: On his blog today was this post…

4 Ways to Communicate Gratitude…

Obviously there’s more to expressing gratitude than a quick thanks. People have a sincerity meter that registers empty thanks a mile away. Here are four things to keep in mind when communicating the appreciation you really feel.

Be specific. When you say thank you, include details. There is a huge difference between saying thanks and saying thanks followed by a detailed description of what you caught, saw, or are aware the other person was doing.

Be public. Over the years we have learned the value of storytelling—the value of spending a few minutes in front of your leaders telling success stories that communicate vision, but more importantly, express gratitude. Public gratitude expresses a high level of value and can result in an even higher level of loyalty.

Be aware. You have to develop a mindset that looks for accomplishments to celebrate. Listen for stories two or three levels away in your organization and call or write to say thank you. Even though you didn’t observe the act, you communicate, “I didn’t see it, but somebody else saw it and they are talking about it. What you did is significant.”

Be honest. Don’t say you liked something you didn’t. Remember, what gets rewarded gets repeated. Also, don’t attribute something to someone that she didn’t really do. Rather than being encouraging and motivating, you’re communicating that you really weren’t paying attention. So when you say thank you, be honest and don’t overdo it.

 My challenge to you today. Is on purpose find things to be thankful for. Life might be really good for you right now and you can find a bunch of stuff that your thankful for, and on the other side of the coin life might suck right now…even in those times we still have so much to be grateful for. I grantee you that when you on purpose look for things to be thankful for, your day and life will be so much sweeter!

God bless you today my friend.

Bald and Blessed

JC

God wants us to build times and places of stillness into our lives in order that we might know Him and the fullness of His peace, power and purposes for our lives:

Why are we afraid of “stillness”

Frankly stillness scares us just a littel; quietness tends to be unsettelling to us so we do our best to avoid it..Filling every area of our lives from the moment we wake up with alarm clocks…right into the shower were I turn the radio on..to getting dresses with the TV on…to the car where I listen to music..I’m surrounded by noise and that is what keeps us from being alone with our thoughts and the Lord.

We are afraid of stillness for a few reasons:

1. Afraid to lose ground…

Taking time to think and reflect, we think, takes time away from doing things, from moving ahead…We get into the mindset that Busyness equals Spirit-ual-ness ..We are afraid that if we stop and think, breath, listen and wait..Others will get ahead of us and we will never catch up.

2. Afraid to look back…

in our human minds, we offten associate stillness witha  lack of initiative and resting with laziness..

Have you ever been sitting at your desk thinking, considering the best course of action, sorting out all the solutions that are wise rather than expedient, only to jump when someone comes in and then you try to pretend you are and were busy?

We don’t want to look bad when others are madly rushing around…so instead of settting aside time to work smarter, we join the, in working harder and longer without considering the overall impact on not only the job, but on our families and especiall on our relationshop with Christ or Lord…

3. Afraid to listen quietly…

Why are we so intimidated by silence? Is it that we cannot stand to be quiet so that we might listen for the still small voice of God?

God does not usually shout His instructions to us regarding His will, nor does He yell at us to inform us of His great love for us.

Those things come to us in times when we have withdrawn to the quiet place, to lie down in green pastures, to be still beside the refreshing waters which quench the deep thirsting of our souls for more that this world can give.

4. Afraid to look inside…

As long as we keep going, we don’t have to expose the vulnerable side of our hearts, but once we get still and begin to listen as the Lord speaks, we are afraid of what He might bring to light..

Have you ever had a friend that did not want to be alone with you because they did not want to have to talk with you anything of substance?

We are afraid to be too alone with Christ and so we keep moving figuring that our constant motion will protect us from His scrutiny.

So today I challenge you..

1. Be Still

2. Wait on the Lord

3. Listen for His still small voice

My great grandpa Groves told me one time and I’ve never forgot it.. Even though he passed away when I was 10 I remember him telling me this quote and I’ve held on to it for almost 20 years now…

“Live your life every moment to where when the Holy Spirit speaks you not only hear His voice but you know it”

My prayer for you today is that you will Be still

Maybe it is the first time in a looooong time

Maybe you’ve never just been still in His presence and listened for His voice.

Maybe it’s been so long since you’ve just sat and Listened.

Well I challenge you today to do just that…Watch these two videos and BE STILL!

Hit Play on “come and listen” @ 1:13 of be still…It flows better that way!

In may of 2004 I heard this message preached at Temple Baptist church in Chattanooga Tn, it was not Bro Ken it was a guest speaker, but I can’t for the life of me remember who it was… oh well.

Being that I’ve cleaned out my office at the church…my office is now set up in my garage! And I’ve found stuff that I haven’t seen in years from boxes that I haven’t opened in years.

In one of those boxes was a notebook of sermon notes that I have heard preached over the years…This sermon is called “There is just something about that name” It takes the name of Jesus and breaks it down with a meaning of each letter:

Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

J= Justified

a. From guilt (eph 2:8-9)

b. By Grace

c. For Glory

E= Example for learning

a. Birth= Born out of sin (virgin birth)

b. Baptism= baptized in the water

c. Battles=fasted and prayed

S= Shepard to lead (psalm 23:1)

a. Caring Shepard

b. Compassionate Shepard

c. Crowning Shepard (I peter 5:4)

U= Union of Leadership

a. Family Union

b. Fellowship Union (Rom 12:5)

c. Final Union (I Thess 4:17-18

S= Satisfaction in Life

Blood= Completely Cleansing (I John 1:7)

Book= Completely Comforting (II Thess 4:18)

Burden= Completely Contentment  (Matt 11:28)

The little squirrel had almost made it. I don’t know what happened. I was barreling down the back road and I watched as a little squirrel ran curiously and quickly across the road in front of my car.

“Good, he made it! “ I thought.

But just before he stepped into the grass of freedom on the other side of the road, he heard my car approaching and panicked!

He began the “Crazy-get-outta-da-way-what-do-I-do-now” dance and decided to turn back to where he had come from! The unmistakeable “Thump-Thump” under my tires made me wince.

I thought to myself, “If he had only stayed straight he would have….” My thoughts trailed off as the Holy Spirit of God whispered to me, “Exactly. Stay straight…stay focused. If you turn back there is always the potential of danger.

To many times in life we seem to “panic” when trials arise…one of the questions I have asked myself over the years is, in what ever sistuation I’m in will I Thrive in this life or Just merely Survive?

When you keep your eyes on Him when sistuations arise in Life you will have a peace that passes all understanding!

Paul said no fear can haunt us, No foe can daunt us.

Can death separate us?

No it ushers us into His presence. Absent from the body present with the Lord.

Can life separate us from that Love?

No Jesus said I’m with you always even to the end of the world

Can things present separate us?

Of course not for He is the I Am! The one who dwells eternally in the present.

Then JC what about things to come?

No because He is the coming one.

Can Height or depth?

NO because He has plumbed the deepest depth for us and scaled the highest Height and is enthroned yonder on the highest pinnacle of glory.

No foe can daunt us no fear can haunt us!

Can any other creature come between us and God?

No for after all, a creature is but a creature and He who has sealed us with His love is the creator over all!

So then, whether it be things from experience or beings from the realm of spirits; whether it be matters of time or matters of space, NOTHING can separate us from Gods love. The Love that took the initiative in lifting us up from the miry clay will lift us to the street of heaven. What more could we ask for than that…that my friend is a reason to Thrive and not just Survive.

Freedom awaits you if you do not turn back.” A little squirrel’s death was my lesson in life.