DANIEL

After reading Ezekiel, because it was Christmas season, I focused on some of the prophecies that foretold the birth of the Messiah, which were all fulfilled by the birth of Yeshua (Jesus).

Next I was drawn to read the book of Daniel. What great timing. (Thank you, Lord.) I had been fighting discouragement over circumstances I don't have a solution for - and I needed to re-read Daniel! There were a couple of other recent reminders of all I have to be thankful for - but Daniel reminds me that God is Sovereign, is on His throne, and everything is in His very capable hands. I may not prefer His timing - but I can trust Him!

This morning God reminded me that I had not accessed a tool I have often encouraged for others: and that is, simply telling Satan, "Get behind me" when thoughts that are definitely not from God assail. I readily attributed my dismay over this situation to being 'human', and didn't address the reality of seeing God at work - even through difficult circumstances.

So - let's look at Daniel. He was of the nobility in Jerusalem. He was from the tribe of Judah. The King of Judah was Jehoiakim. We aren't told his relationship to the royals, but we do know that the young men who were captured and taken to Babylon were of the royal and noble families (1:3).

Daniel could have been legitimately diverted to many other paths of action - but the one he chose was absolute faithfulness to God, and incorporated within that, faithfulness to serving King Nebuchadnezzar, except when the King's demands thwarted God's requirements.

Daniel makes for exciting reading! My chapter for today was chapter 4. We read these stories knowing the outcome, but Daniel lived them. Even with his enormous commitment and confidence in God, he was human, and faced the struggles associated with his calling - but he was faithful! Hooray Daniel! Thank you for your witness to courage, to faithfulness, to loving the Lord and honoring Him in spite of circumstances! I'm looking forward to meeting you in heaven!

CAIN CHRISTMAS LETTER 2011

CAIN CHRISTMAS LETTER 2011

Written December 24, 2011

Al asked me about a week ago if I was going to get our Christmas letter out before Christmas this year. I told him I was waiting until after his surgery. That happened on December 21 and all went well. He had a total shoulder replacement at Swedish Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle – and he had the best doctor imaginable. Awhile after he awoke from surgery he told me, “I know it is strange to say this: but this is a really good experience.” What he meant was that everyone he encountered was wonderful! He had a ball teasing the nurses. He is looking forward to being in a lot less pain from shoulder issues, and to being able to run a chainsaw again in about 4 months…. (Plus - his shoulder was interfering with his hunting!)

His favorite story to tell is about the RN from Siberia who told him she was going to do a bleeder skin. He was a little concerned about that, and asked her what she meant. Again she repeated, “We are going to do a bleeder skin.” After about 4 times of her repeating it, it dawned on me that she was telling him he was going to have a ‘bladder scan.’

Backtracking to the rest of the year, the first trip on my agenda was a journey back to Israel with a great group of pilgrims to the Holy Land. I loved the trip in February & March 2005, and loved this one in February 2011 even more. I took over 2400 pictures….

In fact, we took a lot of pictures this year! Our together trips took us to the Southwest in early summer, and to Canada in late summer, and they provided lots of photo ops! I posted many of my pics on Facebook….

Our intended destination for the trip to the Southwest was slot canyons – with Zebra Canyon, specifically, the top site on the list, because I saw pics of it several years ago and knew I had to see it for myself! It ultimately ended up a few notches down on our list of favorites…. It was good – but we experienced so much more ‘unexpected that was wonderful’ while we were in The Grand Staircase-Escalante area – and all along the journey – that it didn’t end up being our #1 favorite! It was an amazing trip! I think we’d both rank ‘The Wave’ as #1. It was incredible.

At the end of the summer we went to Canada, with the destination being Yoho National Park. It, too, was a lovely trip! I love waterfalls – and we saw some terrific ones!

We visited some amazing locations in 2011, and got great pictures in the process, but our favorite memories of the year all involve people! Getting to see family and friends – both old and new – made our journeys memorable in the most special way! Particularly memorable ‘new’ friends are 2 very special young women we met on our Southwest trip, with whom we share memories of The Wave and 2 slot canyons!

Our life is punctuated with multiple joys related to our grandkids and their activities: baseball games, soccer matches, swim meets, theatrical productions – and just hanging out. Some of the top fun items here at Kamerlyn are bear hunts, taking walks around the property, dress-up tea parties, Yo’s farm animal waffles, Pa’s pancakes, the zipline – and sledding when the weather cooperates!

