Posts

Showing posts from February, 2013

Focus on The Refiner

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell "When trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." ~ James 1:2-4 ~ "Noooo.  Please noooo."  The sweet little boy winced and cried as he was incredibly frightened of the shot the doctor was about to administer into his little arm. As panic could be seen rising up in his little face, suddenly it was as though I could hear the most calming voice say, "Tommy, look at mommy.  I'm right here.  You are okay sweetie. Don't look at anything else. Tommy look at me honey."  As he allowed his mom to coax and calm him, his focus on mom remained constant as the shot was administered.  Although he experienced the stinging pain, it was immediately interrupted

Compassion leads us to see...

Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit By: Teresa Criswell "The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation." ~ Psalm 145:9 ~ It's morning rush hour traffic. Her mind is racing; consisting of a checklist of the deadlines that must be met. A few cars ahead, a young marketer sits in his car as he rehearses in his mind the presentation he will be presenting in just a few hours while he drives to the airport. He feels the pressure of needing to "land this account." He hopes he will be effective. His hands sweat as he begins to feel the anxiety take over, meanwhile his stomach turns in nervousness. In the meantime there is a car next to him with a man that is wondering helplessly, "How am I going to pay the bills this month?" He feels utter hopelessness. He is still in shock as he remembers just a month ago he was working. He worked at the company for years and then just like that, he was rel

Love isn't Love Until it's What???

Image
Triumphant Victorious Reminders Inspired by the Holy Spirit Written by: Teresa Criswell Image from Google.com I saw these words in my mind the other day as though it were a three-dimensional sign, "Love isn't truly love until it's challenged." "Do WHAT Lord?"  It was as though I could hear the adorable character from 'Different Strokes' say, "Whatcha talkin' about Willis?" Hmmmmm... Love isn't truly love until it's challenged ? I was thinking, "Now come on!" But at the same time I thought, "To love the loveable is incredibly easy." Of course it's easy to love great people, they are like beautiful flowers; I could smell and adore them all day long.  But what about those who are like a prickly cactus?  It's quite interesting to see both sides of this.  We often think in judgement over those who rub us the wrong way...but what about us? Have we considered the possibility that we could be