What does it mean?

There is a God-given reason and a purpose for everything, both good and bad, in life. The best, and perhaps the only, way to get through the "down" times is to find the purpose of the struggle and to learn the lessons (yes lessons - plural) from the "down" times. Struggles may be a result of un-addressed sin in our lives, but that is not always the case. In fact, I think for most believers that is not the case. Many times, when believers struggle, God is trying to get their attention, reveal to them, and teach them something AWESOME which will also bless others in their sphere of influence when applied correctly. We MUST see these struggles as opportunities to grow and not just obstacles to overcome. Mountains may look big and menacing while they're in front of us but they are often soon forgotten after they're conquered. When we face struggles God wants to show and teach us something that we will not forget after we've passed through to the other side. The perceived difficulty of the trial will fade once it has passed but the lessons learned must remain. Find the purpose in whatever you are facing today. Ask God to show you what you need to be learning through it. Look for ways to bless others with what you are learning.

Discipline

• The hardest part about staying focused on the the finish is not others who distract you... It is when your inner desires lead you away.

Focus

Sometimes all the encouragement in the world will not make up for a lack of discipline.

Casino Closings

I'm sorry to hear that 5,000+ people in Atlantic City are now/will soon be jobless, but I am so happy that casinos are closing down. Bars and casinos do much more harm to families and populations than they ever do good. Evil is everywhere, not just in bars and casinos. I understand that. But the fact remains that places like these play on the weaknesses and addictions of their clientele. The damage doesn't stop there either. People caught in their addictions are often preyed upon and sold into slavery to "scratch their itch". Children are involuntarily subjected and exposed to all kinds of raunchy advertising and solicitation which, more often than not, is a stumbling-block to the proper development of the only people who are innocent of the decision to be there in the first place. Casinos, bars, nightclubs, and the like are often epicenters for evil and crime in the communities they are located. I'm glad that a few of them are now gone with more to come... and hopes that even more casinos close soon!