Al news:

Al keeps incredibly busy. You’d never have known his shoulder was so bad before surgery. (It was bone on bone, with no cartilage left at all….) In this past year he has turned bowls and plates on the lathe, made multiple types of wooden utensils (and given them away), painted pictures, made picture frames, done a lot of flintknapping (both arrowheads and knife blades), made handles for his flint knives, carved a few ducks, carved 5 bulldogs and 1 other dog, carved multiple bears, and burned many piles of sticks and limbs he’s gathered around the property. (I help him once in a while, but he does most of the work.) He had a couple of nice bow hunting trips this fall – great memories, no critters…. Add to that a few honey-do projects, a lot of daughter-do projects and his garden…. He’s a busy guy! It keeps him young!

Lola news:

For those who have paid attention to my children’s musical updates, (which I have been working on for a l-o-n-g time) I just had a pre-publishing edition printed this past week, which I am submitting for final edits. Kami and I still have to produce a vocal and instrumental CD… but I am very excited about the progress at this juncture. In 2011 I wrote devotionals to go with the musical. That was the new addition for this year – and lots and lots of editing…. It’s exciting to see it in book form, with all of the components incorporated.

Beginning in April 2010, I started growing out my hair to donate to ‘locks of love’ to honor a very special woman in our church who lost her battle to pancreatic cancer 3 days after her 50^th birthday. I had my locks cut off in Melanie’s memory (by her best friend) on what would have been Melanie’s 51^st birthday. It is a deeply imbedded memory of 2011.

For my 66^th birthday I flew to Utah to watch my brother, Duane, perform in Guys & Dolls. The company he performs with just completed their run of ‘A Christmas Carol’. He played the role of Charles Dickens – as the narrator – and grew out his hair and a lamb chop beard to fit the role. I would have loved to see that performance! Earlier in the summer, I went to Eastern Washington to a special wedding, and stayed with friends in Wenatchee and enjoyed their company and hospitality. In addition, I have become much better acquainted in my ‘new’ church – and in reviewing our year I am reminded how incredibly blessed I truly am by all of the people who touch my life.

Other very special memories of the year include visits with multiple friends and family members as part of our journeys, including reconnecting with one of my college roommates and her hubby for a lovely visit! Thanks to each of you who made this year special!

I know Jesus was not actually born in December – but I love the celebration remembrance nonetheless – the reminder that He came once, as promised, and will come again! It is a wonderful time of year to wish everyone we care about a Merry Christmas – His peace, His true shalom. I certainly need that shalom in my life! Blessings for 2012!

On behalf of the Cain Clan – Lola

The pictures are (1) Al at the Wave; (2) Erin's family with Kami and Pa when we celebrated Christmas with them 12/18. Santa Pa and his elf delighted the girls when they came to the door; and (3) Al and I at Lake Moraine, Canada.

A postscript regarding The Wave –

Seeing 'The Wave' is the first time I have ever grieved that at the end of time the earth will be destroyed – but ultimately what God showed me was that this was just a foretaste of the wonder He has in store for those who love Him. Heaven is going to be filled with amazing colors and unimaginable creations!

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 6

Isaiah 9 is one of my absolutely favorite scripture passages. I've quoted some of it in earlier posts this Advent season, but am going to be redundant 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined....For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

The strains of the Hallelujah Chorus echo through my mind, building to an absolute crescendo.... And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! HAL LE LU JAH!

I know Jesus wasn't born in December, but December is when we celebrate! I know that Jesus' birth was not one of the festivals God commanded that His followers keep, but I love celebrating it anyway! It is partly tradition, I'm sure - - but it is such a wonderful reminder that God keeps his promises. He promised to send the Messiah - and He did; and He has promised to come again - and He will. King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forever and ever, Hallelujah!

Yesterday was the shortest day of light for the year - the winter solstice. It is a reminder that our world is in darkness, but light has dawned - the perfect light of Truth! The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!!!!!

Merry Christmas! And a blessed New Year of walking with the One who is Light Eternal!

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 5

Prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Fulfillment that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

Matthew 2:1-6

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

John 7:42 also confirms the fulfillment of the prophecy of the location of Jesus birth:

“…. Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”

Matthew 2 and Luke 2 tell the Christmas story. Each offers valuable information that helps us piece the story together.

When I read the part of the grief the wise men caused by coming, my first thought is, "Really, God? You brought wise men to Herod so he would try to kill your Messiah?" But as quickly as that thought formulates, another emerges. All that happened was to fulfill prophecy. One of the other quirks of Jesus' prophetic fulfillment of every detail of ancient prophecy was that in addition to being from obscure Nazareth and being born in Bethlehem from the line of David, the root of Jesse, the tribe of Judah; he also had to be called out of Egypt.

After Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph didn't head straight home. When the wise men found them, they were in a house. They stayed in Bethlehem until an angel told them to leave, following the wise men's visit. Mary and Joseph were poor. They would have had no resources to flee to Egypt once Jesus' identity was discovered by Herod - so God made a way for that to be possible. While the gifts had great spiritual significance, they had practical significance: they were valuable, and paid the way for Mary and Joseph to provide necessities for survival during their detour. Then, after Herod died an angel appeared once more and sent them home, and finally, when Jesus was past his toddler years, they finally made it back to Nazareth.

