Author: Hopeful Messenger

I am a Constitutional conservative pro-life Christian, a retired educator, a blessed wife, mother, and grandmother, who by the grace of God has enough hope to share.
Posted on

INDESCRIBABLE GOD: INDESCRIBABLE HOPE

Lou Giglio is pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia; best-selling author; Passion Conference speaker; and communicator that shares hope in Christ and truths about the God Who spoke our universe into existence and Who wants a relationship with us.

I’ve just experienced Giglio’s 43 minute video, “Indescribable” (available on dvd or by downloading). I’m letting you know it is a must-see, must-experience! It includes scientific data, mind-blowing measurements, and unforgettable images from NASA… and signs of God’s glory.

If you have doubts or questions and seek answers and the truth about God as Creator and about the origin of the universe, then you NEED to see this video.

If you seek to understand how big our God is as Creator, ponder the vastness of the “known” universe, and are in awe over His creative power, then you will LOVE this video.

“Indescribable” may leave you nearly speechless, or it may leave you praising God like never before. I dare say it will not leave you untouched. I urge you to watch it and allow its message to change your life!

I think you’ll agree that  God, the Creator of the Universe, presented by Giglio is INDESCRIBABLE… TOTALLY AWESOME… and UNDENIABLE!

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1: 1)

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19: 1)

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host….

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”
(Psalm 33: 6 – 9)

Posted on

LONGWOOD: HOPE IN FINISHED WORK

If you have visited Natchez, Mississippi, then you may have seen Longwood, an antebellum mansion and the largest octagonal home ever built. Designed to be an opulent home with the most up-to-date features of its time for a wealthy landowner, it has the distinction of remaining unfinished due to the start of the American Civil War in 1861 and the owner’s death a year before the war ended in 1865.

Today tours of this registered historic home allow visitors a unique opportunity to see a home under construction that was left at a standstill. Even workers’ tools were left where they were last used and never moved. From the outside Longwood appears to be a beautifully designed home, but its empty shell inside reveals a sad reality of unfilfilled purpose.

It’s interesting to me that generations of the Nutt family lived in the 9 basement rooms rather than the originally planned 32 rooms that remain incomplete. Although Longwood was frozen in time, life continued for the inhabitants. They adapted to their circumstances and lived their lives.

Perhaps the family managed to live in nice accomodations under the circumstances, but those circumstances were far below those of the initial plan. A finished work was beyond their control, so they missed out on reaping the full benefits of an inheritance meant for them.

The Longwood story reminds me of our living on earth trying to make the most of life in the basement when our intended home is above. If we are in God’s family, then we have a heavenly home with features that are absolutely perfect compared to those of living below.

My hope is in Christ Jesus Who completed the work at Calvary that makes it possible for me to someday move up to a place He prepared for me. Salvation is not our work but His; based on our work it is impossible.

Longwood is no comparison to heaven, but it is a reminder of that which awaits Christian believers. Heaven is a perfect home for God’s family. Thankfully our salvation is a finished work that no war or spiritual battles could halt. Our future home will be beyond our greatest expectations and something we don’t want to miss.

When we trust Jesus our hope is in the One and Only One Who could fulfill God’s plan. It won’t be necessary to live below thanks to the Master Builder Whose blueprint for our lives includes an eternity with Him.

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14: 2,3)

“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)

” For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38, 39)

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10: 9, 10)

Posted on

PRESENT MOMENT AWARENESS: HOPE HERE & NOW

Present Moment Awareness — being in the “here and now” — means that I am aware and mindful of that which is happening at this very moment. It means I am not distracted by thoughts of the past nor worries of the future, but I am focused on the here and now. Everything in life happens in the present moment, and psychology experts are saying that is the best place to be for brain health.

God is the God of the present moment. In fact, His name means I AM.

For decades we’ve had the following poem framed and hanging on a wall. I have shared it through the years, because it always had meaning and hope for me. I thought it was important to remember and to live with this in mind.

I AM by Helen Mallicott

“I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:

‘My name is I Am.’ He paused.
I waited. He continued,

‘When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets,
It is hard. I am not there,
My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future with its problems and fears,
It is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here.
My name is I AM.‘”

Now that I have learned about Present Moment Awareness I realize this is very much a Biblical concept. It seems to be healthy for me mentally as well as spiritually.

I believe the Creator of my brain and being understands what I need and is exactly able to meet my deepest need. I am thankful and hopeful knowing and being cared for by the One and only I AM.

