“Christ is building His kingdom with earth’s broken things. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the unbroken, in building their kingdoms; but God is the God of the unsuccessful, of those who have failed. Heaven is filling with earth’s broken lives, and there is no bruised reed that Christ cannot take and restore to glorious blessedness and beauty. He can take the life crushed by pain or sorrow and make it into a harp whose music shall be all praise. He can lift earth’s saddest failure up to heaven’s glory.” ~ J. R. Miller
This is a powerful video of stories of broken lives crushed by pain and sorrow restored to blessedness and beauty through Christ Jesus. A hopeful and inspiring message and song.
“I have won and I have lost.
I got it right sometimes
but sometimes I did not.
Life’s been a journey.
I’ve seen joy, I’ve seen regret.
Oh and You have been
my God through all of it.”
“Through All Of It”
by Colton Dixon
✎ The Search for Significance Devotional Journal: A 60-day Journey to Discovering Your True Worth
“In Robert McGee’s best-selling book The Search for Significance, he helps readers realize the fact that they will never be content if they search for their significance in accomplishments or the opinions of others. Instead, God has given them significance and worth through the work of Christ on the cross. Because of McGee’s classic book, more than two million readers have learned what it means to be free to enjoy Christ’s love and forgiveness.
Now, McGee invites readers of his book to go on a 10-week journey of reflection, discovery, and ultimately victory as they learn how to implement, on a daily basis, the principles of The Search for Significance. Each page of this valuable companion to The Search for Significance includes:
- Thought-provoking questions
- Essential biblical truths
- Space for readers to reflect on how God is calling them to a deeper realization of his love for them.
- Daily Prayer”
(Amazon Review)
✎ Mobility Matters: Stepping Out in Faith
“Adventurous international teacher, Amy Bovaird, is diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease that will blind her. In spite of that, she manages to continue teaching overseas. Then her father’s final illness brings her back home for good. There, friends and acquaintances begin to notice that she doesn’t always recognize them and sometimes stumbles…as if drunk! Insensitive students ridicule her in the classroom. Unwilling to accept that she is truly losing her eyesight, Amy resists when the Bureau of Blindness schedules a mobility specialist to begin training her to use a white cane. How can she, an independent world traveler, use something that screams ‘I am a blind person’? Will her faith prove strong enough to allow her to move forward and accept herself as she is?” (Amazon Review)
Last month I wrote a post about this book along with an interview of its author:
Stepping Out in Faith in the Midst of Loss
Hope Harbor
❀ Amy’s Adventures – Amy offers hope and encouragement to those with impaired vision or loss of sight
❀ Around the Fire: Hope for the Family – One of Crystal Creek’s Youth Ranch’s newsletters – several articles on HOPE – “Instead of using Band-Aids to COVER my pain—Jesus wanted to HEAL my pain. I suddenly realized that the shackles of my past didn’t hold me… I HELD THEM! I had a choice to make: My wounds or Jesus.”
❀ MI: MOM2MOM – Hope for moms raising children with mental illness
Nature Retreat
Some recent photos of God’s amazing creatures:
➺ The Cornell Lab of Ornithology – “The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Our hallmarks are scientific excellence and technological innovation to advance the understanding of nature and to engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the planet.” (Cornell Lab’s description) I love their photo ID tool. You can upload a picture you took of a bird; click on the bird’s eye, beak, and tail; and they will identify the bird for you. I tried it and it really works! They have a phone app for this, too.
➺ Map of Life – A searchable map for species all over the world. They recently launched a mobile app where one can discover, identify, and record biodiversity worldwide.