It makes me pause in awe at the sovereignty of God. Their circumstances had to terrify them in the natural. They had to pack up in the middle of the night and flee the nest they had made...but they didn't balk at doing what they were commanded to do. God chose the right earthly parents....

God has chosen us as well. He has a purpose for our lives. Everything that happens is within His knowing. He sees the big picture - where we are heading and how we are going to get there. Sometimes our path seems tortuous, even confusing. Egypt certainly was not on the route to get back to Nazareth. In fact, it was the opposite direction! But God had a plan. His plan was foretold by the prophets, and every jot and tittle of the plan had to be fulfilled. It was only by exact fulfillment that Jesus' identity as the Messiah could be proven through the ages. He was and is the great I AM. He is God incarnate. He came the first time as a little babe, to make us right with God; but the next time He comes it will be as the conquering hero the Jews anticipate, and His coming could be very, very soon! Again, the stage is being set. Prophecies from Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and the Revelations to John are falling into place.

At this season, we look back to His first coming as the babe of Bethlehem 'Messiah' (when He set up His kingdom in human's hearts) and forward to the promised second coming when He will finally be acknowledged as the Messiah by everyone: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ) is Lord.

Isaiah 45:22-23

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'...."

Philippians 2:10-11

...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

(All scripture references are from the ESV.)

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 4

Prophecy that the Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Isaiah 37:31

And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.

Fulfillment that the Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah - and that Jesus was that fulfillment

Matthew 1:1-2

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father….(genealogy continues to Jesus).

Luke 3:33-34

(A segment of Jesus’ genealogy:) the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham….

Hebrews 7:14

For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

(Verses quoted are from the ESV)

So many details had to line up:

The messiah was to be from the tribe of Judah. Jesus was.
The messiah was to be from the root of Jesse. Jesus was.
The messiah was to come from the line of King David. Jesus was.
The messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. Jesus was.
The messiah was to be born to a virgin. Jesus was.

Even with all these fulfillments - and more - they still didn't recognize Him....

The verse I quoted from Revelation reminds me that He will come again - soon - and once more, many will not honor Him, but will choose to die in their sins. But - as long as there is life, there is hope! And this is a perfect season to refocus.

The King of kings and Lord of lords came once just as promised - and will come again!

The song that was was on my mind when I first awoke this morning was Great Is Thy Faithfulness! I am so grateful for God's faithfulness to His Word and to us!

Wise men - and women - still seek Him!

O come let us adore Him!
O come let us adore Him!
O come let us adore Him - Christ, the Lord!

PROPHECY OF JESUS AS MESSIAH: MARY ON MY MIND

I have to backtrack just a bit.... Mary is on my mind.

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month (of Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John) the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Yeshua (translated Jesus in English). He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

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Mary was young. In her youth she made a commitment that would lead her on a journey she couldn't possibly have conceived. It would be easy for us to conceptualize her life being fairy-tale perfect because of whose child she was bearing - but it wasn't. Her commitment led her on a path punctuated with disappointment, upheaval, sorrow, pain and grief. She was chosen! God trusted her. We honor her for giving birth to the Christ child - but in her day, very few people recognized that reality. Her story was tainted with being pregnant before marriage. It was a stigma she lived with for the whole of her life. A few people knew and understood the truth, but very few - and she had to live above their judgment of her.

Thank you, Mary! I know God blessed you with many more children - but you suffered horrible agony when your firstborn was rejected. I'm quite certain that you had some preconceived assumptions about what the Messiah would do and anticipated the fulfillment of those hopes, only to have them cruelly crumble. I know He didn't come as the people expected or fulfill their expectations - but He fulfilled God's purpose for redeeming fallen mankind, and the next time He comes it will be in all of the majesty, glory and power that His people expected the first visit. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 3

Prophecy that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David

(Prophecy written +-735 BC)

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The seal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 16:5

“…then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness”

Fulfillment that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David

(Prophecy fulfilled +-3 B C)

Matthew 1:1

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

(Matthew 1:1-17 lists the genealogy of Jesus to David through his son, Solomon, and back to Abraham. This shows Joseph’s lineage.)

Luke 3:31

…the son of David

Luke 3:23-38 lists the genealogy of Jesus to David through his son, Nathan, and back to Adam. This genealogy shows Mary’s lineage. Hebrew law allowed for the genealogy to be traced through the mother if her father had no sons.)

Luke 1:31-33 (Angel Gabriel speaking to Mary)

“…And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

John 7:42

“…Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”

2 Timothy 2:8

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,

Following are the results of my brief confirmation search to clarify the difference in the genealogies:

Matthew reports the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, as it was the custom of the genealogy to go from father to son, unless a father had no sons, then it diverted to the daughter.

