Dear Disheartened & Faith Filled Friday

There are so many heart breaking headlines.
Egyptian beheadings show ISIS taking ‘global jihad’
MORE ISIS BARBARISM: Militants reportedly burn alive 45 in Iraqi town
Fifty Shades of Grey Breaks Records at the Box Office
Former Megachurch Pastor Rob Bell Tells Oprah the Church is Moments Away from Embracing Gay Marriage
California Parents Outraged to Learn Second Graders are Watching Porn on School Issued ipads

Doing college ministry for thirteen years I've seen and heard a lot. And just when I thought I must have heard it all, there's something else. And in the last few years it seems the students struggles are deeper, more addictive and more sexually oriented. But now, with 50 Shades of Grey being condoned and The Bluest Eyes being mandatory reading for 15 year olds in common core (an awful book about a pedophile from the pedophiles perspective portraying his twisted mind as something to sympathize with) what will it be like when these kids are in college? Or get married? How can their formative years be so inter-weaved with twisted sexual messages and have it not affect how they view themselves, God and others? My heart breaks. 

Where are we headed? How can we not implode? How much more can a heart take? Shock quickly gives way to discouragement. 
But then the Lord give me a reality check as He gently whispered: 

"In this world  you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

"My grace is sufficient" 1 Corinthians 12:9

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. Rev. 21:4


And I remember my time in Cambodia and how clearly the Lord spoke to me about how HE WAS THERE. The fullness of His character was there in perhaps the most evil place on earth, Giving, Sustaining, Redeeming. His grace in the most unlikely place. 


"Where can I go from your presence? ...if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me. Your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7, 9-10

So dear friend, if your heart breaks with mine, remember the Lord. The Lord who routed armies, who allowed the cross for eternal gain, who planned things long ago, who sustains, who redeems. There is no one too far out of reach for Him and He is not blind. He is not sitting back passively. He is working though we might not understand it. He is bringing good out of chaos, beauty from ashes, hope in the darkness. 

Walk by faith and stand up for truth, for what's right no matter the cost. But put your hope in God not the results. 

Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

Here's how it works.
1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste my button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. You're encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.

About Laura

Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has five kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 13 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks to college and women's groups. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook, twitter,pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site.

If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.

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