Crushed with a Purpose

When our life is hit by crushing circumstances, we may feel lost, hopeless, or be troubled by anger and despair. Scripture tells us that God not only allows suffering, but also provides a purpose for our trials.

Oh my, you should see the roses in my backyard!

Hi I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and this June, I have been picking and plucking my Double Delight roses; in fact, take a minute when you have the chance and go to my radio page at joniandfriends.org would you, because I’ve posted a photo of these incredibly beautiful roses. 

The Rose of Sharon

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.  Song of Solomon 2:1 It's June, the month of roses. Nothing is more beautiful than the gradual unfolding of a rosebud into its full glory. Each petal unfurls, layer by layer, revealing ever-increasing loveliness. At each stage you say to yourself, "How could it be more beautiful? Right now it's at its best. I've got to get my camera!" When I consider the way God reveals His glory to us, I picture a rose. In Genesis, the bud of God's plan opened just enough to show the promise of salvation. Through successive chapters of history, the bloom opened more and more before the wondering eyes of God's people. One glory followed another. God's glory as a warrior striking Egypt with plagues... God's glory at Mt. Sinai with trumpet, quaking earth and laws for living... His glory blazing between the Cheribum in the wilderness tabernacle... His glory filling the temple of Solomon. At each stage, as the rose unfurled petal by petal, there were probably those who reasoned, "This is the ultimate. It can't get any better!"