Rise Up...

Beautiful words from a heart that knows sorrow...

Allison speaks hope into the grieving, when our worlds turn upended... is this how we saw our life playing out?  The hard, the hurt...the unwanted lines of our story?  

Read on and be encouraged.  God is with you, even as the battle rages...

"What if this really hard thing you're walking through is actually what’s needed? What if the waiting room you’re sitting in is where you need to be? What if that one crumbling, difficult relationship is actually the one you're supposed to pay attention to?

Without that thing, that room, that person, your life cannot become what God intends it to be.

Because you are more than your diagnosis. More than your grief. More than your inconveniences, your heart break, and your fears.

You are embodied Light, Goodness, and Mercy. And there is no place, no person, no thing where that Trinity is not needed. No place He will not go for you, for them.

Without the diagnosis, I would be no writer. Without a long form, living grief? I would have no dependence on Jesus. Without battle after battle, I would not bear light in broken places.

In the unwanted lines of this story, He is writing greater things. And not just for my good. But a greater story for His glory, in all places, for all people.

He is rewriting others’ stories because of you. Rise up. Gather heart and courage. Know that even as the battle rages, He is with you. And Jesus with you is greater than anything else we could acquire. Greater than any fabricated story book ending. He is greater and He is with you. Rise up."

~ Allison Byxbe

So Rise up.  Gather heart and courage.  Your story is still being written and God has the pen.  I have a feeling there is a beautiful ending in store!

My Love, Always,
                         Jane

Independence Day 2023

 

Savor the Joys...

 Remembering Timothy Keller

Timothy Keller, beloved pastor, theologian and author passed away last month after a 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer.

His ministry, his life and his voice herald the joys of  learning to savor the moment, the gifts of time here in this place while standing firmly in the convictions of his faith.

He shared those convictions in a beautiful article several years ago in The Atlantic.  The article is aptly titled...

Growing My Faith in the Face of Death

We mourn his passing, yet rejoice in a life so well lived.  There is a prayer that he shares to keep our eyes and our hearts focused on the One who loves us beyond reason and is our only Hope...

"And as I lay down in sleep and rose this morning only by your grace, keep me in the joyful, lively remembrance that whatever happens, I will someday know my final rising, because Jesus Christ lay down in death for me and rose for my justification."

~ Timothy Keller

Amen and Amen!

In Grace, Remembering a Life that touched so many,
My Love, Always,
                    Jane

When God Grants a Miracle

 Maria Menounos has a story to tell...

Pancreatic Cancer Survivors are definitely Miracles!

For Moms Everywhere...

 When the day is different than you thought it would be...

May your day bring peace and mercies in ways you never expected.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, the most deserving of all,

My Love,
Jane

Is He Worthy?

Beautiful... oh my soul... if we ever wondered what the church is all about.  It is not the building, nor the programs, nor the rituals.  The church - it is the body of Christ, coming together to worship the One who is always worthy.

Perfect Praise for this broken world!   Praise to the Lion of Judah, who conquered the grave!

Listen and be Blessed!

Do you feel the world is broken?

(We do)

Do you feel the shadows deepen?

(We do)

But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through?

(We do)

Do you wish that you could see it all made new?

(We do)

Is all creation groaning?

(It is)

Is a new creation coming?

(It is)

Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst?

(It is)

Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?

(It is)

Is anyone worthy?

Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave

He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Of all blessing and honor and glory

Is He worthy of this?

He is

Does the Father truly love us?

(He does)

Does the Spirit move among us?

(He does)

And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves?

(He does)

Does our God intend to dwell again with us?

(He does)

Is anyone worthy?

Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave

He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe

Every nation and tongue

He has made us a kingdom and priests to God

To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Of all blessing and honor and glory

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

Is He worthy of this?

He is!

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?

He is! He is!

Lift your heart in praise, for He is Worthy!

A Day of Sorrows

We call today Good Friday.  A day where the sun's light failed in grief. 

Good Fridays are the darkest days of our faith journey... 

It's a time to remember that:

- Grapes must be crushed to make wine.
- Diamonds form under pressure.
- Olives are pressed to release oil.
- Seeds grow in darkness.

So, whenever you feel Crushed, Under Pressure, Pressed or in Darkness...

You're in a powerful place of transformation.  

Hold on to that hope, dear one, this pain will not last forever.  One day soon, His Glory will shine, and the darkness will give way to a glorious Light led by Love!

In that Blessed Hope,
Always, My Love,
                         Jane