Faithful Fridays ~ Keep On

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday!  We're getting ready for Luke's birthday party tomorrow and are leaving a bit early today to pick up his cake, so I wanted to get my post on before we left!

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc. To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too. After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog. I'd love to come read your post!  Once I see that you've participated a few times, I will add you to this list of regular Faithful Friday-ers!  :)

My mama participates on her blog, Country Girl at Home...

Ms. Patty participates on her blog, Blessings Beyond...

Ms. Retha participates on her blog, Retha's Rambles...

and Rachel participates on her blog, Stand Out Don't Fit In.

I had two subjects on my mind to write about today but when I began to really think about them, I realized they could be tied together.

First of all, I was reading the online news that pops up when I check my email.  You know, something usual, but last night, it just seemed like the news was nothing but deaths and cruelty and evil.  You know, one of those times that you just sit back and think, When is Jesus coming?

A nine year old little girl in Alabama was forced by her mother and grandmother to run around their house for three hours, simply because she lied to her grandmother about eating candy bars.  A day or two later, Savannah Hardin, severely dehydrated, had a seizure and passed away.


Savannah Hardin

Fourteen year old Ashley Long told her parents she was going to a slumber party at a nearby friend's house, but instead, piled into the car with her friends and traveled to another city to one of the girl's older sister's condo, where they drank alcohol and took drugs.  Then, they passed around a helium tank to make their voices sound funny.  Ashley didn't want to do it, but when a friend held it up to her face, she finally assented and just moments later, she passed out.  She never regained consciousness and later passed away in the hospital.  Ashley enjoyed drawing and going to church and had never drank, taken drugs, or gone to a party before.  Her school and family are banding together to make this tragedy an example to the community of what can happen in just a moment--just one bad decision.


Ashley Long

I want to ask that you all keep Savannah Hardin's and Ashley Long's families in your prayers.

Sometimes, we just feel depressed.  Down.  Sad.  Upset.  Whether it be from losing a loved one, a bad day, an arguement with a family member, or some other disappointment.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

-Hebrews 12:1-3

Pause.  Pray.  Get into the Word.  And remember that God loves you so much that he sent his Son to die on the cross for you.  For you!  His Only Son.  The cross was the way common criminals were killed.  It was the worst, most shameful, most torturous way to die, and God put that burden on His Son!  And you know what?  He'd do it all over again.  So keep on running the race.