Luke reports the genealogy of Jesus through Mary's lineage, and because God is a God of absolute order, I have to assume that Mary had no brothers.

Both Joseph and Mary traced their roots back to the house of Judah. Both go back to David, but Joseph's line goes Solomon, and Mary's line goes through Nathan. Matthew followed tradition in his writing, tracing lineage back through the father's line. Luke knew Mary, and because of his firsthand knowledge of her story, was able to trace the lineage back through her. That both coincide at David is the most significant. We are not provided all the information we would like to know, but we are provided what we need to know. In that, God is very, very good to us, allowing us to see the prophecy and the fulfillment with clarity.

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 2

Prophecy that God would come to earth as a human male

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Fulfillment that God came to earth as a human male

Mark 1:1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Verses quoted are from the ESV)

God had an amazing plan for restoring the relationship fractured in the Garden of Eden! At the right time, He would come Himself. God, maker of heaven and earth, would take on the flesh of man - become God incarnate - and then die for our sins, paying our penalty so we could be with Him. What amazing grace!

Grace and truth.

PROPHECIES FORETELLING JESUS' BIRTH - 1

After completing Ezekiel I deliberated what to read next, and have decided to focus on prophecies and fulfillments relating to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

Prophecy that the Messiah would be born to a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 (written +-735 B C)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Fulfillment that the Messiah would be born to a virgin

Matthew 1:18-23 (fulfilled over 700 years after the prophecy by Isaiah)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

(Verses quoted are from the ESV)

It all sounds so clinical and simple. While it is true that the Messiah was much anticipated, who would have dreamed God would choose a poor peasant girl to give birth to Him? But I love Mary's response. There was no "Are you sure?" or "You've got to be kidding." or "Why me?"

When Yeshua the Messiah was born He came in a very unexpected way. His people were looking for a military warrior who would rescue them from the tyranny of the political injustice they suffered. But - instead of being born into a dynasty, He came veiled - yet not hidden! But we don't truly learn that tidbit until later on in the story....

As a young Jewish girl, Mary would have anticipated the birth of the Messiah! But I'm quite certain that she didn't have a clue what that would mean for the one who was chosen to give birth to Him. When she approached Joseph to tell him an angel had visited her and what Gabriel told her, it is apparent he didn't believe a word she said. The moment that she thought was going to bring shared joy ended up being a devastating betrayal, when she had to endure the pain of the doubt in his eyes. Joseph believed she was lying.

But, because he truly loved her, even in his deepest hurt of thinking she had been unfaithful to their commitment, he vowed to handle the problem privately instead of having her stoned to death.

And - even after an angel appeared to him in a dream and affirmed what Mary had told him - that the child to be born was indeed the Son of God - can you imagine what it was like for the two of them to go to their families with this preposterous story?

It makes me think about the heartbreaks God allows in our lives. They can either propel us to Him or away from Him. Mary and Joseph did not get to enjoy some sort of safe passage because of the responsibility they were given. Quite the opposite. They were chosen - and they were trustworthy and faithful. Absolutely inspirational!

GLEANINGS FROM EZEKIEL

I just finished reading the book of Ezekiel yesterday. It had been a long time since I read through the entire book.... It holds wonderful nuggets.

During the time Ezekiel wrote, he lost his dearly treasured wife, but was completely responsive to God in setting his loss aside and being obedient. That definitely made an impact on me.

In the final chapters, the overwhelming reminder of God's order was reinforced. What amazing detail He provided those who would build His temple in Jerusalem. It is a stunning reminder of God being a proficient and thorough designer.

The most indelible impact of the book of Ezekiel is that God is absolutely sovereign. The repeated message Ezekiel quotes is God saying, "I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it." That gives me amazing comfort. My life is in His hands...and the life that is truly life is eternal life. This is just the path leading to life!

There is a little church about a mile from my house that has a reader board. Recently their sign stated, "Why do we call it after dark when it is really after light?" I was with my husband when I read it, and I chuckled, then mentioned that logic could apply to several other things, citing a couple of specific parallels that came to mind.

In response my husband said, "You Christians do that all the time. You talk about the after life." That's when it hit me. Heaven is not the after-life, it is life...eternal life. This is our pre-life anticipation of life! We segue from here to there - not painlessly - but what birth is painless?

This is our gestational period. Life is yet to come! We may or may not like the womb phase, depending on circumstances, but that's all this is. We are conceived by the Spirit the day we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, so our spiritual life 'begins' at that point, but we are in the cocoon phase. Our butterfly phase - the most beautiful life imaginable - is eternal!

So, as we slog through the challenges here, we can have absolute confidence in our eternal destination - when we break away from the fetters of imperfect bodies and embrace LIFE!