➺ Explore.org – Oodles of live cams and snapshots of animals, primarily wildlife, along with a blog of the explore team’s travels
Quotes
❤︎ “A mindset of gratitude lifts the veil of bitterness and allows you to see beauty and possibility.” ~ Steve Maraboli
❤︎ “Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see.” ~ William Newton Clarke
❤︎ “Where there is great love, there are always miracles.” ~ Willa Cather
❤︎ “What oxygen is to the lungs, hope is to our survival in this world.” ~ Dr. Billy Graham
❤︎ “Suffering can refine us rather than destroy us because God Himself walks with us in the fire.” ~ Timothy Keller
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Bonnie – Faith Barista’s Beloved Brews
Freed to Fly 
Hi Trudy! I cannot tell you how struck I was by the video you have here. Just speechless. It’s gorgeous and sad and uplifting and it’s truth. I wrote down the name of the singer, and I hope I can share this video someday on my blog, and in my life. Wow.
That’s all I can say. Wow.
Ceil
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Hi Ceil. Yes… Wow! Exactly what I thought, too, when I came across this video. I love how the stories of pain and their testimonies of God’s grace through it all are interspersed throughout the song. Definitely a video to be shared. Blessings to you! Hugs!
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What a sweet video. Praise God.
Those are great pictures…I love photography. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. 🙂
~ blessings ~
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Thank you, Brenda. I love photography, too, especially nature. 🙂 God’s creation centers me as to who is in control. 🙂 The video certainly praises God for His grace, doesn’t it? Some awesome testimonies. Praying God will bless you and keep you! Hugs!
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I love that Keller quote above… powerful truth.
So glad we were neighbours over at #CoffeeForYourHeart! Thanks for being such an encourager today!
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I’m so glad you are encouraged, Christine. Thanks for stopping in. Yes, that quote gives such hope, doesn’t it? Sometimes it feels like the fire will consume us, but when we can remember Jesus is with us and is using it to refine us, it gives us courage to go on. Praying Jesus will comfort your heart through whatever sufferings you go through in this life! Hugs!
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Trudy,
What a treasure trove of happy things are in this post! From music to books to quotes to those photos of beautiful creatures – I love it! My favorite is the first quote about what your eyes are seeing — perspective makes the difference, doesn’t it?! So much good stuff here today! xo
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A “treasure trove.” I like that. 🙂 Thank you, Valerie. Yes, our perspective does make such a difference. When we focus on our problems instead of all the blessings God gives us, we miss out on all the beauty and possibilities that surround us. I have felt that many times… God bless you and fill you with His comfort and peace! Hugs!
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Trudy,
Love that song and so many great quotes…so grateful God redeems our suffering …and what great nature photos you captured 🙂 Thanks for sharing, dear one 🙂
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Thank you, Dolly. That God redeems our suffering is so amazing. Holding onto that promise can give us more courage to endure. Thank you for stopping by. Praying Jesus will hold you close and speak comfort to your heart. Hugs!
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So much greatness here, Trudy! I don’t know where to start :). LOVE the pictures. I’ve been wanting to get more into photography, especially nature. It really showcases God’s handiwork so well. This quote: “Suffering can refine us rather than destroy us because God Himself walks with us in the fire.” I’ve heard of Timothy Keller but really need to check him out more. It seems like every quote of his I run across just hits home for me. Thanks for all the inspiration you shared here, my friend!
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Thank you, Candace. That quote is so meaningful and true. I think he has books out? I love to photograph nature. 🙂 Praying Jesus will wrap you in His peace! Hugs!
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Oh, Trudy, this is a beautiful creative collection to bring hope back to broken hearts and lives. You captivated me with the opening lines from J.R Miller; the video is just wow amazing, tear-jerking and awe-inspiring! I love your captures of creation too. What lovely sights to soothe and delight! You must have enjoyed taking them.
The suggested books look interesting, and the quotes are really apt and helpful. I was instantly drawn to the Timothy Keller one but as I checked them over again I sensed God speaking to me more with these words:”“Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see.” ~ William Newton Clarke” because they offer me a personal challenge in writing and in life.
So much goodness to feast on here that I’ve had to return a few times to enjoy it all! Thank you. Blessings and hugs to you, dear friend. Xox ❤
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I’m so glad you were both encouraged and challenged, Joy. 🙂 Yes, that video is so amazing. And I do love taking nature pics. 🙂 Praying God will give you the courage and faith to go farther than you can see! Hugs!
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