These beautiful evergreens have come to bring me so much joy. We sometimes call them the “Dr. Seuss“ trees.

I was talking about one thing that I would change about myself. Spotting those trees, I decided I would not change that thing at all- it’s where my joy comes from.

What society may see as a flaw or imperfection, God has allowed in me for His good pleasure.

Don’t refuse God, the ONE who speaks truth into your life. Instead, put some joy into it.

Do you have a quality about yourself that others may want to change? Be sure to check with God first to see if He put it there for a reason.

If our faith is childlike, then we will see things more clearly than the most learned scholar.

Be certain you are trusting the ONE who has authority over creation. His kingdom (and rationale) is unshakable! -Teresa

Hebrews 12:22-29 (NLT)

²² No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. ²³ You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.²⁴ You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

²⁵ Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! ²⁶ When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”^[d] 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

²⁸ Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ²⁹ For our God is a devouring fire.Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 12:18 Greek to something that can be touched.
2. 12:20 Exod 19:13.
3. 12:21 Deut 9:19.
4. 12:26 Hag 2:6.