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM….'” (Exodus 3:14)

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

“Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

Posted on

RABBI LAPIN: HOPE IN A WARNING

Daniel Lapin, a Jewish rabbi, has voiced a warning to Americans. I think it is important to heed and important enough to post for readers of this blog. Because of its length I will post only his opening and closing paragraphs to spark your interest. I hope you will read it in its entirety.

PLEASE go to this site: https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/persecution/a-rabbi-s-warning-to-u-s-christians.html (for the complete message from Rabbi Lapin — a wise and discerning messenger in my humble yet strong opinion).

If his warning is heeded then I am hopeful for a better outcome than if it is ignored. Be open, read the complete warning, ponder the message, and determine its truth in light of world history and current circumstances.

(Opening paragraph:)

“During the 1930s, Winston Churchill desperately tried to persuade the English people and their government to see that Hitler meant to end their way of life. The British ignored Churchill, which gave Hitler nearly 10 years to build up his military forces. It wasn’t until Hitler actually drew blood that the British realized they had a war on their hands. It turned out to be a far longer and more destructive war than it needed to be had Churchill’s early warning been heeded.” (Rabbi Daniel Lapin)

(Closing paragraphs:)

“Without a vibrant and vital Christianity, America is doomed, and without America, the West is doomed.

Which is why I, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, devoted to Jewish survival, the Torah and Israel am so terrified of American Christianity caving in.

Many of us Jews are ready to stand with you. But you must lead. You must replace your timidity with nerve and your diffidence with daring and determination. You are under attack. Now is the time to resist it.” (DL)

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

Posted on

BIBLE READING: SUSPENDERS AND HOPE

I remember as a young child that if a cartoon on television showed a man’s pants falling down viewers witnessed polka dotted boxer shorts. It was embarrasing to the man and laughable to the audience.

Worse than the embarrassment of pants down, it could be downright dangerous for the man to attempt to walk with his pants around his ankles. He was sure to be unable to maneuver without falling, which only added to his funny situation and was certain to bring more laughs.

Perhaps the day could have been saved — as well as the man’s pride — if he had worn suspenders. Suspenders, while a useful invention, are not typically in one’s thoughts. In today’s blogpost they are the object of a spiritual illustration. Who would have thought?

Of course our faith has a foundation to keep us on our feet. If we fall spiritually it is not as funny as cartoon humor. Such falling is preventable, and prevention may be as simple as wearing suspenders!

What could possibly serve as spiritual suspenders? The Bible, God’s Word, keeps our Christian pants up so to speak. Today far too many are caught at times with their “pants down,” because they neglect God’s Word.

I think if we are careful to feast on God’s Word daily, then this serves as “suspenders” to hold up more than our pants. It holds us up to stand firm… to stand for that which is right and against that which is wrong. People who share our planet need to witness those who are able to stand spiritually. It is possible but not in our own strength.

How does the Bible support believers? It may be called God’s Word, the law, precepts, statutes, ordinances, or commandments, but it is not called suggestions or options. One reason to read… to study… to learn the Bible is because it is a command.

When we get serious about the Bible and fill our hearts, heads, and lives with it, then we’ll find that it has divine power to help us to stand. It is for us all to ponder, to meditate on, and to live by. If we have a daily feast on God’s Word, then we will be stronger spiritually. It is spiritual nourishment that can provide that which is needed for growth and strength of our spirits.

Where to begin? Proverbs offers a chapter for each day of our month. Psalms offers easy-to-relate-to chapters throughout this Old Testament book for our varied personal situations in life. Job is especially helpful in times of deep suffering. Read Genesis to understand the account of Creation.

The gospel of John is a good New Testament book to begin for those not used to reading it. On and on it goes; something for us all no matter where we find ourselves.

My point is we need to read it! We need to get to know the Word of God. It’s even more important to get to know the God of the Word. Let’s put on our spiritual “suspenders” daily. Doing so will help us to stand for Him and will increase our hope.

 

“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”  (Matthew 4:4)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17)

“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  (Hebrews 4: 12)

“But know this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”  (2 Peter 1: 20, 21)

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart.

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.

Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You.”  (Psalm 119: 33 – 35, 38)

“I shall delight in Your commandments, which I love.

And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate on Your statutes.

Remember the Word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has revived me.”  (Psalm 119: 47 – 50)

“I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

I have sworn, and I will confirm it that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word.

O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances.”
(Psalm 119: 102 – 108)

“Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.

I hope for Your salvation, O Lord, and do Your commandments.

My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.

I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies for all my ways are before You.

Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.

Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your Word.

Let my lips utter praise for You teach me Your statutes.

Let my tongue sing of Your Word for all Your commandments are righteousness.

Let Your hand be ready to help me for I have chosen Your precepts.

I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight.

Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant for I do not forget Your commandments.”  (Psalm 119: 165 – 176)

Posted on

ROSE DAY: HOPE & ROSES

For 29 years pro-life supporters have sponsored and attended an annual Rose Day inside Oklahoma’s state capitol. They present red roses to the governor and other state leaders, meet their legislators, and show their support of pro-life legislation.

This event allows face-to-face communication by constituents to express their views directly to OK State Senators and Representatives for a cause that literally means life or death to many. The “many” happen to be pre-born babies who are at risk to be aborted and who have no voice.

Today is Rose Day 2020. I consider it as a day of hope for the unborn. There is hope that there will be an end to abortions, that innocent lives will be saved, and that life will be chosen over death.

Attendees always hear an excellent thought-provoking speaker during a Rose Day gathering. Speaking today will be Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood worker and now leading pro-life advocate. Her  personal experiences resulted in both a book and a movie, UNPLANNED.

At the 2012 Rose Day I heard Johnson speak  about operating a Texas abortion clinic for 8 years where abortions killed babies up to 25 weeks into a pregnancy. Then in 2009 she assisted in an ultrasound-guided abortion where she watched a 13-week baby in the womb struggle to fight for life.

Johnson shared, “What I saw on the ultrasound was a child who was frantic, struggling for his life. The place that was the safest became the least safe…. The boy did not stand a chance. Nobody stood up for him. This happens 4,000 times a day in America.”

Sadly, that baby’s life was taken, but the reality of his tragic end caused Johnson to resign and to take up the pro-life cause. Her changed life and change of her life’s work offers real hope that is impacting our world by saving precious lives of countless babies. I thank God for this powerful example of hope!

“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139: 13, 14)

“There is no ‘right’ to kill an innocent person.”  (Lila Rose, President of LIVE ACTION)

Posted on

DAUGHTER’S BIRTHDAY: HOPE AND PRAY

  • January 31, 1985, was unforgettable for me. A precious bundle of beautiful baby was delivered via C-section where a record winter snow had just covered the world outside.

She weighed “about 9 pounds,” according to an experienced doctor, who proved accurate (exactly nine pounds) according to the scales. A length of twenty-two and a half inches meant she was half an inch longer than her older brother had been four and a half years earlier.

She really was a beautiful baby, and every possible moment was spent just holding her and being awed by such a miraculous gift. Sincere promises were made to love her and to do my best to take care of her and to be there for her… always. From my heart came prayers for her physical, mental, and spiritual growth, and with hope for her future.

Today I wonder how 35 years have gone by so quickly. If I am alive another 35 years then I’ll be 100! It seems strange to ponder these thoughts of time passing and of aging, but… “c‘est la vie” (“that’s life”).

These past 35 years have been full of continuing love, joy, prayers, and special memories. I’m still thankful for the awesome gift she is and appreciative of her tender heart and gentle spirit. She’s still my “little dear” even though she now stands about four inches taller than I do (there’s a funny story about where she gets her “tall genes”).

We laugh when her actions sometimes show she is “a chip off the block.” We’ve (partially) merged my realism-leaning art appreciation with her abstract-leaning artistic talents. Together we share a meaningful special song…. She constantly broadens my horizons in many ways, and best of all she has caused my heart to grow exponentially in ways she cannot imagine.

I pray the best for her, which means God’s best. He’ll do His part; she must do hers. May she… “Trust in the Lord with all” her “heart, and…” “not lean on” her “own understanding. In all… ways acknowledge Him, and He will make” her “paths straight.”

I still pray for her, and as long as I have breath and consciousness I will still hope for her future.

Happy birthday, Little Dear!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5,6)

“Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3: 3, 4)

Posted on

BIBLICAL WISDOM: HOPE & PEACE

You’ll probably agree that we earthlings live on a troubled planet and may be on the verge of even bigger trouble. Terrorists and tyrants share this planet with those of us who are peaceful law-abiding citizens. Unfortunately they don’t want to share with anyone who differs in political views, religion, or race. Therein lies the problem — with potential for worsening problems.

Are there lessons from history to prevent the most deadly and destructive effects of power-crazed tyrannical political leaders? Can we learn how to avoid repeats of history’s greatest atrocities? Shall we be hopeful regarding the state of the planet or just give in to utter hopelessness?

