breaking away from the depressing tone which has become the norm for this blog, i bring good news.
you are not alone.

tonight i was digging through some archived podcasts and found a sermon from rob bell @ mars hill bible church in michigan. it was originally delivered almost 8 months ago, but i hadn't found the time to give it a listen yet. i am so glad i took the time tonight. the title was "blessed are the persecuted" and the base text came from the beatitudes found in the gospel of matthew. the message was simple, really, but as always, rob found a great way to bring it to my level and break it down in a way i could understand. i won't preach the sermon to you, but the long and short is this:

crappy times come. it's a part of life. people will lie about you. people will say terrible things to you and about you. people will turn others against you. but in that time, when you think you can't go on, God gives a promise to meet us there. exactly when you feel like you are all alone in the world, you're not. God comes and gives grace and mercy, which in return, we give to others.

in the good times, you're not alone. in the bad times, you're not alone. when life brings frustration and chaos, rejoice and be glad! as rob says, "leap much!" the savior promises companionship and blessing. take heart. rejoice.

live thankfully.