Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

We all face hardships in our lives at one time or another.  But when they never seem to end, or when one ends only for another to come along soon after, we grow weary.  Worse, our faith may waver or weaken. But for the apostle Paul, as far as what I can see in the New Testament, his hardships never let up.  Ever.  They lasted right until his earthly end. So many Christians say they want to "finish well" or "finish strong" for God.  But what does that mean?  Did Paul finish well?  Did he finish strong? He was martyred.  He was beheaded for his faith.  Is that the sort of "finish" you want for yourself?  "Paul was different," you may assert.  How so?  Are we any less chosen than Paul?  Is God's call on us any less important just because we didn't write the New Testament? Each of us is called by God - to follow Him, know Him, trust Him, obey Him - wherever He may lead.  As long as we are staying close to Him and obeying Him, then He will use

  You can find anything online!  Here's a manure chart!  What kind to use, on what garden, and in what season(s). God is the Master Gardener.  He knows exactly what it takes for each of His "flowers" need to grow into His likeness. Would Paul have written his letters to the churches if he weren't in a feces-ridden prison cell?  Not sure.  But we have the majority of the New Testament thanks to Paul allowing God to use him in the crappiest (literally) of circumstances. What about us?  We are most likely not in a literal prison cell.  But what parameters is Jesus using in your life to grow you?  Do you want to mature and grow? Paul wasn't being chastised or punished by God!  Paul was not "in sin."  Quite the contraty!  He was imprisoned for  working for God!  For preaching the gospel.   So when our "stinking" situations are not changing, will we let God use it to grow us up?  Will we let ourselves be used by Him instead of complaining, getting de

If someone asked you if you want to be good, or better, or the best, you would probably answer, "The best."   Even my "best self" falls miserably short of the glory of God.  I want more than what my "best self" has to offer.  I want Christ to be glorified in me  And even as my "good girl" self, I am light years away from His goodness. " For I know that nothing good dwells  in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."  Romans 7:18 When Paul writes "nothing good dwells in me," he doesn't mince words.  No good means no good. So if Paul, one of the most brilliant minds ever, not to mention one of the holiest people ever, says that nothing good is found in his flesh, surely the same holds true of us!  It is our pride that cannot admit that we are not really "good" people after all.   Mother Teresa, widely accepted as one of the best examples of a human b