As we ponder this life we are given to live & the work our hands set out to do, what does this reveal to us about God’s wisdom found within the teachings of Jesus?

Each day brings its own set of challenges—

• Relational challenges, one moment we’re good & the next, we are at odds.
• Health challenges, the ones that seem to pop up in our bodies as if overnight.
• Death of loved ones & the challenge of ‘doing’ life apart from the one lost in death.
• Career challenges, day-to-day difficult tasks, or even the ‘BIGGER’ ones when we ask ourselves:  Should I stay or should I go?

Challenges.

We must encounter them, live within them, walk through them, and strive with all our might to not allow them to defeat us.

• Thank the LORD—Yes, Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus.
• Thank you God—Yes, Thank You, LORD, for placing your Spirit, your Holy pledge deep within us who have accepted Your Son Jesus as our Savior.

Father,

Without Your presence within us, these life-challenges have the power to take over our lives, take our courage, take our joy, & take our faith.

But Hallelujah, LORD,

with Your presence living within us, Your Holy Spirit saves us, gives us courage, restores our joy, affirms our faith, and most-assuredly gives us life everlasting!

Thank You, God, for sending Your Son to save us.

We pray, praising Your Goodness, Your Loveliness, Your Holiness.  Amen.

If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting our nation’s capital, then hopefully you were able to take a tour of the Capitol building.  This is the most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world, symbolizing the American people and its government.  Within this building, our nation’s legislature meets to discuss and propose and decide upon laws of supreme importance.

My husband and I found ourselves walking along the sidewalks of downtown Washington DC a few years ago.  We had traveled there for two reasons:  to sightsee and to visit with a young lady who works in DC.  We had not seen S—- in a few years, and we thought a nice sit-down talk and meal would be a great way to spend a day.

After work one afternoon, S—- suggested a sidewalk café she liked, so we met, talked, hugged, and caught up on life-details.  On a side note, S—- is a young, international student who once shared a dorm with our daughter during their college days.

Once we finished our meal & conversation, my husband and I began our sightseeing.  Truly, there is NO WAY to see it ALL.  I have only traveled to our nation’s capital twice in my lifetime, and my husband too.  We had traveled the previous time separate, and this was our second journey, one that we shared together.

What shall we visit?

• The Monuments.  Of Course.
• The Smithsonian Museums.  Probably Not because we did not have that much time.
• Arlington Cemetery.  Of Course.
• The Seabee Monument.  Of Course.
• A stroll along the sidewalks that lead to the Supreme Court, the Capitol, and the White House.  Of Course.
• The Library of Congress. Of Course, I must apply for my library card.

During our stroll, we stopped in front of the US Capitol.  It is there we encountered a security officer, and just like expected, we engaged in a conversation with this man.  As we chatted, he asked:  “Have you taken a tour of the Capitol building?” to which we replied:  “No, but could we?”

“Of course,” he replied.  “Just walk around back,” he said as he pointed off to the right.  “Put your name on the list and wait in line.”

I THINK WE WERE WALKING OFF TO THE BACK OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING EVEN BEFORE HE FINISHED SPEAKING, CALLING ‘THANK YOU’ AS WE WALKED!

WE WERE EXCITED!

Our turn came quickly, and a young History major served as our tour guide.  (I know because, of course, I asked him, and because I like to be at the front of any line, which provides so much more conversation opportunities.)

We saw so many important paintings, rooms, staircases, and national treasures while on this tour, hearing the history behind each one.

Then we stepped into the National Statuary Hall, and immediately, I was enthralled.  In this room, every state of the union is given space to place two statues of notable men or women who exacted great accomplishments within their states.

Now, allow me to pause here to say that this past week, one of the greatest statues was placed into the National Statuary Hall—the Reverend Billy Graham’s statue.

In his hand, he holds a Bronze Bible, and the Word of God is open to this Scripture—the Reverend Graham’s VERSE BY WHICH HE WALKED THROUGH LIFE—