Purpose of This Blog

I created this blog as a way for the Summer '08 class of the Focus on the Family Institute to share with each other and their other peers the musings of their hearts, the thoughts God has placed in their minds, the work He is doing in their lives, the vision the Holy Spirit has placed within them, the recounting of daily life in walking with their Savior Jesus Christ, pertinent reviews of books, movies, and music, and any other such thing as might be edifying to the community of believers.

The second purpose of this blog (for now) is to expand the potential impact of our words. It occurred to me that several of us have blogs or write facebook notes or tweet or what have you. Why not have a place in addition to those personal blogs in which we might all have a conversation? It will be a place where my friends might be touched by your words--words they might never have seen otherwise.

The idea only came to me today, and I am sure that it will grow and change as time passes. For now though, let me share with you a few things that stood out to me from my Bible reading tonight that seemed particularly appropriate to this endeavor:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 9:23-25

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has x a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. -Hebrews 9:32-36

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. -Hebrews 9: 39