Faith, Folklore, and Friends

  And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:   And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.   Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.   Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.   Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.   Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: ...

Not my image; unknown source When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the  souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried  out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy  and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then  they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be  killed as they themselves had been. ~Revelation 6:9-11 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls  of them that were  beheaded  for the witness of  Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not  worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had  received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their  hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a...

We are never alone. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.” Isaiah 43:2-3 The Word is full of promises that we will never be left alone. Promises hard to remember when the night is long and friends can't be found. Promises we must remember with spiritual hearts. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5 It is impossible to foolishly choose to be alone, to run away from everything that hurts. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10 Thank you, Father, for hugging us with loving arms when the world is heavy and we can't find our way.