The attack of Pearl Harbor and WW2 was a very difficult time for America. Some have thought we can learn valuable lessons from that time and have urged us to remember its lessons.

Gordon Prang, author of Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History, said, “Humanity cannot afford to forget the lessons of Pearl Harbor. The world is much too small, the risk is much too great, the time is much too late.”

President Franklin Roosevelt, to whom Americans looked for hope, said, “It is our obligation to the dead — it is our sacred obligation to their children and to our children — that we must never forget what we learned. And what we have  learned is this.

There is no such thing as security for any nation — or any individual in a world ruled by the principles of gangsterism.

There is no such thing as impregnable defense against powerful aggressors who sneak up in the dark and strike without warning.

We have learned that our ocean-girt hemisphere is not immune from severe attack — that we cannot measure our safety in terms of miles on any map anymore.”

I think history should be studied during times of peace and of uncertainty. Wise students are less likely to repeat the negative and more likely to follow the positive. Wisdom is a needed component while journeying through life. Believing this and knowing the Source of wisdom and accessing it are different matters.

If we all followed wisdom from above, then it would be easier to live with hearts full of hope. Even when all do not, we can still experience hope when we trust God as the Source of wisdom. Wise choices lead to righteous living, and sowing peace yields blessings to the  peacemakers. The Bible teaches wisdom to make wise choices and offers hope.

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

(James 3: 13 – 18)

Posted on

I HAVE A DREAM: DREAM & HOPE

Today is Martin Luther King Day. There is nothing I can say that is more important or more hopeful regarding this day than the words of the man himself for whom this day is designated.

Following is only a portion of his most famous and most beloved speech from August 1963. I was too young then to fully appreciate the words of this great man. Here I will let his words share hope for today.

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, ‘My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.’

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'”

(Martin Luther King, Jr)

 

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

(Galatians 5: 13, 14)

Posted on

MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON: HOPE, PRAY, SURVIVE

It’s been ten years since an incident involving US Airways Flight 1549 was called “Miracle on the Hudson.”

“On January 15, 2009, US Airways Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger became an overnight hero when he and his crew safely ditched a commercial airliner in the freezing waters of the Hudson River after an unlucky encounter with a flock of geese. All 155 passengers and crew aboard survived….” (Conde’ Naste Traveler)

It’s been the subject of countless news stories, books, and a Clint Eastwood movie, “Sully,” starring Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhart, and is still remembered by many of us. True stories with life-and-death drama and real-life heroes usually are memorable.

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and first officer Jeffrey Skiles had precious few seconds to plan and execute a safe landing of the plane. A portion of the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey was quickly deemed the best choice for an emergency landing. Miraculously all on board survived (with only five serious injuries).

“What’s remarkable is how quickly everything happened, especially given the outcome. Two minutes after taking off from LaGuardia airport, the plane ran into the flock of Canada geese. The birds hit both engines, creating the near total loss of thrust…. The plane was just 2,800 feet up and nowhere near its cruising speed — meaning the pilots had, maximum, a few minutes to find a safe path to the ground.

That left the river below them, which was in fact a rather fine choice. That part of the Hudson is about 4,000 feet wide, so the pilots didn’t have to come down perfectly parallel to the waterway like they would on a 150-foot-wide runway. It’s a whole lot longer, too, so they wouldn’t have to worry about overrunning it if they came down too late. And while water’s not as smooth as a paved runway, it’s an acceptable place to touch down in a pinch.”
(Alex Davies, “Wired”)

“The NTSB concludes that the captain’s decision to ditch on the Hudson River rather than attempting to land at an airport provided the highest probability that the accident would be survivable.”

I have hope when heroes like “Sully” Sullenberger and Skiles are identified. They did their best that could be done, and lives were saved. It’s been called a miracle, and I agree. I think it was a beautiful and providential pairing: divine assistance with two people ready to participate in the miraculous during a fleeting moment in time.

Surely survivors were thankful, and they may live with more hope than before they experienced the miracle up close and personal. Considering how a seemingly ordinary event on an ordinary day with ordinary people can in seconds turn into an extraordinary need for a miracle, I’ll try to live in hope and will continue to pray.

I’ll place my hope in Sovereign God as my pilot and pray for a miracle. Then if I survive may I be faithful to abide in the Creator and Sustainer of life. If I don’t survive, then He’ll take me home, and either way it’s a win for me.

 

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”
(Psalm 103:19)

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33: 4)

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”
(I Corinthians 8: 6)

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
(Colossians 1: 17)