My guest blogger this week is my dear friend, Betsy Ridgway . Her unique journey through a major health crisis, multiple miscarriages, faith struggles, adoption issues with her kids, her son's cancer & special needs issues, all have helped anchor and stretch her faith. Her journey is the inspiration for her website, as well as her upcoming book, "The Song of My Hope." www.Sparklinghope.net We've all got one. I've got several. The disciple Paul talks about having "a thorn in his side" (2 Cor. 12:7). What is yours? What is that bothersome, painful annoyance or terrible trial in your life that you deal with day after day, month after month? Has it left you feeling hopeless?I have labeled this pain my "prickly pear". Sometimes it's a person, sometimes it's a circumstance. Regardless, there's no hiding from it. Believe me, I've tried! The secret to "dealing with it" is what I'm going to share with you now. I...

…we have all these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds.  So, we must let go of every wound that has pierced us  and the sin we so easily fall into.  Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination,  for the path has been already marked out before us.  Hebrews 12:1 The Passion Translation I appreciate how the author of Hebrews uses imagery of the ancient Olympic races as a metaphor for the spiritual life. He reminds his audience that athletes in the Games become greatly animated, because influential and powerful citizens of the country are intensely watching the competition. This induces the contestants to make extraordinary efforts to display their determination, their prowess, and their ability to win against all odds. They focus on the goal so they won’t stumble or get waylaid due to distraction. Describing life’s race as a marathon offers a great picture of the endurance we need for the long haul. It re...