Jennifer H. Westall

Now I know there are many in our community who are suffering, so I do not say this lightly. But take note of the mindset of the apostles. They rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer. Worthy to suffer. Think on that for a moment. Is suffering some kind of badge of honor? Is it something we should consider a blessing?_ He paused again. __aybe it is, in certain circumstances. Now I don__ believe the Scriptures are talking about suffering from the consequences of our sin. But suffering because we refuse to back down from our faith? Now that is an honor, and a blessing. And we should pray for the honor to suffer for the name of Jesus.

What about you? What are you going to be?_ I knew immediately I shouldn__ have asked. His smile faded, and he looked down at his hands in his lap. I__ about had enough of tiptoeing around his illness. __ow do you expect God to heal you if you don__ even believe it?_ I spoke firmly to make sure my own heart got the message as well. __ believe that you, Matthew Doyle, are going to be fine someday. So when I ask you what you want to do with your life, I ask cause I know you__e going to have a life! I__ tired of all this moping around waiting to die malarkey._ He raised his eyebrows and pushed himself forward in the chair. __ know what you believe, Ruby. You been saying it since the day you got here. And I ain__ getting any better. You__e just putting me in a position of disappointing you, and I can__ hardly stand that. Don__ you think I want a life?_ __ don__ know. Do you?_ __f course I do!